“Your Highness, once again, congratulations on your glorious return.”
“Being praised by Sir Hameld, who is recognized as the Empire’s finest knight, fills me with immense joy.”
“You flatter me. My skills are still lacking compared to Your Highness.”
Sir Hameld, with a benevolent expression, humbly raised his lips.
“Her Highness, the Crown Princess, appears more beautiful today than ever. Don’t you agree, my lady?”
Sir Hameld, shifting his gaze from Liurian to Evelia, couldn’t help but admire his wife.
The Countess, who had been elegantly standing by his side, willingly nodded and took a step toward Evelia.
“You are truly beautiful, Your Highness the Crown Princess. Seeing you this close, I am truly honored.”
Faced with such unimaginable hospitality, Evelia bashfully brought forth a smile.
She was too bewildered. Usually like a ghost lurking in a corner at such parties, today she felt like the protagonist, just as Liurian had said.
Pretending not to notice, she knew that everyone was watching her. Whether it was because of the Empire’s one and only necklace, or because she was standing by Liurian’s side, she couldn’t tell.
But what was certain was that envy was rich in the stares fixed on her.
“I am relieved and happy to be Your Highness’s partner, receiving such praise. It’s heartwarming.”
Evelia, maintaining the dignity of a Crown Princess yet with an innocent demeanor, warmly approached the Count and Countess. Fortunately, her attitude seemed to satisfy them, and their faces were filled with contented smiles.
“To have such beauty and be mine, even my wife is modest. Is that not so, Sir?”
“Yes, it seems Her Highness the Princess has even the virtue of modesty.”
Sir Hameld willingly nodded. It was a heartwarming atmosphere indeed.
“I would love to continue chatting with you, Sir, but many have attended the party to celebrate our victory, so I think we must conclude for today.”
“It seems an old man like me has taken up too much of Your Highness’s time.”
“Not at all. I enjoyed our time together, Sir. If you agree, let’s plan a dinner soon. Of course, along with the Crown Princess.”
“Whenever you invite me, Your Highness, I will gladly accept.”
Sir Hameld respectfully bowed, and Liurian nodded with a satisfied expression, looking at Evelia.
Evelia was rather taken aback by the sudden dinner plans but concealed her surprise, gracefully curling her eyes and meeting Liurian’s gaze.
It was a public occasion after all, and she couldn’t help but understand Liurian’s efforts to strengthen her position.
Whatever his intentions, she didn’t want to miss this opportunity due to her discomfort. That was for herself, but also for her people.
Because of her limited position, some servants in the Peilin and the Crown Princess’s palace were ostracized. She didn’t want them to suffer unfairly because of her.
Evelia straightened her back and tightened her arm entwined with Liurian’s.
Liurian, who was deciding their next destination amidst the numerous gazes cast at them, glanced at Evelia.
“You still seem tense.”
“…It’s my first party as Your Highness’s partner. I’m just worried about making a mistake, so please don’t mind it.”
“With all these people waiting for us, will you even be able to meet them all if you remain so tense?”
Liurian spoke with a slightly mischievous tone.
“Is Your Highness okay with constantly moving with me like this?”
“Why, is there a reason why it shouldn’t be?”
“It’s just that even after talking to Sir Hameld, Her Majesty the Empress seems extremely displeased, so I’m asking.”
Evelia peered sideways at the Empress and clicked her tongue. The stare aimed at her was so intense, it felt as though cold sweat was trickling down her spine.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take responsibility for what happened today, and make sure it doesn’t affect you.”
Liurian said with a chuckle. Perhaps because of the laughter in his voice, it sounded quite light. Strangely enough, it was comforting.
“Oh dear. Not only your mother, but it seems the Duke of Valentino’s eyeballs are about to pop out as well. I think the next target should be the Duke of Valentino. What do you think?”
At Liurian’s playful words, Evelia looked up to where he was pointing and was startled into bowing her head quickly. A bright and innocent laugh seemed about to burst forth at any moment.
It was just as he had said. The eyes of the Duke of Valentino, glaring intensely at them, were no less forceful than those of the Empress.
“I’d like to make you laugh comfortably, but if I do, the Duke’s eyeballs might really pop out. You’ll have to give in this time. Even if it’s just to protect the Duke’s eyeballs.”
Liurian urged Evelia’s steps along, teasingly, without answering. Evelia walked in step with him, her smile restrained but inevitable.
Before long, she seemed much more relaxed.
(This is a time separator.)
Lelia bit her lower lip fiercely. Her eyes were stuck in one place, unable to move, and her expression was increasingly pathetic.
Male lead is a Destined Young Husband (Female-dominant)
One-sentence summary: Wife-master, listen to my explanation!
Li Ruantang, a young lady from a prestigious family, stumbled and fell. When she woke up, she saw a noble and beautiful young man sitting by her bedside, wiping away tears.
The young master had slightly reddened eyes, and his every move exuded charm.
The sight made Li Ruantang’s eyes hot and her heart flutter. After all, she had made a bet with the young master Meng from the neighboring family. If she couldn’t marry a husband before the end of the year, she would have to admit defeat and give up the jade she had worked so hard to obtain.
Outside the window, the flowers were in full bloom.
Rather than losing the bet, the jade, and her face, Li Ruantang calculated that it would be better to seek marriage with the young master in front of her, killing three birds with one stone.
…
Meng Jun never thought that an accident during a spring outing would lead to them rolling down a cliff and into a river, yet still survive.
Now they were trapped in an unknown village, and Meng Jun had overheard that the family who had rescued them had their own intentions.
After all, it was Li Ruantang who had lost her mind and sought marriage first. He was only trying to protect himself!
Glancing at Li Ruantang, who was listing her own merits, the young husband’s voice softened, and he blushed as he lied, “W-wife-master, Wife-master, don’t you remember me?”
The young husband’s voice was clear and handsome, coaxing Li Ruantang’s heart to be soft and sweet, and she spared no effort to protect him.
It wasn’t until they returned to the capital that Li Ruantang suddenly remembered.
When they had fallen off the cliff, in order not to implicate Wei Yunruo, whom he secretly admired, the young husband had instead pulled her, who was slightly farther away, down the cliff with him…
Short summary by Yuushi L: Initially, the male lead (ML) liked another girl, while the female lead (FL) liked the ML. Both fell off a cliff. The FL temporarily lost her memory, and the ML, fearing others might take advantage of him, claimed FL was his wife while they were staying in a village. Later, when they returned home, the FL regained her memories and remembered that the ML liked someone else, so she kept her distance from him. However, during their time living together in the countryside, the ML’s view of the FL had completely changed. From this point, his pursuit of the FL begins.
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