My Husband Was Stolen Twice (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
Roje placed one hand over her chest and bowed her head toward Grand Duke Arteum.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Grand Duke Arteum glanced toward Eric, who stood alone in the distance, then extended his hand to Roje.
“Come.”
He seemed to have realized that Eric wouldn’t escort Roje. Roje stared blankly at Grand Duke Arteum’s outstretched hand.
Eric, watching them from afar, furrowed his brows uncomfortably. He was infuriated by the sight of Grand Duke Arteum touching what he considered his own. How dare he lay a hand on his possession…
In one swift stride, he stepped forward, blocking the duke’s path and snatching Roje’s left wrist.
“Ugh.”
Pain shot through her wrist. The injury Eric had caused earlier throbbed anew. Roje bit down hard on her lower lip and frowned.
“You seem quite interested in my woman, Your Grace.”
Eric’s voice sounded polite but laced with sharp barbs.
Yet, when the duke’s cold, unreadable eyes locked onto him, Eric found himself flinching involuntarily.
Grand Duke Arteum shifted his gaze from Eric to Roje—more precisely, to her wrist.
‘She’s injured.’
Roje’s trembling hand shook faintly.
“Since you seemed far too uninterested.”
The duke, in a flat tone, snatched Eric’s hand away. Eric, who had been holding Roje, released her wrist.
Relieved of the pain, Roje gently rubbed her wrist and caught her breath.
“What do you think you’re doing? Let go.”
Why was his grip so strong? She tried pulling her arm free with all her might, but couldn’t escape easily.
At that moment, the duke’s eyes met Roje’s. He seemed to be staring intently at her wrist for some reason.
‘Could it be… he knew I was hurt and did it on purpose?’
She had deliberately kept quiet and endured the pain to avoid drawing attention, but Roje shook her head.
‘That can’t be.’
In the story, he wasn’t the thoughtful type at all. Quite the contrary—he was cruel and vicious.
She never expected such a man would notice her injury, let alone step in to help her.
“Thank you for the invitation. My wife and I will enjoy ourselves before leaving.”
Eric, finally managing to shake off the duke’s hand, growled, unable to hide his hostility toward the duke.
Grand Duke Arteum faintly lifted the corner of his mouth and took a step closer to Eric.
“Count. You see, there are times when a man must sheathe his claws to achieve his purpose.”
The duke whispered into Eric’s ear, his icy eyes fixed on him.
“You’re still just a greenhorn.”
Eric’s eyes momentarily lost focus and wavered. Though furious at the duke’s mocking words, he couldn’t utter a single retort under the duke’s overwhelming presence—only swallowing hard.
Grand Duke Arteum lightly brushed off Eric’s shoulder twice, then gripped it firmly.
The strength in his grasp was so intense that Eric nearly let out an undignified sound despite himself.
“Be careful.”
The duke, his lips curled faintly on one side, gave Eric a chilling look as he murmured,
“If you ever cast that look at me again, I’ll pluck out your eyes before you or anyone else notices.”
Eric’s ears prickled at the duke’s icy tone. It didn’t sound like an empty threat—he truly believed the duke would blind him.
Eric stood frozen in place, unable to speak. Grand Duke Arteum turned his back on him with those final words.
Unable to utter a word in front of the duke, Eric finally let out a resentful mutter only after the duke had walked away.
“How utterly ridiculous.”
Ironically, though he muttered a quiet curse, Eric’s expression remained rigid.
Even after the duke released him, his shoulder still ached. Rubbing his shoulder, Eric clenched his fists and trembled in frustration.
“Since you’ll be dead soon… I’ll let it slide.”
Truthfully, Eric held no particular ill will toward the duke. After all, the duke cared only about women and power. But Eric desperately wanted proper recognition from his parents.
Just as Eric’s parents had killed the Former Emperor and Former Empress, Eric now sought to carry out their will by killing their son—the duke.
Though he held the title of count, Eric had yet to earn genuine recognition for his abilities.
But if he succeeded in this mission, he would finally stand on his own as a true count—not just in his parents’ eyes, but in his own.
After standing still for a long while, Eric suddenly turned sharply and glared at Roje.
“You, come back and see me.”
Was he taking out his frustration on Roje? Without reason, he raised his voice and stormed off into the banquet hall with an angry huff.
“Yes, yes. By all means.”
Roje watched his retreating figure with a look of pity and muttered under her breath. Then she headed into the banquet hall herself.
Upon entering, Roje’s eyes widened in astonishment. She had always thought the count’s estate was splendid, but the duke’s mansion was lavishly opulent beyond comparison.
Numerous nobles had already gathered in small groups, chatting merrily. As Roje entered, they glanced her way and stared.
The count paid her no heed, busy whispering with noble young ladies.
No one approached her. They merely whispered among themselves about Roje.
“How did she even get here?”
“She probably followed the count around like a chick.”
“Poor thing. Would anyone want to live like that?”
“I couldn’t live like that. She must have no pride at all.”
Roje, standing alone, looked around the hall, wondering whom she might talk to. But the guests ignored her completely—even when their eyes met, they quickly turned their heads away as if they’d seen something unpleasant.
‘It’s harder to start a conversation than I thought.’
Roje, who had intended to approach them first, realized firsthand that high society was far from easygoing.
‘Standing here awkwardly is embarrassing. Maybe I should grab something to eat first.’
She walked over to the table laden with finger foods and drinks and picked up a cocktail and some food.
As it was practically her debutante event, Roje had been quite nervous and hadn’t properly eaten until now.
‘Delicious.’
She chewed contentedly, a satisfied smile on her lips. Perhaps due to the day’s stress and tension, she craved something sweet.
Deciding it was more natural to explore the surroundings while eating than just standing still, Roje picked up a few more desserts.
Then, raising the glass she’d been drinking from to quench her thirst,
“It’s empty.”
The glass was completely dry—she hadn’t even noticed when she’d finished it. Roje set the empty glass down and reached for another cocktail.
Just as she stretched out her hand to take a glass,
“Thank you.”
She thanked the person who had offered her the drink and looked up—only to freeze at the sight of the man’s face.
She had intended to casually start a conversation while expressing her gratitude, but…
‘Why is he here again?’
The one who had handed her the glass was none other than Grand Duke Arteum.
Roje felt deeply uneasy around the duke. He frightened her, and she simply didn’t want to get involved with him.
Unaware of Roje’s discomfort, the duke showed no sign of leaving.
“Whose preference is that?”
“Huh? Oh, you mean this cocktail?”
Roje lightly swirled the cocktail in her hand and looked up at the duke.
“No. Not the glass.”
The duke tapped twice lightly on Roje’s left wrist as he spoke. Her wrist was clearly swollen. He stared silently at her hand.
‘Did he know I was injured?’
So, had he really helped me back then?
Roje set down her cocktail glass and gently touched her wrist. The situation had been unclear before, but now she realized—he truly had helped her.
Taken aback by the duke’s unexpected kindness, Roje stammered out a grateful apology.
“Thank you earlier—for catching me when I almost fell from the carriage…”
And for freeing me from my husband’s grip.
She trailed off and looked at the duke, not feeling the need to elaborate further on her personal matters.
Though the duke didn’t hear her unfinished words, he seemed to understand what she’d wanted to say. Without pressing further, he smoothly changed the subject.
“How did you know the Tears of Luna were fake?”
Roje was momentarily flustered by the duke’s sudden question. After all, she only knew because she’d read it in the novel. Rolling her eyes nervously, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
“Well… the real Tears of Luna shimmer with a reddish hue when reflecting light. That… that wasn’t very visible.”
What nonsense was she spouting? Roje anxiously glanced at the duke, embarrassed by her own rambling.
“A reddish hue?”
He stared at her incredulously. Under his meaningful gaze, Roje’s heart began pounding uncontrollably.
She’d only vaguely recalled a phrase and blurted it out, yet he was looking at her like that.
‘Did I say something wrong?’
Her heart felt as if it might collapse any second. Her eyelashes fluttered as she forced an awkward smile.
The duke regarded her with half-lidded eyes. She wished more than anything to escape right then.
She had a sinking feeling that the ripple from the little white lie she’d told to get out of that moment might be bigger than she’d anticipated.
‘…I just want to be alone.’
Please.
She wished the duke would leave, but he showed no sign of going. Like a baby bird trembling, Roje watched for any chance to slip away from him.
Just then, music signaling the start of a waltz began to play. Seizing the opportunity, Roje bowed politely to the duke.
“Well, I should be off.”
Thinking she’d finally be free of him, Roje looked down at the duke’s hand holding hers—and realized,
The world doesn’t bend to your will as easily as you’d hope.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
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