‘[Dash] …Yes. Just fulfill your duties as the Duchess, as per our contract.’
The image of Idel nodding without a word at his answer crossed his mind. Her complexion was dark, like the crescent moon—perhaps due to being restricted to the role and duties of a contract Duchess.
Last night, when he visited the Duchess’s room, she had asked to add a supplementary clause, drawing a line in their contractual relationship. Her gaze and expression were firm, as if she was protecting herself.
‘Love for her very existence…’
A glimpse of the woman’s past, who had not been properly loved, flashed through his mind. Would his love for such a woman be a boon or a bane?
Caeron, silently observing the fly floating on the water, appeared tranquil.
However, like the movements of the fish below the surface, his eyes swirled with complex emotions.
The dining room, where the evening meal was served, was silent except for the sound of dishes clinking.
Idel, sitting across from Caeron, hesitated before speaking.
“You went fly fishing with Sir Shade today.”
“Yes, it just crossed my mind.”
Upon hearing his reply, Idel moistened her lips. She recalled what Gregory had said.
‘[Dash] Actually, His Grace goes fly fishing when he’s restless or frustrated.’
‘Something restless or frustrating…’
Could it be because of me?
That was her concern all afternoon. Idel cautiously glanced at Caeron’s face.
“Do you have something to say?”
“Well…”
As Caeron stared at her intently, she averted her gaze.
If he felt uncomfortable because of her refusal to share a bed last night… he couldn’t be in a good mood. It wasn’t an appropriate time to bring up the topic of her sewing business.
With various thoughts swirling in her head, Idel slowly exhaled.
“If you have something to say, feel free to speak.”
For a moment, he looked at her, then opened his mouth.
“I am ready to listen, not as the Duchess… but to you, Idel.”
“……!”
His voice was so soft it felt almost sweet. Idel’s eyes, which had slightly widened in surprise, met Caeron’s.
‘Could it be that he wasn’t upset or angry…?’
Contrary to that, Caeron’s face, adorned with a faint smile, appeared as composed as ever—a stark contrast to her own anxious state since last night.
Relief washed over her at the sight of him, but for some reason, a conflicting emotion arose alongside it. Too strange to admit to herself as disappointment, Idel chose to deliberately ignore it.
She focused solely on the flood control project they’d intended to discuss.
“I heard that not only did the duchy’s trade business suffer damage from the recent storm, but the western outskirts of the capital have also been hit hard.”
“Yes, that area is prone to such damage around this time.”
“What if we undertake a flood control project, constructing canals and embankments in the western outskirts?”
Idel explained the overview and effectiveness of the flood control project she had in mind. Caeron quickly understood her intent behind pushing for the project.
“Though it may exceed the scope of what you’re considering for the duchy’s budget, I want to help the lives of the citizens, regardless of the territory I oversee.”
Idel conveyed her opinion to Caeron, her slightly trembling hands revealing her tension.
“I won’t oppose what you aim to do. Especially when it’s for the citizens of the Eupiter Empire, there’s no reason to oppose.”
With a soothing tone, Caeron eased the rigid Idel. Taking courage from his response, she added her thoughts.
“Investment for the flood control project would be expedited with your support. If you could take the forefront, we could attract investors much faster.”
Caeron pondered briefly upon seeing Idel’s earnest eyes.
To be honest, it would be quicker and easier for him to invest his own wealth than to attract other investors.
‘But that’s not what she wants.’
Had he been his former self, he wouldn’t have bothered with the cumbersome task of gathering investments.
[Dash] Offer her something that would catch her interest and make her happy.He considered following Shade’s advice to cast a bait to win her heart.
[Dash] Not as the duchess, but make her feel she is loved for being Idel herself.He intended to express it towards her without hesitation, even if it was love with underlying intentions. After all, the reason for keeping her by his side was clear.
She was not the kind of woman who would be pleased with materialistic gifts like jewelry and dresses. So, catering to her wishes was the fastest way to win her heart.
“Gladly. If that’s what you wish for, then so be it.”
“Really?”
In disbelief, Idel widened her eyes at Caeron’s answer. Her complexion brightened instantly.
“Prepare the investment proposal. I’ll arrange for the investment presentation soon.”
“I’ve prepared a draft. I’ll send it over by tomorrow.”
“Though I’ll gather investors under my name, you will be the one to present during the investment presentation.”
“…Me?”
“Because it’s your idea. And I want to show you off.”
“Show off…me?”
“Yes, you who are so extraordinary and brilliant.”
“…!”
Flustered, Idel averted her eyes as they locked onto the man who was warmly smiling at her. Her pale earlobes flushed red.
A skilled fisherman had begun casting to capture a woman’s heart.
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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