“Father… you already know why I chose a contractual marriage. I want to be independent in a way other than the option of marriage given to noblewomen. I want to use the administrative skills I’ve learned where they can be applied.”
“Then, how about becoming Countess Fleure? Unfold your intentions freely within the Fleure territory.”
…!”
Adel’s body froze in surprise at Count Fleure’s unexpected words.
“I want you to inherit the title of Countess Fleure. I have no intention of elevating both heirs. There is no one in the family who thinks as clearly and deeply about the territory as you do.”
“Countess title… for me…?”
“Yes. I have already seen the writings you made in my study about the laws and administrative improvements within the Fleure territory. There were also things you solved based on your insights. Now I want you to personally take care of the territory.”
Count Fleure, with awkward gestures, held Adel’s hands. While looking into his eyes filled with sincerity, Adel’s own eyes wavered.
“Father…”
“Consider returning and formally taking over the succession lessons. If you want to attend university, I will actively support it. So, it’s time to end the contract with the Duke…”
“No. I can’t end the contract.”
“Adel…”
In response to Count Fleure’s suggestion to terminate the contract with the Duke, Adel firmly shook her head. Surprised by Adel’s unexpectedly resolute attitude, Count Fleure coughed uncomfortably.
“Hmm! Of course, I know that the Duke has treated you well. Still, wasting three years seems…”
“Father… let me be honest with you. Those three years are too precious to me.”
“Precious…?”
“Because it’s the time I can stay by his side.”
“Surely… those words mean…!”
“Yes, I genuinely cherish him. I want to be a strength by his side with all my might.”
“Wha, surely… does the Duke share the same feelings as you?”
Count Fleure, with a pale face, asked Adel. Adel’s revelation that she held feelings for the Duke was surprising, but more importantly, it was crucial to know what the Duke’s feelings toward Adel were.
[Dash] Do you really think the Duchess has no fragrance? What if someone appears who can smell the fragrance of the Duchess? [Dash] No! Absolutely not! [Dash] Why not? If the Duchess has a fragrance, it would ensure more definite recognition within the family. [Dash] No! I’d rather not. If it’s known that I have a fragrance, Adel will become even more unhappy. [Dash] You become more unhappy if you have a fragrance… What’s the reason? [Dash] Well…Adel couldn’t reveal all the contents of the ancient book to the Duke. Moreover, the Duke was also a person from the Imperial family. It was necessary to avoid the possibility of creating unnecessary turmoil.
[Dash] The fragrance of our family is a blessing from the fairies. It originated from the fairy’s heart, wishing for the family members to achieve harmonious happiness through the fragrance that pleases everyone.Count Fleure, while rolling thoughts in his mind, concocted plausible words, mixing in the truth but excluding discussions related to the Imperial Family. [Dash] However, if there is a fragrance that only a specific person can detect, it’s likely not a true blessing from a fairy. Moreover, according to the family records, such an incomplete fragrance was sometimes referred to as a curse… [Dash] A curse…? [Dash] Yes. Already, since birth, the child has been under the family’s scrutiny. Wouldn’t it be better to be without a fragrance, rather than facing difficulties within the family due to it? [Dash] …….
After a moment of contemplation, the Duke slowly spoke.
[Dash] Fine. I, too, will not overlook the Duchess being in a difficult situation within the Fleure family. So, make sure to handle the internal affairs of the family well.For a moment, the Duke’s sharp blue eyes shone warningly, as if advising him. Count Fleure, responding with a gulp, answered.
[Dash] Y-Yes, of course. I also do not want to create any more conflicts within the family. [Dash] However, the Duchess unexpectedly participated in the family gathering and ended up undergoing the rite of passage. There must be a reason for her to suddenly make such a decision. [Dash] That is… my negligence.Even without words, the Duke could predict the difficult position the Duchess would be in among the clan. Seeing Count Fleure’s subdued expression, as if he had nothing more to say in response to the Duke’s pointed remarks, the Duke turned his gaze outside the window, where the sun was tilting.
[Dash] I will go into that forest to investigate the Duchess. [Dash] Sir…! If you go alone without our clan members, you will surely get lost in the maze. [Dash] However, if you seek help from your clan, you won’t be acknowledged for overcoming the forest with the Duchess’s power alone. So, aren’t you also worried about entering the forest willingly? [Dash] That’s true, but… [Dash] I have no more patience to wait for the Duchess here. [Dash] Sir…!With those words, the Duke left the dining room and headed straight for the fairy forest. Watching the Duke’s retreating figure, Count Fleure’s feelings were mixed.
While feeling relieved and grateful for the Duke’s seemingly genuine concern for Adel… somewhere deep inside, he couldn’t shake off a sense of anxiety.
‘Could it be… that the Duke’s feelings towards Adel are more than just a simple partnership?’
In such a situation, with Adel even harboring deep feelings for the Duke, the unease became uncontrollably magnified.
“Hurry up and answer! Tell me if the Duke truly has romantic feelings for you!”
“…No. His feelings towards me are not the same.”
“R-Really?”
“Yes, he directly mentioned that his feelings for me are merely comradeship based on cooperation as contract partners.”
“Huh…”
Count Fleure, who had been quite tense, felt a sense of relief washing over him. Although reassured, seeing Adel’s serene face as she said that the Duke did not share the same feelings, an itchiness crept into a corner of his heart.
Perhaps, it was the first time his daughter had harbored such romantic feelings. And the fact that it was unrequited love, of all things, and that the target was a member of the Imperial family, the Duke…
“I’m okay. Even though the form of affection he bestows upon me may be different from mine… I have received plenty of grace from him. Now it’s my turn to repay that favor.”
“Adel…”
As he looked at her with a tender gaze, Adel, with a resolute expression reflecting unwavering determination, gripped his hand with strength.
“So, at least for the duration of the contract… please allow me to be by his side without regrets.”
“…Very well. If that’s your wish, then do so. Act as you wish.”
“Thank you, Father.”
For a temporary period, supporting his daughter’s desire to be by the Duke’s side, Count Fleure decided to willingly offer his support.
“Now it’s time for departure. I’ll be going now.”
“Take care on your journey.”
“Yes, I’ll greet him when I return. …Oh, that’s right!”
As Adel, who was about to leave after saying her farewells, seemed to remember something, she turned to him and asked.
“There was something I wanted to ask Father when I met him. While reading a manuscript I happened to come across at the Imperial Palace, there was a mention of the invitation to the royal family and our family.”
“……!”
“It was written that the Fleure family was restricted by a curse foretold by the Fairy of Flowers, and that’s why the royal family was cautious about the Fleure family. Do you happen to be aware of this, Father?”
Now, Count Fleure’s heart, which had just found some stability, sank once again to the ground with a thud.
Ex-husband Wants Reconciliation
One-line summary: Chasing the wife to the crematorium (making an effort to attract someone who has become indifferent), the female lead doesn’t look back, the second male lead takes the position.
Intro:
To repay the kindness of the older generation, Su Mu crossed into a female-dominated world and became a live-in daughter-in-law of the Yan family, single-handedly saving the Yan family from fire and water.
But her husband, Yan Jiyue, the eldest son of the Yan family, treated her with sarcasm and never showed her a good face.
It wasn’t until after Su Mu’s death that this pampered and arrogant young master shed a few fake tears and pretended to want to die for love.
This life’s kindness was enough. If there was a next life, she would definitely kick Yan Jiyue away.
Who knew that the heavens would be so kind as to allow her to be reborn, returning to the time when she had just married into the Yan family.
Su Mu glanced at the Yan eldest son, who still spoke coldly to her, and threw a divorce letter in front of him.
“Let’s divorce!”
***
Yan Jiyue never imagined that he would be reborn. He happily went to find Su Mu, wanting to make up for the mistakes he had made in his ignorant youth.
Wasn’t the reason the heavens allowed him to be reborn to let him reconcile with Su Mu?
But when he pushed open the door to Su Mu’s room, the person lying on the bed was another man.
Su Mu’s personal attendant, Xie Yi.
Yan Jiyue hated him so much that his teeth itched. In front of Su Mu, Xie Yi was a gentle and considerate whisperer of sweet nothings, but in reality, he was vicious-hearted and deliberately sabotaged their husband and wife relationship.
In the previous life, it was he who secretly hid in Su Mu’s coffin and committed suicide, stealing a step ahead of him to be buried with Su Mu.
Yan Jiyue’s eyes were filled with hatred as he cursed, “What kind of thing are you? Your background is lowly, what right do you have to occupy Su Mu?”
Xie Yi looked at the sleeping Su Mu and no longer pretended to be a whisperer of sweet nothings.
He proudly stuck out his belly, “I have the right because my belly is capable of giving the Wife-master a daughter.”
***
Yan Jiyue was consumed with jealousy. He spread rumors that Xie Yi had once been branded with the mark of a “harlot” on his chest.
But on the night Xie Yi cut off the flesh bearing that mark, Su Mu suddenly realized something was amiss.
“How did you know the exact moment I was poisoned? And why did you show up a month early?”
Xie Yi remained silent, blood from his wound soaking through his robes. His sapphire eyes brimmed with anguish – or was it just a flawless act?
Between a once-arrogant husband now seeking redemption, and a gentle soul willing to die for her – who truly held the darkest secrets? And could it be that Su Mu and Yan Jiyue weren’t the only ones given a second chance at life…?
[Reading Guide]
1. True divorce, chasing the wife to the crematorium, the female lead doesn’t look back, the male lead is Xie Yi.
2. The ex-husband did not cheat, he just realized too late and didn’t realize that he liked the female lead.
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