Lucas was the first to reach the hill, naturally, since he had started even a step ahead. However, Duke Farell arrived at the hill almost simultaneously, so it could be considered a draw.
“You’ve been courting my fiancée, I hear.”
“Yes. By the laws and customs of the entire continent, an engagement without contact for over four years is null.”
Neither backed down even in conversation.
“My engagement isn’t a vow that can disappear with a mere six-year gap. Yet, you, a Duke, have the audacity to court my fiancée, shamelessly.”
“Whether that’s shameful or not will be judged by the world.”
Hyde was the most flustered by the crown prince’s sudden visit. Serena, the person involved, was similarly shocked, but his was nearly as much.
Furthermore, the opponent was none other than the crown prince of the empire. No matter how formidable the Duke’s influence, there was an insurmountable barrier of social standing between them.
“And while I’ve been rejected each time I’ve courted her, not once was it because she was engaged to the crown prince.”
This time, it was Lucas who gritted his teeth.
“Well, she wouldn’t have considered marrying you even if I weren’t in the picture.”
It was a childish provocation, but because it was true, it pierced Hyde’s heart deeply.
“I saw both your portraits in the newspaper once. Portraits really do look different from the real thing.”
The only time their portraits were printed was for the engagement ceremony. In other words, the Duke was bringing up Lucas’s past, smaller, and more insignificant appearance.
“Is that so? People are always the same. They just have a period of growth.”
Perhaps his harsh self-training was for days like today. Lucas had tempered not just his body, but also his unseen spirit. No matter who the opponent, he would not waver.
“Of course, our engagement is still strong and we’ll soon hold the wedding ceremony.”
Hyde’s eyebrows shot up in visible disbelief.
“I appreciate your taste in women, Duke. However, she’s already taken.”
“What if I can’t give her up?”
Both men had swords at their hips, and they looked anything but casual. Running up the hill even seemed like preparation for a duel.
“Would you challenge me to a duel?”
Upon Lucas bringing up the sensitive topic, Hyde dismounted and looked him over.
“How dare a mere duke from Farell challenge the royal Thern family?”
Upon hearing Hyde’s implication that he could easily win in a duel based solely on their social standing, Lucas dismounted as well.
“Have you seen the view from this hill?”
Hyde took a step towards him as he asked. Lucas nodded.
“It’s a magnificent view.”
“And you would confine the woman who made this view… in a cage called the royal palace?”
What was Serena’s charm? Her graceful and beautiful posture, blue eyes that shone like jewels, platinum hair that glowed softly like moonlight, a lovely face, and a voice as sweet as a bell.
No matter how much they counted, the list was endless. But the reason these two men were so drawn to her was different.
“The royal palace is not a cage. At least, it won’t be if I welcome Serena as the crown princess.”
“Her Highness Serena will be happiest here. If she forms a bond with me in the future, she will be granted the freedom to rule both Astel and Farell.”
It was foolish to discuss happiness without the person involved, but these men were sincere.
“Have you ever seen her as a woman who would be confined? If so, you’re mistaken.”
Lucas was recalling the Serena from their engagement ceremony, who had spoken her mind so openly. She had grown since then, to a point where no man could confine her.
“She’s strong. There’s no cage that could forcibly confine her.”
“Correct. Her Highness is robust. She can’t live without her freedom.”
For once, both men’s opinions somewhat matched.
“I knew that all along. And just because it’s a royal palace doesn’t mean it’s always a cage. Have you ever lived in one? I thought not.”
“It will be stricter than the Archduchy, certainly. The Archduchy is next to Astel, and she will have much authority, so not much will change.”
“You speak as if the Archduchy has no rules, like a commoner’s home?”
Hyde was pricked once again. The Archduchy had always had strict and solemn laws, and the former Archduchess still managed many things.
Both had their own personalities, so imagining the two women together was not particularly appealing.
“Only the imperial palace then?”
“The Archduke is still in good health and will continue to rule for a long time. And you’re already an Archduke?”
“Someday he will surely become Emperor.”
“But not now. In fact, there is no status as free as the Crown Prince in this world. That’s why I’m here.”
A cold wind shook the hair of the two men as it passed.
“If you wish, I will accept a duel. Not as the Crown Prince of House Thern, but as a man named Lucas proposing to Serena.”
It was a radical condition. Regardless of the outcome of the duel, this would allow one to escape the responsibility that came with status.
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.”
