A portrait of a great Emperor adorned with all kinds of precious jewels and expensive formal wear.
‘Hmm…….’
A plausible image appeared, and I nodded my head.
Burst!
It was then.
“Our darling!”
The door that was right in front of me swung open, and Jeff rushed out.
“?!”
He quickly approached and snatched me from Ashian’s arms.
“I finally see your face!”
Jeff, showing tears at the touching reunion, rubbed my cheek against his head.
‘Eeek……!’
I couldn’t push Jeff away and screamed silently inside.
“Kiss~.”
Finally, Jeff expressed his affection for his daughter by kissing my cheek.
‘Sa, save me!’
But since it was unfamiliar to me, I broke out in cold sweat.
“Th, there’s a wound on Darling!”
Soon Jeff discovered my injury, his eyes widened in shock.
“What on earth happened? How much our daughter must have suffered!”
Tears welled up in Jeff’s eyes as he almost regarded me as having been on the brink of death.
“It’s not a broken leg, is it? We must call a doctor, call a doctor!”
Why are you doing this?
“Call a doctor immediately!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I sighed at the fuss.
‘Here we go again.’
Sigh, keep your cool. I slightly frowned and pulled at Jeff’s coat.
“I’m fine.”
“But you never know, right?”
Daddy’s girl Jeff was still relentless, even though I said I was fine.
He couldn’t hide the anxiety and concern, it was all over his face.
His thoughts were clear on his expression.
“I’ll just apply the ointment.”
I spat it out, staring at the restless Jeff.
“But still……. ”
“Ah! I said I’ll just apply the ointment.”
I patted Jeff’s chest firmly, insisting.
“Seeing you so composed……. ”
Then, Jeff’s voice trailed off for a moment, but soon he was smiling.
“I’m sure you’ll become a great warrior!”
Crying then laughing. Is something wrong? Jeff’s face brightened as he praised me.
‘Can’t this delusion be treated?’
I hid my trembling face, pretending to lean against Jeff.
“Let’s go back and apply the ointment.”
He hurriedly suggested treating it, holding me more carefully.
“But still, call a doctor.”
“Yes.”
On our way somewhere, Jeff whispered instructions to Ashian.
Afterward, we headed to our new destination in silence.
At some point, the interior of the palace changed, exuding a cold and refreshing atmosphere.
‘Who’s the person next to Sasha?’
I discovered him walking from the opposite side. One face I recognized, and the others were unknown, including a tall brownhaired man wearing glasses with a profound air of elegance.
“Judging by the brown hair, it might be Duke Vladimir.”
I decided to remain silent.
“The Shield of the South, Vladimir, greets you under the banner of light.”
A moment later, the tall man revealed his identity with a gentle smile.
“Duke Vladimir, are you returning now?”
Meanwhile, Jeff laughed heartily and replied warmly.
“Yes. I must return to the domain to look after the subjects. It’s regrettable that I can’t stay longer at such a meaningful place.”
Duke Vladimir, looking impressed and smiling, went behind Sasha.
“The Emperor has bestowed grace upon me, and I have learned much in the royal city. I will strive to assist Her Highness the Princess in the future.”
Heartwarming, in itself. Duke Vladimir and Jeff exchanged warm conversation.
“Ah, the statue commissioned by His Majesty will likely be completed in a fortnight.”
What’s this about? I felt my lips twitching, eager to ask.
“Faster than expected. Well, then, return safely.”
But there was no further detailed discussion. The conclusion was satisfactory. Clinging to Jeff, I waited for Duke Vladimir and Sasha to pass.
A moment later, it was the instant they passed Jeff and me.
Lurch [dash].
I was terribly surprised. A dark and red, spinechilling, sinister force sensitively touched my senses.
I couldn’t help but cover my mouth with both hands.
“Dazzling, why are you like this all of a sudden? Is your wound hurting a lot?”
Jeff, misunderstanding, had tears in his eyes.
‘What was that just now?’
I forgot to respond, bringing one hand over my heart. The pace of its beating had significantly quickened.
‘It was brief, but I felt the energy of the deceased.’
I caught sight of Duke Vladimir and Sasha’s receding figures.
‘Why?’
I felt a small ripple continuing to spread in my heart.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
