“The peach-flavored liquor was incredibly sweet.
Certainly, with just the ‘taste,’ it was impossible to distinguish something inside.
But as soon as I took a sip, the magical core inside me began a fervent detoxification process.
‘It doesn’t seem to be venomous, given that it’s not difficult to handle… Is it the type that clouds the mind?’
It was regrettable that due to the evaporating wind entering my body, I couldn’t immediately figure out what it was.
“How do you find it, Your Highness?”
“Sweet. Have a sip yourself.”
“Ahaha, how could I do that.”
As Sukrel extended the glass he was holding, he laughed and brushed it off.
‘The dream wasn’t good, was it a warning about this?’
It was cute, I said it was cute, but it crawls up not so cute.
I casually took another sip. Sukrel, with sparkling eyes, was staring at me intensely, and it felt quite uncomfortable not knowing what effect he was expecting.
“I’m not feeling well inside, so I’ll take a short walk alone.”
“Ah, it’s dangerous alone.”
“If the main palace with the emperor is dangerous, where else would be safe, Gabriel?”
“Ah… well, that’s true, but….”
Gabriel, who had foolishly stepped forward to look, mumbled and stepped back, shrinking in size.
I noticed a bit too late that Gabriel was holding a flute tightly in both hands.
“Are you going to play the flute?”
“Ah…! W-well, yes.”
“Is it used for training animals?”
“Th-that’s, similar, yes.”
Surprising. He knows how to play.
‘And he even brought the flute?’
Of course, occasionally, aristocrats who were confident in their musical abilities would bring instruments like violins or harps to social gatherings. The social gathering was long, and socializing didn’t only happen inside the banquet hall. Conversations also took place in the lounge or billiard room, where aristocrats often had their children play music.
It was mainly a display of ‘my child has this level of talent and culture.’
Well, sometimes it was also brought to play for a loved one.
So, if Gabriel had talent with the flute, it wouldn’t be strange that he brought it, but… that shy guy? Going out of his way to seek attention?
I fiddled with the pouch hanging from my wrist for a moment, then turned my body while still holding the glass.
‘Yeah, let’s go. This is the chance.’
Shailo got caught by a crowd of young ladies who swarmed like clouds when he went to get drinks.
Enrique seemed to lack energy or something, as he remained motionless in his seat, and Therion, with a face tired of people, went out to the lounge a while ago.
“Be careful, Your Highness.”
“Sure.”
Sukrel greeted me with a playful charm, and Merem silently followed behind me.
However, I decisively shook my head.
“I said I would go alone.”
“But Leo, it’s dangerous.”
“That damn danger! It’s so annoying; don’t say more today. I won’t listen.”
“If an assassin appears…”
“I said no. If you follow, I’ll get angry, so you should know that.”
It’s a play, but why am I the one getting hurt by Merem’s mean words?
‘It’s not right to talk to Merem like this.’
Yet, he seems indifferent, and I’m the only one flinching.
I sighed and quickly left the place.
On the way out, I didn’t forget to wipe my eyes as if crying.
‘Now, let’s see who will approach me.’
Perhaps due to the alcohol, the migraine that had quieted down started to throb again.
Whoever it is, it would be better if the person who confronts me today doesn’t have thoughts of dying gracefully.
Merem, left alone, wasted no time and moved to the terrace.
With her walking speed, it wouldn’t take long to reach the garden.
I should have arrived at the terrace in advance not to miss her movements.
Of course, even if I missed it, I could send a spirit to quickly find her, but… watching her walk was one of his small pleasures.
An upright posture that didn’t bend an inch. A slightly raised chin and a gaze that laid the world beneath her.
Describing it as arrogant wasn’t enough.
It seemed natural from the moment she was born.
Merem saw such Leonarda when she was younger and soon began to wish to become like her.
All the majesty he exuded was learned from her.
From the smallest steps to the gaze, gestures, and speech.
But there was still one aspect that he hadn’t become like her.
That was nothing other than the cautious heart.
“……Leo.”
Leaning against the railing, a dazzling blonde entered my sight.
She stood taller than anyone else but desired not only to be held up.
Describing it as dignified.
Leonarda knew how to beg, knew how to love, and knew how to embrace.
That’s why she wasn’t a ruler.
Her identity was the one who governed, the one who made others willingly follow.
Since gaining magical power, Merem has shone even more brightly, making him occasionally feel stifled.
I just wanted to love her, but my love felt too meager.
I couldn’t figure out how to rightfully stand by her side.
I could cut the devil’s throat threatening her or tear out its magical core.
Even if it meant turning the blood upside down in the process, it didn’t matter.
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.”
