What is this nonsense?
Suddenly my heart felt chilled. Did that bastard really usurp the position of Duke Daiern?
“But now you’ll never need to use it again, right? Since the site is similar, we wouldn’t need to spend much time creating new blueprints. Why don’t we review it?”
“That’s an excellent idea!”
There was no need to think about it for long.
If Lord Joseph’s blueprints were truly useful, it could save months or even years of time.
Besides, wasn’t it from the one who dared to usurp Daiern? I needn’t feel any pangs of conscience about taking it.
No, not just the blueprints.
“By the way, if it’s difficult to find a hotel room, I’m considering buying the Baden mansion at this opportunity. What do you think?”
He’s no longer a noble or anything, so that mansion would be extravagant.
Lord Joseph seemed to agree with my thoughts as he smiled with bright eyes.
“The Baden mansion was actually scheduled to go on sale after Wilhelm York Baden’s mourning period ended. If we go through the only servant who comes out to buy groceries, we could purchase it earlier.”
“How ridiculous. To observe mourning etiquette when he’s not even in a position to enter society.”
“He plans to come kneel before you when that period ends. He thinks it’s better to follow social etiquette if he wants to be accepted as a vassal again. He probably doesn’t want to go to his daughter.”
Come to think of it, the Badens do have a daughter.
In a convent, that is.
How fortunate? Even if Wilhelm York Baden squanders the money he gets from selling the mansion, it means he’ll have somewhere to go in the end.
These days, you can’t enter a convent without connections either.
“It’s decided then.”
Then I just need to take care of the remaining business. Namely, having an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.
As Daiern’s representative, I need to apologize for Wilhelm York Baden’s insolence towards His Majesty.
The problem is, His Majesty isn’t someone I can easily meet just because I want to.
Will it take a full month just waiting?
However, surprisingly, the opportunity to meet His Majesty came sooner than I expected.
Namely…….
[This is the timeline separator]“We greet His Majesty, the exalted Emperor, the glory of Kalant.”
The Emperor entered the banquet hall. Those in attendance, including myself who was already standing at attention, paid our respects as he entered.
The Emperor accepted the greetings with an impassive attitude and headed towards the seat of honor at the table.
Suddenly, he stopped in front of me and acknowledged me.
“It’s been a while, Regent of Daiern.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I hope Your Imperial body is in perfect health.”
An imposing old man with a round white beard covering his upper lip and lower jaw.
The Emperor of the Kalant Empire, Godfrey Rudeil Orik Kalant, is a lion-like man who boasts as much robust dignity as his impressive physique even in his 60s.
Yes, perhaps this is how Crown Prince Raphael might look when he enters his twilight years.
The problem is…….
“Does the Regent of Daiern see Us as being at peace?”
……that these damn Kalant royals all have terrible personalities.
Isn’t he proving that splendidly even now? Why is he picking a fight with me when I’m just standing here quietly?
‘What nonsense about desiring me.’
I recalled what Adeline had told me.
But I couldn’t find any trace of goodwill in the Emperor’s eyes as he looked down at me.
‘If it were outright hostility, I might understand.’
Well, what can I do? I’m merely a vassal of the Emperor at best.
In times like these, there’s no other answer but to pretend to be appropriately humble, regardless of how the Emperor’s mood seems.
“How could a mere foolish widow fathom Your Majesty’s deepening wisdom and devoted spirit with each passing year?”
“The Regent is being excessively humble.”
The Emperor raised one corner of his mouth as if dumbfounded and flashed his eyes.
It seemed like he had more to say, but he turned away without continuing.
It was quite fortunate for me. That is, being here with Lord Joseph.
“Ho ho ho. Duke Alperon! It’s been so long. You’ve finally accepted Our invitation. We thought Our allotted lifespan would end waiting for your reply. How could you be so heartless?”
“I’ve been quite busy with public and private affairs. If you felt neglected, I sincerely apologize, Emperor Kalant.”
“Ho ho ho, We certainly felt neglected. Well then, please spend more time with Us from now on. We have so many things We want to hear about Alperon!”
The Emperor addressed Lord Joseph with a completely different expression and tone than he had used with me.
It’s only natural, of course.
I’m just a widow guarding a house without a master, while Lord Joseph is an honored guest visiting as a monarch from Alperon, the mysterious continent with which we couldn’t interact for a thousand years.
Yes. The reason why the Emperor was so desperate to invite Lord Joseph to the banquet.
And the reason why Lord Joseph could so easily decline the Emperor’s invitation was none other than this.
In terms of status, the Emperor of Kalant and the ruler of Alperon are equals. It means they have a relationship where they must respect each other.
“We have plenty of time, so we can continue our interactions slowly. In any case, thank you for today’s invitation, Your Majesty the Emperor of Kalant.”
“Ho ho, We are most pleased to hear the ruler of Alperon say so.”
Only after the conversation was adequately concluded did the Emperor finally take his seat at the table.
Yes. This is a dinner with the imperial family.
The reason I got a chance to meet the Emperor so quickly was thanks to Lord Joseph.
Upon hearing the news that he had finally risen from his sickbed, the Emperor invited him to the banquet.
Lord Joseph tried to refuse as usual, but it was an opportunity too good for me to miss.
So I suggested accompanying him.
“Let Us begin the banquet.”
[This is the timeline separator]“Oh my, so Duke Alperon came to the Kalant Empire as a tourist? And you’ve been working as a tutor at the Daiern mansion because there wasn’t a suitable hotel?”
“…Yes, something like that.”
“Goodness, how could this be? I heard that Father had offered to provide a palace for Duke Alperon to stay in during the social season. But you declined, I hear?”
“I had things to do…”
“I see. I don’t know what those things were, but it would be good if you stayed in the imperial palace now. The guest palace prepared for Duke Alperon is still empty, you know.”
“……”
The woman chattering away to Lord Joseph is none other than the Imperial Princess, Seraphina Rubiel Kalant.
I finally understood why Lord Joseph had tried so hard to avoid coming to this gathering.
These things are obvious at a glance.
‘She’s interested in Lord Joseph.’
Not just interested, she’s practically marked him as a potential imperial son-in-law.
It was clear from how no one dared to interrupt the princess’s words.
‘Except for Adeline.’
She’s been looking uncomfortable since earlier. It seems she hasn’t told anyone that Lord Joseph and I are engaged.
Of course. It’s proper etiquette to keep quiet about such things until the parties involved announce it themselves.
For reference, Princess Seraphina, a late child, is only one year older than her nephew, Crown Prince Raphael.
Moreover, she’s the final treasure left behind by the empress whom Emperor Godfrey loved more than anyone.
A petite beauty with thick, beautiful curly hair resembling the empress, and droopy puppy-like eyes.
The entire social circle knew how much the Emperor doted on and adored this tiny, baby bird-like princess who emerged from such a rugged, lion-like bloodline.
“Oh, are you feeling better now? When I heard you were injured, I was so worried. I wanted to visit you, but there was no response… You’re too cruel, Duke Alperon.”
“I see.”
Ah, really.
‘…He’s going to choke.’
Not me, but Lord Joseph.
Princess Seraphina had been constantly talking to Lord Joseph since the meal began.
It was to the point where this felt more like a tea time than a dinner.
She must know that Lord Joseph’s responses lack sincerity, but she’s relentless.
Moreover, due to the seating arrangement, her voice keeps crossing in front of my face.
Let me briefly explain the seating arrangement here.
The Emperor’s seat is at the head of the long table.
To his right are the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Adeline, and to his left are Princess Seraphina and Crown Prince Raphael.
Lord Joseph, as an honored guest, is seated directly across from the Emperor.
I was assigned the seat next to Crown Prince Raphael, to Joseph’s right.
…This is why Princess Seraphina’s voice has to pass by Crown Prince Raphael and me to reach Lord Joseph.
‘It’s really annoying.’
Can’t we just eat quietly?
“Excuse me, Regent. Perhaps the banquet food doesn’t suit your taste?”
“…Ah.”
It seems I completely failed to manage my expression, showing how displeased I was.
Considering that Crown Prince Raphael, who was sitting next to me and not even across from me, asked this, I must have.
Male lead is a Destined Young Husband (Female-dominant)
One-sentence summary: Wife-master, listen to my explanation!
Li Ruantang, a young lady from a prestigious family, stumbled and fell. When she woke up, she saw a noble and beautiful young man sitting by her bedside, wiping away tears.
The young master had slightly reddened eyes, and his every move exuded charm.
The sight made Li Ruantang’s eyes hot and her heart flutter. After all, she had made a bet with the young master Meng from the neighboring family. If she couldn’t marry a husband before the end of the year, she would have to admit defeat and give up the jade she had worked so hard to obtain.
Outside the window, the flowers were in full bloom.
Rather than losing the bet, the jade, and her face, Li Ruantang calculated that it would be better to seek marriage with the young master in front of her, killing three birds with one stone.
…
Meng Jun never thought that an accident during a spring outing would lead to them rolling down a cliff and into a river, yet still survive.
Now they were trapped in an unknown village, and Meng Jun had overheard that the family who had rescued them had their own intentions.
After all, it was Li Ruantang who had lost her mind and sought marriage first. He was only trying to protect himself!
Glancing at Li Ruantang, who was listing her own merits, the young husband’s voice softened, and he blushed as he lied, “W-wife-master, Wife-master, don’t you remember me?”
The young husband’s voice was clear and handsome, coaxing Li Ruantang’s heart to be soft and sweet, and she spared no effort to protect him.
It wasn’t until they returned to the capital that Li Ruantang suddenly remembered.
When they had fallen off the cliff, in order not to implicate Wei Yunruo, whom he secretly admired, the young husband had instead pulled her, who was slightly farther away, down the cliff with him…
Short summary by Yuushi L: Initially, the male lead (ML) liked another girl, while the female lead (FL) liked the ML. Both fell off a cliff. The FL temporarily lost her memory, and the ML, fearing others might take advantage of him, claimed FL was his wife while they were staying in a village. Later, when they returned home, the FL regained her memories and remembered that the ML liked someone else, so she kept her distance from him. However, during their time living together in the countryside, the ML’s view of the FL had completely changed. From this point, his pursuit of the FL begins.
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