He really worried about me and waited for me to come back. So many people did.
My heart warmed.
Why did I hesitate a hundred times? Of course, I had to come back.
How could I leave behind such lovely people?
I also shook his hand.
“Thank you. I’m really relieved that you are unharmed, Lord.”
Terminus came forward and also held my hand.
“Cecilia, the world without you waking up was dark. It’s a miracle and an honor to see your bright face again.”
“I was really worried when you suddenly collapsed. I received a lot of help from you, and it’s not that I can’t repay this kindness, or that I can’t meet you again… I’m really relieved that you woke up.”
Heron also ran over, greeted me, and hugged me tightly.
By then, I couldn’t hold back any longer and started shedding tears. Everything I had experienced with these people, and the moments we had fought together risking our lives in the war, all flashed through my mind.
“Don’t cry. On happy days, you should smile.”
“It’s not crying. Sweat keeps coming into my eyes, sniff.”
Even Lord Taphineus comforted me.
But it’s strange. The people who came out now have faces that I recognize, but why are ordinary soldiers here?
I wiped away the tears and looked around again.
Only then did I notice a solemn atmosphere.
Oh…
I sense something extraordinary.
I took a step back. From now on, I’m not the protagonist. Edric is the protagonist!
As soon as I realized it, Lord Roberto stepped forward again. As expected, he stood in front of Edric.
“We have been waiting for the moment when Lord Edric could accept our words. We don’t want to postpone it any longer.”
Lord Roberto bowed. He knelt in front of Edric with one knee.
“Lord Edric Artigraado, please be our master.”
Lord Roberto’s white, thick hair fluttered in the wind. There was no playfulness in his eyes as he looked up at Edric.
Heron also stepped forward.
“If it weren’t for Artigraado, Delord might have been wandering in some darkness. We owe a great debt. It’s not too late now; please lead us again.”
“Forgive past mistakes and lead the country.”
“We will support only you and follow only your commands.”
Others also began expressing their support for Edric, kneeling down.
“Lord Edric, I apologize for doubting you. From now on, every mole person is willing to devote their lives to follow you as our master.”
Lord Taphineus also knelt.
A wave of loyalty spread. Following the lords, the soldiers also knelt.
“Lord Edric Artigraado, please be our king!”
“Please be our king!”
Everyone’s voices sounded as one.
The fully risen sun illuminated every corner of the world. There was no darkness anywhere. The sky, without a single cloud, was bright and high. Now, the warm spring breeze that had just risen passed by and circled around the heads of countless people.
I felt a thrill in my body.
“Rise.”
As if commanding all those who knelt, Edric’s voice was low and firm.
But to rise? I don’t really know, but if you pledge allegiance, don’t you have to say, ‘Yes, I understand. I will become king!’?
The people who knelt in front, the lords, who didn’t understand the mole language, exchanged glances.
“I’ll say it again. Rise.”
In response to the firm command, those who knelt hesitantly got up. Nevertheless, there was a sense of bewilderment about whether this was the right thing to do.
As everyone finally stood up, Edric walked slowly forward. People parted on either side, and soon Edric was surrounded in a circle.
Even with his large height and build, Edric was not obscured by anyone. No, even if he were shorter, he probably wouldn’t be hidden.
He was born a king, and he is the one destined to be a king.
The spring sunlight shone down on his crown sharply.
Edric in the center carefully scanned each person’s face.
As if he would remember the face of every person.
As if he would engrave everyone’s determination.
After a moment of silence, Edric spoke again.
“You have reclaimed this country with me and restored peace to Delord. This is not something I achieved alone. Therefore, you will stand not below me but beside me.”
He was different from the previous Edric.
He wasn’t the villainous Edric I first saw, nor was he the one who was confused and pondering.
In the beginning, I might have led Edric, but now, it was not the case.
Edric had spent a long time agonizing and questioning himself endlessly. And finally, through his own efforts, he became a complete king.
“Under the Artigrado dynasty, no one will meet an unfortunate and unjust death anymore. I will ensure that. I will never betray your sacrifices and trust.”
Everyone around, moved by Edric’s sincere words, became unified in heart.
Sniff. It’s so touching.
Everyone, this man is my lover. He’s my man.
Seems like I want to proudly lift Edric up and brag about him to everyone in the neighborhood.
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.”
