My Discarded Fiancé Returned (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 14
They say rumors travel a thousand miles without feet, and indeed, word had spread wildly across the entire Astel territory that Serena’s fiancé had arrived.
The black-haired nobleman who appeared today was said to be that very fiancé—and rumors also claimed he would become the new lord of Astel.
“Why!”
Serena, having just finished dinner, immediately vented her anger toward the Crown Prince upon hearing Peter’s report.
“If you were going to hide your identity from the start, then this is completely meaningless!”
“The common folk still only know him as a noble knight.”
At Peter’s words, Anna nodded in agreement.
“Yes. If they had known His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince’s true identity, the villagers would never have dared speak so freely to him today in the square or anywhere else.”
Anna was right. Although a few vassal families lived in the Duchy of Astel, everyone else was common folk who had never even seen imperial royalty.
“I just don’t understand why His Highness, who must have wandered countless places already, insists on doing this even here in our Astel.”
Annoyance was plainly written on Serena’s face.
“Contrary to your thoughts, if His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince hasn’t forgotten the engagement, then Astel would naturally be the place he’s most curious about.”
Hearing this unwelcome remark, Serena’s lips jutted out in a pout.
“The engagement is void! I’ve already told the other party myself. It’s been a full six years!”
No matter how much she grumbled, if Lucas refused to change his mind, reaching an agreement would be difficult. And to make matters worse, that infuriating man had announced he’d be staying at the ducal manor for the time being.
“Besides, it’s the busiest time preparing for the Harvest Festival, yet all the village women have gathered in the square—what on earth are they doing?”
“Well… I asked a few people myself, and they said it’s enough just to look at him.”
Hah! Serena let out an incredulous laugh.
“From young girls to married women, even elderly ladies—all of a sudden full of energy, saying it’s enough just to see him once more. I truly don’t understand it myself.”
Unlike Peter, Anna understood those women’s feelings. This was precisely the situation she’d anticipated the moment Lucas arrived in Astel.
“First, since His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and his party have returned, I’ll go personally to attend to his evening needs.”
“Mm, I’m counting on you.”
At Serena’s words, Peter bowed respectfully and withdrew.
“Young lady, it’s time to prepare for bed.”
Because Lucas had kept her occupied since morning, today had been twice as exhausting as usual. After Anna helped her into a white nightgown, Serena sat on the sofa while Anna carefully combed through her platinum hair.
“Are you very troubled by His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince’s arrival?”
“You know I am. Our engagement ceremony was the worst. Of course I dislike it.”
“But according to you, it’s been six years—it’s as if it never happened at all.”
“I don’t know. I just find him infuriating.”
Though Serena insisted the engagement was void due to the passage of six years, her words carried the weight of emotions that clearly had no expiration date.
“And it’s absurd! Showing up after six years and demanding compensation—as if I’m some object!”
What Lucas desired was marriage to Serena. Even the astute Serena couldn’t possibly misunderstand his intention, yet she seemed determined to be contrary whenever dealing with him alone.
“His Imperial Highness looked at you with such tender affection.”
“Who? No. He’s just being stubborn for no good reason.”
If she’d known this day would come, Serena would have kept her mouth shut at the engagement ceremony and played the part of a boring noblewoman. Then Lucas would have forgotten that tedious girl and found himself a new fiancée.
“But… I really was surprised. He’s become such a strong, resolute man—nothing like the boy we saw at the engagement. No wonder all the women in the square were fluttering with excitement.”
Though his status as an outsider noble certainly drew attention, the real reason lay elsewhere. The moment the villagers saw Lucas’s appearance, this outcome had already been sealed.
“He’s not only grown robust but also exceptionally handsome.”
“Fine. Then he can just marry someone else.”
Serena retorted sharply.
Of course, she had eyes too—she’d recognized Lucas’s transformation at a glance. Even if she erased their meeting six years ago from memory, the man before her now was undeniably grown.
“I hate the shackles of marriage. Marrying into the imperial family would only tighten those chains further. An engagement abandoned for six years should naturally be void, and I’m already twenty-four—well past the usual marrying age.”
Her sulky muttering made her seem as though she were deliberately inventing excuses.
“Compared to me, His Highness is merely twenty. Yes, he’s matured so impressively it’s hard to believe he’s the same boy from back then.”
Serena couldn’t possibly be unaware.
Taller and stronger than any man, with broad shoulders, calloused hands that contrasted oddly with his melancholic yet strikingly handsome black hair and eyes—how could any woman remain unmoved, regardless of his status?
“Young lady, I…”
“No. Anyway, the fact that he’s His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince might be revealed as early as tomorrow. Once that happens, the villagers won’t dare approach him.”
It had been the same when Serena first arrived in the Astel territory. Most villagers, being commoners, had felt both unease and fear upon learning their new lord was the Duke’s daughter.
Especially since their wandering Duke had entrusted the duchy’s governance to a mere twenty-year-old young lady.
“Even as the Duke’s daughter, it took me over half a year to win the villagers’ trust.”
Upon arriving in Astel, Serena quietly settled in and immediately began reviewing the territory’s accumulated administrative matters and correspondence. She held no grand assembly or ceremony to announce her appointment as acting duchess.
“It only took you half a year. To the villagers, the Duke’s daughter is as distant as the heavens.”
Anna smiled faintly.
Whether or not the people of Astel accepted her, Serena impartially addressed their needs and helped those in distress. And just before the half-year mark of her arrival, an incident erupted.
“Even now, many still tell tales of your heroism from that time.”
At these words, Serena’s cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment.
“Oh, it’s nothing worth mentioning.”
Half a year after Serena had settled into Astel, an unprecedented typhoon struck. It was a calamity unimaginable in Astel, a land always called blessed.
—Gather everyone in the ducal manor at once!
At that moment, Serena shone like a warrior leading the vanguard of battle.
—Are the houses near the square the only ones sturdy enough to withstand the wind? …Tell everyone else to come to the ducal manor!
Such thinking was difficult even for Anna and Peter to accept.
—It doesn’t matter if it’s the main building or the annex—anywhere that offers shelter from the wind! Let everyone in and distribute blankets and whatever food we can spare.
—But, my lady, such supplies…
—If there aren’t enough blankets, tear down the curtains! If there’s not enough food, reduce the portions for the manor’s own staff!
At the time, Serena, finding even her modest dress cumbersome, had tied the skirt above her knees and dashed about tirelessly.
Because of this, most villagers who took refuge in the manor didn’t even realize she was the Duke’s daughter who’d arrived just months earlier.
—We must send the able-bodied men to protect the farmlands. Also…
—No, this is a typhoon!
From her past life’s experience, she knew this was a natural disaster. A terrifying calamity the people of Astel—accustomed to gentle weather all their lives—could never comprehend.
—Until this typhoon passes over Astel, no one is safe. If my words lack persuasion, then I command it as Acting Duchess.
Though the very concept of a typhoon was unknown in Astel at the time, no one could disobey the Acting Duchess’s order.
—Abandon your homes and belongings. Save the people first. Ensure everyone finds shelter under a safe roof until this storm passes!
A mere twenty-year-old ducal daughter’s words couldn’t possibly reach the villagers. They stubbornly insisted on protecting their own land and homes, convinced this storm would soon pass.
—Mobilize the Astel ducal retainers, and if that’s not enough, use private soldiers!
Serena refused to yield. Amidst the raging wind and rain, people of every social standing crowded chaotically into the ducal manor.
—Young lady, if it’s just a storm that’ll end by tomorrow…
Anna spoke worriedly, mindful of Serena’s position, but Serena remained resolute.
—Then we should be grateful that no one was hurt.
On her composed and determined face already shone the dignity of the Acting Duchess. And the storm did not end in a day.
Just as Serena had feared, the typhoon grew fiercer on the second day—roofs of ordinary houses were ripped away, massive boulders rolled through the streets, and only after three days did the sun finally reappear.
—My lady, your report!
When the brilliant sun rose in the distance, Astel lay nearly devastated.
—The farmlands, roads, and other key areas of the territory have been utterly destroyed.
—What about the people?
With the manor still packed with villagers, Serena inadvertently revealed her true character to everyone.
—Not a single villager was injured, thanks entirely to your orders, my lady.
—Then that’s enough.
That day, under the genuinely welcome sunlight, Serena’s smile was deeply etched into the hearts of all in Astel.
—As long as everyone’s safe, no one needs to fear for the future.
The twenty-year-old Serena, wearing a proud and confident smile, looked boldly at the crowd before her.
—We of Astel will turn this typhoon’s crisis into an opportunity.
Though Serena gaining complete control over a blank-slate Astel had been unexpected, it was true that, as she’d promised, the crisis had indeed become an opportunity.
“More importantly, how long does His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince intend to stay here?”
Once the combing finished, Serena turned around and stared blankly at Anna.
“How would I know?”
Even speaking of royalty was taboo and frightening. Only Serena could treat such exalted figures with such casual disregard.
“Since it’s already night, it can’t be today—tomorrow? The day after?”
“No matter how long he stays, it wouldn’t be surprising.”
At Anna’s words, Serena let out a long sigh. No matter how much she was the Duke’s daughter and Acting Duchess of Astel, as long as they remained under imperial rule, she had no means to drive away royalty.
“I’ll wait until the day after tomorrow.”
Her blue eyes sparkled with resolve.
“And if His Imperial Highness insists on staying longer…”
“There’s always a way.”
With a mischievous grin, Serena headed toward her bed. After all, the Crown Prince would soon leave this land, and naturally, the ducal daughter—jilted by the Crown Prince—would live peacefully alone.
Turn crisis into opportunity.
Yes, everything was still going according to plan.
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
_____
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MANGA DISCUSSION
4 Comments
Chapter Comments (5)
Did the Grand Duke propose to Serena 15 times?
I know Serena is a great person.
Why didn’t the Grand Duke give up after the third proposal?Serena is smart.
Since the prince only does nothing but wander around, it’s natural that he’s surprised by what Serena does.Serena is as bright and dazzling as the sun. Prince, wear sunglasses.
Prince don’t pay attention to Serena.
Inline Comments (14)
Could Lucas’s true aim really be Astel’s management secrets?
Dumb that’s just an excuse to speed time with you duh 🙄😒
That Lucas was the Crown Prince remained a secret within the duke’s household, a
I think it’s too late for you Serena 🤔😂😂 he took care of that
“Exactly. I was receiving a guest as acting Duke, not strolling as a young lady.
Disappointment? 🤔😏 What else was she expecting to? 😏😏😏
YOUR COMMENT
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agustus_orchid
Serena, it is difficult to remain calm in the face of a natural disaster.
It is difficult to both give orders and protect people.
Good job Serena ᕦ⊙෴⊙ᕤ
agustus_orchid
Should Serena have been pleased with the crown prince’s arrival?
His humiliation of Serena in front of everyone is unacceptable.
agustus_orchid
Serena is a great leader.
She protected her people against a natural disaster.
She is truly admirable.
agustus_orchid
If prince insists on staying, Serena will send him away.
Prince will either leave by choice or by force.