This was the first official event held by the royal family this year and the start of a series of social events.
The Duke and Duchess, who attended the first event with their son and daughterinlaw, walked with incessant smiles as if they were in a great mood.
“Can you manage your expressions? It’s showing on your face right now.”
Following behind the Duke and Duchess, Eric whispered into Alicia’s ear.
“How is this a tea party? It’s completely on the level of a ball.”
“Exactly. I thought we were going to drink tea, but there’s also alcohol. People are starting in broad daylight. It’s useless.”
At Eric’s playful words, Alicia kindly smiled and held Eric’s arm tightly as if pinching him.
“Ugh. I didn’t know either. My mother definitely said it was a tea party.”
“If I had known in advance, I would have investigated it.”
Until they got on the carriage to depart, Alicia had thought it was a tea party where the emperor and empress invited a few close families including the Duke’s family.
“I knew something was off when carriages kept entering the palace.”
“I really didn’t know it would be to this extent. I should have attended something like this to know.”
“You’ve never attended?”
“I used to excuse myself from daytime events due to knight duties. I received permission from His Highness William.”
“So you could have excused yourself today as well?”
“I couldn’t have you come alone. I couldn’t think of an excuse for you to be absent as well.”
“Oh.”
“Kids, His Majesty will be coming out soon, so I think we should start with the greetings.”
With a content smile, the Duke and Duchess took the two of them to the front, closest to the entrance where the emperor and empress would come out.
The Duke of Gloster, as the royal protector and a highranking noble, had to pay respects to the emperor and empress first.
Standing behind the Duke and Duchess with Eric, Alicia sighed lightly.
The glances and murmurs were getting on her nerves.
“Is there something uncomfortable?”
“Do you feel it too? It seems like everyone is looking at us.”
“No, you’re probably right. I was prepared, but it’s worse. I’m really sorry.”
With an awkward smile, Eric held Alicia’s hand which was resting on his arm as a sign of apology.
“Huh?”
“I’m comforting my nervous fiancée.”
“Oh. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
But as the murmurs grew louder, Alicia asked Eric as a joke.
“Eric, you seem quite famous.”
“Me? I don’t think so.”
Although he was embarrassed, Eric looked forward with a dismissive attitude.
‘This is why I didn’t want to come.’
Eric glanced at Alicia standing next to him.
‘Although it’s just a contractual relationship, it wouldn’t matter much if she knew about my rumors.’
‘But she doesn’t need to know. If my credibility as a contractual partner is affected by such things, it would be troublesome.’
‘Huh. I never thought I’d be worried about rumors.’
As Eric was worrying, the usher stood by the door.
“His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, Their Highnesses the Princes have arrived.”
The Emperor and Empress walked out through the open door, with the Princes following behind.
After glancing over the crowd, the Emperor stood in front of the Duke of Gloster, who was in the very front, with a smile.
“Duke of Gloster.”
“I am honored to see His Majesty the Emperor. I am honored to see Her Majesty the Empress and Their Highnesses the Princes.”
“You seem very radiant these days, Duke. Is there a good occasion?”
“Oh, how embarrassing it is to show it so openly, Your Majesty.”
“You also look very pleased, Duchess. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Alicia, who had been watching the Emperor and Empress amiably conversing with the Duke and Duchess, began to tense again.
‘To think I’d have to deceive the royal family so directly. The ducal house is indeed different.’
“Don’t be nervous. I’m here.”
Eric reassured her, feeling her hand, resting on his arm, tensing.
Not the kind of tension he was thinking about, but Alicia still appreciated it and flashed a small smile.
Moreover, it’s water under the bridge now. The contract won’t be nullified at this point, so she could only worry later.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor, and Your Majesty, the Empress.”
Following Eric’s greeting, Alicia also respectfully bowed her knee.
“Oh, the two who are at the center of the hottest topic in the Empire these days. Congratulations, Count Russel.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“I was really curious. Who is the lady who won over the Count? So, here we are.”
The Empress, fanning herself, looked Alicia over from head to toe before fixing her gaze on her face.
She then opened her mouth with a formal smile.
“As rumored, you two seem very close. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Her face was halfhidden by the fan, so her expression wasn’t clear, but at least her gaze was not friendly.
“Hmm. Grown up, she looks more like the Countess than the Count. That’s fortunate. Isn’t that so, Empress?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. That’s why I looked at her for a long time.”
“?”
At Alicia’s puzzled expression, the Emperor grinned.
“It’s understandable that you wouldn’t remember. You were a child then.”
“I apologize.”
“No. It’s refreshing to see you all grown up. You’ve come well.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Then enjoy your time. Count Russel will take good care of you.”
“I will do so.”
As the Emperor and Empress moved away, leaving the ducal house behind, the Princes just gave a quick bow and passed by the ducal family.
As Prince Harry and Alicia’s gazes briefly collided, Harry hesitated before quickly turning his head.
Watching this, Eric frowned.
“Eric?”
“Hm?”
Eric, who had been watching the back of Prince Harry, turned his head at the sound of Alicia calling him.
“What’s wrong?”
“No, nothing. Were you very nervous?”
“Just like everyone else?”
Only then did Alicia, seemingly relieved, smile.
“But isn’t it surprising? That I’ve met the Emperor before?”
“Indeed.”
“I didn’t know at all because I never heard of it.”
“It might be because you were young. Maybe because of your late Lancaster Count father?”
“Ah, right. It doesn’t seem like it was because of my father.”
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, who had been greeting the nobles standing behind and had ended their conversation, turned their heads towards Eric and Alicia.
“Now, children. Shall we go?”
As the Duchess cheerfully called out, Alicia and Eric looked at each other with serious expressions.
“It’s only just begun.”
“Let’s hope for the best.”
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
