The date for the Duke’s wedding was confirmed. It was a week ahead of the Duchess’s university entrance. With only about a month left, the Duke’s servants were in a rush.
They had to hold the ceremony in the Duke’s chapel and continue to the postceremony celebration. As it was an event visited by nobles from all over the empire, including the emperor, everyone put their hearts into preparations.
Especially because they were hosting the Duke, who they served unfailingly, no slackness was allowed. Marilyn took care of internal affairs and event preparation, while Gregory handled external guest relations and audience management.
“Ms. Idel, here are the budget details related to the construction.”
“We’ve prepared a list of dignitaries attending the wedding and the invitation’s content. Ah, and this is the expense report from the duchy.”
“Yes, thank you. Leave them there.”
Idel, Marilyn, and Gregory, who gathered in the Duchess’s office, were conducting various tasks centered around wedding preparations.
Marilyn and Gregory had been managing the household and administration in lieu of the busy Duke, but now the prospective Duchess filled that role with them.
“How fortunate that Ms. Idel is here.”
Gregory looked at Idel, who was carefully inspecting the documents on the desk, with a gleam in his eyes.
Since it usually took an age to get the Duke’s approval due to his busyness, he was grateful for the prospective Duchess who processed documents quickly and meticulously.
Marilyn, too, was admiring the broad knowledge and exceptional talent of the prospective Duchess. She had perfectly mastered the guideline for the Duchess and was smoothly processing the administration work that Gregory had been handling.
“A message came earlier. His Majesty said the meeting will be prolonged today and he’ll be late.”
Gregory informed them of the news from the Duke. At the mention of Caeron, Idel paused in the midst of sorting the documents.
“It seems we’ll have to dine without the Duke tonight.”
Marilyn looked regretful, recalling the Duke who she hadn’t seen all day due to his departure early in the morning. The mealtime was the only opportunity for the busy Duke and prospective Duchess to meet.
Even the surprise at the Duke’s affectionate care for the prospective Duchess had been temporary, and the servants began to look forward to mealtime secretly.
“It can’t be helped. I’m okay.”
Idel gave a faint smile, as if to comfort Marilyn’s regretful expression.
“We have a lot of work too, so it’s better to eat something simple. Could you bring something suitable to the office, so there’s no need for you to go through the trouble of preparing?”
“Yes, I understand. Please wait a moment.”
Marilyn left to prepare the meal, and Idel began to move the hand holding the documents again. Her eyes were directed at the papers, but her gaze slid off the text.
‘What on earth is this feeling?’
It was strange. She was relieved not to see him face to face… Yet the feeling was somewhat unpleasant.
After the dinner invited by the Emperor, Idel found it uncomfortable to face Caeron. Therefore, she had intentionally avoided situations where she might encounter him.
It wasn’t due to the anxiety stemming from his unfathomable demeanor as before. On the contrary, his expressions revealing his feelings more clearly plunged her into unfamiliar unease.
‘Why… It’s just a contract…’
They were to part ways after three years. It would’ve been appropriate to maintain a certain distance for a temporary relationship. Moreover, she thought that with the Duke’s temperament, he would surely act that way.
But.
I fell for her. At first sight. To my Duchess.
As the words he uttered during the last dinner came to mind, Idel’s eyelashes fluttered minutely.
Even now… I am quite smitten with her.
The warmth that had seeped between her fingers remained unforgotten. The hot sensation that reached the inner side of her wrist soon came to mind, and unknowingly, she gently stroked the spot where his lips had touched.
With her ears reddening unknowingly, she hastily shook her head lightly.
‘Don’t be swayed… like a fool.’
The demeanor he exhibited before the emperor and Roselin… It was clear that it would be the same courtesy towards the Duchess, as he had shown in front of the servants of the Ducal House. It was nothing more than his consideration to hide the contractual relationship.
Biting his lip, he tried to refocus on his work.
‘Get a hold of yourself. Focus on the Duchess’s work.’
But her mind was already filled.
With thoughts about him, falling in without end…
[This is the time separator]A thin stream of light seeped through the Duchess’s office door. Worried about the prospective Duchess working until late, Marlene lingered at the door.
Concerned that she might fall sick due to the drastic temperature difference, Marlene reached out to open the office door with a blanket in her hands. At that moment, she turned her head at the sound of approaching footsteps.
“Your Grace!”
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.”
