“Compensation?”
The princess widened her eyes at the unexpected word.
“Was that what you meant by ‘arrangement’? What you’ll receive in return?”
“Yes.”
“More calculating than I thought, aren’t you?”
“I believe it will be to the princess’s liking. Rather tidy, if anything.”
“Hmm.”
Princess Valerie pursed her lips, seemingly contemplating.
She was considered more clever than bright; more cunning than wise.
Though the idea of receiving compensation for giving up on a man seemed like a plot from a cheap romance novel, it might indeed be a cleaner solution, as Alicia suggested.
Moreover, if Count Russell were to learn of this fact, it might be a neater way to sever the relationship between the two.
“Alright. It’s simple and pleasing. Since I requested it, I can afford to pay the compensation.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. However, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask.”
“What is it?”
Alicia hesitated for a moment, avoiding Princess Valerie’s gaze.
“It’s okay, speak up. Is there any need to hesitate in front of me?”
“In that case, Your Highness. Without any reservations, I request a personal favor.”
“Sure.”
“The compensation is something I personally demand. So, Your Highness, I’d appreciate it if you could fulfill it on a personal level.”
“Ah.”
Princess Valerie nodded in understanding.
Paying compensation at the national level for the betrothed of the imperial princess seemed inappropriate.
“I understand your intention. Well, it might seem a bit absurd for the Valorian Empire to pay you.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“You’re welcome. Thanks for considering this far; I appreciate it even more.”
“No need for thanks. Then, I’ll visit you in two weeks, Your Highness.”
“Sure.”
Princess Valerie smiled kindly at Alicia, who was showing courtesy.
As the conversation between Alicia and Princess Valerie concluded, Eric turned his head to William.
He thought it would be better to bring up the topic before Princess Valerie took hold of him.
“By the way, did you make sure to confirm Ross’s identity when he entered the palace?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I, given my situation? But why all of a sudden?”
“I saw him talking seriously with the Empress last time he entered the palace.”
“Ross?”
“Of course, he can talk, but it’s hard to guess what serious matter would warrant such a long discussion. What do you think? Any idea?”
“Hmm.”
William’s expression seemed awkward and twisted.
It felt sad to suspect someone he trusted.
About to offer words of comfort to William, Eric reluctantly spoke up.
“Do you perhaps expect comforting words from me?”
“Are you crazy? Do you think I’d seek comfort from you?”
“Why that expression then? I wondered if I should say something even if it’s just one word.”
“Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. Get lost.”
To grumbling William, Eric nonchalantly added, “It’s not certain. There’s no harm in being cautious, so I’m just letting you know.”
“I know, I know. I’ll watch out. Now go.”
As they passed each other in different directions, Eric nudged William’s arm.
“Ow.”
“What’s that?”
“Nothing.”
Under Eric’s suspicious gaze, William quickly hid his arm behind him.
“It’s nothing.”
With a dubious look from Eric, William was about to leave when Princess Valerie approached.
“Oh my, Prince William. Is your arm still hurting?”
“Oh, Princess Valerie.”
“Are you injured?”
“No, not hurt.”
“No, you were. You fell while running away from a monster last time, remember?”
“Ah, running. Yes, running.”
Eric’s face quickly turned mischievous, and when his eyes met William’s, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter. In contrast, William, sensing a disastrous atmosphere, bowed his head deeply.
“Why? What did I do wrong?”
Valerie, the only one unfamiliar with English, alternately looked at the two, puzzled.
Alicia, having finished her conversation with Princess Valerie in a corner of the banquet hall, stood still, organizing her thoughts. Realizing her champagne glass was almost empty, Alicia chuckled unconsciously.
‘If Eric finds out, he’ll nag me again.’
Holding the empty glass and turning around, Alicia met eyes with Kate. Seeing the displeasure on Kate’s face, it seemed she had heard about the conversation with Princess Valerie.
Smiling reassuringly, as if to say not to worry, Alicia approached Kate.
“What did you talk about? Did you make it clear?”
“Kate. Ah, can I call you Kate?”
“Call me whatever you want. And don’t try to change the subject.”
Alicia smiled awkwardly at Kate’s reproach.
“I’m not talking without telling you, am I, even though you asked me for a favor?”
“Of course not.”
“Then quickly tell me, Alicia.”
Alicia laughed as Kate urged her, calling her by her name.
“I asked Princess Valerie to postpone the return schedule by about two weeks.”
“Are you crazy? Instead of sending her away quickly, you asked for an extension? What’s going on in your head?”
“The plan hasn’t been finalized yet, Kate. I need more time.”
?”
“Oh, what Kate said will be a big help.”
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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