Upon hearing the news of his assignment, Laphin was bombarded with questions from the knights.
Except for a few close confidants, most people in Barlock didn’t really know the ‘duchess’.
Hence, the atmosphere in Barlock Castle was split.
Half were welcoming Princess Termina and half were concerned it might be another scheme by the royal family.
Those welcoming her were also quietly hopeful about the fulfillment of the ‘prophecy’.
‘Isn’t this a union between Termina and Barlock? Something’s bound to change, right?’
‘I don’t know what offense our ancestors committed, but haven’t we more than paid for it?’
If these people were optimistic, the other half were extremely apprehensive.
‘Is it appropriate to call her the duchess? I wonder if there will be any repercussions for daring to call the princess a duchess.’
‘I honestly don’t understand Duke Silerus either.’
‘You really have to do well, you know that? If something goes wrong with Sir Gillian, that’s the end for Barlock. Just do whatever you’re told.’
Remembering the voices full of both curiosity and worry, Laphin chuckled.
Did the knights who had poured out all sorts of words around him that day know?
That the socalled ‘Princess Termina’ might not even exist in this world.
And that the pitiful person he thought was ‘Termina’ couldn’t even send a single letter.
Would people even know?
“If the Duke never said anything, then it’s allowed.”
“I thought I couldn’t.”
“Who would restrict your social interactions, my lady?”
“…”
“You’re another lord of Barlock.”
Laphin thought for a moment, overhearing the tender and lovely conversation from behind the door.
‘Should I talk to Lady Creta and prepare a messenger pigeon for the lady?’
Barlock’s messenger pigeons were quite famous across the continent.
In Wave City, nothing was better for exchanging urgent news than a messenger pigeon, and the pigeonbreeding technology in the north had been advanced for quite some time.
Especially when snow was falling so heavily, they were invaluable.
Horses couldn’t make it through the snow that reached up to their necks, but for birds, it didn’t matter.
When the blizzard raged, powerful birds of prey were flown. When the weather was clear or flying monsters appeared, smaller and quicker creatures were sent.
It wasn’t too difficult to bring back one cute creature specially for the Lady.
“Then, shall I prepare for you to write the letter?”
“Of course, My Lady. But please rest a little longer. Benson said you should not get up yet. You need to rest at least half a day.”
“Fine, fine.”
Fine, fine.
Such a tender and kind tone, like one would use with a younger sibling.
Rafin bit his lip.
Otherwise, he might make a stupid, grinning face that would annoy Julie.
Rafin, who was straightening his posture, suddenly looked cold.
“What’s the matter?”
A servant, said to be assigned to the third floor, approached him.
Was his name Henry?
“My Lady mentioned she was not feeling well…”
“I’m not sure what you’re suddenly talking about.”
Hidden within his drooping eyes, Rafin’s pupils glowed menacingly.
‘Only Julie, the dedicated maid, and the knight chosen for escort can attend My Lady. No other servants are needed. Remember that.’
Recalling Hailey’s words that were a warning, Rafin became vigilant.
Though his eyes seemed gentle, many people often forgot that Rafin was the captain of the Second Castle.
As he became alert, a fearsome aura emanated from him.
It was an intimidating atmosphere that would normally make regular people retreat in fear.
Yet, the servant before him managed to endure, even as his face drained of color.
“Um, that’s why…”
Rafin silently clenched his sword hilt.
With the other hand holding the pommel, he was in the most defensive and offensive posture, ready to draw the sword at any moment.
It seemed the servant before him didn’t realize this.
“What’s troubling you?”
“Why are you so curious?”
“I’m worried because you’re unwell.”
“Excessive concern often leads to trouble.”
Leave.
The words he muttered afterward were close to a growl.
Normally, people would be scared off at this point, but for some reason, Henry continued to endure, even sweating profusely.
“Ah, actually… we have a medicine from our territory for colds, it’s very effective, so…”
“The Duke’s house has its own physician.”
“It’s a gentle medicine made from red hawthorn berries, even babies can take it.”
“Enough.”
Rafin took a step closer to the persistently enduring Henry.
“What’s going on?”
Julie emerged as the Duchess’s bedroom door opened.
“Nothing.”
“Well, it’s not ‘nothing,’ My Lady must have heard everything.”
“Miss Julie, is the Lady unwell? I’d like to offer some very effective medicine from our territory.”
As soon as Julie came out, Henry, who seemed to have been waiting for this, spoke hurriedly.
Wham, Rafin’s eyebrows furrowed menacingly.
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
