The Emperor’s palace, through which brilliant sunlight penetrated.
The Duke of Madelreine, leaving the Emperor’s office, moved his steps in silence. Lieutenant Huxley tried to infer what had happened by glancing at him, but it was in vain.
There had been countless times when the Duke of Madelreine had made such a cold face.
Walking with not an inch of disturbance, the Duke only briefly furrowed his brow after coming to the back garden.
“……At the summer party soon to be held, we will be able to see the changed appearance of the eldest princess.”
Since such an overt command had been given, there was no time to wait for news from Jade.
He had to send a messenger to Vicander territory and have Olivia visit the Duke’s house as soon as possible.
“Madelreine, I will erase it all.”
At Olivia’s suddenly rising voice, the Duke’s eyes sharply opened.
Even if that girl was making futile rebellion, Olivia, who always thirsted for his attention, would bow down and quickly return, putting everything aside.
The thoughts of the Duke of Madelreine were extended as he paused for a moment. Then he chewed over a sentence that felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Soon, the Duke let out a short sigh of disbelief.
‘Return,’ indeed. Now, I referred to Madelreine as the place where she would return.
It seemed as if her absurd claim that Madelreine was her home and family had infected him.
Indeed, fourteen years was enough time to catch such a trivial thought. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had such a generous thought towards ‘her.’
“It’s been a while, Duke.”
A languid voice pierced his thoughts. It was Prince Leopold. The prince, dressed in splendid uniform, approached the Duke.
The Duke saluted without changing his expression.
“……Your Highness the Prince.”
“Do you know anything about Olivia?”
Taken aback by the sudden question, the Duke looked at Leopold for a moment. Leopold shrugged first, facing the emotionless face of the Duke.
“I sent someone to where Olivia is, but there’s been no news whatsoever. She’s my fiancée, and I’m worried about how she’s doing in that harsh and cold place.”
His handsome face feigned worry.
But everyone present knew that this worry would vanish like smoke and was merely smooth lip service.
So the Duke answered evasively.
“I will notify Your Highness soon.”
It was the most appropriate way to end this hollow conversation. The Duke again saluted and bowed his head, hoping the prince would pass quickly. But instead of moving on, the prince opened his mouth once more.
“Oh, so even the Duke doesn’t know about my fiancée now.”
At the sharp tone, the Duke lifted his head. Leopold’s eyes were smiling ferociously at him.
“With this, you want me to trust the Duke and wait for a year?”
“Your Highness!”
Before the Duke could open his mouth, a melodious voice called Leopold from afar. Maria Etel, dressed gorgeously, was waving her hand cheerfully.
Tsk, a disapproving sound scattered.
And before the Duke could speak again, Leopold quickly moved on, speaking softly.
“Anyway, I will wait for contact, as the Duke said.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
With those words, the conversation ended. In a moment, unseen by anyone, a dry anxiety passed over the Crown Prince’s handsome face.
Maria Ethel, who approached the Crown Prince, smiled brightly like a withered rose. Maria Ethel’s face stiffened for a moment as she looked at the Duke, but that was all.
Soon, Maria, who casually put her arm around the Crown Prince’s, began to walk with a giggle.
“Your Highness, I have been thinking about our engagement ceremony earlier.”
As Maria Ethel’s melodic voice grew distant, the Duke could not shake off an uneasy feeling.
Was there an error in my thinking earlier? Or is there something wrong with the decoration of this garden?
The Duke, quickly analyzing, swallowed a hollow breath as he realized where his gaze was directed.
In the distance, the Crown Prince and Maria Ethel had moved far away.
A beautiful couple that graced the social world.
Behind them, Olivia Madelleine followed at a proper distance.
When the rising image stuck in his eyes like an afterimage, the Duke started, surprised, and lowered his head.
It was only a momentary sense of strangeness because the familiar sight had disappeared. The Duke, gathering his thoughts, directed a command.
“Send a letter to Duke Vicander. Tell Olivia to visit the Duke’s residence quickly.”
.
.
.
“But my Maria, isn’t preparing for the summer party more urgent than the engagement ceremony?”
Maria’s eyes widened at Leopold’s pointed words. Her beautiful blue eyes trembled as she avoided Leopold’s gaze.
The summer party was the pride of the princess and a big event in the palace. And you’re entrusting it to me, who has no experience hosting such an event?
Maria struggled to conceal her deflated spirit and said,
“Haha, but… the summer party is so grandly hosted by the princess that I’m worried I’ll spoil it. Wouldn’t it be better if the princess herself prepared it?”
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
