“I will make time to compile a new gift list for you. It will focus on art pieces that Mother has wanted. Take a look at that next time.”
In the refined and dignified conversation between the two, the queen forgot what she wanted to say. The queen was flustered by Aaron confidently demanding her daughter with a bribe. But to advise giving another bribe, it was her daughter. The astonished queen couldn’t close her mouth. Watching the situation from the side, the king let out a discreet sigh. Regardless of the awkwardness of the royal couple, their elegant conversation continued.
“Thank you for the kind advice of Princess Ioenti. If I had known earlier, it would have been nice. I am truly at a loss about what to do with the gift I prepared today.”
“Just leave it to me for now. You went through the trouble of preparing it, so it would be a waste not to use it.”
“Ah. Will you? I was worried about how to convey it since the queen might refuse.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll find a chance to put it in the Ioenti royal jewel safe.”
The queen looked at the two talking casually and put her hand on her forehead. What she had worried about and felt anxious about until now seemed to become meaningless. While soothing her forehead, she remembered the question she had raised, worried about her daughter’s situation. The answer she hadn’t heard. Now, Delia’s answer seemed to be clearly visible.
A cheek dyed in the color of pale roses.
Eyes bluer than the sky.
An irresistible smile on red lips.
Delia was answering with her whole body. The queen realized a new fact and let out a disappointed sigh.
Del doesn’t need to worry.
Even in such a situation, confidently accepting a bribe.
Even in such a situation, clearly accepting a bribe like that.
Unknowingly, the meal was heading towards its midpoint.
In the quiet ambiance where only the candle flames flickered, the meal continued with the four individuals at the table.
Amid the meal proceeding without any changes like the calm surface of a lake, the most significant change was seen in the queen’s gaze.
Just before starting, the queen’s eyes were moist with a vague emotion.
When the banquet began, she couldn’t erase the embarrassment at Aaron’s brazen words.
Now, she just stared at Delia and Aaron with a blank expression.
Aaron and Delia.
Representing both nations in a strategic marriage, their postures were upright, and their tones carried dignity.
However, the currents between them were more secretive and subtle than ever, to the extent that no one could dare to interfere.
“Commander.”
“Why do you address me like that, Princess?”
“Wasn’t it difficult to pass the peace treaty between the two nations?”
“It wasn’t a challenging task.”
Aaron nonchalantly replied, skillfully cutting the meat placed in front of him.
“Weren’t there opposing opinions in the Empire?”
Aaron shrugged and uttered in a haughty tone.
“The position of a commander holds more authority than the princess may think.”
“Is that so?”
“The treaty signing section, I signed at the top and sent it. As the commander, I made my intentions clear. There was no way to oppose it.”
“It’s fortunate that the peace treaty between the two nations was concluded without significant friction.”
“So, don’t worry and proceed with your meal. The food isn’t decreasing at all.”
Even while discussing the weighty matter of the situation between the two nations, their conversation spread like the fragrant scent of flowers, gentle and sweet.
Aaron skillfully offered a plate with finely cut meat.
Delia naturally accepted the dish and continued the conversation.
“Commander, you have worked hard to reconcile the opinions of both sides.”
“The princess has also put a lot of effort into drafting the treaty, reflecting the conditions of both sides.”
“Father assisted, so it wasn’t so difficult.”
“I had my brother’s support, so it wasn’t that challenging either.”
Although I can’t know the intentions behind such actions.
Aaron barely managed to suppress growing suspicions and changed the topic.
“Since the peace treaty has peacefully concluded, we should now prepare for what comes next, shouldn’t we?”
“What comes next?”
“How about planning the wedding? I will arrange it as you wish, Princess.”
At the mention of the wedding, Delia’s face slightly stiffened.
After hesitating for a moment, Delia whispered in a lower voice.
“It doesn’t seem like the right time to discuss that yet.”
“We should prepare in advance to proceed swiftly. Do you have any dress you want to try on or any gifts you’d like to receive in mind?”
“I haven’t thought about those yet…”
Delia, sensing the atmosphere, Aaron’s gaze followed Delia.
“Speak freely about anything. The Bergen Ducal House is not so impoverished that it needs to save on wedding expenses.”
“Well, that…”
While Delia hesitated, the queen spoke up.
“I haven’t given my permission yet, Viscount.”
Aaron and Delia, as if returning to reality just now, halted their conversation.
Both turned their heads simultaneously to look at the queen.
The gaze from both pairs of eyes was as poignant as forcibly tearing them apart.
There seemed to be a hint of resentment.
Aaron erased the gaze directed at Delia, straightened his posture, and addressed the queen.
“Eleanor Queen.”
The tone was vastly different from when he looked at Delia.
With a low and chilly voice of the viscount, the atmosphere of the dinner froze instantly.
As Aaron opened his mouth slowly, dominating the air in the hall with just the act of calling her name.
“I, as the Supreme Commander who led the conquest war against the Southern Three Nations for the Strelitz Empire, attacked and led to victory against Iorenti.”
Aaron’s sharp and intense gray eyes were unwaveringly fixed on the queen.
“There is neither an intention to apologize nor justify for that. It was something I had to do as the Supreme Commander of the Empire.”
There was no regret for what he had done in the past.
It was his best effort.
“I fully understand the worries and anxieties of Queen Eleanor regarding that matter.”
Although there was discontent, he did not hold any grudges against the queen.
As a queen, she must have done her best as well.
But now, the time had come to reach a conclusion.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
