10 years.
The magnitude of the years she had devoted her body and mind to believing in Shallen was a full 10 years.
During that time when any other young lady would have had countless diverse experiences, Kasallin had devoted herself day and night solely to her studies to become the perfect queen in the future.
Not to mention wasting precious money to make her already perfect appearance even more beautiful, wanting to look even slightly prettier to him.
She had given him all of her irreplaceable firsts completely.
The result of striving so devotedly to become a wife and queen was a notice of annulment.
And she was struck in the back of the head once again with the terrible betrayal of a marriage proposal to her younger sister.
“You look like an angel descended from heaven! My one and only beloved daughter Rose. Mother is so happy that I can’t help but cry…”
“Oh Mother. Stop crying. It’s a good day.”
Rose, adorned with a luxurious silk wedding dress and jewels scattered all over her body like ice flowers, was like a freshly bloomed iris.
She was completely enchanted by her own reflection in the mirror, smiling shyly, but also glancing at her older sister who stood in a corner of the room like a discarded toy.
“Hey, Kasallin. What are you doing standing there blankly? Come here and attend to her. From now on, she’s not your younger sister but the queen of this country.”
When Shallen chose Rose as queen, her stepmother’s shadowed face bloomed brightly as if nothing had happened.
Until Kasallin was annulled, she must have been greatly disappointed that she couldn’t receive the benefits of being the queen’s family.
But her own daughter.
To be precise, the daughter born between the late Marquis Robepon and her stepmother, Rose, had become the protagonist of that glory, so it couldn’t help but be unexpected fortune.
She didn’t know why Shallen had decided to take Rose as queen, but it was certain that it was a despicable thing to do to Kasallin, his former fiancée.
But as merely the daughter of a nobleman, she had no power to confront the man who was the highest authority in this country.
Whether Rose knew or not about Kasallin’s heart that was crushed beyond recognition, she was only preoccupied with admiring her own image in the mirror.
“Sister. I heard it’s a tradition of the Kan royal family for siblings to usually serve as the queen’s bridesmaids. So… could you do it?”
Rose brought up the topic as if apologetic while fingering the red diamond necklace that had belonged to Kasallin until recently.
Rose had always been such a younger sister.
Being timid and having grown up confined only to the mansion until this age, she knew nothing of the ways of the world and didn’t know how to understand others’ emotions.
What’s good is good, what’s bad is bad, and she was like a young child stuck at the stage of learning from one to ten what constitutes wrong behavior.
To consider her immature would be too generous, as she often carelessly uttered hurtful words, so honestly it would be a lie to say she didn’t dislike her.
When Kasallin hardened her face and said nothing, only then did Rose bow her head awkwardly.
“Sorry. I guess that would be a bit much, right? As you know, I have no other friends to ask.”
Kasallin let out a hollow laugh at the absurdity.
Rose must have taken Kasallin’s bitter smile in a bad way, as she suddenly became excited and poured out her words.
“I couldn’t help it either! When His Majesty the King commanded me to become queen, how could I dare refuse?”
“Rose. I didn’t say anything.”
When Kasallin warned her with a stern voice, Rose hesitated and closed her mouth.
Kasallin continued speaking with a quiet sigh.
“I know. That becoming queen wasn’t your will. That we have no right to refuse. But knowing what happened to me and showing such words and actions, don’t you think that’s a bit problematic?”
“Actually, I’m scared. I’m acting like this to shake off even a little tension. I’ve never left home once in 20 years. But suddenly I have to live in the unknown world of the royal palace. I don’t know if I can handle it.”
“That’s something you need to figure out on your own now.”
Kasallin coldly pushed away her younger sister who was clinging to her arm, whining annoyingly.
She was so insufferably detestable that she no longer wanted to indulge her whims.
Then her stepmother approached beyond the doorway.
She had been climbing the stairs to inform them that the carriage had arrived, and seemed to have heard their conversation from the corridor. As expected, she became a reliable ally for her own daughter.
“This mother also thinks there’s nothing wrong with Rose’s words. Kasallin. I understand your situation, but if the older sister turns her back when her younger sister enters the royal palace, worse talk will spread among people.”
“So what do you want to say?”
“How about you become Rose’s maid for the time being.”
Kasallin frowned as if doubting whether what she just heard was really true.
“Rose is still young. It’s too much for her to perform as queen right away. In that sense, if you, who are worldly-wise and knowledgeable, assist Rose well, won’t the unpleasant rumors circulating around you eventually die down?”
It was one mountain after another.
Kasallin was looking for appropriate words and grounds to rationally argue against her mother about why she couldn’t become her younger sister’s maid.
But in the meantime, she instructed a servant to pack Kasallin’s belongings and load them into the carriage.
The sight of even those few small belongings leaving her hands at a single command from her stepmother seemed to prove that Kasallin had become a useless existence in the Robepon family.
“Mother!”
“It’s already past. Something to be forgotten. You need a new start too.”
“Not a new start, but ultimately a useful stepping stone for Rose. Mother has always treated me that way.”
“It’s not for Rose, but to protect the honor of the Robepon family. Although the title was inherited by your uncle and godfather, you must properly inherit the spiritual legacy left by His Lordship Marquis Robepon. Because you are the eldest daughter who must take full responsibility for our family.”
I trust you.
Her stepmother, Lady Elizabeth Robepon, showed such a warm yet cruel smile as she helped Kasallin into the carriage.
[This is the timeline separator]The royal palace was bustling with preparations for the wedding and coronation ceremony.
When the carriage carrying the Robepon sisters stopped at the temple entrance, guards formed a tight security perimeter and provided escort.
The carriage door opened. A familiar man walked down from the steps.
With his blonde hair neatly swept back and dressed stylishly in wedding ceremonial clothes, it was Shallen, who had sworn eternal love to Kasallin until recently.
“Ah, hello. Your Majesty.”
Rose was so nervous that she forgot etiquette and hurriedly bent her knees.
“You’ve worked hard preparing for the ceremony since dawn. Miss Rose. Have you been well?”
“Y-yes.”
“However.”
Shallen, who had been smiling kindly at Rose, suddenly hardened his face as if cold water had been poured on him and shifted his gaze to Kasallin.
“…I didn’t expect to see you here as well.”
Coming here might actually be a good thing.
There was no way Shallen would allow her to enter the palace as Rose’s maid.
If he, as king, refused, Rose wouldn’t be able to throw tantrums anymore and her mother wouldn’t be able to say anything either.
Of course, it wasn’t easy to stand before him while desperately hiding her miserably wounded and broken heart. It was such a difficult task that she thought it would be better to have her heart torn by someone.
But Kasallin raised her head.
She straightened her body that seemed about to collapse under his shameless gaze pressing down on both shoulders, and opened her eyes more confidently than ever even though tears seemed about to burst forth.
At least in front of him, she didn’t want to show herself staggering in pain.
Even if it was useless pride or self-deception.
“Rose asked me to enter the palace with her. Especially Mother suggested that I become a maid. Since it’s a matter I can’t decide unilaterally, I had no choice but to come and ask for your opinion.”
“Is what she says true? Miss Rose.”
Shallen looked at Rose and tilted his head.
Rose, who had been unable to make eye contact and only fidgeting with her innocent fingers, nodded slightly.
“I feel supported when Sister Kasallin is by my side. In my desire to be with my sister, I…”
Shallen’s eyebrows twitched. He seemed to pity Rose, whose small shoulders were trembling.
But the words that came from his mouth were completely unexpected.
“Miss Rose. How old are you this year?”
“Pardon? I’m… twenty years old.”
“At twenty, I think you’re more than old enough to take care of yourself. What do you think the ministers will say if the person who’s about to become queen is just clinging to her sister’s skirts?”
“Ah… I’m, I’m sorry.”
Rose’s face turned bright red.
She had certainly expected him to sympathize with her and defend her, but he unexpectedly scolded her firmly.
However, if he had no interest, he wouldn’t have said such words either.
She felt uncomfortable inside. Kasallin felt nauseated with betrayal and humiliation.
“Naturally, I’ll take that as a refusal. Then, please take good care of Rose.”
Feeling like she would lose her mind if she continued facing Shallen, Kasallin turned toward the carriage.
“When did I say you could go?”
Kasallin stopped walking.
Strangely, in Shallen’s blue eyes, incomprehensible hesitation and strange excitement were mixed together, flowing down like old ink.
“Do you have something to say?”
“Listening to it, Miss Rose’s words also make sense. Kasallin. From today, you shall become the queen’s head maid.”
Kasallin slowly shook her head, doubting her ears.
“You know you shouldn’t do this.”
“It’s a royal command. Stay in the palace and help her until Miss Rose settles into her role as queen. This is for the stability and future of the Kan royal family.”
“Your Majesty!”
“If you’re determined to defy the command, there’s nothing I can do about it, but the consequences will be entirely yours to bear. Judge wisely.”
In the Kan Kingdom, royal commands are absolute.
If defied, not only would her reputation plummet in social circles, but with the family’s fortunes already declining due to her father’s absence, it would have adverse effects on the family level as well.
Kasallin bit her lower lip so hard it turned white.
[This is the timeline separator]The royal wedding was held solemnly and grandly in the chapel.
Rose, wearing a sparkling crown, held Shallen’s hand tightly and walked on the carpet where petals were falling.
Gone was the tearful appearance of claiming that being chosen as queen wasn’t her will. She was beaming as if she owned the whole world.
Kasallin, who had been pushed from the protagonist of the drama to an insignificant supporting role overnight, could only watch the two people heading toward a bright future.
And night arrived in the blink of an eye.
The moment had come when Shallen and Rose had to officially spend their first night together.
“What should I do… I’m so nervous my heart feels like it’s going to jump out.”
Kasallin looked at her younger sister, who was stomping her feet while holding her flushed cheeks, with emotionless eyes.
To others looking at her, wouldn’t she seem too calm for someone who had to face as a maid the man who had left after announcing the annulment?
But no one there noticed that the fingertips of Kasallin removing pins from Rose’s hair were trembling pitifully.
It was fortunate that the room was dim.
Kasallin quietly wiped away the thick tears flowing down one cheek and retreated to a corner with the other maids.
“His Majesty King Shallen Riche is coming.”
“Oh my. I’m not ready in my heart yet.”
Rose stood up and straightened her appearance.
Shallen entered the bridal chamber with a fragrance as if a spring garden had been transplanted, having apparently just bathed.
Kasallin tried to quietly retreat with the maids.
Then suddenly Shallen spoke up.
“Come to think of it… surely the queen’s head maid has the duty to witness the royal couple’s first night.”
Kasallin froze.
What did he just say?
Male lead is reincarnated to save his wife
I’ve also read this one twice already. The female lead is kinda soft and gets embarrassed easily—not really my type, but the plot is definitely worth reading. Hurry up and read it, y’all!
Intro
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
