Leaving Lina behind and entering the garden, Blair hid in a secluded area, retching.
Even though the cool night breeze was blowing around, the strong perfume scent she had smelled a while ago lingered like a welcoming presence, flipping her stomach upside down.
After holding onto her empty stomach for a while, which didn’t produce anything, Blair finally calmed down.
Blair sat on a nearby bench and pounded her upper chest with her fist. Perhaps due to the prolonged distress, her strength drained, and her entire body trembled.
Blair took out a small pouch from her pocket. It was a pouch containing lemon candies, the only thing she could eat during severe morning sickness in her past life.
Taking one candy and putting it in her mouth, the refreshing lemon flavor and sweetness spread, revitalizing her energy.
“If only it were temporary symptoms…”
In her past life, about a fortnight after the end of the Guild War, Blair’s morning sickness had become severe, and that was when she found out about her pregnancy.
If things were following a similar pattern as her past life, there was still time. However, if the worsening morning sickness started from today, it would be risky.
“By the way, I was supposed to meet Mikhail at the banquet today.”
Thinking about whether she should quickly return to the banquet hall, not knowing when, where, or in what guise he might appear, at that moment, a familiar voice reached her.
“Do you need assistance, madam?”
Turning towards the direction of the voice, a servant approaching her came into view.
No, to be precise…
“…Mikhail?”
It was Mikhail disguised as a noble’s servant.
“Long time no see, madam.”
Although his hair color and face had changed, the impression of his youthful voice and his characteristic gentle smile was undoubtedly him.
Approaching her with measured steps, he examined Blair’s face, then narrowed his eyes as if sensing something.
“Your complexion doesn’t look good. Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?”
“No, I’m fine. But more importantly… What is there to talk about?”
Blair looked around as she asked. Even though it was a secluded area with few people, it was still a garden that anyone could enter.
Regardless of how Mikhail entered the palace, it was evident that he didn’t come in formally. Ending the conversation before someone else came here would be better for his safety.
“If I may start with the matter you would be most curious about, madam, you have completed all preparations to leave the estate. Scandal is also ready to be spread whenever you desire.”
“Thank you. It lightens my burden a bit.”
“Is the reinforcement of the Duke’s security related to the rumor about the kidnapping incident?”
Mikhail was also aware of that rumor. If the Guild Master didn’t know, it would have been more surprising.
“Probably, it seems like that.”
“When would you like to leave the Duke’s residence?”
Blair hesitated at Mikhail’s question.
The real morning sickness would start soon. No, it might have already begun.
If she were to reveal the fact of her pregnancy, it could be dangerous not only for herself but also for the child.
However, what made her hesitate to leave immediately was the promise she made with him.
“You are the sole survivor and witness of that incident. Your testimony in court could serve as powerful evidence to justify the Empress’s unjust death.”
And also the promise she made right after returning, to go to Esmeralda’s grave to reveal the truth.
Reading Blair’s hesitation from her face, Mikhail added to his words.
“I have a way to divert the Duke’s attention for a while.”
Blair’s eyes widened at Mikhail’s statement that there was a way to escape Haldin’s vigilant surveillance.
About to answer her question, Mikhail bit his lip, as if something occurred to him belatedly, and closed his mouth, looking like he was reconsidering.
“…I can’t tell you right now, but I believe I can help you when the time comes, madam.”
The Duchess loves the Duke.
If that were not the case, the dark magic engraved on her clavicle would never have come to fruition.
Before meeting Blair, she had intended to truthfully explain about that magical inscription. However, upon seeing her hesitation, her intentions changed.
Knowing that the mastermind behind the dark magic could put Haldin in danger, the Duchess, who loves him, might not leave his side even if she herself could be at risk.
Despite being aware of the potential danger for herself as well,
“But there isn’t much time available to use that method. So…”
Just like her concealed lover, who is nothing more than a scandal, shouldn’t arrogantly influence her decision…
Even with that knowledge, he unilaterally prioritized her safety.
“You need to make a decision as soon as possible.”
Male lead is a Destined Young Husband (Female-dominant)
One-sentence summary: Wife-master, listen to my explanation!
Li Ruantang, a young lady from a prestigious family, stumbled and fell. When she woke up, she saw a noble and beautiful young man sitting by her bedside, wiping away tears.
The young master had slightly reddened eyes, and his every move exuded charm.
The sight made Li Ruantang’s eyes hot and her heart flutter. After all, she had made a bet with the young master Meng from the neighboring family. If she couldn’t marry a husband before the end of the year, she would have to admit defeat and give up the jade she had worked so hard to obtain.
Outside the window, the flowers were in full bloom.
Rather than losing the bet, the jade, and her face, Li Ruantang calculated that it would be better to seek marriage with the young master in front of her, killing three birds with one stone.
…
Meng Jun never thought that an accident during a spring outing would lead to them rolling down a cliff and into a river, yet still survive.
Now they were trapped in an unknown village, and Meng Jun had overheard that the family who had rescued them had their own intentions.
After all, it was Li Ruantang who had lost her mind and sought marriage first. He was only trying to protect himself!
Glancing at Li Ruantang, who was listing her own merits, the young husband’s voice softened, and he blushed as he lied, “W-wife-master, Wife-master, don’t you remember me?”
The young husband’s voice was clear and handsome, coaxing Li Ruantang’s heart to be soft and sweet, and she spared no effort to protect him.
It wasn’t until they returned to the capital that Li Ruantang suddenly remembered.
When they had fallen off the cliff, in order not to implicate Wei Yunruo, whom he secretly admired, the young husband had instead pulled her, who was slightly farther away, down the cliff with him…
Short summary by Yuushi L: Initially, the male lead (ML) liked another girl, while the female lead (FL) liked the ML. Both fell off a cliff. The FL temporarily lost her memory, and the ML, fearing others might take advantage of him, claimed FL was his wife while they were staying in a village. Later, when they returned home, the FL regained her memories and remembered that the ML liked someone else, so she kept her distance from him. However, during their time living together in the countryside, the ML’s view of the FL had completely changed. From this point, his pursuit of the FL begins.
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