Just an honest thankyou and an obviously social faint smile were enough to captivate.
Being there was hard for Elizabeth.
The only thought was that she should not stay any longer.
“Then, I’ll be going.”
Quickly turning her body, she distanced herself. Someone ran up to her.
“Juli, I told you not to run.”
“But, madam is waiting.”
Voices talking about something were heard from behind, but Elizabeth did not look back.
Absurdly, after meeting the princess, she fully understood why her own reception was denied last night.
Certainly, with such a beauty, it was understandable that Gillian Barlock would be captivated.
“Sigh…”
Suddenly stopping, Elizabeth exhaled a dull sigh.
A strong rage came after understanding the duke’s feelings.
Just a pretty duchess in Ballock territory, is that appropriate?
“If not Elizabeth, then who will be the duchess?”
A story she had heard many times in the past.
A ‘knight’ from a distinguished family in the Northern Territory.
People buzzed that she, who had returned with excellent grades from the academy and boldly became a knight of Ballock, would be the next ‘duchess.’
It was a story she had often heard since she had made a name for herself as a knight.
Not that she expected it, nor did she hate it.
Elizabeth was proud of the Ballock territory where she was born and raised.
She loved and cherished it more than anyone and longed to protect it with her own hands.
Wouldn’t she be able to do more if she became a duchess?
It started like that at first.
But that became an intense desire when the late duke died and the young duke ‘Gillian Barlock’ appeared in the world completely.
She had thought that he would at least be decent like Silerus Ballock, but Gillian Ballock did even more than that.
Elizabeth fell for him at first sight and wished to become his wife.
But then, Gillian Ballock inherited the position of duke, went straight up to the capital, and brought back a bride.
Leaving Elizabeth, who was supposed to become a duchess.
Not Elizabeth Swan, who everyone said would obviously be the duchess, but that princess.
She was as lovely and beautiful as deserving of the empire’s reputation for unparalleled beauty.
Indeed, it was understandable that Gillian Barlock would move for someone like that.
The man who never showed a proper expression accepted the “marital alliance” proposed by the emperor who had killed the previous duke, and it made perfect sense.
But that made her angry.
The fact that he was infatuated with that feeble woman who didn’t fit in this northern territory.
Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed menacingly.
The grip that had been around the princess’s wrist tightened with a creaking sound.
“Let’s have some tea.”
Bianca, entering the office, abruptly dragged Gillian along.
Ever since she had seen Gillian’s haggard face the last time, Bianca realized he was being quite harsh on himself.
Upon reflection, eating and sleeping were Bianca’s own responsibilities.
Since they had both been ill since their arrival at the duchy, they had not even considered sleeping together. They had realized that in fact, they were strangers, not a couple.
And ever since he had proposed to her, it felt weird sharing a bedroom, so they had been awkwardly distant.
According to what she heard, Gillian was always doing something, whether asleep or awake.
Sometimes he was in meetings, sometimes on expeditions, and she had even heard that he occasionally went hunting.
She had never heard that he was sleeping.
Even eating, come to think of it.
She remembered eating with him, but couldn’t recall Gillian eating.
Since he doesn’t eat or sleep properly, how could his body hold up?
Over a long period, Bianca instinctively realized that she needed to take good care of her own ‘body,’ suffering what was not quite abuse.
As wretched as her life may have been, Bianca had never once thought she wanted to die.
There had been days when she felt unjustly treated and sad, but even then, she had never thought of dying.
She had shivered at the thought of dying when she was going to meet Gillian.
Bianca wanted to live every single moment.
So, does Gillian have no attachment to life?
Now that she thought about it, he was quite dangerous.
Was it his capabilities, far exceeding those of humans, that made him so indifferent, or did he believe that these trivial things could not harm him?
She couldn’t know anything, but one thing was clear.
Bianca wanted to live.
Now, happily.
With him.
“Take it easy, will you.”
So if he wasn’t going to do it, she would take care of him.
Now that she realized she was loved and wanted to love, she didn’t want to let this go.
Bianca clenched the frail man’s hand tightly with both her hands.
“……”
The man who had been quietly watching twisted his hand and wove his fingers between hers.
Something long and slender slid through the gaps.
And then clenched tightly.
So that she couldn’t move an inch.
“As you wish.”
Her heart inexplicably swelled at the insignificant sound.
His face, faintly smiling, was really dazzling.
He looked utterly marvelous, but for a moment, he seemed extremely famished, and Bianca unknowingly flinched.
His golden eyes shone, just like a beast yearning for prey.
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced