As Sephia hesitated,
“Ah, don’t do that.”
“Come here. Quickly.”
She turned at the sound of unfamiliar voices, a man and a woman talking amidst rustling bushes.
‘Is there a problem?’
Could it be that in the dark woods, a woman was being harassed?
Sephia was about to head in that direction when Roxan stopped her.
“Why…….”
“Shh, if we go now, we’ll be intruding.”
It took her a few seconds to understand his words.
At this hour, the only reason for being in the garden was a lovers’ tryst.
True to his words, soon enough, embarrassing noises began to emerge from beyond the bushes.
‘What a foolish thing to do….’
Embarrassed at having witnessed such a scene, Sephia’s face flushed red.
For her, a lover was a memory of childhood.
Even though she married Demios, she had never experienced secret meetings or excitement.
So, misunderstanding like this wasn’t strange.
However, it was a personal issue; how it appeared to others was uncertain.
Roxan didn’t mock her. Instead,
“This place is perfect for creating rumors.”
He embraced Sephia.
Only when his solid chest touched her cheek did she realize she was in his arms.
Looking up, she saw Roxan smiling playfully.
“We can’t be outdone, can we?”
“What…….”
As she was flustered, another presence approached from behind.
It wasn’t the sound from the bushes but another pair of lovers entering the secluded part of the garden.
Their footsteps approached, and just before their voices became audible, Roxan lifted Sephia’s chin.
“Stay still like this.”
They were so close that from behind, it might look like they were kissing.
A scandal born of necessity.
Wasn’t this what she wanted?
Their lips remained tantalizingly close, maintaining a small gap.
The footsteps of the couple who had seen the Empress and the Duke halted abruptly, then turned and walked away.
Only when their sounds faded did Sephia and Roxan remain still, lips close but not touching.
The scandal would spread quickly.
A day? No, not even half a day.
“The night has gotten colder.”
Roxan was the first to lift his head.
Their lips parted, but Sephia was still in his embrace.
Until the lights of the banquet hall went out one by one.
On the fifth day of the Victory Festival,
The banquet hall buzzed with the scandal about the Empress and the Duke.
Two days ago, they left the hall together and were seen kissing in the night garden.
The next day, to confirm the rumors, the Empress danced the first dance with the Duke.
After the dance, they stayed close together throughout the evening.
Today, Sephia attended the banquet with Roxan again.
The festival was nearing its end, and the hall should have been quieting down, but the scandal rekindled interest.
The Duke’s manner towards the Empress was like that of a long-time lover.
Consequently, the rumor about the Empress inviting different men every night also changed.
The Duke would not tolerate any male approaching the Empress.
Given this situation, the nobles had no choice but to glance alternately at the Emperor and the Empress.
Especially the Emperor, who seemed visibly displeased.
“He’s still watching.”
Roxan glanced sideways as he stood facing Sephia.
At the end of his gaze stood Demios.
The Emperor was pretending not to, but he was indeed watching Sephia.
Beside the Emperor, glaring at the Empress, stood his consort, who bore his name.
The consort was trying hard to capture the Emperor’s attention. As his gaze shifted, she smiled brightly.
Demios responded to her smiling face by kissing her forehead and then headed to the dance floor with her.
Watching the Emperor and his consort, Sephia grew increasingly perplexed.
‘Why are they acting like this?’
The Emperor had shown little reaction to the rumors surrounding Sephia.
Was he just reluctant to pass on something he once possessed?
It felt like being treated as an ambiguous ornament, which was unpleasant.
“I’d like to get some fresh air.”
“Let’s go to the balcony.”
To avoid the piercing gazes, Sephia and Roxan headed to the balcony.
The balcony was also a typical spot for secret meetings.
However, no such events took place.
Simple conversation.
Sipping lightly on champagne.
Standing in the cold night air, looking up at the sky was all they did.
It had been a long time since she had such a relaxed conversation.
Having committed the act, the reaction of the nobles no longer bothered her as much.
‘It might even be better for Demios this way.’
Even if someone has the Emperor’s name, taking a consort as royalty would attract criticism.
If the Empress also had another man, the disapproving gazes would be divided.
Sephia reached for the champagne.
Her empty glass was promptly filled by the hand already holding the bottle.
“Do you enjoy drinking?”
“No, but I felt like having some today.”
The pale ivory liquid bubbled pleasantly.
It had been a long time since she had enjoyed alcohol.
A bit more wouldn’t hurt, she thought.
Sephia filled his glass as well.
“Thank you for your help. I hope it’s not too much trouble for you.”
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
