Now that I think about it, I had been feeling some strange commotion around me for a while. It was different from the usual bustling of many spectators.
If I listened carefully, I could faintly hear people calling out “Duke”.
“What? Duke Hillan? His brother?”
The man who had been hitting on Kisa widened his eyes, and his companion nodded vigorously.
“Yes, they say he’s the twin and looks exactly like his older brother. Everyone’s greeting him. We should hurry over too.”
The man, clearly hesitating, looked back and forth between Kisa and his companions.
“It was an honor to meet you, Lady Vanspelt. Next time, I’d like to invite you to a better venue on my side.”
But he seemed to make up his mind quickly, hastily bowing to Kisa before following his companions.
He clicked his tongue, seemingly regretful to miss this opportunity, but it appeared his desire to make an early impression on the new duke took precedence.
It was an unexpected stroke of luck for Kisa. Who would have thought the much-rumored Duke Hillan’s presence would be helpful?
She couldn’t understand why he, who never appeared at any official events, had come here, but truthfully, she wasn’t very interested.
If he resembled his brother so closely, the new duke would likely be the type of person Kisa would find difficult to like.
She glanced at the unusually crowded area. Duke Hillan would be in the center there, but he wasn’t visible due to the crowd of people.
Kisa didn’t waste any more time and immediately headed for the stairs. While everyone’s attention was focused elsewhere, she’d quickly enter the hall.
“Oh, there are two chairs here.”
Kisa muttered to herself as she entered the area of her seat in the second-floor balcony. Only two chairs were placed in a fairly spacious area.
The ticket price must have been quite expensive just for that, and this location directly faced the stage.
To give up two such seats, Seyerd must be from a fairly wealthy family.
She had thought his circumstances might not be very good since he borrowed books from the library, but it seemed she had been mistaken.
‘Come to think of it, I haven’t heard about Seyerd’s family.’
That he was born in the capital, that he moved to another region before entering his teens, and that he had recently returned to the capital.
She had heard various other details about Seyerd that day, but information to guess his family background was missing.
Surely, he had not mentioned it out of consideration for Kisa, who hadn’t revealed her surname first. What a kind person. If only Daniel had been half as considerate.
Kisa, startled by her own thoughts, shook her head to dispel the strange idea. Although it wasn’t a proper proposal, it wasn’t right to think this way after rejecting Seyerd’s marriage offer.
She didn’t want to think about that ill-mannered Daniel, especially when she had come out to enjoy herself.
As it was almost time for the opera to start, she picked up the opera glasses she had brought. Today, she would enjoy the performance without any distracting thoughts.
The performance was more impressive than expected. ‘The Lord’s Castle’ was, as the title suggested, a love story set in the fictional space of a lord’s castle. The performance dealt with the love between a lord, who was an excellent strategist and stern ruler, and a woman who became his prisoner.
As some lady had mentioned at the tea party, the singers’ delicate acting was notable, and the orchestra’s music was also of very high quality. Above all, the theme of the work, which discussed the meaning of true love, evoked various reflections.
‘However, personally, there were parts of the ending that I found difficult to accept.’
As Kisa was leaving the hall, mulling over the lingering impressions of the performance, she made a grimace at the sight of the crowd concentrated in one place, just like a few hours ago. What a popular duke indeed.
“Miss, I’m over here!”
Just as she was wondering what to do, Marsha, who had been waiting outside and spotted Kisa, came running over. She frowned and said, “Whew.”
“There are so many people. Let’s quickly get to the carriage before you might get caught up in it.”
“O-okay.”
Led by Marsha, Kisa went outside and got into the carriage. As the carriage started moving, she looked out at the receding view of the opera house, feeling a sense of regret.
‘In the end, I couldn’t meet Seyerd.’
She had hoped they might run into each other after the performance, but it was unrealistic.
On the other hand, she was worried that if she had stayed there, shaking off Marsha’s hand, that man might appear again and pester her. It would be very annoying if he tried to hold her until he got a promise this time.
But she would have liked to meet Seyerd and exchange impressions of the performance. If they had met, she had intended to ask about the parts of the ending that left her feeling uneasy.
She was curious about his thoughts. She wanted to know how he felt while watching the performance. How would that man, who had always kindly explained whenever I had questions while reading “The Theory of Possession,” critique this performance?
‘Well, it’s okay.’
Kisa, who had been unconsciously thinking that she could exchange opinions the next time they met, belatedly realized an important fact.
Is there a next time? There was no guarantee of meeting Seyerd again anywhere. She didn’t know his surname, where he lived, or when he visited the library.
Looking back, they hadn’t made any promises to meet again the last time they met. During the walk, she had been preoccupied with the proposal, and when they returned to the reading room, they both focused on their roles as library users.
Then they parted after she received the opera tickets as a gift.
If she’s lucky, she might meet Seyerd at the library again, but if she keeps going to a place she doesn’t usually visit, the Count will start to be suspicious.
It’s difficult to sneak out without the Count’s knowledge, and meeting Seyerd by chance would be nothing short of a miracle.
“…I might never see him again.”
The excitement of the opera that had filled her heart until just moments ago faded away bitterly.
About four days after seeing the opera performance, Kisa was summoned to the Count’s office. She thought he might scold her for going to the library, but Count Vanspelt uttered something unexpected.
“Did you fight with the daughter of Count Dos?”
After that, Melissa had sent two or maybe more letters, but Kisa had never replied.
“Why do you ask?”
The Count, seated at his desk, glanced up at his daughter who answered his question with another question.
“I had some business at Count Dos’s house yesterday, and his daughter said that she had angered you because she wasn’t considerate enough. She wants to mend the relationship, but you keep ignoring her letters. Is this true?”
“…It’s true that I’ve grown distant from Melissa lately.”
“Make up with her.”
A simple answer, neither more nor less. He didn’t ask why his daughter had quarreled with her friend. Although Kisa had usually followed her father’s wishes even in friendships, this time was different.
“I’m sorry. I can’t do that, Father.”
A wrinkle appeared on the Count’s forehead.
“Why not?”
“Melissa committed a mistake that I find difficult to forgive. Her letters contained more excuses than sincere apologies. Unless Melissa changes, I won’t be close to her again.”
He sighed and took off the glasses he only wore when reading text on paper.
“You know that our family has maintained a close relationship with the Dos family for generations, don’t you?”
“Just because Melissa and I have fallen out doesn’t mean our families have to as well. Instead, Julian can be friends with Melissa’s younger sister.”
At the mention of her younger brother who was attending university in another region, the Count frowned noticeably.
“If you were also close to her, we could maintain an even better relationship.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”
“Why? It’s just a matter of you being generous and letting it go this once.”
“If I let it go like that, it’s obvious Melissa will cause the same problem again. I know it.”
“Do you want me to keep hearing complaints from Dos and his daughter?”
“If that’s the case, I’ll tell Melissa. Not to involve you in our issues.”
“Kisa!”
Finally, a loud voice burst out.
“You’re not a child anymore! How long are you going to make a fuss over trivial matters!”
It wasn’t a trivial matter at all to the person involved. That’s why, even though she knew her father’s indifferent nature, she felt newly hurt.
“You’re still not curious, are you? About why Melissa and I fell out.”
“Is it my fault now? You’re all grown up, why are you acting like a child?”
“Growing apart from friends is something that often happens to adults too.”
“Don’t talk back so rudely. Make up with Dos’s daughter while I’m still asking nicely.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”
“If you really…”
Just as the Count was grumbling at his daughter who kept repeating the same words like a parrot, there was a knock at the door from outside, in a quick rhythm.
“Count, Count?”
It was the voice of the Count’s secretary.
“What is it!”
When the Count shouted irritably, the secretary hesitated but revealed the reason.
“There’s something you need to know.”
“Wait. I’m talking with my daughter right now.”
“But, but… It’s an important matter. I think it would be better for you to check it right away.”
Perhaps reading the tension in the secretary’s reply, the Count’s anger subsided somewhat. Eventually, he let the secretary in.
“What’s the matter?”
“Actually, just a moment ago at the mansion…”
The secretary glanced at Kisa, then moved closer to the Count’s side and whispered in his ear. The Count’s face quickly hardened as he listened to the story.
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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