As the situation reached this point, Cediloy found himself in a perplexing state of uncertainty, wondering if she was protesting for a salary raise or teasing him. He knew it was a foolish question, yet he couldn’t help but say it.
“So, if I raise your salary, you’ll show me more sincerity, and in return, you’ll raise the value of my heart… or something like that?”
Upon hearing this, Mayana’s eyes widened.
“No?”
“Not at all?”
“If the Duke raises my salary, it means I’ve performed my duties well. That, too, is the compensation for my labor. Why should I increase the value of my feelings toward the Duke? It might be possible, but it’s not an obligation. And…”
“And?”
A smile, subtle yet apparent, appeared on Mayana’s lips.
“If you call for a higher value too quickly, there might be nothing left to call for later.”
Her deep, amber eyes, like tree bark, lightly shook. The meaning embedded in Mayana’s words. The hidden message stirred Cediloy’s heart entirely.
Pushing away and then pulling back with force, reaching out with strength, and then distancing oneself as if to say, “When did that happen?” It was the person who had fallen deeply for Mayana. Someone who wouldn’t easily yield, who wouldn’t compromise on what they believed to be right, yet still cared for the surroundings with a warm heart.
“You’re witty; I knew that, but this is a bit unexpected.”
Mayana’s shoulders lightly trembled.
“Don’t be too sure.”
However, Cediloy was satisfied with just that. While claiming not to expect any future together, subtly showing that he had considered in some way being together, whether in what manner remained undisclosed.
Cediloy took a slow breath, smiling lightly, and turned his head back to Swan. The cold forehead was pitiful. As long as Swan woke up safely, there was nothing more to wish for, he thought.
Fortunately, Swan woke up in perfect condition after a night’s sleep. As soon as he got up, saying he was thirsty and hungry, Bridget rushed to the kitchen and brought out the prepared items one by one.
Mayana and Cediloy also came to meet Swan as he woke up. While gently caressing the bruised cheek of the still-young Swan, Cediloy asked.
“Swan, do you remember why you fainted?”
Swan just tilted his head, holding a glass of water, without trying to say anything.
Cediloy asked similar questions a few times, changing only the wording, until he could finally hear a single word. Even then, all he got was, “I was reading a book and stood up; I felt dizzy.”
“It wasn’t even a hot day. Did you find it challenging to study with Ash?”
“No, Your Grace. Not at all. Now that you mention it, I still have to attend classes today…”
As Swan was about to get up, Cediloy stopped him.
“No, you can’t. You must rest thoroughly today. Don’t move a muscle while Bridget takes care of you here. Don’t even read a book since your eyes might get tired. If you want to read, ask Bridget or Mayana to read it for you. Understand?”
“But…”
“It’s not allowed.”
Swan looked a bit surprised by Cediloy’s firm response. However, since he didn’t seem angry, Swan just lowered his gaze and quietly replied, “Yes.”
“Good boy.”
Cediloy stood up. At that moment, Swan looked up at him with an anxious expression.
“Your Grace, are you leaving already?”
“There’s still work to be done. I also have something to discuss with my gemero. Why, would you prefer me to stay?”
“Just a little longer…”
A compassionate and affectionate light, along with a sense of cuteness, appeared on Cediloy’s face. After gently ruffling the disheveled hair of the still-sleeping Swan, he spoke.
“I’ll come to see you again at lunchtime. Rest for now.”
“…Yes, Your Grace.”
Swan replied with a sigh in his voice. Cediloy stared at the boy, who sat blankly by the window, looking outside, for a moment before leaving the room.
Jemero had not slept a wink throughout the night. It was due to the exhaustive search for Negrian herbalists under Cediloy’s orders, which had left him with no chance to rest.
Even yesterday, one of the guys he brought with him when visiting Negrian got into a foolish altercation with some drunk thugs. Unable to reveal that they came from the Duke’s residence, Jemero ended up giving some money to the thugs to settle the matter.
Perhaps due to various incidents, fatigue was evident on his face today. Usually adept at concealing his condition, Jemero seemed a bit worn out.
“Duke, have you arrived?”
“Your face says it all, Jemero. I asked you to investigate the Negrian herbalists, but I didn’t tell you not to sleep.”
A smile appeared on Jemero’s wrinkled lips.
“I know, Your Grace. But I, too, couldn’t stay still with a busy mind. Young lads don’t understand how crucial this matter is. It’s not something I can fully explain.”
Top Celebrity Younger Brother Bears Her Child (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: Forced to live stream romance with a top celebrity in a female-dominant world.
Yan Jin transmigrated into a brothel, with a fellow transmigrated junior beside her.
Hearing the obscene words coming from outside, the unfortunate junior covered his ears tightly, his cheeks flushed red, and whispered to comfort her, “Don’t worry, I will definitely help you escape.”
“Don’t worry, I will definitely defend your chastity.” Yan Jin looked at the flawless and delicate features of the unfortunate junior and gently comforted, “Because we have transmigrated into a female-dominant world.”
※※※
Top celebrity Yu Shu suddenly fell into a coma during a concert.
Research scientist Yan Jin fainted in the lab after working overtime.
Two people with no connection were rushed to the same hospital.
Three days later, neither of them had woken up.
Suddenly, the entire nation discovered that a live streaming app had been forcibly installed on their phones.
Upon opening it, they heard the two discussing how to escape from the brothel.
The entire internet was in an uproar.
After the two successfully escaped from the brothel, Yu Shu’s fan group rushed to make a banner and sent it to the hospital overnight.
“Big sister bravely took action to defend the chastity of our idol!”
※※※
When Yu Shu was diagnosed with pregnancy, Yan Jin stared at his belly for a long time.
Covering his stomach, he muttered gloomily, “If you don’t like it, I’ll go get an abortion.”
“It’s not that I don’t like it.” Yan Jin hugged Yu Shu and said softly, “I just feel like I’m not human.”
Yu Shu comforted Yan Jin, “I was already an adult when we got together.”
Yan Jin hesitated, “But you won’t be of legal marriageable age even after giving birth to the child.”
At the same time, a flood of bullet comments appeared in the live streaming room that the two couldn’t see.
[Although it’s inappropriate, I also want a young and handsome boyfriend to have my child.]
①Male pregnancy (highlighted)
The female lead is five years older than the male lead, and the male lead is already an adult when he appears.
