I Have A Terminally Ill Duke As My Husband (1 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 13
She had always been the kind of younger sister who seemed to be there one moment and invisible the next.
Unlike other young ladies, she appeared somewhat lacking—interested only in food.
Just as Penelope had been worrying that her daughter might never marry and could end up holding her back, she happened to hear that House Canoluph was seeking a six-month contractual marriage partner.
Thinking that a groom who only had six months to live might not care much about appearance or etiquette, Lucianne persuaded Penelope.
“Lucy, no matter how you look at it, sending Mer to such a place is still a bit…”
Though Mer was far from perfect compared to Lucianne, who excelled in everything, Penelope hesitated at Lucianne’s suggestion—after all, Mercian was still her own daughter.
To marry her off to a man already marked for death in six months…
Although the Empire was quite lenient toward noble ladies remarrying, Lucianne was certain Mercian would never find another husband afterward.
“Mother, just think about it. If Mercian marries the Duke and, by any chance, conceives a child within those six months, half of the Duke’s fortune will belong to Mer. Wouldn’t that help her if she ever wants to remarry later? Besides, it’s clearly stated in the contract that the Duke’s household will take full responsibility for raising the child—so this is practically the best possible arrangement for Mer.”
Half of the Duke’s fortune—if she bore a child?
According to rumors, House Canoluph was one of the wealthiest families in the Empire, second only to the Imperial Palace itself.
Didn’t they own more than four mines that produced gemstones alone?
Even receiving just one of those…
Convinced by this argument, Penelope immediately submitted the marriage proposal to House Canoluph without a second thought.
In truth, although Lucianne had manipulated Penelope into sending the proposal, she never actually believed the Duke would choose Mercian.
Yet, unexpectedly, House Canoluph selected Mercian—and soon after, they arrived bearing not only the marriage contract but also an enormous amount of jewelry and dresses as wedding gifts.
A terminally ill Duke, an extravagant dowry, and lavish gifts…
Lucianne believed all these gifts rightfully belonged to her.
If it hadn’t been for her suggestion, Mercian would never in her life have had the chance to bear the title of Duchess.
She felt Mercian owed her these gifts—naturally and unquestionably.
On the day she received the gifts, Mercian—who had always annoyed her—suddenly seemed useful, even somewhat lovely, for the very first time in her life.
Even when Mercian snapped back, questioning her motives and shouting that Lucianne should have married the Duke herself, Lucianne remained in high spirits.
She was certain that at the ball in two months, she would shine more beautifully than anyone else—and that Crown Prince Damon would surely fall for her.
But the day she went to see Mercian’s wedding dress…
While freely choosing dresses at one of the Empire’s most prestigious ateliers, Lucianne grew upset noticing the different way the madam treated her versus Mercian.
Was Mercian really being treated like a Duchess—despite being only a six-month Duchess?
Moreover, the dress given to Mercian by House Canoluph was on an entirely different level from the one Lucianne had spent hours selecting.
Even on plump, plain-looking Mercian, the dress looked elegant and beautiful—if Lucianne wore it herself, Prince Harmon wouldn’t even consider glancing elsewhere.
The moment Lucianne saw the three dresses gifted to Mercian, the ones she had picked out herself ceased to exist in her eyes.
A temporary Duchess receiving such treatment—and dresses common nobles could never even touch…
If I become Crown Princess…
That day, in the dressmaker’s salon, Lucianne resolved that she must, by any means necessary, become Crown Princess.
And miraculously, as if by fate, her wish came true.
She had assumed Mercian could never outshine her, no matter what happened on the wedding day—but seeing Mercian look breathtakingly beautiful, contrary to her expectations, filled Lucianne with jealousy.
In a fit of rage, she tried to ruin Mercian’s wedding dress, failed, and then attempted to humiliate her in front of the staff—only to be accused of being a spy and nearly thrown out of the room.
Watching Clea, who had escorted her all the way to the banquet hall, walk away without even a word of apology, Lucianne felt her pride shatter completely.
No matter that I’m merely a viscount’s daughter—at the very least, I’m the elder sister of the woman who’s about to become your mistress!
To treat me like this…
And on top of that, Mercian herself—looking down at me as if she were already the true Duchess…
“My Lady, has something unpleasant happened?”
When a man approached her just outside the banquet hall while she was still seething with anger, Lucianne momentarily forgot she had even been angry and turned to look at him.
His golden hair shimmered brilliantly—more lustrous and flowing than most young noblewomen’s—and his gentle smile, as he looked at her, appeared perfectly carved, like a work of art.
So this is His Highness the Crown Prince I’ve only heard about…
Recognizing the Imperial family’s signature golden hair, Lucianne realized instantly the man addressing her was Crown Prince Damon—and for a moment, she could only stare at him, dumbfounded.
“…”
“My Lady?”
“Oh—oh! I’m so sorry. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”
“Hahaha, it’s quite alright.”
Though she already knew he was the Crown Prince, Lucianne feigned shyness—and Damon, extending his hand, said:
“My Lady… would you grant me the honor of escorting you into the banquet hall?”
“Your Highness, there you are!”
Just as Lucianne was about to take Damon’s hand, an older man hurried toward him.
“I—Your Highness? Oh my goodness—Your Highness, I humbly offer my greetings. I am Lucianne of House Beannoman.”
Taking Lucianne’s hands as she bowed belatedly, Damon raised her gently and smiled.
“Oh no—it was I who failed to introduce myself first. By the way, House Beannoman… Ah! You must be the elder sister of the lady who becomes Duchess today.”
“Your Highness… do you know who I am?”
“Of course. I’ve heard countless tales about you. They say you are the most beautiful young lady in the Empire—but now that I meet you in person, I realize those rumors were all understated.”
“Huh?”
Did he just say I’m ugly?
Confused, Lucianne looked at Damon with a bewildered expression.
“Not of the Empire—but of this entire world. Even a goddess would pale beside your beauty, My Lady. Ever since I entered this Duke’s mansion, I haven’t been able to take my eyes off you.”
The moment she saw Damon’s intense, adoring gaze as he kissed the back of her hand, Lucianne knew.
Her dream was about to come true…
Clearly, I am far more brilliant and radiant than Mercian.
Moreover, curious about just how remarkable this Duke really was, her remaining discomfort vanished entirely the instant she saw him entering, holding Mercian’s hand—and her mood lifted dramatically.
Yes, if this is the kind of Duke she’s marrying, her kind and gentle older sister might just forgive her once.
Right now, you stand before all these nobles as Duchess—but remember, it will last only six months.
And never forget this:
The very reason you’re allowed even those six months as Duchess is entirely thanks to me.
Though she felt Damon’s eyes fixed on her throughout the ceremony, Lucianne pretended not to notice—and instead, with tears glistening in her eyes, clapped with all her heart as if sincerely celebrating Mercian’s wedding.
After the ceremony, as Lucianne was about to leave, Damon called out to her.
And then, Damon began speaking to her as if asking for help.
.
.
.
Back at home, Penelope looked around their empty house and asked, stunned by the unbelievable story Lucianne had just told her.
“What on earth happened?”
All the way back from the wedding feast to their viscount’s estate, Penelope had repeatedly questioned Lucianne—but Lucianne had only smiled silently, clutching a fan tightly in her hand.
Meeting the Crown Prince was already a miracle—but to learn such a tremendous secret as well!
Surely, the gods were guiding me to become Crown Princess.
Besides, if the supposedly dying Duke was plotting something like this, then as long as I could properly persuade Mercian, I’d surely become Crown Princess without fail.
“Good heavens—is it really true? The Duke is plotting a rebellion?!”
“Shh! Mother, this is a secret only we must know.”
“But if what you say is true, shouldn’t we make Mercian divorce him? Otherwise, the consequences might reach us too.”
“Mother, really—of course she should divorce him, but not now. While Mercian is still in the Duke’s household, she’ll be the first to know what the Duke is planning. We can’t miss such an opportunity!”
“That may be true, but I still don’t understand. I don’t doubt His Highness the Crown Prince—but everyone knows House Canoluph has loyally served the Imperial family for generations. Treason seems unthinkable.”
“But Mother, you know the Duke supports Prince Harmon. Clearly, he wants to eliminate Crown Prince Damon.”
Penelope nodded in agreement at Lucianne’s words.
“Yes, that does make sense. But Lucie, there’s another problem here.”
“What problem?”
“Well… I actually met Mercian briefly earlier…”
“Mother! We need to handle Mercian carefully right now—if you go and hurt her feelings again, what will we do? You know how narrow-minded and self-centered she is… If she refuses to cooperate with our plan, His Highness will reject my request—and our entire family could be ruined!”
Furious, Lucianne stormed into her room, waving the fan.
Ugh. And just a moment ago, I was in such a good mood…
Back in her room, Lucianne grumbled irritably—then suddenly, catching sight of the fan in her hand, she smiled.
It was the fan Damon had given her as an apology for abruptly leaving her at the wedding.
Right—now is not the time to sulk.
Before my foolish sister Mercian throws everything into chaos by helping that dying Duke, I must quickly find out what he’s plotting.
But no matter how foolish she is, she despises me—so she’d never willingly share that information.
Tapping the fan lightly against her palm, Lucianne lay awake deep in thought, unable to sleep until late into the night.
The next day.
“Mother, I’ll be out for a bit.”
Without answering Penelope’s question about where she was going, Lucianne left House Beannoman and headed straight for House Canoluph.
“I’m sorry, but you can’t go in.”
Expecting to see Mercian the moment she arrived at the Duke’s mansion, Lucianne frowned as guards blocked her entrance.
“What do you mean I can’t go in? I’m the Duchess’s elder sister—why can’t I enter?”
“I apologize deeply, My Lady, but entering House Canoluph requires a prior appointment. Since His Grace is unwell, we’ve been instructed to restrict access to prevent just anyone from coming and going…”
“Just anyone? Again? Both last time and now—you clearly have no idea who I am! How dare you block the Duchess’s own sister! You’ll regret this!”
Having been dismissed as “just anyone” not once, but twice, Lucianne lost her composure and shouted furiously.
“What’s all this noise about?”
At the commotion, Edward stepped out from the Duke’s mansion, and the guards pointed toward Lucianne.
“She says she’s the Lady’s elder sister.”
“Ah…”
Edward approached Lucianne, who stood fuming.
“My Lady, we briefly met yesterday—have you come to see the Duchess today?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Edward, who had heard from Clea about what happened before the wedding ceremony, had no desire to let her meet Mercian.
But since she was, after all, Mercian’s elder sister, he couldn’t just send her away on his own authority—so he signaled to the guards, bowed deeply to Lucianne, and said:
“I sincerely apologize, My Lady. Ever since His Grace fell ill, we’ve been instructed not to let anyone inside without an appointment. It seems we’ve committed a grave discourtesy toward you. Please, follow me.”
Seeing Edward acknowledge her status and greet her respectfully, Lucianne’s anger subsided. She gave a haughty nod and followed Edward into the Duke’s mansion.
“My Lady, please wait here a moment. I’ll go bring the Duchess.”
After Edward bowed and left the reception room, Lucianne looked around and took a seat.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
_____
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