Using the leisurely afternoon time to sew Ariante’s clothes as a hobby, Meiana, who had been informed by Jemero that the Duchess urgently wanted to see her, dropped the needle, and rushed to the western part as if she were flying.
When she, holding up her skirt, was crossing the corridor with occasional steps, Ash appeared in front of her. When Meiana tried to pass him, Ash called her.
“Meiana Dosen.”
Ash called her. Meiana and Jemero turned around. Then Ash gestured towards Jemero, indicating him to go first.
“The Duchess urgently wants to see Meiana.”
At Jemero’s words, Ash nodded.
“Just a moment.”
That was it. Jemero went into the study first, and only Ash and Meiana remained in the corridor. Meiana wondered why Ash had called her, curious about what was going on. She glanced down slightly.
“I’m confused by your attitude.”
Meiana looked at Ash’s face for a moment.
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t you know your position in this mansion? Don’t you know yourself better than anyone else? Why do you prostrate yourself in front of others? I don’t understand whether it’s Cedric’s madness or your excellent acting skills. It’s confusing.”
It was a somewhat disorderly remark to stop someone passing by, but Meiana quickly understood what Ash wanted to say. A feeling of unease settled in one side of her heart. It was certain that Ash had found out about her relationship with Cedric in some way.
It was not a guess but a certainty. Meiana thought. If Ash had assumed it rather than actually seen it, there would have been no need to mention Cedric’s name.
The feeling was not a guess but a certainty. Meiana replied calmly.
“Before I answer, I have one thing I’d like to ask. Why are you curious about me? Is it for the Duke’s sake, or is it just because of Lord Lauren’s interest?”
Ash, who had been staring at Meiana with curious eyes, unexpectedly smirked. It was a somewhat fierce-looking smile, but in any case, it was the first time he showed a different expression than his usual indifferent face to anyone other than Ariante and Swan.
“As a faithful friend of Duke Valteminster, it should naturally be the former. But I am indeed a friend of Cedric. However, I don’t plan on meddling in his life with unnecessary comments. Whoever Cedric chooses to marry is his business. However, I’m not so idle as to ask such questions out of mere curiosity. Just concerned about both sides since marrying a former maid to the Duchess… Well, I’m not sure if that expression is appropriate, but I’m worried it might not turn out well for both parties.”
A faint smile appeared on Meiana’s lips as well. However, like Ash had said, her smile was far from affectionate. Looking into his sharply sparkling brown eyes, Ash suddenly felt like he could hear the unheard voices of her heart. For example, something like ‘You’re full of meddling’…
“Although it’s impolite to say such things to the lady and Lord Swan’s tutor…”
“Say it.”
“It’s an annoying interference.”
It wasn’t just in her mind. Ash thought. She’s the type to speak her mind… That’s why he now understood why he didn’t like Meiana at first sight. Lions naturally end up fighting each other…
With a bitter laugh, Ash looked at Meiana again with his usual expressionless face.
“As someone who has experienced them before you, let me advise you, nobility is the most despicable thing in the world.”
“Actually, I agree with that thought. I don’t want to become a Duchess by force.”
Ash tilted his head as if interested, but the lack of change in his expression was the same. Although different from Jocelyn, Meiana also thought he had a somewhat snake-like aspect to him.
If Jocelyn was an old, cunning, and dangerous snake, Ash was a snake that might bite others without even realizing it… There was roughly such a difference.
He asked,
“Why were you in his bedroom if you didn’t want to be a Duchess?”
Meiana immediately responded.
“Lady Ariante wanted the three of us to sleep together, so I had no choice but to follow.”
“So, there was nothing between you and Cedric?”
“I didn’t say that. But I have no obligation to tell the truth. Isn’t that so?”
“That’s true.”
Nonchalantly concluding the conversation, Ash nodded with a clenched fist. Then, muttering something silently, he spoke again.
“I honestly don’t know if you can endure it.”
The Villainous Demon Lord Laid an Egg for Her (Female-Dominated)
Several months after transmigrating into a book, Yu Wu found herself facing the demon lord Li You, who could no longer conceal his dragon horns. With one hand on her aching waist and the other gripping a sharp sword, she stared at him.
The demon lord’s eyes were red with fury:
“This is all your doing! Today, I won’t rest until I kill you!”
Yu Wu rubbed her temples. Putting aside the taboo against bloodshed during pregnancy, wasn’t it this very man who willingly walked into her trap that day?!
Warnings:
- Male pregnancy.
- Height ratios are set to mirror typical male-female height proportions.
- Characters include a foot-loving demon lord and an eldest daughter from an immortal family’s concubine lineage.