The reason I brought this up isn’t because I found Ember’s behavior unpleasant or because I’m disappointed in Yezar.
Then, what is the reason?
I wanted to ask for your permission before stepping into such a private matter concerning Yezar. The reason I refused Ember’s request was because I believed that tampering with Yezar’s emotions at someone else’s behest shows disrespect toward him.
Ah. The lady had received such a request, yet still considered my feelings first. At that thought, Yezar felt as though heat surged through his entire body.
Ember handed me a letter.
That letter must have been one of the letters Bertisha had sent him.
I haven’t opened it yet, but I saw who sent it. She is Yezar’s former lover, isn’t she?
Yes. That’s correct……
Julietta continued, as if she fully understood.
I hesitated. Although our marriage agreement includes sharing certain aspects of our private lives, I thought you might not want to share something like this. After all, you didn’t bring it up yourself.
I’m sorry. I thought you’d dislike having to think about such things.
Quite the opposite. I thought you might dislike it if I wanted to share even this much. So, I wanted to ask. Yezar, may I step into this private matter?
She seemed more mature than usual—carefully gauging his reaction, gently asking, and patiently waiting for his answer. He felt utterly foolish. He had wanted to be someone she could lean on, yet now it was he who was leaning on her.
It’s fine. If it’s Julietta, then it doesn’t matter what she intrudes upon.
And so, he hoped that someday, she would also share all her stories with him. In time, he would become someone she could rely on.
Then, Yezar, I have a question. How do you feel about her continuing to send you letters like this?
It’s distressing. And sometimes, I dislike it. That’s why I’ve deliberately avoided replying.
At that answer, Julietta cheerfully stood up and took his hand.
Great! Then Yezar, shall we go together to burn this letter in the fireplace?
Caught off guard, Yezar let out an involuntary deflated sound.
Huh?
Unlike the flustered Yezar, Julietta was brimming with excitement as she led him along.
What are you doing? You said it distresses you and that you sometimes dislike it, right? I also dislike seeing you gloomy or sad. And someone who keeps sending letters to bother someone who clearly dislikes it…! I think they absolutely don’t deserve any attention!
A laugh slipped from his lips. Ah, yes. This was exactly who his wife was—endlessly bright, fearless, and someone who made it impossible to think of anyone else when she was by your side.
Yes, my lady. I’ll follow you.
With someone so radiant by my side, how could I possibly feel unwell?
[This is the timeline separator]Phew. I was afraid I’d come across as overly meddlesome, but thankfully not.
I glanced sideways at Yezar’s profile. His expression, which had been gloomy when I first brought up the matter with Ember, was now bright. Moreover, he was actively tossing the letter into the roaring fireplace and even adding more firewood to ensure it burned well.
All the time I had spent agonizing over how to bring this up to Yezar suddenly seemed ridiculous.
Indeed, it’s paper—burns quite well.
That’s right. By the way, did you enjoy your tea time?
He offered me a safe conversational topic. We hadn’t had the chance to talk much in the carriage since I’d been so distracted by the bouquet of roses.
I enjoyed it very much. We’ve already made plans to meet again, and I’m already looking forward to it.
I see. No wonder your expression in the carriage looked so delighted.
Well, of course, part of it was because tea time was enjoyable. But even more so…
It’s not just that tea time was fun, but because you came to pick me up personally and gave me such a memorable gift. I’m truly grateful.
I see……
Yes, that’s right.
Smiling sheepishly, I saw his face break into a soft smile. As the atmosphere relaxed, I casually slipped in a question as if it were nothing.
Now that I think about it, Yezar, I have a question.
What is it?
When buying men’s gloves, what should I focus on most?
He responded with a stiff hesitation.
Men’s gloves? Is there someone you’re planning to give them to?
He didn’t seem to realize I was asking about something for him. I had been subtly probing to learn his preferences.
His completely clueless reaction briefly stirred my playful side.
Yes, I’m giving them to someone very impressive.
When I deliberately answered shyly, he asked, flustered.
…Who is it?
Hmm. Now that’s a good question, isn’t it?
When I replied vaguely, he stopped mid-motion, holding the letter, standing there dazed. He stared into the flickering flames with an unusually serious gaze, as if lost in thought.
Undoubtedly, he was wondering if I had developed a romantic interest that might jeopardize our contract marriage.
So, I took the letter from his hand and tossed it into the fireplace as I answered.
Of course, it’s for my older brother. He recently sent me a letter, grumbling about how I never reply, and mentioned that his birthday is coming up soon, so I should buy him at least one pair of gloves.
Well, half true, half false. Wezel’s birthday was in winter, so it was still too early for gifts. Of course, it was true that he had occasionally sent letters since our marriage—half of them asking how I was doing, the other half filled with trivial chatter.
He had complained about wanting to marry his beloved fiancée soon, but the other family was dragging their feet. Still, he seemed to be living peacefully.
Father and my eldest brother had each sent a letter filled with various worries, saying they’d visit sometime soon. Well, I wasn’t sure if they’d be able to come before this contract marriage ended. They were always busy people, after all.
Ah. Right. I’m married, aren’t I? Why did I react with such surprise?
Ah, right. Sorry. Why does that title feel so awkward? I’ll get used to it soon.
No, I’m the one who brought it up, yet it still feels strange to me.
To outsiders, we might seem like a passionate newlywed couple, but moments like these, where we feel awkward, reminded me that it still felt somewhat clumsy, like a mere contract marriage.
When we were alone, it was fine to feel awkward about our terms of address, but if this happened at a banquet, it might have been problematic. I recalled what had happened during tea time and said to Yezar.
Yezar, something occurred to me during tea time.
Yes? What is it?
He waited attentively, so I was about to explain what happened when the Marchioness Stemun’s question suddenly came to mind.
Who usually makes the first move—her ladyship, or is it the chaste Duke himself?
…The Duke.
Oh, heavens. How could I have forgotten that?
No! Before that, I need to apologize in advance!
Did you make a mistake?
Yes… I’m so sorry! I’ve turned you into an insatiable beast!
I blurted it out in haste. Looking back, it sounded like something a pervert would say. Yezar, seemingly flustered, stammered.
In… insatiable beast?
That is… um… it’s a long story.
As I hesitated, Yezar cleared his throat and said to me.
Then, shall we finish burning these letters and talk afterward?
Ah. Yes, that’s a good idea.
I quickly burned the remaining letters. I needed to explain properly and make him understand that strange-sounding remark I’d blurted out in panic.
[This is the timeline separator]So that’s how it happened. To be called a sodomite… I never dreamed such rumors about me were circulating among the young ladies……
He looked visibly queasy, as if just imagining it made him ill. I deeply understood his feelings and nodded solemnly.
Yes. So, for your honor’s sake, I… ended up making you seem like a passionate husband. I’m sorry. I couldn’t think of any other way.
No, I understand. Still, my lady, you must have been in a difficult position. You handled it well.
No, not really.
I hadn’t done anything worthy of praise, yet being complimented made me oddly uncomfortable.
But now that I think about it, there are clearly more things we need to align.
Yes. Contract marriage isn’t easy after all. I thought it would be fine just by sharing our daily lives and talking whenever we had free time. But after having longer conversations, it became obvious how little time we’ve actually shared together.
There’s so much we need to coordinate just to prove this isn’t a contract marriage. How did romance novel heroines manage to go around proposing contract marriages so casually?
You mentioned we’re still newlyweds and don’t have plans for a child yet, but if we keep using that excuse, people will eventually start questioning it.
I think so too.
In this era, an heir to continue the family line was absolutely necessary. If we planned for a two-year contract, we’d likely divorce just as people began to suspect something, so it wouldn’t matter much.
In this society, pressure to have children would definitely be stronger than in my past life. At banquets, all the noble ladies would surely approach.
Are you still newlyweds? But you really should consider having a child soon.
An heir is essential. And you’re from the Ferhaem dukedom? Aren’t you being a bit too relaxed?
Exactly. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, you should have one quickly.
Ugh. Just imagining it made me feel completely drained. After a brief pause, Yezar asked me.
For now, I’m occupied with overseeing the dukedom’s territory and the knight corps. What if I say I’m planning to have a child around the end of next year?
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
