“Due to personal reasons, I couldn’t attend. I apologize for not informing you in advance due to unforeseen circumstances.”
“Personal reasons?”
“It’s assumed that he’s going through a very tough time right now.”
“Is that so? Is he sick or something?”
“Though it’s mere speculation on my part, it’s possible that he’s seriously ill.”
“Is that so? This is serious.”
The Emperor’s expression hardened.
It was problematic that the knight commander was absent during such an emergency.
“There’s nothing we can do. First and foremost, it’s important for him to recover. Tell him to take good care of himself.”
“I will do so.”
“And as you know, written substitution is possible, so there’s no need to send a deputy to attend.”
“……Huh?”
Allen, who was staring blankly at the Emperor, suddenly realized and shook his head.
He recalled Eric’s previous statement that attending routine checkup meetings was akin to a briefing, and that written substitution was possible if he couldn’t attend.
If he had known the actual agenda of the meeting, he wouldn’t have hastily attended nor would he have unnecessarily alarmed the Emperor by claiming Eric was sick.
He then remembered something Eric’s adjutant had said as he rushed out.
‘I’m really dead now.’
(This is a time separator.)
That evening, a letter from Allen arrived for Eric.
“Why is this guy suddenly doing something he’s never done before?”
Always barging into his house as if it were his own, flipping things upside down and now formally sending a letter.
Even going to the extent of stamping it with the knight order’s seal, making it look like an official document.
Curious and uneasy, Eric tore open the letter.
“······.”
Crunch.
The letter was crumpled hopelessly in Eric’s hand.
The content of the letter was simple.
Dear Commander,
Due to my careless words while attending the routine checkup meeting as your deputy, you have become bedridden.
Please consider this an opportunity to take a few days off and spend quality time with my sisterinlaw.
P.S. If you intend to kill me, please inform me in advance. I’ll submit my resignation.
(This is a time separator.)
“So you’re faking illness?”
“Yes.”
At Alicia’s incredulous gaze, Eric sighed and lowered his head.
“What great sin have I committed to deserve such a subordinate?”
“But you said he’s competent?”
“I take that back. Should I fire him now?”
At Eric’s halfserious question, Alicia chuckled.
“That wouldn’t be fun, would it?”
“Fun, what fun? I’m so tired these days because of that kid.”
“But the two of you do seem to get along.”
“Don’t even mention that.”
At Eric’s gruff words, Alicia chuckled again.
Eric, who was sitting with a displeased expression, suddenly spoke.
“Oh, by the way, call Edward over tomorrow.”
“Edward? Why?”
“Just, call him.”
“?”
Seeing the puzzled Alicia, Eric grinned.
“I also had a promise with Edward, and I thought I’d teach him some swordsmanship in preparation for the military academy.”
“Teaching swordsmanship personally?”
“Yes, while I have some free time.”
“Isn’t that problematic, considering you’re the knight commander?”
“What’s the problem?”
“Teaching privately?”
“I’m not taking money for it, and I’m not calling him to the knight order’s training ground. Plus, our knights or even Allen can teach him well in my absence.”
“Allen?”
“Unbelievable as it may sound, he’s good.”
Eric seemed to ponder for a moment, then chuckled.
“Yeah, even I think that guy is a bit lamentable.”
With that, Eric stood up.
“Then I’ll go to the training ground.”
“Shouldn’t you be resting since you’re officially sick?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to be considered in good condition if I train diligently?”
Wouldn’t they rather see it as faking illness if he’s able to train?
However much she wanted to tease, Alicia simply smiled and closed her mouth.
(Time separator.)
“Have you arrived, Commander?”
“You look fine?”
“What are you talking about? Don’t you see the bruise under my eye? My hands are trembling so much I can’t even hold a sword. The training regimen is too brutal.”
“If you’re not seriously considering quitting, just shut up.”
“Mmm.”
Though he wore a displeased expression, Allen seemed to have no choice but to close his mouth tightly.
“Ah, we’ll have an observer tomorrow. Just try to embarrass yourself. I won’t let it go.”
“An observer? Why all of a sudden?”
“I’m thinking of raising a disciple.”
“A disciple? What are you raising?”
“Why are you surprised? Is it that unexpected?”
“No, you’ve never even managed to raise a single potted plant that everyone else raises.”
“…Ten extra laps.”
“What? That’s too much!”
“Quit your yapping. Aren’t you running?”
“Gah!”
As soon as Eric grimaced, Allen moaned and ran off.
‘He’s really gotten into climbing these days. Should I really cut him off?’
Eric watched Allen’s retreating figure with a dissatisfied expression.
(Time separator.)
The next day, Eric introduced a nervous Edward to his subordinates.
“This is Edward Lancaster. Starting today, I’ll be overseeing his training.”
“Ooh.”
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.”
