“Your Highness, you haven’t forgotten that you’ve punished and expelled me, have you?”
“Ah, uhhuh, yes. I haven’t forgotten. I was curious why someone deserving of punishment was going to the temple.”
The Duchess smiled behind her fan and crossed her ankles.
She could practically see the fervently coveting Empress before her eyes.
“Yes, Your Highness. The Lord Chancellor has shown a great deal of interest in me, who was once your first consort.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, he was very interested.”
“Okay.”
“……?”
Snap!
The Duchess folded her fan.
The Empress, clearly feverish, had flushed cheeks. Seeing her sweaty forehead, it was clear she was sick. She seemed so calm, despite being sick enough to call for her.
“Shall I speak directly of the kind of interest?”
The exasperated Duchess spoke first.
“No. I’d rather avoid lengthy talk due to my health. Let’s hear about your personal matters later.”
“……What?”
This was beyond comprehension.
The Duchess’s hand, holding the fan, trembled.
“Then why did you call me?”
“I heard there was an accident on your way to the temple. I wanted to see if you were safe.”
“As you can see, I’m fine.”
“A bird caused the accident, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right. Was that what you were curious about?”
“What kind of accident was it?”
“The birds suddenly attacked and pecked at the horse, which took a wrong turn. The carriage wheel hit a rock and broke. ……Is this really what you’re curious about?”
“Yes. You’re fortunate. It could have been disastrous if it happened near a cliff.”
“Yes, the gods must have been watching. It was a great relief but……?”
The Empress nodded with a pale face, and the Duchess blinked at her, puzzled.
That’s when it happened.
Knock knock.
“Your Highness, I have brought what you asked for.”
The door of the chamber resounded.
At the familiar voice, the Duchess furrowed her brows. It was undoubtedly a palace maid.
“Come in.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The maid entered the room politely, emptyhanded. Instead, something was perched on her shoulder.
“Ah, no!”
Crash!
The startled Duchess rolled on the floor with the backless chair.
“Ahem. What is this disgrace, Lady Pashad? Before Her Highness, such poor manners.”
“Wha, what…..”
The Duchess pointed her trembling hand at Ivette’s shoulder.
The Duke who had politely rebuked the Duchess, gracefully flew and sat on Rasilia’s perch.
“Your Highness, it’s an inexpressible honor to see you again today.”
It wasn’t just the talking bird that surprised her.
The Duchess had seen that large parrot before.
Just yesterday, on the way to the temple.
When a flock of birds suddenly swooped down and covered the carriage, that one parrot was particularly noticeable. Its impressive size, yellow and blue feathers, and bright red beak were memorable.
“Thank you for bringing him. Make yourself comfortable.”
“Your Highness, I am honored.”
The Empress nodded with a pale face, and the Duchess blinked at her, puzzled, not knowing why.
The parrot finished speaking and flew up to perch on the chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
Squeak, squeak.
Squeeeak, squeak.
The massive chandelier, adorned with numerous crystals, began to creak and sway.
The Duchess felt an eerie sense of unease, as if the chandelier above her head would fall at any moment.
“Why is that bird… Why…”
“I wanted to show you.”
“Are you speaking to me?”
“As you can see, it’s a very talented bird. Thankfully, it listens to whatever I say. Ah, I heard that the accident on the way to the temple yesterday was caused by birds. Do you remember which bird it was?”
“That… That was…”
The Duchess turned pale.
“That’s unfortunate. From now on, you should be careful around birds. You never know which bird might cause an accident.”
“What are you… Why are you saying that…”
“Look.”
Instead of elaborating, the Empress pointed at the parrot.
The parrot pecked at a small link connecting the dangling crystals.
Thump!
The crystal fell to the floor with a loud noise. The Duchess’s feet trembled. If the crystal had shifted just a bit to the right, that terrifying sound would have come from her own head.
“Birds are everywhere. And this bird knows how to command other birds. Isn’t that surprising?”
The Duchess’s lips lost their color and turned purplish.
“Why are you telling me this now…”
“Consider it a word of caution for your future travels. It’s fortunate you were unharmed in yesterday’s accident.”
“…”
The Duchess closed her mouth.
She had just realized that she was being threatened by the Empress.
Cruel and capricious she may have been, but as long as you flattered her, the Empress had always been quite accommodating. Now, she seemed like an entirely different person.
“Now that I’ve confirmed you’re safe, you may go home.”
Rasilia rose to her feet.
“Your Highness, you shouldn’t walk alone yet.”
Ivette quickly came over and grabbed her arm. Rasilia leaned slightly on Ivette’s shoulder as they began to walk.
“Thank you.”
“I apologize, Your Highness. It’s my duty, so no need for thanks. Especially when you have a sore throat from your cold.”
Rasilia and Ivette exited the royal chamber, looking as intimate as sisters.
“Ahem! Allow me the honor of escorting you!”
The Duke of Shuraiden followed behind the two.
“…”
The Duchess remained in the now empty royal chamber, her face having grown sallow.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
