Love Me Just Once (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 13
By the time he caught that damn servant, Lemethel had already entered the banquet hall with his invitation.
He wanted to storm inside the banquet hall right then and there to retrieve it from Lemethel, but without an invitation, entry was impossible. If he insisted on going in empty-handed, he would need to accompany someone else who held an invitation.
Yet Idren had no acquaintance among the Luntalis or Mebasa delegates attending the conference. As for the three sons of Sigrasil, their absence would have been preferable—and besides, they were already inside the hall.
The guard stationed at the banquet hall simply told him to turn back. He seemed to have already received specific instructions from Lemethel himself.
Though Idren clearly sensed the mockery in the guard’s tone, he realized he had no choice but to obey. The banquet hall doors would never open for him.
Just as he finally accepted the situation and turned away, a pair of white shoes appeared before him, as if by magic.
The pristine shoes were slightly larger than the last pair he’d seen, yet still crafted from deer leather and embroidered with colorful threads.
The moment he saw the rippling hem of her gown and her silver hair adorned with summer flowers, Idren realized he was standing before none other than Ophelia.
The girl had grown considerably since he last saw her, yet she remained the most exquisite vision he could possibly imagine.
He found himself staring at her, dumbfounded, until his cheeks flushed crimson. He saw his own reflection clearly in Ophelia’s transparent eyes.
Through that reflection, Idren realized he had committed the rudeness of staring openly at someone.
Before he could compound his discourtesy, he quickly lowered his gaze. Yet Ophelia continued to look straight at him, and Idren felt ashamed under her gaze.
Perhaps he had done something wrong.
Though he was now much taller and better dressed than the scrawny boy he’d been two years ago, Idren knew he still fell infinitely short compared to Ophelia.
Indeed, he likely fell short compared to any of the children inside that banquet hall.
It was then that her familiar, slightly exasperated voice rang out again.
“You seem to want to go inside.”
Before Idren could utter a word, Ophelia commanded the guard stationed at the banquet hall door,
“Open the door.”
The guard immediately objected.
“Your Highness, he does not possess an invitation.”
“Are your eyes so blind that you cannot see what I hold in my hand?”
Though she was clearly addressing the guard, not him, Idren tensed at the sharp, irritated tone of her words.
Incredulous, the guard countered her.
“Then… does Your Highness intend to accompany him?”
“Apparently, not only are your eyes useless, but your ears are deaf as well.”
Her words carried unmistakable irritation.
Whether because of Lemethel’s prior instructions or not, the guard could no longer defy a royal command and immediately opened the door.
Once they had unwittingly become companions, Idren offered his thanks to the princess standing beside him, her hand resting coolly on his arm.
“…Thank you.”
They had only met twice, yet each time she had come to his aid.
Ophelia didn’t turn to look at him as he mumbled his thanks, ears burning red. She pretended not to have heard his gratitude.
“If you enter the hall with a partner, you must dance with them first.”
Her tone, however, was noticeably gentler than when she’d spoken to the guard, allowing Idren to breathe a sigh of relief. She didn’t seem angry with him—or at least, not very angry.
That day, while dancing with Ophelia, Idren avoided stepping on her feet. By now, he was fairly proficient at dancing.
Seemingly aware he needed no guidance, the girl remained silent throughout. Idren opened his mouth several times but couldn’t utter a word.
In his entire life, he had only ever danced with one girl so elegant—and that had been two years ago, when he’d been drowning in humiliation, so it hardly counted as a proper experience.
Instead of speaking, Idren committed every detail of her to memory. Fortunately, he’d grown much taller than her over the past two years, so his gaze wasn’t quite so obvious.
Ophelia kept her eyes fixed straight ahead the entire time he looked down at her. It was fortunate for him—had their eyes met, his face would have flushed so brightly that everyone in the hall would have noticed.
When the music finally began to fade, Ophelia spoke to him, who was still lost in its lingering echo.
“Well done.”
It was the exact same phrase as before. Because he’d often recalled that moment to keep the memory from fading, Idren recognized it instantly.
He thanked her once more.
“Thank you.”
Though his words carried complex meaning and weren’t particularly eloquent, they were far better than before. Ophelia lifted her head and looked up at him. Their eyes met—his and hers, deep as the night sea.
In that moment, Idren wished the reflection of himself in her blue eyes was even half as admirable as she appeared to him.
Ophelia, who had been gazing at him almost pointedly, spoke.
“You look much improved compared to before.”
Then, before he could respond, she let go of his hand. Her silk glove slipped away, leaving behind an even deeper sense of regret than before.
Before the music swelled again, Ophelia turned away. Idren, unsure of what to say, tried to follow her—but by then, it was already too late.
Before he could step out of the center of the hall, the music began anew, and another girl already stood before him.
That day, Idren danced with every girl in the banquet hall.
Clearly, they regarded him as little more than a passing amusement, and their teasing remarks came easily—but Idren never let go of their hands or fled.
There was only one reason: according to custom, an unmarried person who wished to dance again with the one they’d shared their first dance with could not refuse any invitation from the opposite sex in that hall.
One of the Luntalis imperial princesses dancing with him said,
“How pitiful—to be fated to die before even ripening.”
She was the same princess who had previously shown discomfort when Lemethel spoke.
Now nearly a woman, mature beyond her years, she stroked his hand suggestively after speaking those words, whispering in a low voice,
“You look so pure at first glance—wouldn’t it be a waste to die like that? Come away with me when this music ends?”
So as soon as the music stopped, Idren pushed her away. The princess let out a small laugh at his reaction—a laugh so flawless it almost seemed pleasant.
“Don’t act so precious. That body of yours won’t fetch its proper price anyway.”
Then she turned and left. Before Idren could even calm his churning stomach, he had to take the hand of her sister.
Still, since the banquet had relatively few attendees, he managed to fulfill the necessary condition fairly quickly.
After bidding farewell to the last girl, Idren scanned the banquet hall for the girl with whom he’d shared his first dance—but he saw no silver hair anywhere. No matter how hard he looked, Ophelia was nowhere to be found.
Only then did Idren realize he’d forgotten the most basic condition: no matter how many dances he took part in, it was all futile if Ophelia wasn’t even in the hall.
“If only I’d known, I would’ve left before hearing those words,” he thought to himself.
To alleviate some of his mental exhaustion and disappointment, Idren retreated to the most secluded balcony.
Never imagining Ophelia might be there.
Inside the balcony, to his surprise, sat Ophelia—whom he’d assumed had already left.
When she heard the door open, she turned to look, and Idren, flustered, immediately turned his head and shut the door. Still unable to calm his racing heart, he leaned against the door, cheeks burning.
It was then he heard a soft sound from behind.
Tap tap. Ophelia knocked lightly—just enough for him to notice, but not loud enough for anyone else to hear—and said,
“You may come in.”
[This is the timeline separator]When he entered the balcony with her permission, Ophelia was seated with her back to him. The hem of her dress—surely inspired by the color of her eyes—was draped over a small chair.
Without turning to look at him as he hesitantly approached the railing, Ophelia asked,
“Did you enjoy the banquet?”
It hadn’t been enjoyable at all, but since she couldn’t possibly know what he’d endured, Idren simply nodded.
“Yes.”
Ophelia seemed to know he was lying, but she didn’t press further. Her tone remained unchanged as she spoke.
“There’s a chair over there. If you’d like to sit, bring it over.”
Idren obeyed her instructions.
After moving the chair and sitting down, he worried whether he’d sat too close or too far away.
Soon, however, he realized Ophelia didn’t care about the distance at all and stopped fretting.
Though he sat beside her, Ophelia kept her gaze fixed on the sky. Idren stole glances at her, afraid she might catch him—but to his relief, she never once looked back.
Watching the bluish moonlight illuminate her cheek, Idren parted his lips several times. He didn’t want to waste this moment, yet he had no idea what to do or say.
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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Cowardice? Bitch you barely even look at him or speak to him 😦😡
Finally! Put her in her place!!! She should treat you better 😡😡😡
That caught him by surprise 😭🥺🤣 that he almost choked