Julietta Orbetian might cause trouble the next day if she drank any more, or so it seemed.Yezar Ferhaem stood with a glass of wine and asked the head maid waiting outside to bring warm water mixed with honey.
During that brief moment, Julietta seemed to have fallen asleep, her face resting on the table.
“Madam, let’s go to bed. It’s chilly here.”
“Mm, I’ll go…”
Perhaps due to her drunkenness, her words trailed off, and she blinked tiredly.Yezar Ferhaem gently sat her on the edge of the bed and handed her the glass of water the head maid had brought.
Julietta, staring blankly, drank it down without hesitation.
“Ah, that feels nice.”
“Are you feeling alright?”
“I’m fine… Is this honey? It’s so sweet…”
“Is it?”
She said she felt good, so it didn’t seem unpleasant.While wondering whether to ask for more honey water, Julietta asked,
“Are you curious?”
“Pardon?”
“I mean, are you curious if it’s sweet or not? If you are, want to come closer?”
He wasn’t that curious, but Yezar Ferhaem, wanting to comply, approached Julietta.Then, instead of the glass, something else briefly touched his lips.
A sweet taste flowed into Yezar Ferhaem’s mouth, startling him.His mind was in disarray, and his ears flushed red.
Soon, their lips parted softly, and Julietta asked calmly,
“Mmm, is it sweet…?”
“Why… why with your mouth…?”
“Oh, I drank all the honey water in the glass…”
Her eyes blinked slowly as she pointed unsteadily at the glass.
“But your lips are sweet.”
“…”
“Did Yezar Ferhaem have some honey too?”
Her innocent eyes held him.Yezar Ferhaem, his face thoroughly flushed, shook his head.
“I didn’t…”
“Then, maybe your lips are just naturally sweet.”
Seeing the woman smiling brightly, Yezar Ferhaem wondered what to do with her.It seemed the only option was to put her to bed gently, but as he tried,
She chirped softly like a small bird.
“Talking about that knight reminded me, I don’t believe in love at first sight.”
Come to think of it, among the conditions she sought in a husband was that he shouldn’t speak of fated love.
And at the tavern, she had told him that love at first sight wasn’t true love.
“Why is that?”
“Well, at first glance, all you see is appearance, not someone who truly loves me.I believe in a love that grows from small habits, my personality, and the little daily moments we share.”
Even though he should put the thoroughly intoxicated woman to bed, he wanted to hear more of her words.
“So, I wanted to tell that knight if I met him again:Instead of chasing someone who doesn’t even look at you after falling at first sight,find a woman who smiles at you, spends daily life with you, and slowly melts your heart like a gentle rain, and be happy.”
Yezar Ferhaem, who kept his pains to himself, unable to share them with others,strangely felt comforted listening to Julietta’s words.
Hesitantly, Yezar Ferhaem asked her,
“Could that knight meet such a woman?”
“It might be difficult, but sometimes such a person appears in life.Someone who makes you smile, lingers in your thoughts, excites you…That kind of love is hard to escape from, though.Love that seeps into your heart slowly is far more frightening than love that strikes instantly.”
Their first meeting was merely a coincidence.But as they met a second and third time, sharing a drink became a comfort in daily life.Before he knew it, he grew curious about her and even looked into which family she belonged to.
But he thought it wrong to dig into someone’s identity one-sidedly while she knew nothing of his.So, he intended to tell her the truth.Yet, the thought of disappointment crossing her smiling face held him back.Strangely, he feared facing her disappointment, so like a coward, he stopped visiting.
But even while swallowing pain alone in his room after hearing of Bertisha’s marriage,those past meetings kept circling in his mind.
Then, hearing that Julietta was looking for a husband, he rushed to her.As if he’d never been afraid, his body moved on its own.That’s when Yezar Ferhaem realized he felt something akin to affection for Julietta.
But wary that it might just be curiosity, he was cautious.Perhaps she only came to mind because she filled a void in his heart.
So, he set a contract period.He wanted to know her better but worried that his mere curiosity might trap her in a stagnant marriage.
Fortunately, the empire was more lenient about divorce than other nations.
But as he talked with her and opened his heart, a thought struck him:Could I not love this kind and lovely person over these two years?
“If, Madam, even though we’re in a contract, I come to truly love you…Would it be alright to stay by your side as a real husband then?”
Even in her hazy state, she was resolute.
“Mmm, no way. ‘A contract relationship ends cleanly, no strings attached!’ That’s my rule.”
She was firm, as if they’d be strangers after a divorce.His mood sank like a dejected puppy.
How could he keep her by his side?As he pondered, Julietta smiled brightly.
“But, if I fall for Yezar Ferhaem, that’s another story…You’re so kind and gentle, I might just be tempted…”
As if reaching her limit, her body slowly collapsed onto the bed.Hearing her soft breathing, Yezar Ferhaem tucked her in warmly and whispered,
“I’ll try my best, Madam.”
The next morning, an embarrassing incident made him avoid Julietta.But her sparkling eyes as she chased and caught him…
Perhaps because he recalled their first night, stroking her hair while gazing at her.Julietta, tossing in her sleep, turned toward him.
Like seeking warmth, Julietta squirmed closer to him.It was an adorable sleeping habit.He lay down slowly on the bed.
Then, the tossing Julietta hugged him tightly.Her soft breathing and the satisfied curve of her lips were precious to Yezar Ferhaem.
“Good night, Madam.”
Though she, asleep, couldn’t hear, his voice echoing in the bedroom was deeply warm.
Greeting a refreshing morning, I leisurely enjoyed breakfast before reviewing tea party invitations.The butler had already sorted the must-attend gatherings from the optional ones,so I just needed to pick the first place to go.
While looking through various tea party invitations,I noticed one with particularly ornate patterns and asked,
“This invitation stands out.”
“Oh, that’s from the Yekert Marquisate.”
“What’s the disposition–
of Lady Yekert like?”
For a typical noble lady, knowing a bit about the temperaments of other ladies through social activities is common.
“But I’ve lived in seclusion for so long.”
Even though I’d started moving around as the original story neared its end,I hadn’t attended social gatherings.
In times like this, avoiding high society was a disadvantage.I couldn’t gauge the ladies’ dispositions.
“The Yekert Marquisate maintains a friendly relationship with the Ferhaem Dukedom,and the lady is widely praised for her gentle disposition.”
“Is that what the rumors say?”
Catching my pointed tone, the butler replied,
“Yes, Madam. That’s what the rumors say.But in reality, well, managing such rumors isn’t difficult for someone so influential in society.”
I pondered.With my near-nonexistent social experience,if I appeared even slightly naive to a seasoned noblewoman, I’d surely be looked down upon.Plus, I was on the younger side.
“Most socially adept ladies manage their reputations to some extent.But as you know, I have almost no experience in high society.”
In high society, even a kind person can be ostracized by a single rumor.Those who manage their reputations spotlessly are often the most formidable.
“There’s never been a bad rumor about Lady Yekert, has there?”
“Correct, Madam. She might be a challenging person for you to deal with.”
Since our families were on friendly terms,she likely wouldn’t attack me outright,but how my words at the tea party might spread was anyone’s guess.
I noticed a very plain invitation next to the ornate one.
“Who sent this invitation?”
As I examined it, the butler informed me,
“That’s from Marchioness Stemun.Recently, their family has a good business relationship with the Ferhaem Dukedom.However, the rumors about the lady aren’t very favorable.”
“What kind of rumors?”
When I looked at him with curious eyes, the butler answered,
“They say she loves luxury beyond her means and is somewhat temperamental.”
“But this invitation is quite plain compared to the others?”
I fell into thought for a moment.Then, a sudden guess prompted me to ask,
“How’s the relationship between Marchioness Stemun and Lady Yekert?”
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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