Selected as the New Stepmother (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 11
After finishing the voyage, the ship anchored at the harbor, and men dressed as sailors were diligently moving wooden crates. The weather was mild with a gentle breeze, making the harbor more peaceful than ever.
And there was a man watching those sailors. It was none other than Duke Artenbach.
“The spices and Western vodka are expected to arrive by tomorrow, barring any unforeseen incidents.”
Ascal observed the men hauling the stacked crates onto carts. The temperature was quite high for spring, and beads of sweat glistened on their foreheads.
“Once unloading is complete, grant bonuses to the harbor laborers.”
“How much should we give?”
“Decide appropriately within reason.”
“Understood.”
The Secretary made a small note beneath the purchase confirmation. Ascal moved to check if there were any further instructions. Then—
‘I hear a familiar voice.’
At first, he thought it was his imagination. But his nerves prickled at the child’s voice that always lingered in his ears.
‘It can’t be here…’
He turned toward the source of the sound and discovered Rublion and Viscountess, ruthlessly plucking flowers.
Though not close by, the child’s laughter pierced through the noisy engine of the ship.
To one who had only ever seen Rublion’s sly smiles or forced grins, this was a refreshing shock.
Watching him like this, even Rublion, who usually seemed like a serpent coiled inside, looked truly like a child his age.
How long had he been watching them?
“Your Grace, unloading is complete.”
The Secretary approached as he finished his task, then noticed Ascal’s gaze and followed it.
“The young master is out here. Shall I bring him over?”
Ascal shook his head.
“Any other appointments remaining?”
“Yes, the dinner with the investors has been postponed until tomorrow.”
“I see.”
Rublion and Viscountess sat on the ground, beginning to create something. After watching silently for a moment, Ascal spoke.
“Let’s head home right now.”
“Understood. I will also inform the office.”
As soon as the Secretary bowed, Ascal walked toward the hill. Since he had already encountered them, he decided to fetch them himself.
He stood at the entrance leading up the hill, around the corner of the building. The towering trees loomed majestically above.
As he climbed slowly, it seemed the creation was finished. Up close, Rublion was pleading with Viscountess, acting like a real child who wanted to play a little longer.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak—
“Oh? Your Grace!”
Rublion jumped up upon spotting Ascal. At the same time, Viscountess turned and their eyes met.
“We are honored to see Your Grace.”
Though startled by the sudden appearance of the Duke, she did not forget her manners. But how long had he been standing there?
“What brings you here?”
Ascal replied bluntly to Rublion’s question.
“To check on the cargo unloading.”
“So today is the day?”
The Kid brushed dirt from his knees and alternated glances between Ascal and himself before fixing his gaze on the Duke.
“Is your work done?”
“Yes. Let’s go home together.”
He had been slightly embarrassed by the Kid’s insistence on playing more, but this worked out well. Once the Kid left, he would stop by the office to join Anna and visit Olive.
“Auntie, the Duke—no, Father… he’s finished his work.”
He had almost said “Your Grace,” then switched to “Father”?
“Father, have you eaten yet?”
The Kid gently took Ascal’s hand. Immediately, the Duke’s expression grew even sterner.
“…Yes. Not yet.”
“That’s perfect! Let’s all go have dinner together.”
It had only been an hour since he ate a sandwich?
“I was already hungry, so it would be wonderful to eat something delicious together….”
The Kid twisted his body in anticipation, while the Duke stood frozen, looking bewildered.
Here is what I must say right now.
“I have a prior engagement, so I cannot join you for dinner.”
He forced a look of regret as he spoke. Instantly, the Duke broke from his icy stillness.
“Then we shall return now.”
At this, the Kid pouted.
“…I had a very difficult day today, so there’s somewhere I absolutely must go.”
His heart sank. Surely the Kid wasn’t planning to take Ascal to where Olive was and cause a scene?
“Who dared make the Duke’s heir suffer so?”
The Duke’s golden eyes flashed with menace. Unconsciously, Ascal swallowed hard.
“It wasn’t that serious—just enough to require some cleanup. But apparently, there’s a huge restaurant in Ruvleg called… what was it again? Leevyng? Anyway, we have to go there.”
The Kid beamed at him.
“Auntie, you’ll come with us, right?”
He was very curious about what “cleanup” meant, but decided not to ask. He feared it would only make him more anxious.
[This is the timeline separator]He didn’t know how things had come to this.
Why was Olive, owner of Leevyng, standing there trembling?
Why was he, of all people, having dinner facing the Duke?
“Auntie, they say this dish here is delicious.”
“Really?”
The Kid pointed to one dish on the menu with his finger.
“What about you, Father?”
“Anything.”
The Duke seemed uninterested.
“Three portions of this, please.”
“Sir, would you care for wine?”
The Kid looked back and forth between Ascal and the Duke.
“No wine, thank you.”
Ascal’s order seemed correct—the Duke gave a slight nod. Olive quickly accepted the order and fled.
“Auntie, did you know?”
Ascal turned his gaze from the Duke, who was staring out the window with his arms crossed. The Kid looked up at him with hopeful eyes.
“This is the first time all three of us have eaten together!”
Indeed. How had things come to this? Was he really standing here, about to eat, instead of stopping by the herb shop for a digestive tonic before returning to the mansion?
As soon as they entered Leevyng, the waitress cleared all second-floor guests to the first floor. As a result, every seat on the second floor was empty except theirs. They even placed a barrier to prevent other guests from ascending.
It was an unbearably burdensome visit, made worse by the awkward incident with Olive earlier that day.
Unlike the two awkward adults, the Kid had so much to say he chattered nonstop himself. Ascal occasionally nodded along, but honestly, not a word registered.
The Duke said not a single word from the appetizer to the main course. Occasionally, Ascal felt sharp glances, but whenever he looked, the Duke was gazing out the window.
“Let’s begin.”
The Kid raised his knife and fork with force and declared. Then he sliced his palm-sized steak into six pieces and looked at Ascal.
“What? Need help?”
“Auntie, please have this.”
The Kid pushed his own plate toward Ascal and took Ascal’s plate instead.
He grinned broadly.
“It’s the etiquette of a gentleman.”
Good heavens… I just blushed because of a ten-year-old child.
“Enjoy your meal.”
If the Duke weren’t there, Ascal might have kissed the Kid’s cheek.
He never imagined the Kid could be so endearing. Truly.
With a slight tingling in his nose, he placed a piece of steak in his mouth. His lips kept curling upward.
He watched the Kid eat with a fond gaze, then noticed the carrot pieces pushed to the side of his plate.
“You don’t like carrots?”
“Ahh… it’s just not my taste.”
The Kid replied awkwardly to Ascal’s question. Ascal spoke loudly enough for anyone to hear.
“I see. I really like people who enjoy carrots.”
The Kid’s eyes, filled with confusion, darted wildly. He glanced briefly at his own plate, then at the Duke seated before him. The Duke was just about to put a carrot into his mouth with his fork.
“You like people who enjoy carrots?”
At the Kid’s meaningful remark, both Ascal and the Duke grew even more awkward—and even more so when their eyes accidentally met.
Whether he knew or didn’t know, the Kid picked up a single carrot piece from the corner of his plate with his fork, shut his eyes tightly, and shoved it into his mouth.
“Eugh, it’s disgusting.”
Impressed by the child’s courage in forcing himself to eat it, Ascal gently patted his head.
The Kid, with a carrot stuck in one cheek, smiled up at him with adorable sincerity.
[This is the timeline separator]“Let’s talk for a moment.”
After the prickly dinner ended and they returned to the mansion, Rublion stopped Ascal, who was heading to his study.
“Why?”
Rublion stood with both hands clasped respectfully. Ascal recognized this posture—it meant Rublion had made a decision—and felt a flicker of unease.
“Your Grace, I’ve decided I want to study.”
“…You want to study?”
After learning Rublion was smarter than his peers, Ascal hired a renowned tutor known as a genius to teach him first.
Initially, it was basic education in Imperial language and mathematics.
But within two months, Rublion had mastered the entire curriculum taught at the Academy.
The tutor resigned after roughly three months, claiming there was nothing more to teach—and even said that being around the child made his own genius seem inferior.
So Ascal had sat Rublion down and asked seriously: Do you want to study?
Rublion’s answer then was this:
[When I feel I need to study, then I will do so.]Ascal had wholeheartedly accepted the child’s opinion and never interfered with his studies.
Now, this child suddenly declared he wanted to study.
“Very well. If you want anything, go ahead. But what exactly do you wish to study?”
Rublion smiled faintly and replied.
“The Empire’s art and history. And aesthetics as well.”
Male lead first thought she played hard to get, only to realize she
really disliked him
Short intro:
What she can’t stand the most is the streets full of effeminate men, especially that so-called top beauty whom she avoids at all costs.
Shen Yaoxing looks at Jiang Mingyue, who keeps approaching her with coy shyness.
Shen Yaoxing: Bro, don’t be like this, I’m really about to throw up!
She fears nothing in heaven or earth, except for him getting close to her.
*
At first he thought she was just using the trick of feigning indifference to attract his attention. Later, he learned that she truly despised him.
This dealt a heavy blow to Jiang Mingyue, and he vowed to make her, like everyone else, fall at his feet in worship!
***
Synopsis:
Before transmigrating, Shen Yaoxing only wanted to find a reliable man to spend her life with. Who knew that after transmigrating, she would become a reliable woman herself…
A forced misandrist, highly skilled, and reliable female lead
vs.
An initially aloof and arrogant, later morbid, obsessed male lead
_____
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