Selected as the New Stepmother (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 13
Anna and Rublion went to the flower shop across from the office. The owner warmly welcomed the two who entered.
Anna told Rublion to wait a moment, then moved away to explain the situation to the owner.
Meanwhile, Rublion’s small head spun rapidly. A man who looked like a bandit had proposed to Schmidt, and he had come to hear the answer.
But it was barbaric for such an act to be directed toward someone you love.
“Sister, who is that man?”
Rublion asked immediately as Anna approached him, having been permitted to stay.
“Ah… just an acquaintance.”
There was clearly something she was hiding.
“I heard all of it. You were told to answer the proposal, and you just took the gift and ate it.”
Anna’s expression changed instantly. Rublion did not miss the opportunity. He slightly pouted and said with a scowl,
“If I say something foolish in front of that lady, it won’t do. So teach me, okay?”
Anna gave a barely-there smile at Rublion’s cute pleading. Then she lowered her posture and whispered softly,
“Actually, that man proposed to the young lady.”
“I know that.”
Anna revealed the secret in hushed tones.
“As you know, Lord Dely’s household isn’t particularly wealthy. So Johnston suggested that he support the Viscount and the young lady so they could live comfortably forever—in exchange for taking over the Viscount’s title. Ah, Johnston is the man currently in the office.”
“So he wants to marry the lady to inherit the title?”
“Yes.”
Anna sighed and continued,
“He sends proposals every time the young lady faces hardship. As if he knows something.”
“…That’s a curious coincidence.”
“It might not be a coincidence. That man is quite influential in the underground market.”
Anna let out a deep breath.
“People who deal in money are endlessly cruel. Rumor has it his sleeping preferences are strange too.”
“Sleeping preferences?”
“Oh… sorry. That’s probably too difficult for you to understand.”
Anna tapped her lips lightly, then fidgeted with her fingers.
“If it’s all right with you, my lord, could you wait here for a moment? I can’t leave the young lady alone in the office.”
“If I go with you, will the lady dislike it?”
Anna nodded in response to Rublion’s question.
“Alright. I’ll enter after that man leaves.”
“Thank you.”
Anna bowed deeply, then hurried out and entered the Black Swan.
Rublion stood before the flower shop window, watching the office. Through the slightly parted curtain, he saw the man’s back.
‘Whenever something like this happens, the Duke always says something.’
Among the dazzling flowers filling the shop, a particularly striking pink flower caught Rublion’s eye.
Rublion gazed at the solitary Saintpaulia pot, then made up his mind and stepped outside. The flower shop owner called out from behind, asking where he was going.
Rublion, now outside, ran to the back of a building a block away from the shop. As he entered the narrow alley—just wide enough for two people to walk side by side—he whispered softly,
“Ino.”
Instantly, a man in a black suit appeared.
“You summoned me?”
He knelt on one knee before Rublion, who was much smaller than him.
“Watch the man inside the Black Swan. Track everything—where he goes, when, and what he eats.”
“Yes.”
“If he tries to do anything improper toward the lady, don’t hesitate—stop him immediately.”
“I understand.”
Rublion’s gaze lifted upward. A glint caught his eye from one of the windows on either side of the alley—the signal used by the bodyguards to indicate their position.
“Continue following him until I give further orders.”
As Rublion turned to leave after giving the command, he stopped.
“Oh! If the Duke asks why I gave this order, answer like this.”
A tremendous aura radiated from the ten-year-old child.
“I will never allow anyone to touch what is mine.”
Anna had quietly entered the office and stepped close to Johnston, who showed no sign of rising.
“But if you won’t accept the proposal, then return the gift.”
Anna’s expression hardened sharply.
“Is the Viscount’s household so destitute that you cannot return it?”
Johnston touched the leaves of a potted plant in the corner of the waiting room with a bitter smile.
“A person who has always returned proposals and gifts so neatly suddenly accepts one—how could I not think otherwise?”
I could not speak. It was a choice made in a moment of wounded pride after an outright proposal. The consequence of such rashness was this.
“The gifts you told me to keep are still untouched, my lady. Only the tobacco leaves meant for the Viscount are missing.”
Anna came closer and whispered. A sense of relief washed over me, followed by gratitude.
I checked my noble posture, then spoke slowly.
“I will return the gifts given by Sir Johnston. Please do not disturb us further and leave.”
“You will return them… Just to be clear, I intend to accept nothing except the exact items I sent.”
The tobacco leaves flashed in my mind. But explaining the situation to him would only reveal a new weakness.
“I will send them within three days. Now please go.”
“You seem confident.”
Johnston stepped firmly until he stood right before me. He exhaled cigarette smoke into my ear as he spoke.
“Don’t you wonder? Whether on that day I shall call you Viscountess or Lady?”
He stepped back. His blatant, sweeping gaze was utterly repulsive.
“I look forward to the third day.”
Rublion returned to the flower shop and spotted Johnston stepping outside. He dashed out immediately. Upon entering the office, he found Schmidt sitting dazedly on the sofa in the waiting area.
His eyes met Anna’s, who sat beside her. She nodded as if to say she was fine, but the atmosphere inside and Schmidt’s demeanor made it clear she was anything but.
Rublion’s heart grew heavy. Schmidt, who had always appeared so strong in every situation, looked exhausted.
He wanted to wrap her in comfort. He wanted to step forward and soothe her.
He wanted to remove everything causing her pain.
Rublion quietly left the office and walked across to the flower shop.
“Oh? You’re back?”
The shopkeeper brought out the chair he had just put away. But Rublion shook his head vigorously.
“I would like to buy that pot.”
The child pointed to the solitary Saintpaulia pot placed among the vibrant floral arrangements.
I cannot continue in despair. I made this choice myself—I must bear the responsibility.
“Anna, go to the manor and check whether Johnston’s gifts remain untouched. Also, ask Father how much tobacco he has used.”
“Yes, I’ll go right away.”
I planned to sell the gifts for cash to fund repairs to the manor.
Suddenly, a flood of events swept through my mind, and I had forgotten.
‘…The tobacco leaves must be expensive.’
They were a rare commodity obtainable only through trade.
‘Why did I make such a choice then!’
Guilt washed over me. I was pathetic—unable to think even a step ahead, defeated by pride.
While lost in such thoughts, Anna left the office, saying she would return soon. She added that the Kid was waiting for me across the street at the flower shop.
I rose from my seat to fetch the Kid. Just as I reached for the door handle,
“Where are you going?”
The Kid stood at the doorway.
“Did you wait here the whole time?”
Surprised, I took the Kid’s hand and returned to the office.
“No. I stayed at the flower shop until I saw the man leave.”
I felt sorry for the child, so I smiled broadly.
“I see. Were you very bored?”
“Not at all. I enjoyed looking at the flowers. And here—this is for you.”
The Kid handed me a pot. It held a deep pink flower, its petals cradling bright yellow stamens.
“Oh, how beautiful. What is this?”
Even I, unfamiliar with flowers, thought it lovely. My sinking spirits began to lift. My worries and anxieties faded.
“This flower is called Saintpaulia. Watching it made me think of you. It’s my gift.”
The Kid smiled shyly. Seeing his newfound composure made me chuckle softly.
“Thank you. I’ll take good care of it.”
Anna arrived at the manor and hurried to the Viscount’s room. Inside, he lay sprawled in his rocking chair, just as he had in the morning.
“Lord, I have urgent news.”
“What is it?”
Anna explained everything and asked how much tobacco he had used. The dazed Viscount sprang up in fury.
“I would rather cut off my own limbs than let Johnston have her!”
The Viscount rose abruptly and beckoned for her to follow.
Descending to the ground-floor storage, he pulled a large box from a corner and drew out a sealed container of tobacco.
“Lord, what is this?”
“Tobacco. I haven’t smoked a single leaf. Return it as is.”
Anna could not close her mouth in astonishment. She had assumed it was all gone.
“It’s not just any gift—it’s from Johnston himself. Since Schmidt told me to keep all the gifts intact, I kept them all here out of concern.”
Anna bit her lip, overcome with emotion. She bowed her head to hide her expression as she examined the contents of the large box.
“I will never let my daughter be sold into marriage for money. She already suffers under the shadow of a pitiful father… So I shall find her the finest suitor and make sure she lives with pride.”
He walked beside Anna, lifting his small arms. Then he spoke seriously.
“What should I do?”
Anna, still bowing her head, answered in a voice thick with emotion.
“Please move these for me.”
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
_____
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