“Stepmother.”
At the baritone voice past puberty, I suddenly focused my blurred vision.
The blue eyes wrapped in sharp gaze narrowed as they looked at me.
“What are you thinking about so intently?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I was just wondering if everything was properly prepared…”
Kardiel sighed and adjusted my marten fur muffler.
The soft fur blocked the cold air filling the pitch-black winter dawn.
It was early dawn now.
Though the dim light had not yet spread, the group returning to Daiern duchy was busily moving in front of the imperial villa.
I too had woken up early from dawn sleep to see the children off.
“What about Euphi and Chelsie?”
“I told them to stay in the carriage since it’s cold. They’re both still half-asleep too.”
“They must be tired since it’s earlier than usual.”
“They’ll be fine sleeping in the carriage on the way.”
My gaze moved past Kardiel’s shoulder to Daiern’s black carriage.
Since I couldn’t hear the children’s voices and it was quiet, they seemed to be in a daze due to the extremely early hour.
‘Euphi seems a bit pouty though.’
Euphemina had been puffing her cheeks all day yesterday at having to go down without me.
Though I succeeded in persuading her with the condition of a picnic, she still wasn’t in the best mood.
“Don’t worry, Duchess. Ernestine and I here will safely escort them to the duchy.”
“Ohoho, please just trust us.”
Meanwhile, Sergei and Professor Ernestine approached.
Honestly, I was more than a little worried about sending the children on a long journey alone for the first time.
But how relieved I was that Sergei was accompanying them at such a time. In fact, this schedule was only possible because Sergei was there.
In other words, Sergei was essentially the real leader of this group.
As I stared blankly at Sergei, I suddenly asked.
“And how are your eyes?”
“The pain is gone now. The discomfort… is just a matter of getting used to it.”
Though the bandages were removed, he couldn’t wear both glasses and an eye patch at the same time.
So Sergei had no choice but to expose the burn scar on his left eye.
I should look into ways to erase the scar as soon as possible. It was necessary, if only for Euphemina’s sake.
After some light conversation, Sergei and Professor Ernestine left to finish the departure preparations.
Next I needed to check on Prince Raphael’s carriage.
Already, an imperial carriage bearing the lion crest was waiting in front of the Daiern carriage carrying the children.
Judging by the lack of luggage, it was evident that preparations had been rushed.
There were only a few court attendants to serve and one baggage carriage. Of course, that couldn’t hide the splendid majesty of the imperial carriage.
“By the way, Stepmother.”
“Hm?”
“You still haven’t answered my question.”
Ah, only then did I suddenly remember.
What was the reason I had been spacing out with unfocused eyes until just now.
“Oh, right. What was the question again?”
Kardiel’s eyes immediately narrowed. But I had my reasons.
It wasn’t that I wasn’t concentrating, there was another reason, which was…
“I asked if something happened between you two.”
“Ah.”
Only then did I come to my senses. Though unintentional, my gaze reflexively rolled over.
Towards Sir Joseph, who had been standing silently by my side this whole time.
And he too, sensing my gaze, turned to look this way. Ah…!
At that moment, I abruptly turned my head away.
Goodness. I thought our eyes were about to meet.
“…Nothing special happened, but why do you ask?”
Fortunately, Sir Joseph answered in an unconcerned voice in place of me, who had once again missed the timing to respond.
‘But somehow it’s irritating.’
Compared to me acting like a spaced-out person since earlier, he seemed to be in a perfectly normal state.
There was even a relaxed tone in his voice. Was he really not affected at all?
It was just a few hours ago in the night that it happened.
He had barged into my room just as I was about to rest, cornered me, and committed an outrageous act.
Moreover, the heat from that time still seemed to linger throughout my body.
The sensation that started from my lips and recklessly dug in, stirring up the depths of my breath.
In that moment, I was unable to resist at all.
It was partly because my mind had gone blank like a clean slate, but also because the dizzying excitement that bloomed from my fingertips and toes seemed to bind my limbs.
I couldn’t move at all.
Without realizing, I closed my eyes, and without realizing, I clung to him, putting strength into my arms and legs that had been blocking his waist and neck.
Rough and intense breaths were exchanged for a long time.
Later, even my consciousness became hazy due to lack of oxygen.
It was then that the sense of crisis that my reason would be submerged at this rate pierced my spine.
I twisted my whole body to push him away. Only then could I finally breathe freely.
Ha, but there was still no time given to protest.
I had to remain limp for quite a while with our foreheads pressed together, if only to catch my ragged breath.
Moreover, on top of my lips, Sir Joseph left these words:
This time I’ll omit it.
…he said.
He’s crazy, absolutely crazy. Strictly speaking, he’s still an outsider since we haven’t even had the engagement ceremony yet.
Moreover, I haven’t even taken off my mourning clothes yet. According to imperial law, a widow who hasn’t passed the mourning period is still considered a married woman.
Yet to get so excited like a teenage girl…
“…Did really nothing happen?”
Kardiel’s gaze sharpened with suspicion.
For a moment, my body flinched at the feeling that I’d been caught. Fortunately, there was no case of the thief giving himself away.
“I heard that Sir Joseph followed you into your room last night with an angry expression when you returned late, Stepmother.”
Phew, that’s right!
Yes, thinking about it rationally, there’s no way the sounds from inside that Sir Joseph had magically blocked could have leaked out.
Clearly, the Daiern servants living in the villa had explained the situation to Kardiel.
“Did you two fight again?”
Again…?
I recalled the unjust feeling from a few days ago. I quickly waved my hands.
“What fight! I just came back later than expected. Sir Joseph came looking for me, curious about what I had discussed with His Majesty. I’m not sure about him being angry. It was quite late, so he must have been worried about me. Isn’t that right, Sir Joseph?”
“The Duchess is correct, Young Master.”
Even in such an awkward moment, we were in sync when it came to lying.
However, Kardiel, who had been looking back and forth between me and Sir Joseph as we smoothly made excuses, clicked his tongue.
“If you weren’t angry and didn’t fight, then why have you two been avoiding eye contact this whole time?”
“…”
“…”
As for that…
There was no room for excuses. Silence and cold sweat flowed between Sir Joseph and me.
‘No, but after doing that, that thing at night…’
It was absolutely impossible to meet eyes and converse normally as usual.
Maybe for a shameless person like Sir Joseph, but I’m quite a conscientious person.
Above all, even if it wasn’t for that… incident, it’s true that Sir Joseph and I are in a cold war state.
It was because Sir Joseph had… done something like jealousy.
Ah, this won’t do. It seemed better not to think too deeply about that matter right now.
I shook out my thoughts and spoke, pretending to be calm:
“We just had a small difference of opinion during our conversation. It was such a sudden decision, wasn’t it? But it wasn’t a big enough conflict for you to worry about.”
It was at that moment.
Sir Joseph began to shoot an intense, almost stinging gaze towards me.
As if asking, “That was a small difference of opinion?”
Or it felt like he was reproaching, “To say that wasn’t a big conflict…”
Even so, there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t honestly reply that it was a matter of passion in front of my son, could I?
In the end, Kardiel, who had been looking back and forth between me and Sir Joseph, sighed.
“I understand. Since you said it’s nothing serious, I’m sure you two will resolve it amicably. Anyway…”
Fortunately, Kardiel didn’t pry any further. There was also an appropriate topic to change to.
“I understand the circumstances of His Highness the Prince staying in Daiern. I’ll explain it to my siblings too, so don’t worry.”
As he said this, Kardiel gestured towards the Prince’s carriage and asked:
“Then until you return to the duchy, Stepmother, should I consult with Sir Sergei regarding matters of hospitality for His Highness the Prince?”
“No. Sir Sergei is also staying as your tutor and guest, isn’t he? Kardiel, while I’m gone, you as the young duke are the master of Daiern. You take good care of His Highness Prince Raphael.”
“Can I really make all the decisions?”
Kardiel showed a rare worried expression.
I held the child’s hand tightly and instilled confidence in him.
“You already know the etiquette for hosting distinguished guests, don’t you? Still, it’s natural to feel nervous the first time. If you think it’ll be too difficult, ask Sir Sergei for advice. But remember this. The decision-making authority lies with you, the young duke.”
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
