“Speak.”
The woman who asked for nothing more than amnesty as a reward for saving the royal family had no reason not to grant her anything else she wanted.
“My family clearly belongs to Landhill in terms of geography. But for some reason, we are working for the Leusonia noble family.”
Carson’s brows narrowed at the incomprehensible words.
“How is that possible?”
“I know that the boundary of the territory changed about 35 years ago.”
Changing the boundary of a territory was not common, but it did happen occasionally depending on the need and circumstances. The Swelden family, as she said, was located on the border between Landhill and Leusonia. He could quickly grasp the situation with her brief explanation.
He was momentarily lost in thought. If this was a longstanding issue with her family, now, after rescuing Louis, was clearly the best time to resolve it.
“I’m not particularly pleased that a noble of my own territory serves another count’s family.”
At his words, Ines smiled brightly, a pure smile that made her 20 years of age feel real.
“I can’t promise that the Swelden family will be immediately listed in the nobility of Landhill. It requires the royal family’s approval, after all. But I will give you my assurance.”
“Assurance?”
“Before this year ends, Swelden will only oversee the land of Landhill.”
He expected a broader smile, but the woman bit her lower lip slightly. He could not tell if she was holding back joy or sadness.
He gave her a moment to compose herself, her face seeming relieved as if the conversation was over. As Carson began to rise to tidy up,
“Then….”
“I have…… one more request.”
Is the word request always this intriguing? Carson sat back down, nodding for her to continue.
“I want to meet that woman.”
“That woman?”
“The woman who tried to harm the Princess.”
This time Carson stood up without asking why, but as he moved to lead the way, Ines urgently rose and lightly grabbed his sleeve.
Carson looked down involuntarily at his own sleeve that she had grabbed.
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
She startled and moved back at once.
“You must be busy. I can’t inconvenience you unnecessarily. You don’t need to accompany me.”
“…….”
“If you are uncomfortable sending me alone, you can send someone else with me. There’s no special reason. I just don’t want to steal your precious time for my curiosity.”
Carson momentarily tilted his head but soon stepped back from her. Then he nodded to Noah to accompany her. As he watched her walk away without hesitation, Carson took a deep breath.
Her attitude was unclear. The intent to meet the criminal was somewhat ambiguous. But one thing was certain. Whatever she was hiding, there was no malice towards him.
“Your Highness?”
So he called her back as she was just leaving.
“Yes?”
She turned around obediently.
“Have we met somewhere before?”
So curious, he had thrown out a question as if flirting with an attractive woman.
“I was born and raised here.”
His gambit had been a clear failure.
(This is a time separator.)
The mansion’s secret room was not a prison, so it was not particularly dark or frightening.
“This way.”
As Ines looked around following Noah’s guidance, he spoke softly.
“Of course, it’s not a dangerous place, but it might not be comfortable for you, Your Highness.”
“Don’t worry about that part.”
The secret room, or rather, the place where Lena was being held, was a small room with a bed attached. Two knights were guarding her door.
Without permission, they went inside to see Lena’s back. She was sitting blankly, facing the wall, just like in the prison.
“Lena.”
When she called her name, she suddenly turned her head. The focused look in her eyes was unfamiliar.
“You.”
Rena revealed her hostility as soon as she saw Ines. It seemed she remembered her face from the square. Noah, sensing the sharp atmosphere between the two women, seated Rena in a wooden chair and had a knight tie her arms to the chair.
With a small table that could hold about two dishes between them, the two people sat facing each other.
“Why have you come here?”
Rena glared at Ines as if she wanted to kill her, the one who had ruined her plan. But even under that fierce gaze, there was no particular expression on Ines’s face.
Without answering Rena’s question, she slightly smiled and continued speaking.
“We’ll be going to court soon.”
“…….”
“You know, right? After receiving the judgment in court, you’ll probably go to Romfield.”
“Don’t make me laugh.”
“Why? Did you think you could avoid going to Romfield because the princess didn’t die?”
Noah, who had been standing by, flinched for a moment at Ines’s cold voice, which had suddenly lost its smile.
“Absolutely not. I know. Vermin like you are destined to go there.”
“Shut your mouth.”
“You’ll be lucky if you can even stand in court. No one would care if something like you was taken away in the middle of the night.”
At that moment, Rena spat at Ines, a habit of hers when someone poured criticism on her.
“You!”
Noah was startled by her action and approached Ines.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
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.”
