Because Chloe had taken a seat at the head table, the two ended up eating together unintentionally.
Originally, it would have been appropriate to scold Chloe for taking Callis’s seat, but Helena decided to let it slide today.
First, because Callis had asked her to, and second, because Chloe’s standing within the household had changed.
After all, the reason Chloe could sit at the head table today was probably that no one dared to question the duchess’s absence.
‘That woman always easily takes what I want.’
Helena glanced at Chloe and thought.
The duchess’s seat Helena coveted, the respect and love of the people, even Callis’s attention, and their submission—everything.
Initially, Helena was already proud; only here could she be brought down, but now even that became difficult.
Tonight’s dinner was prepared with turkey roast and corn soup, foods she liked, but it didn’t whet her appetite.
Helena nibbled on the small portion of turkey she’d taken onto her plate.
“Does it not taste good?”
“What?”
“I prepared it with what you like in mind. Perhaps I, too, like the Duke, prepared something wrong.”
Helena had thought it was a special feast Callis had prepared for her before his journey, only to find out it was Chloe’s doing.
‘It’s all about her, isn’t it.’
According to the etiquette book she had read, the correct response was ‘No, thank you for considering me,’ but she couldn’t bring herself to say it.
In the end, Chloe was the instigator of today’s events; thanking such a person was something Helena’s pride would not allow.
Her already poor appetite now utterly vanished.
“Do you have plans after dinner?”
“No.”
“Then join me.”
“…Excuse me, with you?”
“Since there are no scoundrels around, shall we have a small talk?”
Chloe added after wiping her mouth with a napkin. Her graceful gesture seemed to provoke Helena.
In reality, Helena fiercely rubbed her lips so much that her skin flushed.
“Do the princess and I even have a relationship to do such a thing?”
“I have something to tell you.”
“It can be said here!”
“There must be only one or two who see and hear. It’s a somewhat confidential conversation.”
“Is it related to Callis?”
“Yes, otherwise what conversation could we share?”
Helena angrily put down her utensils. A piece of neglected meat rolled aimlessly around on the plate.
“If you’re going to go, go now. I want to rest as soon as possible.”
“If you wish, let’s do so.”
Chloe also rose promptly from her seat without refusal.
The two sat at a small tea table on Chloe’s terrace.
“How beautiful.”
Looking at the outdoor scenery, Chloe murmured. Following her gaze, the flowers in the garden were in full bloom.
Helena, like any other noble young lady, pondered whether to go along, then decided to continue as usual.
“Should we quickly get to the point?”
“True, small talk is unnecessary between us.”
After receiving the teapot, Chloe brewed the tea and signaled for the maid to leave.
Despite her somewhat authoritarian tone, the maid responded gracefully. She didn’t look like someone who had ignored her just a few weeks ago.
After Helena’s cup was filled, the long-awaited conversation began.
“I’m thinking of making a contract with you.”
“A contract?”
“It will be beneficial for both, so listen.”
Before starting the long story, Chloe took a sip of tea to moisten her dry throat. As she took a sip, her slender neck momentarily curved.
“I need the contract that Callis and the royal family have drafted. It’s not in the safe in his office, so it must be in his bedroom or another important place.”
At her question, Helena chuckled sarcastically.
“You want me to get that now? Are you insane?”
Revealing the contract with the royal family would cause significant damage to Callis. And now, she wanted the contract itself.
That would be blatant treason.
“I said it was a contract. It’s beneficial for both of us. You should listen until the end. Helena……”
“……”
“Argen.”
Helena Argen.
The mere utterance of that name made Helena’s heart sink foolishly. The one thing she still couldn’t possess, yet yearned for.
It was Chloe who had first called her by that name, not Callis.
“Start by telling me what I gain!”
“You get to have this name.”
“…You seem to be unaware, but that’s a name I’d naturally get if I were to marry Callis.”
“Oh, the name to be used within the dukedom, you mean? But what’s the point of that?”
“……”
“A wife without social standing, a duke who may show affection but holds no real power. He can’t elevate your status.”
Hearing the truth from an unwelcome source felt like mockery.
Helena came to fully understand her situation through this conversation.
Even if she was passionate and even if Callis cherished her, outside of the dukedom she was nothing.
In aristocratic society, she was not Cinderella or a noblewoman, but an outsider, a foreigner.
“So, how do you plan to give me this name?”
“I’ll give you the title of Duchess.”
“……What, what did you say?”
Finally, Helena wavered at those four words.
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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