It had been quite a while since I had ventured deep into the imperial palace.
Then and now, I hastened my steps, looking at the lavishly decorated interior of the palace.
I did not know the emperor’s purpose, but I had no pleasant memories of being involved with the royalty.
“Please, come this way.”
The steward opened the door for me and bowed.
The emperor was standing in the glass garden.
“You’ve finally arrived. I thought my eyes were going to fall out waiting.”
“Liviana Creighton greets the sun of the empire.”
“Spare me the tedious greetings and don’t act too stiff.”
The emperor came walking towards me with a beaming smile.
The man who had neatly combed his hair according to the fashion of the capital, finished with a jewel over his cravat, felt quite different from the previous emperor.
The bouquet he offered me was indicative of that.
I hesitated at the unexpected gift but eventually accepted the repeatedly offered bouquet.
“I thought it bloomed quite prettily, but next to Lady Creighton, it seems a bit dull.”
“That’s flattering.”
“It’s not flattery, it’s just the truth.”
The emperor’s eyes softened.
I smiled back at him, sneakily avoiding his gaze.
The new emperor was indeed different from his predecessor, but not completely.
His eyes were a spitting image of my father’s.
“Not that it’s not, I’m suddenly jealous of Calix.”
“……”
“Why are you so surprised? It’s a wellknown fact that Calix and I are close.”
Thanks to Lady Creighton, it seems like we’ll be even closer soon.
The emperor winked at me jokingly.
Only then did I realize that the reason the emperor had called me was related to Duke Pieren.
I hadn’t been able to pay attention to Duke Pieren for the past few days because there were no signs.
“Your Majesty, I apologize, but.”
“Don’t worry. Rumors will spread, but so what? After all, a rumor is just a rumor.”
The emperor interrupted my words and laughed.
I opened my mouth again to clear the misunderstanding, but the emperor was faster this time too.
“And sometimes rumors can be helpful. Like the rumors about the young Lady Creighton.”
“The rumors about my daughter?”
“The story that your daughter doesn’t resemble her father at all.”
“That’s a worthless rumor.”
I knew some of the servants were muttering suspiciously that Meriel’s biological father was a Beike.
But that was just a rumor.
I can assure you that I have never been unfaithful.
“Don’t look at me like that. I know best that the two of you haven’t met once since that incident.”
The emperor who came close winked casually.
Unlike me who felt unpleasant, he seemed quite happy.
“But the rumor will help when the two of you unite. There aren’t many men who want to raise another man’s child, so the custody issue will be easily resolved.”
“What do you mean……”
I couldn’t finish my sentence and swallowed a dry breath.
There was a memory that suddenly brushed past my mind.
“There seems to have been some misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?”
Before I could open my mouth, the sound of a door opening was heard.
Without anyone saying who was first, both the emperor and I moved our heads.
“You’re late. Calix.”
“……”
“What are you doing? Why don’t you hurry here? If you’re late, you should hurry up now.”
“I only asked for a place to be prepared.”
Duke Pieren, who walked in with long strides, stood between me and the emperor.
Unexpectedly facing the broad back of the man, I stared blankly.
Only now did I understand why Duke Pieren had been lamenting about eight years ago, but that didn’t answer all my questions.
“Don’t be so cold. I just thought that your woman would be lonely on her own, so I wanted to keep her company.”
“In that case, you can step aside now.”
“Since it’s come to this, wouldn’t it be nice for the three of us to get together?”
“……”
“Alright! Okay! I’ll disappear as the third wheel so you two can have a quiet conversation. Is this okay?”
The emperor grumbled and left, and Duke Pieren turned around. I opened my eyes wide.
The distance was too close.
“Ah.”
I stepped back in surprise, and inadvertently stepped on the hem of my dress. Losing my balance, my body fell backwards.
But I didn’t fall, although I thought it would have been better if I did.
Then, I wouldn’t have needed to think about what the hard sensation I felt at my waist was.
I bit my lip, looking up at the indifferent man’s face.
Ironically, our distance was closer than before.
“……”
“……”
A brief silence hovered.
I pushed away Duke Pieren’s arm and straightened my posture.
Yet, Duke Pieren showed no reaction.
There was no common word of concern, no flustered expression, he just stared at me.
That fact made it even more unbearable.
If I saw the unaffected man’s face, the past memories I had been desperately avoiding would resurface.
But it wasn’t unbearable.
Above all, this was the last time I was going to meet Duke Pieren.
There would be no more involvement in the future.
“I’m sorry. I misunderstood.”
“……What misunderstanding do you mean?”
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
