After finishing the festival sightseeing.
The exciting night brought on by the dart bet had arrived. Rublion said he would go to bed first and went to his room, and I headed to the dining room guided by a maid.
“Welcome, my lady.”
We were both wearing comfortable pajamas with just an outer garment on top. Askal, with his bangs down and wearing thin-rimmed glasses, was exuding the gentle atmosphere I loved.
On the table were candles for ambiance and lamb prepared as appetizers. Our seats were adjacent, perpendicular to the head of the table.
“What kind of alcohol do you prefer?”
“I’m not particularly picky, but wine would suit the current menu.”
Askal raised his hand to order a servant to bring wine. Shortly after, he returned with quite a large bottle of wine.
The atmosphere was awkward yet fluffy. I’m not normally one to express affection sweetly, so while I liked drinking together, I also felt shy.
I tried to liven up the mood first with small talk. I mentioned that evidence of planned rebellion was found at Duke Rumps’ mansion, and that Duke Teravita played the biggest role in this. I recalled Ranson smiling at me like a bear.
After that, we exchanged a bit more work talk. As the alcohol took effect, my mood started to improve.
“My lady, there is something I would like to propose.”
He naturally changed the subject. I listened attentively while cutting a small piece of lamb and putting it in my mouth.
“How would you like to take charge of the Artenbach Art Museum?”
To have me run an art institute renowned even in the empire.
“Isn’t there a separate manager?”
“There was. We fired them after finding evidence they turned a blind eye to curators embezzling artwork profits through illegitimate means.”
“Hmm…”
“You can refuse if you don’t want to.”
Running the art museum is the duke’s family’s work. It would be better for me to do it rather than entrusting it to someone else.
“Alright. I’ll run it. In exchange, could you buy me a building next to the art museum?”
“Buying a building isn’t difficult, but what will you use it for?”
“I want to move Black Swan there.”
I had the idea of putting the two art institutes close together to make that area a place for artists. Moreover, the two institutes have completely different styles.
By operating in a way that nurtures those who can’t adapt to the academy style at Black Swan, wouldn’t Artenbach become the empire’s best, no, the world’s best art city?
Truly amazing imaginings followed. A thrilling shiver ran through me at the expectation of being able to nurture masterpieces I had seen in my previous life with my own hands.
“I understand. Is there anything else you need?”
“No, that’s all.”
The taste of alcohol became twice as good. I liked that I no longer had to worry about losing artists.
More trivial conversation followed after that. The main topics were what happened during the beast subjugation and how Rublion is growing these days.
‘Was he really just wanting to drink together? Was there no other intention?’
Inside the dining room with just me and Askal. It was a perfect space for just the two of us, with an arched entrance and curtains drawn so no one could enter without permission.
Askal was so wholesome that I felt like a strange person for having other expectations when he suggested drinking together.
‘I want to hold his hand.’
His large hand on the table had looked unusually warm for a while now. I think he wouldn’t dislike it if I casually grabbed it pretending not to notice.
That’s what I thought, but my hand was already caressing the back of his hand. Askal’s eyes widened like a surprised cat.
“Your hand looked warm, so I wanted to hold it.”
A dreamy feeling from being drunk on alcohol.
Delicious food and a handsome man.
An amazing atmosphere on top of that.
“My lady?”
“Your voice is handsome too, I like it.”
If I were in my right mind, I wouldn’t have said such things.
But I have the power of alcohol, you see.
“To think the man who just buys me buildings and gives me pink diamonds is my husband.”
“…My lady?”
“Your flustered look is cute.”
A signal from one wrinkle in my brain begged me to please shut that mouth, but I cleanly ignored it.
“I think you’re drunk.”
“No? I’m not drunk at all.”
I continued kneading his hand. I lightly brushed the calluses firmly set on his finger joints, then pretended to write on his wide palm.
“Ahem.”
I looked up at the sound of clearing his throat to see Askal staring into empty space with red ears.
“It tickles, my lady.”
Oh my! Why is there a black bear here?
I reached out and vigorously petted the black bear’s head. Then, finding the posture uncomfortable, I just got up from my seat and hugged his head, petting it vigorously. The glasses he wore were a bit bothersome, but that couldn’t suppress my desire.
“So cute.”
I grabbed the bear-like face and grinned broadly.
“My lady… please calm down, my lady?”
As I was rubbing his head vigorously, something soft touched my fingertips. Looking down, I saw a flushed Askal looking at me with his lips pursed.
“Ah, why are you putting them away? The texture was nice. I want to keep touching them?”
I tapped the corner of his mouth as if knocking. His pupils were shaking violently.
“Can I not touch them?”
“No!”
I pulled my chair over and sat right in front. I was determined to touch those plump and glossy lips.
“…So soft.”
My heart was pounding. His breath hit my hand regularly as I kneaded his lips.
That’s when it happened. He gently removed my hand.
“My lady, if you stimulate me like this, I won’t be able to hold back either.”
“Are you uncomfortable? Then I’ll touch something else.”
“Wh-what?”
I moved a little closer. Then I fiddled with his smooth earlobe that had nothing hanging from it.
“Hehe. My husband is the best.”
The brain wrinkle that had been telling me to please shut up now sent signals to stop the perverted acts. But I’ve already felt the texture, you know?
The eyes that had shone calmly on his reddened face had become hazy.
“A man who just buys me buildings and gives me pink diamonds is my husband. Huh? Did I say this before?”
That’s when it happened. For a moment, his gaze sharpened.
“My lady, you’re very drunk.”
Huh? In the meantime, my body was lifted into the air.
“I’m not drunk at all. And Askal, are you flustered right now?”
He tightly closed his eyes, then opened them.
“Your flustered look is cute. Oh? Somehow this feels like déjà vu…”
The words I wanted to say floating in my head just came out without filter.
“Where are you taking me, Askal?”
He stared blankly at my face in response to my question. I could feel the firmness of the arms holding me somewhere on my waist and back. I fiddled with his forearm.
“To the bedroom.”
I opened my mouth in surprise. Was he such a passionate man?
“Alright. I’ll prepare myself mentally, Askal.”
He who had been walking with large strides suddenly stopped. Then he said with a stiff face:
“It’s not that. I don’t want to spend our first night together with you drunk like this.”
He sighed deeply, turning his gaze slightly to the side.
“I’ll take you to your room, it would be best if you just sleep for today, my lady.”
[This is the timeline separator]Askal issued another alcohol ban on me. He growled menacingly that he wouldn’t forgive me if I drank with other people outside. The problem was that I remembered everything I did at last night’s drinking session.
‘I’m crazy. I must be crazy.’
I hugged his head and rubbed it vigorously. I touched his lips, touched his ears, and I think I even sat close and touched his thighs.
He had reason to issue an alcohol ban.
“Do you have something worrying you?”
Anna, who was drawing my eyebrows, asked with concerned eyes. I took a deep breath and said:
“Is there no way to fix my drinking habits?”
Anna stopped her moving hand. Then she said carefully:
“If there was such a way, I would have told Baron Deli first.”
“That hits home. There’s no other way but not drinking, huh.”
Anna nodded her head slightly. It would be best not to drink for a while until Askal’s mood improves.
Knock knock.
While I was in the middle of dressing up, someone came to the room. It was the butler, Gaven.
“Madam, a guest has arrived at the mansion.”
“At this hour? I don’t have any appointments today.”
“Well, it’s not someone we can turn away…”
Anna’s hands became busy. I told Gaven to escort the guest to the reception room. He hesitated for a while, then bowed deeply saying he understood before leaving.
‘Who could it be that made Gaven so uneasy?’
Someone from the imperial family? No, the imperial family wouldn’t come unannounced like this.
I got up from the dressing table, recalling all the people who might possibly visit. I’ll find out when I go.
[This is the timeline separator]After finishing the morning training that was resumed due to Schmidt’s wish.
Rublion, drenched in sweat, returned from the training grounds and gulped down a glass of milk given by the maid. While the exercise was hard, he liked the refreshing feeling afterwards.
“Where’s mom?”
“The madam is probably in the reception room because a guest arrived.”
“A guest?”
Who could be visiting at such an early hour? With the wedding approaching, perhaps another family sent a gift.
“Would it be alright if I go see?”
“Ah… I think it would be better if you didn’t.”
The maid hesitantly replied. Rublion became even more curious.
‘Saying that just makes me want to go more.’
He had no intention of suppressing his curiosity. The maid followed behind Rublion as he headed to the reception room, trying to persuade him to reconsider, but if he had been willing to give up so easily, he wouldn’t have thought of going in the first place.
Before long, they arrived in front of the reception room. It was quiet inside for having a guest.
Rublion carefully opened the door. The guest seemed to be sitting alone with their back turned, waiting for Schmidt.
‘Has mom not arrived yet?’
Simulating a noble greeting in his mind befitting the heir to a duke’s family, he strode towards the guest. And then he saw.
He had the same golden eyes and black hair long enough to touch his shoulders. He looked older than his uncle Askal and gave off a slightly rougher impression.
Their eyes met. Goosebumps rose on Rublion’s back.
Male lead is reincarnated to save his wife
I’ve also read this one twice already. The female lead is kinda soft and gets embarrassed easily—not really my type, but the plot is definitely worth reading. Hurry up and read it, y’all!
Intro
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
