Mayana lifted the corners of her lips slightly and spoke.
“If that’s the case, isn’t your intention to make me the Duchess even more absurd? What if I marry you, or just engage in a physical relationship… Either way, if a child is born, and I want to bestow this fertile land, the dazzling name, and the honor of Valterminster upon that child, what would you do if I intended to harm Lady Ariante for that? Do you have a plan?”
For a moment, it seemed as if the light had disappeared from Cedeloy’s pupils. No, it wasn’t that the light disappeared, but rather, it felt like it plunged into a pitch-black pit.
During that brief moment of change, in the short time that was not even enough for a blink, Mayana felt like she had “won” against Cedeloy. It was as if they were waging a marathon war.
However, that thought shattered into pieces with Cedeloy’s next words.
“There’s no plan.”
“Indeed, you’re reckless.”
“No, it’s different from being reckless. I might have been reckless when I hired you as a common servant… But this time, it’s not recklessness. I already know that you will never, even if you die, do such a thing.”
It wasn’t like the light-hearted or humming voice from before. It was entirely different. Mayana knew, dumbfounded, that his words were utterly true. She could only blink, unable to say anything.
It wasn’t just the change in voice that made her mistake his words for pure truth. Sometimes, sincerity can be expressed through gaze, gestures, or even the atmosphere. When all of these align, anyone can be left dumbfounded. The truth, sincerity, can be overwhelming.
Looking at the speechless Mayana with softened eyes, Cedeloy reached out his hand. She glanced down at his hand, not understanding what he was doing. Almost reflexively, she raised her hand and placed it on his palm.
His slightly trembling, neat fingertips clasped her hand. For a moment, Mayana felt awkward with her calloused fingertips and somewhat dry back of her hand.
Taking care of the child, she washed her hands whenever there was a chance, and in her free time, she did needlework. It was only natural, but compared to his flawless hand, it felt strangely shabby.
“Since it’s late, let’s discuss this another time.”
Mayana, who raised her head, looked at Cedeloy. His fingers holding her hand seemed to tremble slightly. It might be an illusion… but it truly felt that way.
Cedeloy said, “If you’re not curious about the pleasure I provide right now, it’s better for you to go back. You might be tired.”
And he led Mayana to the door with a very natural attitude.
Only after hearing the sound of the door closing behind her, did Mayana realize the meaning of his last words.
Her hand holding the lamp trembled, and her forehead felt feverish.
“Mayana, what is this?”
Mayana, who was organizing a room on the east side, which was used as a warehouse, carefully examined what Ariante had taken out of the box. It looked like a piece of wood, but when she touched it, it was strangely cold and hard. It resembled a wooden fragment-shaped stone.
“Well, what is this…? Ask Veynti about it.”
“Veynti, Veynti!”
Ariante rushed out immediately. Veynti, who was organizing other luggage outside, shouted, “Lady, my skirt is going to rip!” The usual peaceful noise made Pic smile, and she suddenly sighed, glancing back at the warehouse.
The four maids on the east side, who no longer had a reason to go outside due to Ariante being forbidden to leave—since the incident where she fought with Lucien and struggled with him—were lethargic all day.
Even Veynti, who usually made excuses about not wanting to sunbathe, had reached the point of saying, “Lady, playing in the backyard without permission is not considered an outing, is it?”
Regardless of the circumstances, all four of them had become accustomed to playing with Ariante every day until they were tired.
If Mayana had to say something, Veynti, Bridget, or even Ivie seemed to be in a more serious condition than before.
Playing all day by wandering around the bedroom and living room, pulling pranks, Ariante, who eventually got bored and sulked, was a big problem in itself. At such times—when Ariante wanted to go out—Veynti, who was the only person who could talk to Ariante, had no choice but to do so. They had no choice.
Moreover, Mayana couldn’t help but have thoughts that persisted in her mind, such as the conversation she had with Cedeloy last night.
More vivid than Cedeloy’s face or gaze, more than the words he spoke… for some reason, Mayana’s own appearance during that conversation came to her mind more clearly. Like in a dream, she felt like an unseen presence had become a ghost, observing her own image.
Sitting on the sofa with her hands folded and looking at Cedeloy, some of the thoughts she had, among them, were truly things she couldn’t speak out loud, even if it meant “even if I die.” If someone were to open her mind and look inside, it was a bold thought that she would have to swallow her tongue immediately. At that time, she was undoubtedly…
Male lead is a Destined Young Husband (Female-dominant)
One-sentence summary: Wife-master, listen to my explanation!
Li Ruantang, a young lady from a prestigious family, stumbled and fell. When she woke up, she saw a noble and beautiful young man sitting by her bedside, wiping away tears.
The young master had slightly reddened eyes, and his every move exuded charm.
The sight made Li Ruantang’s eyes hot and her heart flutter. After all, she had made a bet with the young master Meng from the neighboring family. If she couldn’t marry a husband before the end of the year, she would have to admit defeat and give up the jade she had worked so hard to obtain.
Outside the window, the flowers were in full bloom.
Rather than losing the bet, the jade, and her face, Li Ruantang calculated that it would be better to seek marriage with the young master in front of her, killing three birds with one stone.
…
Meng Jun never thought that an accident during a spring outing would lead to them rolling down a cliff and into a river, yet still survive.
Now they were trapped in an unknown village, and Meng Jun had overheard that the family who had rescued them had their own intentions.
After all, it was Li Ruantang who had lost her mind and sought marriage first. He was only trying to protect himself!
Glancing at Li Ruantang, who was listing her own merits, the young husband’s voice softened, and he blushed as he lied, “W-wife-master, Wife-master, don’t you remember me?”
The young husband’s voice was clear and handsome, coaxing Li Ruantang’s heart to be soft and sweet, and she spared no effort to protect him.
It wasn’t until they returned to the capital that Li Ruantang suddenly remembered.
When they had fallen off the cliff, in order not to implicate Wei Yunruo, whom he secretly admired, the young husband had instead pulled her, who was slightly farther away, down the cliff with him…
Short summary by Yuushi L: Initially, the male lead (ML) liked another girl, while the female lead (FL) liked the ML. Both fell off a cliff. The FL temporarily lost her memory, and the ML, fearing others might take advantage of him, claimed FL was his wife while they were staying in a village. Later, when they returned home, the FL regained her memories and remembered that the ML liked someone else, so she kept her distance from him. However, during their time living together in the countryside, the ML’s view of the FL had completely changed. From this point, his pursuit of the FL begins.
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