Please Marry My Son (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 10
“Did you say you were engaged to His Majesty?”
“I figured they’d find out anyway, so I mentioned it while we were meeting. Why, did His Majesty say something?”
“Yes. Briefly, after the council meeting.”
“Oh?”
“He also said he’d once considered Alicia as a potential princess consort.”
“Did he now? Well, given that the late Emperor and the Earl were close friends, such discussions might have occurred.”
“It seems Prince Harry mentioned it recently as well.”
“Hmm.”
The Duke furrowed his brow.
“It couldn’t be for political reasons. Although the Lancaster earldom is an old and distinguished house, it’s hard to see how it would aid the imperial succession.”
“That makes even less sense, then. This is a sensitive time, after all.”
The crown prince had not yet been officially named, and nobles were quietly weighing their support between the two princes.
It was already common knowledge that the Empress was reaching out to influential noble houses under the pretense of securing the next empress’s position.
Thus, Eric doubted Prince Harry would bring it up during such a critical period for purely emotional reasons.
“What do you think?”
“I’d prefer to remain neutral, if possible. I can’t afford to throw the knights into chaos.”
As Captain of the Knights, if Eric took a political stance, knights of noble birth would likely be affected.
Moreover, common-born knights might get dragged in against their will.
“But if the House of Gloucester moves, you won’t be entirely free either.”
“……”
“Of course, you could always use neutrality as an excuse—for my sake.”
William was an impeccable candidate for the next emperor.
However, his mother, who had married the Emperor for love, was not from a powerful noble family and had died young in childbirth, leaving him with little backing.
In contrast, Prince Harry’s mother, though originally an imperial consort, had been formally crowned Empress upon bearing Harry, so his legitimacy was unquestionable.
Furthermore, his mother, now Empress, was resolute and could easily gather support through her own influential noble family.
“Don’t worry. After all, I am a duke and a cadet branch of the imperial family—surely I can protect my future daughter-in-law’s house.”
The Duke’s voice was firm.
Merely by becoming in-laws with the House of Gloucester, the Lancaster earldom would draw attention in noble society.
Yet, considering the current Earl of Lancaster’s reclusive nature—unlike his predecessor who engaged widely with outsiders—he likely wouldn’t welcome such attention.
“We must avoid creating a situation where the Earl of Lancaster objects.”
“Oh, was that your concern?”
“Of course. What else would matter?”
“Oh, yes.”
She’d expected his worries to be broader, but the Duke’s words were nonetheless reassuring.
Just then, the Duchess of Gloucester bustled in.
“Oh dear! Has our son arrived?”
Her shift from calling him “that boy” to “our son” clearly indicated her excellent mood.
“You’ve arrived?”
“Oh my, I’ve been so busy lately—I’d need two bodies to manage everything!”
“Yes, I imagine so. You must be exhausted.”
“Just listen to how you speak! Would you dare talk so stiffly in front of our Alicia?”
Eric half-ignored his mother’s scolding as he glanced around.
“But where is she?”
“Alicia? She said she had something to ask the butler. But why do you speak so oddly? Surely you’re not still uncomfortable?”
“It’s not uncomfortable.”
“Then what is it? Are you being formal just because we’re your parents?”
“Of course not. I’ll go look for her, then.”
Fearing more nagging if he stayed, Eric promptly left the drawing room.
[This is the timeline separator]“Butler. Where is Miss Lancaster?”
“She went to the study for a moment.”
“The study?”
“Yes. She seems fond of books. The ducal study holds many ancient volumes and is quite spacious.”
‘So that’s why she hasn’t come back.’
“But, young master.”
“Hmm?”
“Your manner of address sounds rather awkward.”
“I’m simply showing respect to my fiancée.”
“Respect? Only now?”
Still, the elderly butler offered Eric a gentle smile and a polite excuse.
“It was just an old man’s worry, young master.”
“Thank you for your concern, Butler. But I’m handling things well, so please don’t worry.”
Eric nodded to the butler and headed toward the study.
‘Now that I think of it, our butler and Head Maid mentioned something similar.’
[This is the timeline separator]Seeing the butler and Head Maid enter his office with grave expressions, Eric, seated at his desk, frowned.
“What’s the problem?”
“Nothing at all.”
“Then why do you both look so troubled?”
“Oh—well, there is an issue.”
Eric’s frown deepened.
“The problem is you, my lord.”
“Me?”
Eric asked, bewildered.
“My lord, no matter how you look at it, you’re being too harsh toward the young lady.”
“What?”
Eric quickly sifted through his memory but couldn’t recall any wrongdoing.
“As the saying goes, a kind word repays a debt—but your terms of address and tone are far too stiff.”
“Me?”
“Good heavens! You’re engaged—how can you address her like a stranger?”
“I’m merely being courteous.”
“Then why have we never felt that way before? Is calling her ‘hey’ in such an awkward manner really part of courtesy?”
“……”
“And it’s not just that—your overall tone is problematic too.”
“What exactly did I do?”
Eric was genuinely flustered; he couldn’t recall acting rudely, yet this unexpected criticism left him speechless.
“Try calling her more affectionately and gently. The young lady always addresses you so sweetly.”
“Exactly! How can you be so awkward? You’re not strangers—you’re engaged! Even if you can’t be dripping with honey, at least be warmer.”
‘Affectionate? Gentle? And honey—what’s that about?’
What utterly unfitting words for him.
Eric fell silent, flustered.
It was true—he did feel awkward every time he addressed her.
But how could he help it? It was different from speaking to the female knights in his order.
“So how should I address her, then?”
The Head Maid briefly recalled how her husband called her:
“Darling” (when asking for allowance), “Wife” (when hungry), “Woman” (when annoyed).
Each memory soured her mood, so she quickly shook her head and fell into thought.
“Given your usual blunt manner, my lord, forcing yourself to be overly sweet might seem even more awkward.”
“That’s likely.”
“So perhaps instead of her name, use a warmer term of endearment. For example… how about ‘you’?”
“That feels a bit too familiar.”
“But surely your personality wouldn’t allow you to call her ‘darling,’ would it?”
“Darling?”
“‘Thee’ sounds too archaic.”
Eric stared blankly at the Head Maid, who was muttering seriously to herself.
‘Do engagements really require this much attention to forms of address?’
It was supposed to be a convenient arrangement—but now Eric’s head throbbed even more.
[This is the timeline separator]When Eric opened the study door, Alicia was perched on a ladder, reaching for a book on the top shelf.
Seeing the slightly wobbling ladder, Eric panicked and asked urgently,
“What are you doing?”
“Oh! You’re here?”
“Don’t turn around like that—it’s dangerous—”
He tried to stop her, but Alicia had already half-turned to greet him.
The movement made the ladder sway instantly, tipping her upper body backward—Eric quickly caught her.
Her legs remained hooked on the ladder while her upper body rested against Eric, their eyes meeting upside down.
“—Are you alright?”
“Oh, thank you! You saved my life.”
Flustered by their inverted position, Alicia lifted her head to avoid his gaze.
“Just relax your legs. I’ll support you.”
“Um…”
Thinking she’d have to lean fully into him made her shy; she hesitated, glancing between Eric and the ladder.
“Do you perhaps think the wobbling ladder is safer than I am?”
“Of course not.”
“I see. My pride’s about to take a hit, then.”
“Should I let go now?”
Alicia asked quickly. Eric silently studied her for a moment, then lifted her upper body with one arm and supported behind her knees with the other, carefully removing her from the ladder.
As her legs came free, the ladder caught on something and crashed sideways with a loud clatter.
“Thank goodness we got you out before that happened.”
Eric watched her cheerful, carefree smile with an exasperated expression before setting her down.
“I’m glad I trusted Eric over the ladder.”
“That’s quite a compliment. But why the ladder?”
“I wanted to get a book. I was a little worried it wobbled, but I didn’t expect this.”
“You climbed it even though it wobbled?”
“I thought I’d get the book quickly.”
“……”
“I’m used to ladders, so I thought it’d be fine. But I’ll be more careful next time.”
“Next time, just call a servant—or me.”
“I will.”
“So, what book were you trying to get?”
“That one up there—‘The Relationship Between Geometry and Aesthetics.’”
“Ah.”
Eric placed a foot on the fallen ladder and easily pulled the book out, handing it to her. Alicia flipped through the pages.
Handwritten notes were scattered throughout.
“Someone’s read this before?”
“Back in military academy. Since divine arts are based on mathematics, I thought I should understand it somewhat to cooperate better.”
“It’s quite a difficult book.”
“It was. Honestly, I didn’t fully grasp it.”
He remembered reading it diligently—it had been recommended by a divine art practitioner.
Looking back now, he wondered if that practitioner had given him such a tough book on purpose to humble him.
Watching Eric smile faintly at the memory, she asked,
“If you had to choose between geometry and aesthetics, which would you pick?”
“Hmm… I suppose geometry?”
“Why?”
“Because the answers are definite.”
“Wow, me too! That’s amazing—people like that are rare.”
“Indeed. Very rare.”
And right before Eric’s eyes stood one of those rare women who loved mathematics.
Remembering his parents’ teasing, Eric smiled and asked,
“Do you like books?”
“Yes. You seem to as well? There were many good books at the earl’s estate.”
“Well, I read whenever I have time. Feel free to take any from here—you can borrow as many as you like. My parents hardly use this study.”
“Really? I can take them to read?”
“Of course.”
“Then could you get that one for me too?”
“Certainly.”
Eric reached lightly toward the top shelf. But the book, having sat there a long time, wouldn’t budge easily.
“Oh.”
“It must be stuck.”
“Ah—”
The moment Eric pulled the book free, the ones beside it tumbled down onto Alicia, who was looking up from below.
Sensing danger, Eric reflexively braced his arm against the bookshelf, shielding Alicia with his body as the books crashed onto him.
“Ugh.”
Blocked by Eric’s body, the books clattered to the floor with various thuds.
Being hit by books was fine—but the corner striking his head hurt quite a bit.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
As he rubbed his sore scalp, Alicia gently stroked his head with a worried look.
“You got hit by a corner, didn’t you? That must’ve hurt.”
“A little.”
“It doesn’t seem to have broken—thank goodness.”
“……”
Eric lifted his head—then froze.
Alicia’s face was closer than he’d expected.
Ex-husband Wants Reconciliation
One-line summary: Chasing the wife to the crematorium (making an effort to attract someone who has become indifferent), the female lead doesn’t look back, the second male lead takes the position.
Intro:
To repay the kindness of the older generation, Su Mu crossed into a female-dominated world and became a live-in daughter-in-law of the Yan family, single-handedly saving the Yan family from fire and water.
But her husband, Yan Jiyue, the eldest son of the Yan family, treated her with sarcasm and never showed her a good face.
It wasn’t until after Su Mu’s death that this pampered and arrogant young master shed a few fake tears and pretended to want to die for love.
This life’s kindness was enough. If there was a next life, she would definitely kick Yan Jiyue away.
Who knew that the heavens would be so kind as to allow her to be reborn, returning to the time when she had just married into the Yan family.
Su Mu glanced at the Yan eldest son, who still spoke coldly to her, and threw a divorce letter in front of him.
“Let’s divorce!”
***
Yan Jiyue never imagined that he would be reborn. He happily went to find Su Mu, wanting to make up for the mistakes he had made in his ignorant youth.
Wasn’t the reason the heavens allowed him to be reborn to let him reconcile with Su Mu?
But when he pushed open the door to Su Mu’s room, the person lying on the bed was another man.
Su Mu’s personal attendant, Xie Yi.
Yan Jiyue hated him so much that his teeth itched. In front of Su Mu, Xie Yi was a gentle and considerate whisperer of sweet nothings, but in reality, he was vicious-hearted and deliberately sabotaged their husband and wife relationship.
In the previous life, it was he who secretly hid in Su Mu’s coffin and committed suicide, stealing a step ahead of him to be buried with Su Mu.
Yan Jiyue’s eyes were filled with hatred as he cursed, “What kind of thing are you? Your background is lowly, what right do you have to occupy Su Mu?”
Xie Yi looked at the sleeping Su Mu and no longer pretended to be a whisperer of sweet nothings.
He proudly stuck out his belly, “I have the right because my belly is capable of giving the Wife-master a daughter.”
***
Yan Jiyue was consumed with jealousy. He spread rumors that Xie Yi had once been branded with the mark of a “harlot” on his chest.
But on the night Xie Yi cut off the flesh bearing that mark, Su Mu suddenly realized something was amiss.
“How did you know the exact moment I was poisoned? And why did you show up a month early?”
Xie Yi remained silent, blood from his wound soaking through his robes. His sapphire eyes brimmed with anguish – or was it just a flawless act?
Between a once-arrogant husband now seeking redemption, and a gentle soul willing to die for her – who truly held the darkest secrets? And could it be that Su Mu and Yan Jiyue weren’t the only ones given a second chance at life…?
[Reading Guide]
1. True divorce, chasing the wife to the crematorium, the female lead doesn’t look back, the male lead is Xie Yi.
2. The ex-husband did not cheat, he just realized too late and didn’t realize that he liked the female lead.
_____
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I love how they interact with each other. They feel at ease together.
Hahaha. The butler’s perfect timing. And Erik hiding his face.
Maybe I’m really wrong about it, but I think Alicia has something to do with what happened ten years ago and maybe her father is the leader of that group.