“After all, it was a marriage formed by my greed. If your claim is true, and the imperial family is considered an enemy of Denmark, I can’t just let this marriage continue.”
“…”
“Wouldn’t it be heartbreaking for Empress Dowager, who is buried underground, to see her beloved niece marrying the daughter of an enemy?”
Although Ivan spoke as if he were considering, his eyes, examining Herdin’s reaction, gleamed coldly.
“Since the public opinion within Denmark is likely unfavorable, it would be more comforting to place the child in a place full of those who do not favor her.”
“…”
“Since there is no child between them yet, they can neatly settle without any disturbance.”
Herdin sneered.
Ivan’s story was amusing to Herdin. If he was concerned about the public opinion towards Blair, he shouldn’t have proposed this marriage in the first place.
So, the reason Ivan brought up this topic now was…
“As for my mother’s disposal, let’s discuss it after you show credible evidence as you mentioned.”
It was unmistakable that he was trying to threaten me.
In other words, if he didn’t want to divorce Blair, it meant he should cover up this incident.
“I’ll take my leave now.”
Herdin stood up and turned away.
The breeze between late spring and early summer, saturated with the fragrance of flowers, passed by him. His heated mind cooled down, and rational thinking began to return.
From a logical perspective, Ivan’s words were correct.
If Esmeralda’s innocence is proven, Blair would become an obvious enemy’s daughter.
If Ivan mentioned divorce with Blair to atone for Katrina’s sins, there would no longer be a reason to maintain this marriage.
‘Wasn’t that what I wanted?’
It was already anticipated when I accepted this insignificant marriage contract. It just happened a bit earlier than expected.
Revealing the truth about the incident ten years ago was my long-time desire. It was a matter of not being swayed by a mere contractual marriage that would last only a year.
But why am I hesitating?
‘What is that woman saying to me?’
Herdin loosened the cravat around his neck as if it were choking him.
The unanswered question lingered in his mind.
⭐⭐⭐
As the sun began to set, clouds started to gather in the sky, and as it set, a heavy rain began to pour.
“Wow, it’s suddenly raining a lot. I guess it’s summer rain now.”
Rina, who was combing Blair’s hair in front of the dressing table, looked out the window and commented. Blair, observing the raindrops hitting the window, agreed.
“Yeah.”
“But, Madam, do you have something sad today?”
“…Do I seem like it?”
Blair looked at her own face reflected in the mirror. It was the same expression as usual.
“…It can’t be.”
Today was the day I eagerly awaited.
“Hmm, maybe it’s because of the rain?”
“Maybe.”
When Blair smiled and spoke, Rina no longer questioned her.
After finishing the hair combing, Rina left, leaving a night greeting. Through the closing door, the sound of a clock announcing ten o’clock was heard.
Herdin had not returned yet. It seemed that today, like the past, he was going to be late again.
Blair squatted in front of the door, listening with her ear pressed against it. Then, suddenly, her flat belly was gently touched.
Soon, I will meet Aziel.
Of course, I have to wait for ten more months, but just confirming that the child is growing safely in my belly will be reassuring.
Thinking that she could soon meet the child again made all the hardships so far forgettable.
The fact that she was abandoned by Katrina, the sense of guilt about the incident ten years ago—all of it would disappear.
However, why isn’t it purely joyous? She found the answer to the question that she couldn’t understand when she heard footsteps approaching beyond the door. Her heart started to beat faster as she realized it was Herdin’s footsteps.
Only then did she realize that tonight would be their last night. After this night, she would have to sort out these emotions that squeeze her heart.
Blair, who had been listening to the rain tapping on the window for a while, finally opened the door and stood in front of him.
“…Herdin.”
Herdin, who was walking towards her with slower steps than usual, noticed her and came to a halt. A faint smile escaped his lips as he couldn’t avoid facing the answer to the question he had been deliberately avoiding.
Now, I finally understand the reason I can’t let you go.
In the end, it was love.
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.”
