“Can I ask where you’ve been?”
“Um, that’s….”
I could feel that Lona was hesitating whether to say something or not.
“I heard that there is a way to treat Mr. Illeon’s eyes, so I was looking into it.”
“Haha.”
As soon as he heard Lona’s words, Illeon chuckled.
“Ah, I’m sorry. It seems there’s no way to treat my eyes. His Majesty the Emperor tried to salvage his broken nephew, but it’s still this way.”
I could hear Lona’s heavy sigh.
“I didn’t say it because I thought you might think so.”
“So, did you find a way?”
“Um, halfway.”
I was curious about the ‘half’ treatment method that Lona said she found. But Illeon’s spirit was already soaked in the bitter taste of giving up.
“What kind of treatment is it?”
“It’s a medicinal tea. They say there’s a precious medicinal ingredient.”
“Medicinal tea.”
He had to taste all kinds of things that seemed impossible for a person to drink. Just remembering that time made Illeon feel sick to his stomach.
Originally, Illeon didn’t eat or drink anything offered by others indiscriminately. Because there were endless attempts to take his life. Rumors circulated among the barbarians that if Illeon Klevent fell, they could win the war.
So he had to drink whatever others gave him to open his eyes. It was much harder and more difficult for Illeon than for others. Despite drinking so much, there was no difference in his eyes. Remembering that period, Illeon’s heart sank. The memories were vivid with the frustration he had felt at the time.
“Ask the butler. There should be records of the medicines used for treatment. If you haven’t tried it, try drinking it.”
If it’s something that Lona gives, even if it’s disgusting, can he refuse it? Knowing that Lona went through the rain to find his treatment method, Illeon’s desire to regain his sight grew even more.
“Don’t get too hopeful. If it’s something you brought, Lona, I’ll drink it hard.”
“Mr. Illeon.”
Lona put her finger on the back of her hand. Her hand, which climbed up her arm and reached her shoulder, lightly pulled him towards her and patted his back.
At that moment, Illeon was surprised as if he had been struck by lightning. Surely he approached giving signals so that he wouldn’t be surprised. Still, his heart was pounding wildly.
It was a light hug that could be seen as a greeting. He knew very well that this slight embrace is a human gesture that conveys comfort and encouragement. But even with that light touch, Illeon felt as if all the nerves in his body were screaming.
“You will definitely open your eyes. I will do it for you.”
Lona’s murmuring, like a promise, was dizzyingly heard in his ears. For a moment, Illeon felt the urge to hug Lona.
‘…No.’
He didn’t want her to discover his feelings yet. Revealing his true feelings to someone who is clueless, selfless, and indifferent might mean giving up on the feelings he has been harboring alone.
‘I don’t even have the confidence to let go.’
What would happen after hugging Lona even once? He would probably want more.
Illeon had to exert all his strength to lower his hand, which was instinctively moving towards her.
When Illeon turned his head, Lona fell away from him.
“Go to the costume room. It’s best to hurry.”
Then Lona nodded her head.
“I’m really okay. I receive more salary in better conditions than anywhere else. That’s enough.”
At the gentle refusal, Illeon was disappointed alone. He felt stupid for savoring each and every word she had said until a moment ago, worrying whether she liked him or not, and whether there was a chance to win her heart.
Conditions and salary.
Lona is not with him because she wants to be. Realizing that it was just an employeremployee relationship he had hired with money, he was overwhelmed by a sense of futility, as if it would always be that way as it had been until now.
‘But I want to do anything I can for you.’
He remembered the rough, cheap coat that had been soaked in yesterday’s rain and draped over the small, heavy body of the woman. Then, his heart, which had been swayed by Lona’s small refusal, returned to its place.
“It’s related to the dignity of the Grand Duke’s family. What would people think if you were dressed like that?”
“They won’t care about me.”
“The one who works looks shabby. Is it not because the imperial salary is not enough?”
“Oh, that might be possible. I’m sorry, Mr. Illeon.”
Listening to Lona’s voice becoming gloomy, Illeon felt hurt. However, he was on the verge of obtaining the right to dress Lona in lots of new clothes if he held on just a little longer.
“Go ahead and get ready.”
“Yes, Mr. Illeon.”
Bang.
As soon as the door closed, Illeon rubbed his flustered face roughly.
Caring for someone meant the destruction of everyday life. Naturally, they assign meaning to every action and word.
To Lona, who comforted him like a child and politely bid him goodbye, it would mean nothing.
“I like it without speed.”
Illeon dwelt on what had just happened for a long time in that place.
[Star Icon][Star Icon][Star Icon]At ‘Levalein,’ the dressing room located in Luton’s house.
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.”
