Don't Be Kind Rashly (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 7
Until now, Rustica Jenus had lived quite uprightly.
Well, let’s just overlook that one time she guzzled down alcohol and pretended to join a gambling table.
If someone loses a skill they’ve honed their entire life overnight, they might just snap from the shock! Besides, she only pretended to gamble—she never actually played! Anyway, she’d always obeyed the law, never harmed others, and lived a decent, upright life.
The most rebellious thing she’d ever done in her life was sneaking out during self-study hours back in academy days to watch a festival, and sleeping once with a handsome man she’d picked up at a local tavern a few days ago.
Wasn’t that the very definition of a model life—so upright it was practically dull and dried up?
Yet this was already the second time she’d been betrayed by a man she’d actually liked.
‘Well, both happen to be emperors. If I kill them both, I’ll be branded a traitor by both nations. Right. If I’m born a woman just once in this life, I might as well become a traitor to two countries.’
Mad thoughts streamed through her mind.
But Lu was perfectly calm. When a person becomes so furious they feel their head might explode, they often grow eerily composed.
With a blank expression, she conversed casually with the Emperor of the Perseita Empire at the table where Perseita’s high nobles were seated.
“Yes, His Imperial Majesty of our empire also expressed his wish for peace and friendship between our two nations, urging us to walk the path of harmony.”
Like hell he did—Carlos Arthur Ingram never said anything of the sort.
But he wasn’t even here, so who cared? Even if she were later reprimanded for relaying words the emperor never spoke, who cared?
By then, nobody would even know if her head was still attached to her shoulders!
“The Emperor… of Kaleta?”
Hayden—or rather, the Emperor of the Perseita Empire—spoke slowly, pausing mid-sentence as if slightly surprised, and widened his eyes a little.
‘Hmm. Could it be someone else who just happens to look exactly like him? Maybe a long-lost twin? So Hayden and the Emperor of Perseita are completely different people!’
While inwardly grasping at such absurd notions, Lu observed the expressions of the high nobles, whose reactions mirrored the Emperor’s apparent surprise.
They were sneering, clearly thinking it impossible. It wasn’t overt, but Lu saw it plainly.
Well, diplomats were supposed to twist words they didn’t even mean—that was their job. Especially since these nobles looked down on her as a young female diplomat, the more openly they showed their disdain, the harder she’d have to work.
“That is indeed welcome news.”
Lu handed the ambassadorial appointment letter, given by Emperor Carlos of Kaleta, to Sir Simon Kainberg. The Emperor of Perseita—Hayden, or rather—reached out with his large hand and took the document that the Court Duke had respectfully offered.
‘Right. It’s possible. Maybe someone on this side of the Wall just happens to look exactly like someone on the other side.’
No, actually, thinking about it again… that’s kind of creepy.
“…Lady Jenus.”
She lifted her head and looked directly at the Emperor of Perseita.
He was exceptionally tall and broad-shouldered. Beneath that black formal attire, there was surely nothing but muscle. She knew that body well—she’d seen him undressed.
“Leaving a place you’ve grown fond of must not have been easy. Do you have any family?”
What’s with the question! You already saw I live alone! …Or did you? Could he really be someone else who just looks identical?
“I am alone, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor looked far too young. His strong jaw and nose, along with his thick eyebrows, gave him a remarkably firm appearance, yet flowed into soft, gentle curves.
But his gray eyes were deep. Perhaps he’d ascended the throne at a young age—or maybe, like the Emperor of Kaleta, he’d lived for hundreds of years while maintaining his youth.
“I see.”
The Emperor of Perseita set the appointment letter back down and gestured to Sir Simon Kainberg.
Where every gesture of Kaleta’s Emperor Carlos carried authority, the gestures of Perseita’s Emperor were concise, precise, and elegant.
Sir Kainberg respectfully placed a document before the Emperor.
“I hope your stay in Chalea is comfortable. Though you’ve come from a very different place, and some unavoidable difficulties may arise, everyone present here is united in offering you full support, so please don’t worry too much.”
In truth, aside from the Emperor and Court Duke Simon Kainberg, the other seven nobles hadn’t even registered in her memory.
They must be quite influential politicians to be present here and greet the Kaleta ambassador directly, but right now, overwhelmed by shock and fury, Lu could barely recall their names and faces.
“Thank you.”
Just maintaining her composure and uttering a polite “thank you” at the end of every sentence was enough to prove she’d earned her place among adults.
“Now that His Imperial Majesty opened the Gate in the Wall, even Kaleta is finally speaking of peace.”
A middle-aged man with a very well-groomed gray beard spoke up. Who was he again? Something like Duke Alanka or whatever.
And clearly, that remark was a veiled jab—an insult implying, ‘Now that we’ve dealt you a blow, even you warmongers have no choice but to talk peace.’
Before this meeting, during the negotiations between Kaleta and Perseita over the past few days, a completely inexperienced young woman had shown up alone—of course they’d be annoyed and see her as easy prey. She knew that.
“Trying something new isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”
Lu replied without even smiling. Her meaning was clear: if provoked, they could easily revert to the old days of war.
The situation was extremely unfavorable for Lu. This was their home ground, and she stood alone as an outsider—it was only natural. But she wouldn’t back down.
“Lady Jenus, you were formerly of the Kaleta Imperial Knights, weren’t you?”
The Emperor’s question, as he skimmed the document Sir Kainberg had presented, chilled the atmosphere further.
The Imperial Knights were Perseita’s greatest enemy—the very force that had completely repelled their invasions at the Wall—so naturally, this only deepened their hostility.
‘Well, who told you to send monsters across the Wall anyway?’
Outwardly, they all looked like perfectly ordinary humans, but even in a city as beautiful as this, dreadful monsters surely lurked somewhere.
These were the very people who’d sent monsters through the Wall into Kaleta and kidnapped its citizens. Never forget that.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Her personal details had surely already been shared with Perseita’s side—it was only natural to exchange information about diplomats. Lu admitted it readily.
Hmm. The stares had already been sharp, but now they felt a hundred times more piercing.
“Please always remember that within the Perseita Empire, using magic is illegal unless you’re specifically licensed.”
“Of course.”
Lu answered, recalling Hayden’s final moment—how he’d vanished without a trace in an instant, despite her inability to use magic.
If he could perform such a flawless teleportation spell, he must have known from the start that she couldn’t use magic.
That is, assuming Hayden and the Emperor were the same person. The distance was perfect right now—should she just stab him? Unfortunately, she had no weapon. What a pity.
‘But are they really the same person? Could they be different?’
Lu preferred to keep all possibilities open. It could be someone else. In fact, it’d be better if they were different—sleeping with the enemy emperor? That’d be utterly horrifying.
Besides, Hayden had always been cheerful and quick to laugh, full of restless energy, whereas the Emperor of Perseita… well, he seemed like someone born of such exalted nobility that he was nearly untouchable.
He felt uncomfortable to approach, intimidating, and almost inhuman.
‘It must be someone else.’
Lu reached a conclusion that felt more like a personal wish. It had to be.
“Even alone, the journey here couldn’t have been easy.”
The Emperor signed the document with swift, forceful strokes. The sound of his pen scratching the paper was almost cheerful.
“Did you settle your affairs properly before leaving?”
Sometimes, amidst vague words and ordinary glances that others dismiss as meaningless, one person alone finds certainty.
Lu’s hand trembled slightly. Hidden in her sleeve, no one else saw it—but the Emperor surely noticed.
“Be careful with Perseita’s liquor. It’s famously potent.”
This man was definitely that man. Even if she denied it, the Emperor already knew—and he stared at her piercingly.
That gaze wasn’t how one looked at a diplomat from an enemy nation. It was how a man looked at a woman after sharing her bed and learning every secret she held.
Lu silently cleared her dry throat before replying.
“Thank you for the warning.”
“Since I’ve warned you, I hope you won’t approach their liquor with high expectations.”
The Emperor spoke flatly as he stamped the document with the seal the Court Duke respectfully offered.
His tone suggested he knew exactly what she’d get up to if she drank. It made her hair stand on end.
“Then I hope you enjoy your time in our empire, Lady Jenus.”
The Emperor of Perseita handed over the permit authorizing the stay and guaranteeing the safety of the ambassador dispatched by Kaleta—a flimsy piece of paper that could be revoked at any moment and held no real power.
That was exactly like Lu—her own situation.
Lu left the Chalea Imperial Palace, tucking the worthless permit into her bosom.
“How’d it go?”
Aldwin, who’d been waiting, asked.
“How’d it go? It ended well enough, just formally.”
“I was so nervous something might happen!”
Seeing him sigh deeply—“Ah, ugh!”—as if the ground might cave in, any dignity he might have as Viscount Melbaro vanished.
“I told you to manage your expression.”
“We’re inside the carriage. The curtains are all drawn.”
“Just in case. But when did you hear I’d be sent as an ambassador and volunteer as my guard?”
Aldwin looked up at the carriage ceiling for a moment before answering.
“Was it about a week ago the talk started? I agonized for two days before volunteering. Hah! Where else would you find a friend like me, huh?”
Aldwin was too junior and young to be involved in the actual negotiations between Kaleta and Perseita. He must’ve heard through his father, meaning Lu’s name had come up in discussions more than a week ago.
And Hayden had appeared not in the Kaleta Empire, but at some unnamed territory on the western edge of the Momentum Kingdom—just four days ago.
“So you came knowing all along, you bastard…”
The Emperor of Perseita had personally gone to spy on who the newly appointed Kaleta ambassador was. The timing was spot-on.
He must have been certain Rustica Jenus was a discarded pawn of the Kaleta Empire—gone so far as to scrutinize her down to her very core.
“Well, of course I knew! Did you think I’d just send you alone into this dangerous place? I’ve got loyalty, you know.”
“I should just kill him.”
Kill him. She couldn’t forgive him.
He should’ve come and gone like a passing stranger, quietly. Instead, he acted as if they’d met before, claimed he couldn’t remember her, feigned disappointment, and spun all sorts of lies? Lu, starved for human connection, had found it hard to let him go—and he must have noticed that clearly, yet still pulled such a stunt.
In espionage, such betrayals were commonplace, but being on the receiving end left a truly foul taste.
“What? Hey, why are you glaring like that? Are you unhappy I came all this way for you?”
“Shut up. I’m not talking about you.”
“Then who are you talking about?”
“Never mind. Where are we headed now?”
The carriage moved straight ahead as if its destination were already set.
“Where else? To the embassy, Ambassador of Kaleta. Tit for tat, right? Now that our business is done, we’re heading to your office—and home.”
“You really talk too much.”
It’d been ages since her ears felt so full. Come to think of it, even on that brutal battlefield, Aldwin never stopped chattering.
“I’m just talking for you since you stay silent. Eliza and Martin are already there.”
“You mean Lady Barcova.”
“Eliza and I are on first-name terms! We’re close.”
That blunt assassin pretending to be a knight—yeah, right. You’re the only one calling her by her first name. Lu gave up on replying.
“How did they decide on the embassy?”
“Seems they picked it in a bit of a hurry. Still, it’s the first-ever Kaleta embassy—there’s pride involved! They couldn’t just put it anywhere.”
The great Kaleta Empire, standing guard at the Wall against the monsters pouring out ‘for the sake of the world.’ For hundreds of years, this had been their duty—so Kaleta’s pride and arrogance soared ever higher, knowing no bounds.
Lu had fallen out of favor with Emperor Carlos Arthur Ingram precisely because she’d questioned that very premise.
‘Are we truly guarding the Wall for the sake of the world?’
What was it all for? It looked like a pointless, wasteful war. Carlos had no intention of ending that centuries-long stalemate. Something was clearly wrong.
“But since we know nothing about this place, they agreed to buy a mansion, half-trusting, half-suspecting.”
“How come you know more than I do? I’m the ambassador.”
It was a sharp remark, but Aldwin just chuckled it off.
“Ah, you’re the one destined for big things now. Stuff like this? Your guards handle all the details.”
Was he doing this on purpose, or was this just his nature? Lu couldn’t tell.
Meanwhile, the carriage rolled along a beautifully paved road.
Chalea was utterly unlike Katat. While any major city had its long, straight avenues, here, sharp black pillars stood at regular intervals along every street.
What on earth were those? Moreover, the ladies’ skirts on the streets were much shorter than in Katat, making them look far more active.
“At least we share a language—that’s lucky.”
“The script’s a bit different, but apparently, you can roughly figure it out.”
Aldwin glanced outside and nodded.
Lu, lost in thought, furrowed her brow. How could the language be the same? She could already read most of the signs she saw.
She’d assumed this place was inhabited by monsters—yet everything felt strangely off. There were far too many suspicious things.
“At least it’s convenient—that’s good.”
Aldwin blurted out that overly simple reply to her deep concern, then, as the carriage stopped, stepped out first like a proper guard.
“This looks quite promising?”
Lu looked up at the three-story brick mansion nestled within the city center, surrounded by a high wall. Someone had already hung the flag of the Kaleta Empire. She sighed involuntarily.
‘They’ve practically put up a sign saying, “Please attack us.” Well, can’t be helped. It’s officially an embassy—they had to fly the flag.’
“What do you think, Lu?”
There was no turning back now. She’d been shoved here against her will with no motivation whatsoever—but now, Lu had found a powerful reason to replace that lack of drive.
“It’s much better than I expected. I was just hoping it’d at least keep the rain off.”
Rustica Jenus had already taken a heavy blow from the Emperor of Perseita.
She could never just accept being wronged. After all, she’d been living with her guts hanging out for four years already.
She’d make both the Emperor of Perseita and the Emperor of Kaleta—who’d sent her here to die—eat their words. She’d stake her life on it.
“Let’s go, Aldwin.”
“Yes, Madam Ambassador. But what’s first on the agenda?”
“What else? I’ll start by spreading rumors that the Emperor of Perseita is utterly terrible in bed.”
“…Huh?”
My Arch-enemy Sealed My Memory and Said That He is My Husband
This is an incredibly captivating story that you absolutely shouldn’t miss! I’ll give a brief introduction here, and below you’ll find a detailed synopsis of the plot.
The female lead is a fierce and powerful demon king. The male lead is a once-in-a-millennium celestial lord, admired by the entire cultivation world.
They are equally matched, legendary rivals who have battled for centuries.
In the final duel, the female lead is gravely injured. The male lead saves her, seals her memories, and hides her true identity. He tells her that he is her fiancé. His entire life has been flawless—except for the one thing he never expected, never controlled, and never wanted to control: falling for his greatest enemy. She is his inner demon, his obsession.
When the female lead regains her memories, she is furious at his deception.
She makes his life a living hell.
And somehow, the male lead—possibly a total masochist—doesn’t mind at all. In fact, he’s happy she’s paying attention to him.
Yep, we’re back to my favorite trope: male lead suffering. If you love this kind of story, jump into the pit with me now!!!
Intro
Dong Xia lost her memory.
Her handsome and extremely powerful fiancé Li Qing comforted her: “It’s okay if you can’t remember. I’ll always be with you.”
Everyone thought Dong Xia’s ancestors must have burned incense to get such a perfect fiancé. He was the number one person in the immortal realm, yet he remained chaste and only loved her.
…
The day before marrying her fiancé, Dong Xia finally remembered everything.
She wasn’t suffering from memory loss at all.
Her arch-enemy had made her fake her death, destroyed her cultivation, replaced her memories, and pretended to be her deeply in love fiancé.
No wonder he said, “It’s okay if you can’t remember”!
Dong Xia laughed coldly as she pulled out her long knife: Li Qing, prepare to die 🙂
*
Li Qing, as the supreme being of the immortal realm, was the people’s shining beacon.
The only unknown stain in his life was his affection for Dong Xia, the ruler of the demon realm.
In the final battle of the war between immortals and demons, the sky collapsed and the earth shattered. The ruler of the demon realm was finally slain under the sword of the supreme being of the immortal realm, and everyone in the immortal realm applauded.
The cultivation world lost a ruler of the demon realm.
And in the back mountain of Li Qing’s cave dwelling, he secretly hid away a fiancée.
Notes:
1. The female lead is white on the outside, black on the inside, and the queen of flattery; the male lead repeatedly tests the edge of darkness, a VIP guest at the crematorium.
2. Fantasy cultivation world setting.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
I’m not sure where Lu gets the patience to deal with Hayden. He’s like a bulldozer. He seems convinced he’s helping her yet he doesn’t consider her opinions throughout it all.