“It seems to be written by the woman who helped the monster, in an ancient language… I couldn’t fully understand it.”
“Indeed, it mentions the ‘Emperor’ and the ‘palace’, and something about ‘two months later’. It seems like a plan to infiltrate the palace and target you, Your Majesty.”
“Perhaps they plan to attack during Your Majesty’s wedding ceremony, exploiting the relaxed security during the festivities,” Timothy added, eyes wide.
Handing back the note, the Emperor asked, “Did you find out more about this woman?”
“We believe she’s young, based on the footprints and handwriting, but we couldn’t gather any more information. I apologize.”
“No need to apologize. I’m well aware of your contributions, Earl. Without you, we wouldn’t know even this much.”
Timothy looked proudly at his father, sitting solemnly beside him.
“I swear, Your Majesty, I will not repeat past mistakes. I will personally eliminate the monster and present its head to you.”
Earl Corland, burdened with guilt towards the Emperor who grew up without parents, made his vow.
“You and your son give me peace of mind. Rest well after this, and make sure to attend the banquet this weekend. Timothy, it’s about time you got married. If you have a preferred family in mind, let me know. I’ll arrange it.”
Satisfied, the Emperor nodded and stood up, followed by his two officials, who exited the office.
“Emperor Maxwell is always impressive. Despite being the same age, he seems so much more mature than me,” Timothy murmured as he walked with his father through the main hall of the palace.
Until a few years ago, I could hardly meet the Emperor’s gaze. Overwhelmed by his cold yet intense aura, pressing down the surroundings, I was completely dominated.
Even now, sitting face to face with him, I feel sweat trickling down my back due to nervousness, but his governance and achievements are indeed admirable, even to a man.
“It must be because he has been through countless ordeals since his childhood that even adults couldn’t handle,” I thought, looking at my son with still innocent eyes, despite being the same age as the Emperor.
“Lunch today will be held in the garden to welcome Lady Arabell. The ten other candidates wish to join, and the Imperial Selection Committee has given permission,” Loren, who oversees the candidates’ quarters, reported with downcast eyes.
“What should we prepare first?”
“Definitely the best dress. To not be overshadowed by the other formidable candidates, you need to make a strong first impression.”
“No, no. Overdressing for a simple lunch might make me stand out for the wrong reasons, like a country bumpkin. Let’s keep it natural and understated today.”
After Loren left, Vera, along with Rosa and Dina, began to fuss excitedly, but Arabell simply responded vaguely, planning to take a walk in the garden.
Since childhood, Arabell never spoke down to the servants of the Kender estate, and she continued to use formal language with the three maids, making Vera firmly persuade her, “It’s appreciated, Lady, but it could put us in a difficult position. In society, there are norms to follow, and you don’t want us to be dismissed, do you?”
Agreeing with Vera’s reasonable argument, Arabell still felt awkward, often trailing off in her sentences.
“We don’t have much time to prepare. How about having lunch and then taking a walk with the other ladies?”
Pulled back into her room by the maids, Arabell looked dejected. She had wanted to explore the garden by the pond and see what creatures lived there… She was troubled by not hearing even the usual chirping of birds in the morning.
While the pink organza dress she wore was already beautiful, it was only after trying on six different dresses that the maids finally smiled in satisfaction.
Vera, dabbing light apricot blush on Arabell’s cheeks, proudly said, “As I’ve said before, you’re more beautiful without much adornment. A pure and clear energy shines from beneath your skin.”
Though Vera spoke with exaggerated enthusiasm, it was true.
She seemed like a common wildflower, yet in truth, she was a unique and noble flower.
Arabell possessed a radiant light that captivated hearts, not eyes. Yet, she looked embarrassed, as if she couldn’t believe Vera’s words.
As someone who believed others easily but never herself, it seemed evident that Arabell had lived a hard life akin to a maid’s.
“The other candidates are heading to the garden now,” reported Millie to Arabell, who stood in front of the mirror, dressed in a fluttering sky-blue dress, her long hair adorned with a crystal headband.
Biting the inside of her cheek, Millie admired the warm smile Arabell offered her.
“If this task succeeds, I’ll pay off all your parents’ debts. Then you can bring your younger sister back from Baron’s estate.”
“Can you promise that? To bring Adel back… from that man?”
“I swear on my honor, I promise.”
I was packing my things, thinking I was fired, when I was summoned to the housekeeper Bridget’s room.
Honestly, I could respond so confidently because I was unaware the other maids hadn’t cleaned as promised that day.
I had covered for them for four days, cleaning alone in exchange for taking the afternoon off to meet my sister. I never imagined they’d lie so blatantly to me. How foolish I was to trust them.
Then there was the contract with housekeeper Bridget. [Your job is to ensure Lady Arabell is ousted before the competition ends.]
I didn’t need to know why. The intrigue of the royal court was their affair, happening everywhere.
If it meant escaping the suffocating debts and bringing my sister Adel back from that despicable Baron, I’d leap into hellfire.
Even if she’s expelled from here, that noble lady won’t live a hard life like me. She might cry over the loss of becoming the Empress, but soon she’ll marry a well-off nobleman and live comfortably.
There was no need for guilt.
Seeing her half-moon shaped eyes smiling at me, I smiled back broadly.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
