My Husband's Cinderella (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 9
Tense Chloe began to breathe in short, broken gasps. A new scent mingled into the gentle breeze—a bitter fragrance bordering on coolness.
“Yes, isn’t that right, Chloe?”
The scent once again enveloped Chloe.
The low voice, the pleasant aroma—everything belonged to this man.
A very simple question, without any lengthy explanation.
An extremely straightforward answer, one that could be given with just “yes” or “no.” Yet even under such easy conditions, Chloe hesitated.
‘Friend.’
Coon’s voice kept circling endlessly in her mind.
She, too, didn’t want to lose Coon over a fleeting encounter.
In this moment, abandoned by both family and home, Chloe needed someone—anyone.
Surely the role most fitting for this was that of a ‘friend.’ And just then, the person most suited for that role appeared.
‘But still…’
Yet this wasn’t the time for her to be swayed by personal feelings. Besides, Coon’s sudden appearance also felt suspicious.
What if this was actually a calculated meeting disguised as chance?
Was there any evidence to judge whether the man before her was dangerous or safe?
What if he, like others, had approached her because he wanted something?
“You.”
Her voice, always kind, hardened. She deliberately switched from his actual name to a dry, impersonal address.
“What do you want from me?”
Coon tensed slightly at her anxious shift in tone. But the following question quickly dispelled his rare, unfamiliar unease.
What I want.
Coon let his desire shine through his eyes.
Golden hair reflecting the blazing sun, skin even brighter and translucent, features as if crafted by a master artisan, and blue eyes like precious gems.
“If I tell you, will you listen afterward?”
His large hand gently brushed against her snow-white neck.
When Chloe flinched at the sudden heat, he smiled and waved a strand of hair he’d picked up.
“I feel I must know, so I can properly end this relationship.”
“Would it be better to hide it if my intentions were impure?”
“That very premise—asking me such a thing—seems strange…”
“It’s because I wish to accommodate my dear friend as much as possible.”
His boastful tone already sounded as if he’d won Chloe over.
‘He really is a curious person.’
This was utterly unlike the treatment Chloe had received before. The man before her seemed arrogant at first glance, yet clearly cared for her.
His feigned nonchalance felt like a mask hiding genuine consideration.
“I want to hear it. So please, tell me.”
Perhaps drawn by that mystery, Chloe grew curious about words she’d normally pass by without a second thought.
“Chloe, you…”
“……”
“—I want your letter.”
As if about to cough, Coon broke off mid-sentence. Thus, unintentionally, it sounded as though he wanted Chloe herself.
Strangely, Chloe remained calm, while Coon’s face flushed with surprise.
“Oh?”
People had wanted many things from Chloe.
Those who eagerly sought her friendship, hoping some royal favor might rub off on them. Her husband, who had exploited her wealth and honor.
In contrast, a letter held no value to exploit—it was almost laughable that someone would claim to want something so trivial.
“Then you’ll have to convince me before the carriage arrives.”
Her nerves, sharpened moments before, gradually settled at his words.
“It’s an honor just to be granted this chance.”
Noticing Chloe’s subtly changed reaction, Coon smiled.
The two walked along the path near the clock tower.
They exchanged trivial small talk as if they’d completely forgotten their serious conversation just moments ago.
“Oh, it’s Kalis Arhen.”
“Yes?”
The name of the person closest yet farthest from her. Chloe was startled by the sudden mention of her husband.
Beyond Coon’s shoulder stood a statue of Kalis. It looked utterly ordinary for a statue—likely erected by the townspeople themselves.
‘Come to think of it, there’s also a statue of him in the capital.’
Kalis had wanted a statue built to commemorate his achievements forever.
It was to stand in the main square of the largest town in the capital, made solely of pure gold and various jewels.
Naturally, the statue had been funded from Chloe’s own purse.
On the day the statue was unveiled, Kalis had smiled brightly at her.
A brief but intense smile. That single, effortless smile—something he’d never bothered to offer before—plunged Chloe back into despair. Ironically, it was precisely that smile that had healed her crumbling heart.
“Was Kalis Arhen truly such a great hero that they even erected a statue for him?”
“He saved the kingdom. Our happiness and peace continue thanks to his efforts, after all.”
Any citizen of the kingdom would know Kalis’s deeds by heart—after all, their freedom and peace were won through him.
Since Coon carried an exotic air, possibly from foreign lands, Chloe explained without revealing her thoughts.
Yet even after her explanation, Coon showed no sign of surprise.
“He merely ended the war—he didn’t accomplish everything alone. Countless others shed blood and sweat to protect our homeland, didn’t they?”
Even if the war ended thanks to him, it didn’t mean he was the only one who had strived.
“Chloe—you’re among them too.”
His next words directly mentioned Chloe.
“Me as well?”
“You gave your all there too, tending to wounded soldiers day and night.”
“……”
“You reminded me of a love I’d forgotten.”
These added explanations stirred memories of the past she’d buried.
‘Surely not.’
Chloe stared at Coon in disbelief. When she tilted her head in silent question, he calmly nodded.
“You may not remember, but during the war, you treated my wounds.”
He claimed to be one of the knights Chloe had once healed.
Chloe’s hand had somehow ended up in Coon’s grasp.
He gently cradled those sacred hands that had healed him, as if they were precious treasures, and kissed them.
“Thank you. Because of you, I’m still living a happy life.”
Was it ticklish?
It felt coarser, more persistent—something she’d never experienced before, so she couldn’t name it precisely.
“……Yes, Coon.”
Afterward, Coon confessed everything to her.
He said that upon seeing the photo in his wallet, he instantly recognized Chloe as the nurse who’d treated him.
That’s why he’d meddled in a matter he’d normally ignore with indifference.
“Chloe, it’s thanks to you that I continue living. I doubt a kindness like today’s could ever repay that debt.”
“……”
“Please grant me a chance. Even if we can’t be friends, it’s fine—I’d be content just following your shadow alone.”
“……”
“Even so… do you still refuse to accept me as your friend?”
The question came again.
Chloe glanced sidelong at him. His black hair fluttered in the wind, and his deep blue irises caught her eye.
The man who claimed to need her letter. The only person who remembered her past and felt grateful.
How many people had she trusted, how many friendships had she formed before?
Couldn’t she, just this once, choose to trust him despite everything?
“Alright. Letter friend. This should be interesting.”
Having established this new relationship, Chloe introduced herself.
To exchange letters, she had to reveal her address—thus naturally disclosing her true identity.
Unexpectedly, Coon showed no surprise. He introduced himself calmly in response.
He said he often traveled to the kingdom from a foreign land, having grown fond of Ballont Kingdom after volunteering as a reinforcement during the war.
As they continued sharing various stories from the past, time slipped away quickly. Right on schedule, the carriage arrived.
Escorted by Coon, Chloe boarded the carriage and began her farewell.
“Thank you for today, Coon.”
“I only did what was natural.”
Perhaps regretting the hand that had left his side, Coon gazed quietly at Chloe’s hand.
“Chloe.”
It was just before the carriage door closed.
Coon called out the name of the woman who’d become his friend. Though he’d always addressed her gently, his voice now carried solemn weight.
When Chloe turned toward the source of the sound, a soft breeze passed between them.
Her curly golden hair fluttered wildly in the wind, scattering her focus. She quickly gathered it and tucked it behind her ear.
Her blurred vision gradually sharpened.
“Are you happy?”
Immediately, Coon in her sight also came into clear focus.
Perhaps because he stood with the blazing sunset at his back, his eyes—shimmering in a hue similar to Chloe’s—flickered faintly red.
‘……Happy?’
Chloe stared fixedly at him, unable to answer.
Her friend was surely waiting for a reply, yet Chloe couldn’t bring herself to speak.
It felt as though Coon’s question pierced straight through her unhappiness—as if this stranger-turned-friend had sensed Chloe’s sorrow, unnoticed by anyone else.
“Are you still happy?”
After a pause, Coon added. It wasn’t meant to prompt her answer.
Only then did Chloe grasp the true meaning of his question.
He was asking whether the Chloe of today was as happy as she’d been three years ago.
Three years.
So much had changed.
They’d fought a war for half a year, and in the remaining half after the armistice, the kingdom focused on recovery.
The following year, Chloe married Kalis. The marriage she’d believed would bring happiness collapsed after only six months when the truth came to light.
And the year after that, the tragic Cinderella made her appearance—just as the two had planned.
“I…”
“……”
“I want to be happy.”
She wasn’t happy. In a life of unending misfortune, she couldn’t shamelessly proclaim herself happy.
But someday, she wished to reclaim what she’d lost.
At Chloe’s answer, Coon wore a peculiar expression—seemingly unchanged from when he’d asked, yet also as if deep in thought.
“I dare to offer my service.”
“……”
“So please, be happy.”
Then, at last, he smiled.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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It is easier to see vein if the skin is clear, though, especially if there isn’t much subcutaneous fat.
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?
I am not charmed by people in high positions shirking their responsibilities. Too much of that bs in life leads to much misery.