“So, you’re going to live here in the mountains? What about the lady of the house?”
“Who do you think has endured until now?”
“What if you get caught?”
“You have to bear that level of risk. If things go south, just use the name of Lady Countess Crayton. Frankly, I’ve been doing that even now.”
Having never faced a crisis, I displayed a proud smile.
The man seemed unprepared for my response, but instead of answering, he added a brief remark with a troubled expression.
“Oh.”
“I’ll endure as much as I can, but it won’t last long. Maybe a week. Within that time, redirect the search direction to some other place as much as possible.”
I raised my hand, calculating the remaining provisions in my mind. Time was needed until my brother’s body recovered, even with Cheshire’s help, we couldn’t leave the castle far behind.
“The Commander won’t tolerate this.”
“He’s your Commander, not mine.”
As I shrugged nonchalantly, the man eventually burst into laughter. It was a positive reaction that didn’t require a response.
Thanks to that, I could gather a bit more courage.
“Tell your Commander when you go back.”
“No need for that.”
“No need?”
“He’s already here.”
“…”
Although I clearly heard the story, I couldn’t fully grasp its meaning. It felt like my heart sank. If Duke Pferren was here, the likelihood of meeting my brother also increased. That couldn’t happen.
As soon as I regained my composure, I turned my body abruptly. There was no need to go far. Shortly after retracing my steps, I quickly encountered familiar faces.
“…”
“…”
Silence filled the air. I swallowed reflexively. It was a moment, but my eyes confirmed the relieved expression on the man’s face.
“Why are you here when we agreed to do our own tasks? Why are you even here?”
I forced out a voice that refused to come out. Duke Pferren shouldn’t be here.
“It doesn’t seem like the right time for such talk.”
“…”
“There’s no time; let’s go.”
Duke Pferren approached briskly. I took a step back involuntarily.
“I won’t go back. I’ll stay here.”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“If my disappearance continues, who do you think will be suspected first? Your Excellency. If you get involved with me wrongly, it could turn the blame on you for unnecessary crimes.”
“And?”
“Hiding here is actually better. Once this period passes, no one will suspect anything.”
“Well, that may be true.”
Unlike his indifferent response, his black eyes slowly scanned me from head to toe.
Frowning at the persistent gaze, I could sense what he wanted to say even without him explicitly mentioning it. The mistress of the wealthiest family in the Empire and my current humble appearance didn’t make a suitable combination.
“This is an opportunity. Pretend as if you were kidnapped by Count Felt Vaughn…”
Words that I hadn’t said before slipped out weakly with the wind. Only then did I realize that the meaning conveyed by the man’s gaze, sweeping up and down, was different from what I had expected.
Duke Pferren wasn’t looking at my miserable appearance; he was observing the wounds.
“…Let’s go back now.”
“I told you we can’t. Not now.”
“He’s alive.”
“…”
The casually thrown words left me speechless. I bit my lips tightly. I couldn’t figure out what expression to wear now or what to say.
“Why? Do you think I might kill him? Looking at that expression, you seem to have figured it out. That he was a real traitor.”
Duke Pferren tilted his head sharply. It was difficult to endure the sharp gaze. I only twitched my lips. I couldn’t bring myself to ask him not to harm my brother, looking into those eyes.
“…He’s quite injured. It’s not like before.”
“So?”
The cold gaze remained unchanged. Without taking a breath, I spoke up again.
“Unlike me, my brother still has the right of succession. It will be helpful.”
“Well, it might help.”
The more I spoke, the more my body crumpled. I couldn’t look into those black eyes anymore and bowed my head. It wouldn’t be compensation enough, but the proposal I could make had its limits.
“A desperate attempt at bargaining. You never knew you were being used.”
“Being used?”
“He used you as an excuse to entangle me.”
“…”
“Of course, you’ve probably never heard such stories.”
As if reading my thoughts, Duke Pferren twisted his lips.
I clenched my hands tightly. At a glance, the man seemed angry, but to me, he strangely looked relieved. I was frozen by that fact.
“It’s all a facade, seeking refuge like a good brother. Yet, do you still want to protect him?”
“…Because he’s family.”
“It’s all an illusion, seeking forgiveness like a good brother. But, do you really want to protect him?”
“…Because he’s family.”
“I won’t forgive. I don’t even want to. But, I won’t kill him either.”
At least, as long as you’re alive.
In Duke Pferren’s final words, the force behind it and the grinding sound were evident. I stared blankly at him.
“Don’t mistake it. I’m not trying to show mercy.”
“…If not mercy?”
“I won’t get through by directly threatening you, so I’ll find other ways. As long as he is in my hands, you won’t do anything reckless.”
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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