The outing was set for the very next day.
Due to the lack of time, we had to go out as soon as possible.
“Oh my, I really don’t have anything to wear.”
“That’s why we’re going out to buy clothes.”
“It’s a problem that I don’t have anything to wear when going out to buy clothes. Hey, is this just a normal outing?”
Siena’s eyes blazed as she quickly checked through the clothes.
“…It doesn’t seem like a particularly special outing to me.”
At my words, Siena, who had been rummaging through clothes like a grave robber, whipped her head around to look at me.
Wow, I almost rolled my eyes without realizing it.
Actually, I think I already rolled them a little.
The flames in Siena’s eyes were burning so fiercely that I felt intimidated and unconsciously lowered my gaze.
“How can this not be a special outing? It’s, it’s…!”
It’s what?
“It’s the first date between the Duke and Madam!”
Siena exclaimed, blushing like a shy maiden and letting out a small “Eek!”
I, for one, didn’t feel anything.
A date? Between the male lead and me?
The female lead passing by would laugh.
Of course, it’s true that Dante and I agreed to go out together.
In fact, I was the one who suggested it to Dante last night when he heard about my plans to go out.
Yes, it all started when Barhan dropped by in the evening and said, “It would be nice if Madam could pick out some clothes for the Duke too. Judging by the work clothes from before, it seems you have good taste. Hehe.”
I said I would talk to Dante first.
But the more I thought about it, going out with Dante didn’t seem like a bad idea.
If Dante, known as the Empire’s best swordsman, came along, there would be no need to bring a bunch of annoying guard knights.
It would also help with the future relationship with Flora.
In the original story, when Flora felt there was progress in her relationship with Dante, she cautiously gathered her courage and suggested going out together.
It was a date proposal that required tremendous courage from the timid girl.
Dante’s response to this was:
Ha. I’m really speechless.
The sad part is that this was Dante’s way of being considerate.
‘If she goes out with me, people will be scared, and Flora will be uncomfortable too. It’s better if I don’t go along.’
Well, that kind of consideration.
No. If that’s consideration, at least add a proper explanation afterwards.
Why do these men and women arbitrarily omit their true feelings and complicate things!
And why lie about not liking desserts?
Judging by how he always eats up the desserts I give him without complaint, he seems to quite like them.
In the end, Flora runs out, buries her face in her pillow, and cries.
Saying she feels foolish for mistakenly thinking they had grown a bit closer.
Oh, my heart.
So to prevent such incidents in advance, I need to drag the male lead out and have him strut around town.
I need to make him realize that people will admire his stunning appearance rather than fear him.
To be honest, while the nobles may badmouth Dante with nonsensical talk about him being a monster or cursed, the people of the northern territory saw Dante as nothing short of a hero who was good-looking, skilled with a sword, and kept the north safe.
Dante, with his rock-bottom self-esteem, doesn’t realize this until Flora makes him aware of it.
I should take this opportunity to drag Dante out and boost his self-esteem in advance.
And there’s one more reason besides that…
Short answers, haggard looks, and a somewhat cold expression. And even a feeling of putting up walls.
At first, I didn’t pay much attention to it. I just thought he might be busy.
But even after quite some time had passed, Dante’s attitude remained the same. It was impossible not to worry when the usually soft-hearted person who acted tough on the outside suddenly changed to be like a robot.
Maybe work has been really tough and difficult lately?
I wondered if something had happened without my knowledge, but Barhan said that wasn’t the case.
Then why was he acting like this?
Whatever it was, I thought getting some fresh air while going out might improve his mood.
The answer didn’t come easily.
There was a slight crack in his cold expression, but no answer flowed out readily.
It seemed like he was about to refuse.
By this point, a thought crossed my mind.
Could it be… the reason Dante changed…
Unlike his hesitation before, the answer came quickly. But because of the long silence earlier, I was still suspicious.
Ah. Is this how Flora feels?
Now that I look at it, Dante is guilty, definitely guilty.
I had been drooping my shoulders dejectedly, but only after Dante’s affirmation was repeated several times did I straighten up and smile.
And then.
I went to sleep.
I was able to sleep very well, having obtained a satisfactory answer.
But the next day, as soon as I opened my eyes, I was in this state, caught by Siena and Mari’s hands.
It’s like I’m going to a contest, not just going out.
To Siena, who was jumping up and down saying it was the first date, I scratched the bridge of my nose and replied.
“It’s nothing grand, just going out together. And buying some clothes for the Duke while we’re at it.”
“Yes, yes. The world has decided to call it a date when a man and woman, especially a married couple, go out alone together.”
Ah, if the world has decided so, I have nothing to say.
Siena, who lightly dismissed my words, was already holding a suitable outfit in her hands.
“I wish there were more gorgeous, bright, and pretty clothes. It’s a shame.”
“Why? I like it.”
Indeed, the outfit Siena had chosen was quite decent and bright.
It seemed to be one of the outfits Dante had prepared in advance before I came to the family.
It wasn’t enough for receiving guests, but it looked sufficient for a casual outing.
“Besides, too flashy clothes are burdensome. I just want to go out quietly, but flashy clothes will make us look too much like nobles.”
“Nobles usually give themselves away by their gait.”
“…Do you really think so?”
For a moment, we looked at each other.
Huh? Why are you suddenly looking me up and down?
Why are you suddenly avoiding my gaze?
Tsk. Siena clicked her tongue but didn’t give an answer in the end.
Instead, she pulled me to sit in front of the dressing table.
“Wait here for a moment.”
“No, really, I can just get ready casually…”
“I said wait, Madam.”
“Okay. I’ll wait obediently.”
I decided to wait quietly.
Soon, Siena started kneading my face this way and that.
Mari, who appeared with a familiar presence, was also holding up the few pieces of jewelry one by one next to my face with a serious expression.
“We need to buy some accessories too. Oh, and shoes! Don’t forget, Madam. You understand, right?”
Couldn’t we just ask them to send any random shoes or accessories?
I don’t know about clothes, but jewels all seem the same to me, and shoes will be mostly hidden by the dress anyway.
But seeing the serious faces of these two, I just nodded, afraid I’d be scolded with their eyes again if I said this.
Okay. Might as well enjoy some legal shopping this time, right?
I closed my eyes and left everything to the two of them. Ah, this is surprisingly comfortable and nice…
“We need to see how the jewels and makeup look, so keep your eyes open.”
“Okay.”
After about an hour had passed.
“Oh.”
I let out a small exclamation as I saw my reflection in the mirror.
Although Mari and Siena were disappointed, saying they wanted to dress me up more, for me, it was the first time I had ever faced myself dressed up to this extent.
Ah. Except for the wedding day.
But on the wedding day, I was really out of it and couldn’t see anything.
As I turned around several times looking in the mirror, Siena carefully asked.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes. I’m prettier than I thought, aren’t I?”
“Of course. Madam has always been beautiful!”
“That’s right. When I first saw you, I thought you were a fairy!”
“…Yeah.”
Somehow, the excessive praise made me less trusting.
“Ah, I should hurry and go out now.”
It was already 3 minutes before the appointed time.
I quickly left the room and hurried my steps. Knowing Dante’s personality, he’s probably already finished preparing and waiting.
Sure enough, when I went down to the first floor lobby, I saw Dante standing there blankly.
“Duke!”
When I called out cheerfully, he turned to look at me.
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
