My Husband's Cinderella (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 3
When Chloe asked the royal family about the full story behind the political marriage, she received a simple and clear reply: they did not know.
Only then did she realize that Kalis’s claim of having proposed to her was a blatant lie.
The royal family, belatedly confessing the truth, pleaded with her to understand their position. When she also inquired about his lover, the royal family again insisted they had no knowledge of the matter. Chloe had no argument to make against the royals, as their ignorance had not been intentional.
For the royal family, the backlash would surely fade with time—but not for Chloe. She had already become the ugly duckling in the eyes of everyone residing in the duchy.
Though the situation was stifling and miserable, Chloe could expect no help from the royal family; even if she tried to sway public opinion through news articles, she could never change the hearts of Kalis and others.
Had the royal family simply revealed the existence of their contract with Kalis, things would not have deteriorated so badly—but disclosing any detail of the agreement was strictly forbidden.
Since violating this would require paying the other party an enormous penalty, the royal family chose silence instead.
If only they had given Chloe even the slightest hint, she might never have felt such guilt.
Unaware of the truth, Chloe obediently followed her husband without complaint—whether he hurled harsh words at her or sought her out only when he needed her.
Consequently, even the servants in the mansion began to ignore Chloe. At first, she resisted their rude treatment, but Kalis dismissed her protests.
From then on, she had to remain silent about any misfortune that befell her within the mansion.
If ignorance was a sin, then perhaps it was hers. In the end, Chloe was thoroughly excluded from the very home she had built.
Fortunately, her standing within high society itself remained unchanged—after all, in the ruthless world of nobility, such childish schemes by the royal family were only to be expected.
Though, of course, even that ultimately served Kalis’s interests.
The duke, having lived his entire life as a fallen noble, had never secured a foothold in high society.
After becoming a hero, he occasionally showed his face in social circles, but the title of “hero” held mystique only for commoners—not for the nobility.
Unless, of course, it involved Chloe’s royal status. After their marriage, Kalis quickly began using her to establish his own position in high society.
Even after “that incident,” he remained unchanged.
Though it was blatant exploitation, Chloe did not mind. Knowing she was of some help to Kalis at least eased her guilt somewhat.
She also hoped that if she kept drawing closer to him this way, perhaps his hatred toward her might someday melt away.
Foolish love. Chloe chose foolishness because she could not let go of that single, fragile emotion.
“…Hah!”
It felt as though a heavy stone had settled on her chest. Startled, Chloe bolted upright from her seat.
Tears streamed from her wide-open eyes. Her back was damp—it seemed she had sweated coldly all night.
Perhaps from the lingering effects of a nightmare, her spine prickled with chill, and her fingers twitched.
“…It was dreadful.”
The past Chloe most wanted to erase.
The duke publicly confessing before everyone that Chloe’s life had been dreadful.
She vividly recalled the servants whispering as they looked at her. Equally clear was the duke, pointing at her and shouting incessantly.
“I must stop thinking about it.”
She shouldn’t dwell on the past. She soothed herself, forcing calm.
With the composure she barely maintained, she rang for the servants to assist with her morning toilette.
Jingle, jingle.
She rang the bell, yet no one answered her call.
The bell was designed to echo throughout the entire ducal mansion. It was impossible that every servant had “accidentally” failed to hear it.
Thus, Chloe’s already precarious position finally collapsed completely.
Like a sandcastle crumbling instantly in the wind.
Too exhausted even to feel disappointment, Chloe quietly slipped back under the covers.
Just as she was about to close her eyes again,
someone stepped through the door, which opened without a knock.
The maid glanced around cautiously before carefully closing the door. Facing Chloe, she offered an awkward, embarrassed smile before speaking.
“…Um, my lady. From now on, we won’t be able to assist you anymore.”
Unable to help?
The maid spoke as though they were deliberately refusing to aid Chloe.
“His Grace has given orders: from now on, we are not to attend to you, but to serve Lady Helena instead… He repeatedly emphasized that even if you request help, we must ignore you.”
“…”
“But… I’ll still help you. Everyone has already moved to Lady Helena’s side… I came out saying I’d go to the kitchen to ask them to prepare lunch…”
The maid’s voice, which had risen in pitch, faded weakly despite her efforts.
The shocking news struck Chloe’s mind again and again.
The servants’ earlier silence had not been cruelty, but loyalty. Astonishingly, the ones who had orchestrated such a childish scheme were Kalis and his lover.
“…Truly.”
Chloe realized once more.
How her husband truly saw her.
Wasn’t it only natural for a man to feel at least a shred of guilt when bringing another woman into his home while already married?
“Truly, you intend to kill me silently.”
Somewhere along the way, Chloe had become someone Kalis no longer needed to consider.
Guilt and love. This was his answer to them.
Thanks to Jane, the maid who had confided the truth, Chloe was able to finish preparing.
After helping Chloe with her toilette, Jane quickly fled once the noise outside had subsided.
Left alone, Chloe sat at her vanity, killing time—she had nothing else to do, despite having taken great care with her appearance.
Originally, she had planned to host a grand banquet today in Kalis’s honor. Several highborn youths had returned from overseas assignments, and she intended to invite them to strengthen social ties.
But now, everything had become meaningless.
As she sat blankly, a knock sounded at her door. She was surprised that even such a simple sound as rapping on wood could carry malice.
The door opened immediately upon her permission.
The visitor was a maid with neatly tied black hair—one who had clearly disliked Chloe.
Upon seeing Chloe, the maid Shane dropped her previously smiling expression, taken aback to find Chloe perfectly prepared, contrary to her expectations.
“Hmm, hmm. There will be a tea party shortly, so please come downstairs with me now. Lady Helena wishes to have a pleasant chat with you.”
When had they ever acknowledged her requests for help? Now they expected her to accept Helena’s invitation.
Both Shane, a maid of the ducal household, and Kalis—who, though noble only by title, had lived as one his entire life—knew well:
except among close acquaintances, it was taboo for someone of lower status to unilaterally invite someone of higher status.
Moreover, Helena was merely a guest who hadn’t even taken up residence in the mansion. How could a mere guest presume to invite the duchess?
Yet no one had uttered a single word of objection.
“I shall go, then.”
She knew she would only be ridiculed if she went.
In truth, Chloe did wish to speak with Helena—there were things she wanted to hear from her.
“But before that, I must ask you to arrange one thing.”
“…Yes?”
“I wish to speak with Lady Helena alone. I’d prefer His Grace not join our conversation.”
Her talk with Helena would drastically alter Chloe’s decision.
It mattered greatly whether Helena was reasonable—or another beast like Kalis.
“Understood.”
Fortunately, Shane conveyed Chloe’s request.
She soon returned to Chloe’s room, bringing the welcome news that Chloe would indeed meet Helena alone, as she had wished.
“Princess! It’s an honor that you’ve come!”
A beast, indeed.
From Helena’s very first greeting, Chloe instantly reached her conclusion.
Though she disliked the situation, she had never truly hated Helena.
She hadn’t particularly wanted to impress her—but neither had she wished to appear disagreeable.
Yet after hearing Helena’s cheerful greeting, her feelings tilted decisively.
They truly were a well-matched pair of souls. This woman was no different from the rest.
By deliberately using an outdated form of address despite Chloe’s clear title as duchess, Helena signaled she refused to acknowledge Chloe’s status.
Even someone unfamiliar with noble society would know this basic etiquette.
It could only be explained as deliberate.
“Pleased to meet you.”
Helena’s malicious form of address caused Chloe’s last shred of patience—and the lingering guilt she had carried since long ago—to vanish without a trace.
‘Right. Why should I consider this woman at all? What a foolish thought.’
Now, truly, all that remained in Chloe was protective instinct.
“Lady Helena.”
Chloe used the same principle in her address.
If Helena insisted on calling her “Princess” based solely on birthright, then Helena herself could not claim a refined or formal title.
Helena, her face flushed crimson as she stared at Chloe, soon called over a nearby maid.
No one spoke while the tea was being prepared. Helena nervously nibbled on the refreshments set before her, only relaxing her expression once the tea was brewed.
Chloe took the first sip from her filled teacup. Helena, watching her sidelong, quickly mimicked Chloe’s gesture.
It was when the second cup was poured that Helena spoke.
“I asked to see you because I wished to pay my respects to the Princess!”
With those words, the conversation resumed.
The perfect moment to humiliate Chloe.
This time, it certainly wasn’t mere ignorance causing the breach of etiquette.
“I see. Pleased to meet you.”
Chloe paid it little mind.
Having lived in both the royal court and high society—the world of the strong preying on the weak—she knew better than anyone how to deal with such people.
True to form, Helena quickly grew sullen when Chloe showed no special interest.
“You wanted to see me alone?”
“We’re family now, living together! I thought it’d be nice to get closer!”
An innocent, charming smile and pink eyes like freshly plucked flowers.
Exactly as described in the “Tragic Cinderella” article. Her youthful face truly appeared guileless.
And yet, with that seemingly innocent expression, she strained to slander Chloe.
“Oh dear. We simply cannot become close.”
Now that she knew her opponent was a beast, further conversation was unnecessary.
“…What did you say?”
“Under normal circumstances, you wouldn’t even be allowed to speak to me.”
Only coldness remained on Chloe’s previously expressionless face, like ruins after a storm.
Male lead says he’s pregnant — and it’s female lead’s child
Something seems a bit off about this world.
Wang Zhao thought as she watched a pregnant man walking towards her…
Intro
Female lead finds herself in a world where the men who possess the ability to bear children.
As she navigates this unfamiliar reality, she is caught off guard by the sudden appearance of her boyfriend, who reveals that he is pregnant.
Is this truly her boyfriend?
Why can’t she recall any details about their time together?
She begins to doubt whether the child her boyfriend is carrying is even hers.
Is there a hidden reason behind her amnesia, or could it be a side effect of her sudden arrival in this strange new world?
Just when it seems the protagonist’s life couldn’t become any more entangled, her ex-boyfriend makes an unexpected appearance, raising questions about the protagonist’s past.
__________
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MANGA DISCUSSION
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Chapter Comments (4)
I am still not convinced that he is the heir who stopped the war. I would more easily believe if he sold out the kingdom.
Despite the warm atmosphere, I am 100% certain they won’t help with the divorce
If they were going to be so pathetic, they should have peacefully surrendered. I sense ML
Inline Comments (36)
The problem, however, was that her dress matched exactly the one worn by the eve
Well done girl. Direct hit in the middle of the forehead.
He tried to rush into his next words, but shock left his mouth hanging open.
Yes, she is your mistress who revealed the secret. Helena proves stupid, but the Duke, as usual, will forgive her after two tears.
He tried to rush into his next words, but shock left his mouth hanging open.
Yes, she is your mistress who revealed the secret. Helena proves stupid, but the Duke, as usual, will forgive her after two tears.
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VKotaku28
How did you even love such a duck??? I am more docked with you Chloe