The rumor that the knight who had come to the Astel territory was actually the crown prince had spread like wildfire, as per Serena’s plan. However, she couldn’t enjoy the situation because the events of the previous night were still vivid in her mind.
“Your Grace, the crowd is so large to welcome the crown prince that he himself is touring the territory with the Astel Knights, listening to the cheers of the people.”
In other words, thanks to Serena, Lucas was working—though not in the way that constituted labor. Contrary to Peter and Anna’s expectations, Serena’s expression was quite sullen.
“I see…”
Serena muttered blankly, resting her chin on her hand that was on the armrest of her chair. She seemed drained, possibly due to kicking off the blankets so much that she had barely slept till dawn.
“My lady, you look very tired. Perhaps you should take a nap.”
Normally, she would decline, citing her busy schedule, but Serena obediently nodded and slowly walked back to her bed.
Her usually confident posture was somewhat slouched, and her shoulders sagged—she seemed very different from usual.
Just as Serena was trudging back to her bed, the situation at the mansion right next to Astel’s was turned upside down.
“What? The crown prince is coming now to keep his oath?”
Duke Farrell, Hyde, had eyes that were filled with fury.
“So after four years, the engagement is practically null, and now he has the gall to come and take his bride?”
Hyde had been banned from the Astel territory not too long ago because of Serena, but he had always been determined to marry her.
“How many times has the so-called crown prince visited her? Sent her letters? He can’t even begin to compare with me.”
Hyde had actually met Serena more frequently than Lucas had if stalking, pursuing, and getting kicked out could be considered encounters.
“Your Highness, Duke Farrell, the engagement has not been officially broken yet… It’s not wise for you to intervene now.”
Chad, a longtime servant of the Farrell family, cautiously advised. He also thought it would be nice if Serena became the duchess, but given the crown prince’s appearance, the duke’s passion might be dangerous.
“Well, do I need to intervene?”
Hyde managed to suppress his irritation and forced himself to regain his composure.
“Serena is no ordinary woman. She possesses courage and strength that suit our warrior family lineage.”
His amber eyes glowed with admiration and joy at the thought of Serena.
“I still vividly remember how confidently she refused me when I tried to force a cold drink on her.”
When the duke first appeared before Serena, she had only maintained the most superficial courtesies and had not engaged in much conversation with him.
“Once, she kicked my shin while wearing her riding boots.”
Hyde’s face broke into a smile, as if recalling a fond memory.
“Your Grace, that’s violence…”
“Yes, a woman strong enough to be violent.”
Chad tried to interject some common sense, but Hyde was already lost in his own world.
“Moreover, she can handle a horse better than any other knight. Unlike the demure noble ladies who just sit in the saddle and do nothing, she takes the reins and drives the horse herself!”
Hyde knew Serena’s strengths better than anyone else.
“Your Grace, she lifted the horse’s front hooves to kick you. Ordinary people would die from that.”
“But I am no ordinary man.”
Hyde chuckled confidently.
“Serena tested my strength and quick reflexes because she knows how extraordinary I am.”
“Yes, Your Grace is indeed extraordinary.”
Satisfied with Chad’s response, Hyde flicked his auburn hair back with his fingers.
“But now the crown prince suddenly appears to take my bride? Unacceptable.”
“But, Your Highness… you are, in fact, engaged to the crown prince.”
“That’s null and void!”
His red eyes glared into empty space, as if the crown prince was standing there.
“According to the customs of the continent, an engagement becomes invalid after four years. Particularly between the royal and ducal families, where it’s been even six years. There’s no more room for discussion.”
It was a logical statement by any standard. Serena too thought the same.
“The young duke must be aware of this as well. Moreover, confining such a marvelous woman to the royal palace is a waste for the entire continent.”
Hyde’s interest in Serena began when she arrived in the Astel domain following their engagement.
Initially, he had scoffed when he heard a proxy from the neighboring domain was arriving on behalf of the young duke. However, that attitude changed completely within six months.
“The potential Serena possesses is limitless. The current state of the Astel domain is proof of that.”
Rumors swirled that Serena had fled to her domain in disgrace after a humiliating engagement ceremony and could no longer show her face in high society.
However, what Hyde had actually seen was a woman riding a horse effortlessly, brimming with vitality as she led her domain.
Male lead is a Destined Young Husband (Female-dominant)
One-sentence summary: Wife-master, listen to my explanation!
Li Ruantang, a young lady from a prestigious family, stumbled and fell. When she woke up, she saw a noble and beautiful young man sitting by her bedside, wiping away tears.
The young master had slightly reddened eyes, and his every move exuded charm.
The sight made Li Ruantang’s eyes hot and her heart flutter. After all, she had made a bet with the young master Meng from the neighboring family. If she couldn’t marry a husband before the end of the year, she would have to admit defeat and give up the jade she had worked so hard to obtain.
Outside the window, the flowers were in full bloom.
Rather than losing the bet, the jade, and her face, Li Ruantang calculated that it would be better to seek marriage with the young master in front of her, killing three birds with one stone.
…
Meng Jun never thought that an accident during a spring outing would lead to them rolling down a cliff and into a river, yet still survive.
Now they were trapped in an unknown village, and Meng Jun had overheard that the family who had rescued them had their own intentions.
After all, it was Li Ruantang who had lost her mind and sought marriage first. He was only trying to protect himself!
Glancing at Li Ruantang, who was listing her own merits, the young husband’s voice softened, and he blushed as he lied, “W-wife-master, Wife-master, don’t you remember me?”
The young husband’s voice was clear and handsome, coaxing Li Ruantang’s heart to be soft and sweet, and she spared no effort to protect him.
It wasn’t until they returned to the capital that Li Ruantang suddenly remembered.
When they had fallen off the cliff, in order not to implicate Wei Yunruo, whom he secretly admired, the young husband had instead pulled her, who was slightly farther away, down the cliff with him…
Short summary by Yuushi L: Initially, the male lead (ML) liked another girl, while the female lead (FL) liked the ML. Both fell off a cliff. The FL temporarily lost her memory, and the ML, fearing others might take advantage of him, claimed FL was his wife while they were staying in a village. Later, when they returned home, the FL regained her memories and remembered that the ML liked someone else, so she kept her distance from him. However, during their time living together in the countryside, the ML’s view of the FL had completely changed. From this point, his pursuit of the FL begins.
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