“I didn’t have a life.”
“…….”
Rocarde’s expression became heavy.
“You bastard. Don’t admit it. You should say it’s not like that.”
“Then, will you feel better?”
“…….”
After Lorisha, who looked like a frightened rabbit, left, Gracian reflected on his past.
Just as the Empress disdained Miliora, Orel also scorned Gracian.
Miliora followed Gracian to some extent out of a sense of camaraderie as victims, but there was never any family affection in the imperial family.
The Emperor was merely an observer, gazing into the aquarium they all held.
If war had not broken out, and Orel had not fallen ill, the person threatened not to cause trouble in today’s competition would have been not Miliora but him.
Until now, his days had been filled with nothing but the anxiety of survival. Yet today, the terrified bastard was spouting stories he knew nothing about.
Talking about her life and satisfaction.
In the past, he would have dismissed any knowledge of the bastard’s topic with a flick of his ear, but now, having traveled to the Tunbars Mountains, it was not the case.
Earlier, she seemed to have no trace of regret as if she had nothing to lose in the palace or as a maid. It seemed as if she wanted to go out even now as if something good was waiting outside.
‘Have I staked everything to seize the palace that not even a bastard desires…’
As time passed, an indescribable sense of defeat crept in.
However, Gracian did not call Rocarde for that reason.
The realization came while contemplating the unknown emotions that Lorisha had inadvertently thrown in.
Gracian never wanted to become an Emperor. He only aimed for that position because he needed it to survive.
A bastard presumptuously sympathizing with the aristocracy and talking about the value of life.
He could never admit that he felt jealous of the vitality she exuded.
So, the alcohol smoothly passed through his throat.
Those eyes. Lorisha Roarr’s eyes emitted a transparent light even in fear.
Perhaps Rocarde’s reluctance to let her go was also due to that.
But it was probably better for him.
If he had crushed that unfamiliar thing, he might have felt relieved tonight.
A feeling of dry regret settled in his mouth.
“I didn’t ask her what she intends to do after leaving the palace. Asking about a life outside the palace is a forbidden topic.”
Gracian realized he had spoken his thoughts out loud, seeing Rocarde’s cold gaze on him.
Rocarde’s voice, tinged with darkness, was dry.
“There is none for Your Highness.”
It was the truth. Now, standing in opposition to Orel, he had only one choice. Whether to become the owner of the palace or be buried outside the palace.
If only he could be buried with his head and body stuck together, he would be lucky. There was no life outside the palace for him.
“Cruel bastard.”
In response to Gracian’s resentment, Rocarde calmly replied.
“Your Highness, the ignored bastard has shaken Your Highness with just one meal. Wow.”
Gracian said irritably.
“Am I to be swayed every time?”
“I hope not. Especially not by my lord.”
Rocarde was smiling, and his voice was gentle. However, Gracian suddenly felt a chill, as if doused with cold water.
One aspiring to be an emperor must receive the acknowledgment of the one who will make them an emperor. It was a type of deal that ordinary people were not familiar with.
Gracian grabbed Rocarde’s collar abruptly. Pressing their noses together, he spoke fiercely.
“Rocarde, I want loyalty. Only loyalty. So, don’t like me. I could kill you anytime. Even if you sympathize with me, I’ll slit your throat.”
“…….”
“No, if I ever become pitiful, stare at my neck, Rocarde.”
What made Gracian, the Crown Prince, sympathetic was that statement Rocarde made.
But Rocarde lowered his eyes, hiding his emotions.
“I’ll gladly do that, Your Highness.”
“Ha… Fine. Do it.”
There was no hint of hesitation. Gracian chuckled in amazement at Rocarde’s resolute answer.
“The competition?”
“We need to return the iron supply rights to those who will be Your Highness’s supporters. The current concern is how to execute it without revealing the intention to Her Majesty.”
In fact, Rocarde’s dinner tonight was also a gathering to monitor the nobles’ movements. Who needed what, and where their hearts leaned.
Gracian stared at Rocarde, not quickly understanding his words.
“Those who will support my power? …Are you talking about shaking iron as bait? To see if there are those who will move.”
“Roughly, yes. It’s about letting those who move know that there’s a gift waiting if they stand by Your Highness.”
“…….”
Gracian leaned back, relaxing as tension left him. As the tension eased, a sudden surge of intoxication came over him.
This competition will also secure victory for me. Rocarde will again half-push me to the position of Emperor, he thought.
“How about you, Brother?”
“I’ll try to turn it inward. There are benefits for Her Majesty and the allied families outside.”
Gracian mumbled nonchalantly.
“What will that bastard say…”
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.”
