I let out a light chuckle and adjusted my posture on the couch.
Verita.
In the original story, she was my sister-in-law and the only person I hadn’t cut ties with during my reclusive married life.
She was the one who recommended the shadow guild, and the one chattering in the background at social gatherings in the story.
Lost in thought, Rail spoke up, sensing my intent.
“Shall I tell her to leave for today?”
“No, please show her to the parlor.”
I folded the letter with a snap and placed it on the table.
She came of her own accord; I couldn’t just send her away. Receiving the report that she was waiting, I calmly stood up.
‘Let’s go see her.’
It was time to present a gift to Verita, who must be waiting with an innocent face, unaware of everything.
Rail led Verita to the parlor and then guided me there.
It was a south-facing parlor on the first floor that received good sunlight. It was also where I had conversed with Edmund early in the morning.
As Rail slowly opened the door, I noticed things I hadn’t seen in my nervous state then.
Details like the golden braid decorations around the door and the silver laurel wreath embossed on the luxurious wallpaper.
After surveying the room, my eyes finally met those of the surprised woman.
With her rosy pink short hair, red eyes, and a tear mole under her eye, she was a forlorn beauty.
“Long time no see, Verita.”
“Sister!”
Verita rushed over, knocking over the chair, and hugged me.
Her face buried in my neck, the scent of lavender wafted gently.
Listening to her soft, fragile breathing melting into my neck, I felt a pang of emotion and lingered for a while.
“Sister, what happened? You have no idea how worried I was. I went to the mansion after returning from my trip, and it was burned down.”
“Calm down and sit.”
But my calm voice only made her more agitated, and she flinched.
“Ah…”
Still reeling from her intense emotions, Verita awkwardly wiped her tears with her hand and glanced at me before returning to her seat, sensing something amiss.
After ordering tea from the maid and sitting down, Verita took my hand from the table.
It was a bold move for a commoner towards a noble, but as always, she didn’t seem to care.
“Lady Diane told me the mansion was burned down, so I rushed over. Are you okay?”
I frowned, concerned about her closeness with Lady Diane, and then spoke.
“You seem to be quite close with Lady Diane. Perhaps even closer than with me.”
For a moment, Verita’s eyelashes fluttered, as if she was pricked by the comment. She had been very close to Antra.
“What, no way. You know I only have you as family.”
Family. Family, indeed.
Ha, my sneer caused Verita to fidget with my hand awkwardly before she finally spoke.
“Sister, I heard from Lady Diane, are you… getting a divorce?”
Verita looked at me with innocent, hopeful eyes, shining with a light expectation.
“Did you rush over like a dog awaiting its master upon hearing that news?”
“How can you say such things… I came because I was worried about you. Are you upset with me?”
When her coaxing failed to elicit a response, Verita withdrew her hand and remained silent.
For the record, I’ve always been cold to others, but I’m not heartless.
Even if she was the instigator of an assassination, I would have greeted her as a sister-in-law, as long as it wasn’t intentional. But Verita…
Click, I set down my teacup and asked gently.
“Are you doing well?”
Verita’s eyes widened, then relaxed with a sigh of relief, as if reassured that I was the kind Ettrisha she knew.
“I’m doing fine. It’s been a bit lonely since you got married.”
“No, not you.”
I slowly opened my eyelids, gazing at Verita. A wave of anger stirred in my otherwise calm heart.
“I’m talking about my husband.”
That is, if Verita hadn’t had an affair with Devon.
“……!”
The Villainous Demon Lord Laid an Egg for Her (Female-Dominated)
Several months after transmigrating into a book, Yu Wu found herself facing the demon lord Li You, who could no longer conceal his dragon horns. With one hand on her aching waist and the other gripping a sharp sword, she stared at him.
The demon lord’s eyes were red with fury:
“This is all your doing! Today, I won’t rest until I kill you!”
Yu Wu rubbed her temples. Putting aside the taboo against bloodshed during pregnancy, wasn’t it this very man who willingly walked into her trap that day?!
Warnings:
- Male pregnancy.
- Height ratios are set to mirror typical male-female height proportions.
- Characters include a foot-loving demon lord and an eldest daughter from an immortal family’s concubine lineage.
