Many people said that Kedilen was a nobleman without pride.
New nobles tend to show such tendencies because they care about their reputation.
He laughed off most things and always showed a gentle smile and kind response, prioritizing relationships with people.
He was infinitely generous to his followers and helped them make a lot of money, so most praised Kedilen as a different kind of noble from the past nobles.
Someone who created a new paradigm.
That’s why he was able to take the lead among the new nobles.
But that was just a manufactured image. The real Kedilen was a man who was as good as dead without his pride.
The problem was that it only showed in front of Ludmila, his only wife.
Ludmila had never seen Kedilen apologize during their married life.
He was always arrogant and proud, passing his mistakes onto Ludmila, and his faults were always blamed on his inadequate wife.
So for Ludmila, who had only learned to apologize, Kedilen’s current apology was both surprising and frightening.
“After you disappeared, I thought a lot. And I realized. That I’ve done many terrible things to you.”
When this man threw away his pride, it was because he wanted something more.
In that sense, Ludmila, who had already fallen into his hands, was no longer meaningful, so it was an attitude never seen before.
Such a Kedilen bowed his head to her. Even the knees of the man rumored to be so heavy bent.
Ludmila felt even more terror at his attitude that seemed like he wouldn’t hesitate to bang his head on the floor if she wanted.
This man wants her.
That terrible fact felt like an arrow piercing her lungs.
“I know you have many grievances against me. I know you won’t forgive me just because I’m doing this now. But this is the only way.”
Kedilen, who had bowed his head, looked at Ludmila with confident eyes.
“To bring you back to my side, that is.”
She felt a fire rising inside her.
Ludmila frowned for a moment, wondering if she had heard correctly, but soon bit her lip at Kedilen’s serious appearance.
Bring her back? That one phrase that should have been easily brushed off made Ludmila feel insulted.
That belief that he could reclaim her if he knelt and apologized was suddenly disgusting.
Their relationship had already ended at that moment when she faced death, no, when she asked Aden to kill him.
Yet, now he wants to reclaim her.
If that had been possible, he wouldn’t have missed so many opportunities that might have existed.
Ludmila suppressed the anger rising from deep inside her.
There was nothing good about getting angry and causing a commotion here. That would be the same for Kedilen, but she had more to lose.
Swallowing her anger, Ludmila closed her eyes tightly, carefully stood up, and grasped Kedilen’s shoulders to raise him.
Kedilen, who slowly rose from his seat following her touch, looked at Ludmila with hopeful eyes.
“Let’s sit down first. We’ll talk sitting down.”
“But I don’t deserve to.”
“I’ll listen to such words slowly, so please sit down.”
Ludmila, who calmly led him to sit down, let out a low sigh.
Sitting on the opposite side, Ludmila didn’t know how to sort out these complex emotions.
She met Kedilen. That alone was terrible, but now this man wants her.
She thought he would want to reclaim her, but she never imagined it would be in this way.
Contrary to her expectation that he would naturally imprison her at the very least, drag her away, beat her, and continue a terrible life without giving her a drop of water until she realized her mistake, Kedilen threw away his pride.
By bending his knee to her, he threw away everything he had.
Ludmila, who had been watching him from the side, could tell.
Ludmila, who had been covering her forehead with her palm and looking down at the floor, raised her gaze diagonally.
Behind Kedilen, who was quietly waiting for her, she could see a rifle leaning diagonally, to be used in the hunting competition.
‘Aden…’
Ludmila slightly furrowed her brow at the name that came to mind at this moment.
Deliberately erasing that face and name that kept coming up, Ludmila calmly exhaled.
“…Don’t you need to go to the hunting competition?”
“For you, I don’t care about that damn hunting competition.”
To think I’d hear such words from that man. The man who dragged me out even on sick days and sat me under a sunshade.
If only he had shown such consideration back then. Ludmila hid her teeth under a bitter smile, with a self-deprecating laugh seeping out.
“There’s no need for that. Go ahead.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, I’m not okay. There’s not much point in staying here longer. This isn’t a suitable place for conversation, and it seems we don’t have much time either.”
“But if I leave here, what about you? You’ll disappear again.”
Faced with the obsession born from anxiety, Ludmila felt her head throbbing.
His greed was directed at her. She felt suffocated, as if she had stepped into a swamp.
“I won’t leave.”
Ludmila’s mouth opened. Aden’s question asking if she would be okay came to mind for no reason.
“Two days later, at the 12th cafe on the outermost edge of Clock Tower Park. I’ll wait there where there are no people. The time is noon.”
“…”
“I know you’re anxious because you can’t trust me, but if you need me, please wait a little. At least until we have our conversation, I won’t run away.”
At her calm voice, Kedilen had no answer.
He seemed to be in deep thought, resting his chin on his hand for a while before finally nodding.
“I’ll do that.”
“Thank you.”
Ludmila stood up with a welcome response. She forced a bright smile at her husband, who was like a nightmare, as he stood up as well.
“It was nice to see you again. I never imagined you would have such thoughts.”
“I never imagined I would speak like this either.”
Kedilen, who had slung the rifle case that was leaning against the chair over his shoulder, turned to look at Ludmila.
“But, aren’t you going to give me anything?”
“Give you what?”
“I’m participating in the hunting competition. It would be nice to have some kind of token.”
A token in this situation. It was beyond absurd, but Ludmila reluctantly took out the handkerchief she was carrying and held it out.
[P.]Kedilen, who received the handkerchief embroidered with Ludmila’s middle name, showed a fresh smile.
“Thank you. I’ll catch the best game for you. To bless our meeting in two days.”
Ludmila’s eyes followed Kedilen as he kissed the back of her hand and turned away.
Ludmila, who had been standing in place until the door closed and silence finally arrived, slowly collapsed.
Slumping into the chair, Ludmila hoped that this nightmarish reality was false, but the sound of collapsing firewood from the fireplace clearly struck her ears as if to say that this too was reality.
[This is the timeline separator]Kedilen did not appear until the opening time of the hunting competition was almost upon them.
The seat of the Minister of Commerce, which had remained empty even after the Crown Prince’s opening declaration ended, stayed that way until 5 minutes before the start of the competition.
Everyone speculated that the Minister of Commerce might not attend, but fortunately, Kedilen showed up before the competition began.
At the sight of Kedilen appearing with a dry face, everyone exchanged glances as if they understood why he was late, but the man’s steps as he walked to his place were calm.
As detailed rule explanations continued before the start of the competition, Kedilen, who had returned to his place, adjusted the rifle he was holding to the front.
“You’re late, Marquis.”
It was then that the monotone voice dropped sharply.
Kedilen rolled his eyes slightly and could see Aden’s golden eyes looking down at him.
“It seems the busy Minister of Commerce is forgiven for being a little late to such an occasion.”
“I just had some business.”
At the dry answer, Aden pushed up the corners of his mouth.
“Was that business more important than hearing the Crown Prince’s opening declaration?”
“Yes.”
At his brief nod, Aden narrowed his eyes.
Kedilen, who shifted his gaze forward again, took a long breath and pulled in his chin.
Aden, who had been staring at him, also shifted his gaze forward.
‘Lady Ludmila was dragged away by some nobleman!’
Barhan’s voice echoed in Aden’s mind.
The description of the person’s appearance and features given by Barhan, who didn’t know the nobles well, matched Kedilen.
Ludmila had met Kedilen. Whether it was by chance or intentional, their meeting was not welcome to Aden.
He wanted to rush there and prevent Ludmila and Kedilen’s meeting.
But in a situation where many eyes were watching him, he couldn’t move rashly.
Monitoring the situation through Barhan and his subordinates and leaving instructions to intervene if necessary was the best Aden could do.
Fortunately, Kedilen left without major issues, and through his subordinate’s report, he was able to confirm Ludmila’s safety as she moved with Viscount Hernen and made contact with Barhan.
“Ever hunted a bear?”
Aden, who looked down at the gaze rolling towards him, tipped his chin.
“A bear’s skin is thick and its skull is hard, so even if you stab its head with a sharp spear, it won’t die in one hit. So first, you stab the legs to immobilize it, then stab the belly. The head is last.”
Aden, who had turned his gaze diagonally, was about to raise the corner of his mouth diagonally when he stopped after checking the handkerchief tied to the wrist holding the rifle.
The white handkerchief was something Aden had seen many times.
“Is that so?”
As his hand moved with the monotone response, the handkerchief fluttered, revealing the previously hidden initials.
At that moment, Aden erased his smile and nodded.
“I hope you catch a bear too.”
“I will keep your advice close to heart, Your Grace. Thank you.”
The signal announcing the start of the competition sounded right after Kedilen’s last words were heard.
Aden silently watched his back as he moved away after the greeting.
“What are you doing, let’s go.”
Benjamin, who was walking behind, patted Aden’s shoulder and suggested they depart.
Aden nodded briefly and slowly moved his steps, holding the hunting gun in his hand.
The muzzle of the gun, gleaming with the golden sunlight of noon, was pointed at Kedilen.
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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