“I am aware that there will come a moment when I have to let go of hope. That’s why I informed the public about my husband’s disappearance. However, I have not even found my husband’s body yet.”
Emotions are not heightened now; I am writing.
Deliberately, I bent my waist, which had been stiff until now, and lowered my head weakly. If I had shown an unyielding Crateon until now, it was time to show a weaker side.
“Everyone is saying my husband is dead, and instead of grieving his death, I have met many who are trying to secure their positions.”
“I know that you want to show a weak side to gain sympathy. But that won’t work. Wasn’t the lady unqualified from the start?”
I swallowed my words for a moment, lowering my head, and then accepted the handkerchief handed by Scepter.
When I raised my head again, tears were hanging in the corners of my eyes.
After wiping my eyes with the handkerchief, I spoke again.
“…Then, does Lady Fisher have the qualifications?”
This time, rather than standing tall with a straight back, I seemed to be struggling to maintain my posture.
I had to show two things now.
The appearance of a wife who lost her beloved husband and the appearance of a master leading Crateon, overcoming grief. These two things.
At first glance, it might seem difficult for them to coexist, but I had to make it look that way.
I judged that by oscillating between the two, it would be more effective.
“Lady Fisher’s demand for Crateon’s inheritance may be because the child could be Crateon’s sole successor. However, nothing else has been verified.”
“But Lady Crateon already mentioned about the successor or—”
“I have already stated that I will acknowledge it. Of course, under the assumption that the child is indeed my husband’s.”
Before the lawyer could say more, I quickly gestured to Scepter.
Judging by his expression, he seemed uncomfortable with the current situation.
However, Scepter, following Baeck’s orders, was pretending to be on my side. Given that he couldn’t openly express dissatisfaction in front of me, it was enough for me to use him well.
“It’s true that Crateon is uneasy at the moment. I won’t deny this. However, this is a temporary issue caused by exaggerated anxiety.”
“Can you prove that?”
“Here is an analysis report on Crateon’s current situation. As you can see, there are clear movements due to anxiety, such as the recovery of investment funds. However, there are no other issues.”
“Isn’t it possible to manipulate that much?”
Before Scepter’s presented documents reached the judge, the defense attorney hastily threw out a question.
However, this was also a feeble struggle.
“You keep saying it’s manipulation, but I’d rather ask. Do you have any evidence that I manipulated it?”
“Th-that… ”
“I am speaking based solely on the facts. I cannot command the same actions to the plaintiff’s side, but at least, I hope you do not cloud the issues with unrelated stories.”
Margaret had not seen the essence because she was overly excited about the child being born.
The succession issue was undoubtedly important, but ultimately, it was for Crateon’s well-being. That should not be overlooked.
Above all, this was a noble society.
Bloodline was undoubtedly strong, but simply having that alone did not grant significant power. Justification had to follow.
For Margaret to win, she had to create a justification for why she should be Crateon’s leader, not clumsily imitate my appearance.
Until she realized that, she could not win from the beginning.
“I didn’t come forward because I agreed to this absurd trial. I came forward because I know everyone harbors anxiety.”
I put down the handkerchief and changed my demeanor once again.
Since I did not officially have the right of inheritance, it did not mean I was not recognized as Crateon’s leader.
Even amidst familiar glances, I stood tall with my back straight, surveying the surroundings as if aligning countless eyes.
Although all the blame shifted to my father, and the incident of that day was covered up with the emperor’s death.
Still, I couldn’t stand confidently, and I had to do my best as Crateon’s mistress.
There were inheritance issues, and above all, Baeck was nothing more than a pawn. I couldn’t step forward myself because it wouldn’t be good for him to strengthen his position. But now it didn’t matter.
Just as I don’t need to prove that I am Crateon now, it was the same now.
Until Baeck was called Lord Crateon, who had the most influence on who led Crateon was a well-known story.
Nothing but the truth would empower my statement.
Among the women with nothing but a child to offer, judging who would lead Crateon was not a difficult task.
“I’ve refrained from speaking so far, but it seems like absurd tales are spreading. I will officially address it here.”
The surroundings became silent again. Everyone seemed to be anticipating my statement, as my previous words had caused a stir.
“Crateon has been preparing for the future for a long time, and he is progressing step by step.”
“Are you trying to mitigate the situation with such words?”
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.”
