My Husband's Cinderella (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 5
A space several times larger than her own body. Inside it, Chloe sat all alone.
Though it was a carriage she’d often ridden in her childhood, it felt unbelievably unfamiliar and strange.
Yet the scenery beyond the window was utterly familiar—even though she hadn’t seen it in a very long time.
The faint whinny of a horse reached her ears, stimulating her hearing. Sand stirred up by friction with the wheels filled the view beyond the glass.
It was proof that the carriage had slowed down.
“We’ve arrived, my lady.”
Just as Chloe had expected, the carriage soon came to a halt.
A fresh breeze greeted Chloe as she stepped onto her homeland. The warm, crisp wind of the capital tickled her heart.
“Chloe!”
From afar, a familiar voice rang out. Startled, Chloe quickly looked around—her attention had been entirely absorbed by nature.
Her family had come all the way to the front gate to welcome her.
“Father!”
At the end of her gaze stood Ballont, Chloe’s only father and the kingdom’s commander. Behind him were Chloe’s brothers who remained in the royal household.
Overcome with excitement, she began running toward them, utterly forgetting the etiquette that had once been ingrained in her like a second soul.
With every step closer to them, the burdens that had tormented her seemed to vanish one by one.
A royal dinner banquet began to welcome Chloe, who hadn’t visited in so long.
They welcomed her so warmly that not even foreign dignitaries received such treatment.
Chloe began eating with a happy heart. Meals that had previously been mere pretenses for survival or social obligation held deep meaning today.
The Ballont household was lively today. Despite the meal lasting longer than usual, laughter and conversation never ceased.
“Visit often, Chloe. Your siblings miss you so much.”
“Is it really just the siblings, Mother? I’ve always missed Chloe too.”
There was a subtle thorn hidden in that remark directed at Chloe—but since it was born of affection, it didn’t sting at all.
“I’ll do that.”
“Just words again? You promised to come soon after my letter, and look—it’s already been a year.”
“Really. I’ll visit more often, Sister. I promise.”
Since becoming a duchess, Chloe had never visited the royal palace as a princess.
Her visits had been limited to brief errands or social gatherings—and even those were always accompanied by Kalis, leaving no time for her family.
Though she’d always felt uneasy seeing her family’s wistful faces as they saw her off, she hadn’t realized just how deeply they missed her.
“The fish is delicious, Chloe. Have some of mine.”
“Oh! Then I’ll give you my dessert later, Sister!”
As Chloe stared blankly at her family, the king’s hand reached toward her. Neatly sliced grilled fish was placed in her bowl.
It was salted and then moistly grilled salmon—the food Chloe loved most.
The asparagus and cherry tomatoes served as garnish. The mashed potatoes generously mixed with butter.
The tangy grapefruit juice in a pretty glass. The brownie and vanilla ice cream to come for dessert.
Everything served was precisely what Chloe loved.
“…Yeah. I’ll enjoy it all.”
A warmth she’d never once found or felt in the ducal household.
This long-awaited peace felt incredibly precious—a memory she never wanted to lose.
After the meal, Chloe was led to the guest room.
“I tried to prepare it as quickly as possible… It’s not quite like your old room, is it?”
The beautifully arranged room was an exact replica of Chloe’s childhood room.
When Chloe married the duke, she’d asked them to tear down her old room—she’d wanted to completely seal off any place to return to.
She’d been naive and foolish. Because of that single decision, Chloe would never again experience the nostalgia of her past.
“Not at all—it looks exactly like my old room. I love it.”
Chloe forced a bright, happy smile. Her effort seemed to work, as her mother’s worried expression visibly softened.
Today, Violet herself helped Chloe dress and undress. Seeing the grown woman Chloe had become, Violet seemed somewhat bittersweet.
“Sleep well, my daughter.”
After kissing her daughter’s forehead one last time, she turned to leave—her steps unusually slow, as if reluctant to go.
Having barely reached the door, Violet suddenly turned around. Then, hurrying back with quick little steps, she tightly embraced Chloe.
“Mother?”
“If anything happens, be sure to tell me.”
“…”
“We’re family. We’ll support you completely. We already know your life has been difficult. So if anything comes up, don’t bear it alone—share it with us.”
The arms holding Chloe trembled violently. Even her voice, usually so strong and steady, now quivered faintly.
“…Yes.”
The comfort she’d longed for so deeply.
Yet when she finally received it, she couldn’t take anything in. Dazed, Chloe simply nodded silently.
Only after Violet left did Chloe move her weary body and lie down on the bed.
Staring at the white ceiling, Chloe began reflecting on the day.
How long had it been since she’d experienced such a peaceful day? How long since she’d felt such joy and happiness?
‘I should’ve come sooner.’
She should’ve run here without hesitation instead of overthinking—only to realize too much time had already passed.
There was no other reason.
The first six months were spent busy establishing her new home and adapting to it; the next six months were hindered by Kalis, who regarded her family as enemies.
If Chloe visited her family under those circumstances, she’d have no face to show her husband.
Because of that, she’d pushed aside her longing for family and practically imprisoned herself in the Arhen ducal household.
Foolishly so.
She suddenly noticed the faint aroma of essential oil carried by the breeze—Violet had placed it there long ago for Chloe, whose insomnia had worsened.
The small teddy bear by her bedside was an animal friend introduced by her younger sibling.
Every corner was deeply imbued with the scent of family.
Yes. This was what family was.
And this was the true home Chloe had always wanted to build.
Intense sunlight poured through the curtains.
Chloe woke up, unconsciously frowning at the brightness.
How long had it been since she’d risen with such a light heart? Starting the day no longer felt despairing—but hopeful.
Chloe was beautifully dressed with the affectionate hands of her maids.
Their cheerful chatter and playful jokes about recent gossip made the maids especially endearing during her grooming.
In the ducal household, the stiflingly rigid attendants had made even dressing a dull and tense affair.
Even the morning meal, attended with a refreshed spirit, was utterly perfect.
Thanks to her harmonious family, the wounds that had been festering these past few days now felt like they were slowly healing.
After breakfast, the king personally invited her for a private tea time.
It was a rare father-daughter moment. Ballont seemed mindful of this, as he’d clearly taken care with the tea arrangements.
Ballont lifted his cup first; Chloe followed. The imported tea truly carried a unique fragrance.
“I bought it from a merchant the other day, thinking you’d like it. If you enjoy it, take some with you when you leave.”
“Thank you.”
What was truly touching was that her father, who usually detested foreign things, had personally bought it and even prepared the tea for Chloe.
And the gem embedded in the teacup happened to be Chloe’s birthstone.
“Right. You mentioned you had something to discuss.”
After exchanging small talk, Ballont shifted the topic himself—referring to the letter Chloe had previously sent.
“…Yes. It’s a rather complicated matter.”
“Can you tell me what it is?”
Though his expression remained stern, his voice was gentle. Soothed by her caring father, Chloe found herself revealing the truth about the Arhen ducal household as if entranced.
“He brought someone back after his campaign. That is… a woman.”
Helena. The kingdom’s Cinderella—and the woman Kalis loved.
Along with her story, Chloe recounted their shameless behavior within the ducal household.
As he listened, Ballont’s expression gradually darkened with anger.
“That wretched brat!”
Those were the first words Ballont uttered after silently hearing her out. Betrayal flickered in his wide-open eyes.
“To insult the royal family—and my daughter—like this! I absolutely cannot tolerate it!”
Seeing her father enraged as if it were his own affair lightened Chloe’s heart considerably.
It truly was fortunate—she had her family’s support, at least.
“What should I do for you, Chloe? Tell me anything—I’ll help you however I can.”
Ballont sighed deeply and hurried to comfort Chloe.
He gently stroked her soft cheek as he asked, his tone so tender it could melt winter’s frost in an instant.
‘…What I want to do.’
Divorce him.
If Kalis refused to let her go, then Chloe would be the one to let go first.
She no longer wanted to be used by him. She no longer wanted to be branded by others as a foolish, easy woman.
Escaping from them and growing faster than anyone else—that would be Chloe’s best possible revenge.
Of course, the kingdom was hostile toward divorce. Marriage was a sacred vow before the gods; breaking that promise was tantamount to betrayal.
‘But… they’re supporting me like this…’
If only the king and queen permitted it, she could proceed with divorce proceedings despite the temple’s opposition.
Chloe swallowed once. The liquid passing down her throat tasted unusually sour today.
“…I want a divorce.”
Countless inner struggles.
Finally, Chloe spoke.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (2)
If they were going to be so pathetic, they should have peacefully surrendered. I sense ML
Sly Kuhn , very sly. On the other hand Chloe, let’s become more assertive
Inline Comments (121)
His unusually pale hand was so clear that not a single vein was visible. Coon st
It is easier to see vein if the skin is clear, though, especially if there isn’t much subcutaneous fat.
Though she’d experienced countless relationships and should have grown indiffere
Countless relationships? What vfamily, courtiers, servants? Soldiers on a battlefield? Aside from family, none of those would get this affection with which he is so concerned. Why can’t he be thoughtful? Is it too much to ask for a possessive ml to genuinely get that they should grant a traumatized woman some grace?
Was this truly the same lord who used to dump entire stacks of letters onto Dyla
I am not charmed by people in high positions shirking their responsibilities. Too much of that bs in life leads to much misery.
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VKotaku28
Despite the warm atmosphere, I am 100% certain they won’t help with the divorce