But the little child. Having a daughter with the black monster was completely unexpected news for him, who had been away from the Empire for three years.
He unconsciously approached the child.
Then, the child’s mother, meeting eyes with him.
With a cautious face that seemed to ask if he had any ill intentions, he was startled and took a step back.
“Oh, I’m sorry! Yes, yes! I understand. Then, we’ll stop at the Plaza shortly.”
Regaining his composure, he quickly gave orders to reorganize the carriage.
The Imperial soldiers quickly moved Lucia’s belongings.
Shortly after, the group arrived at a hotel in the central area of the capital, leaving Nia and Hees behind and heading to the Ducal Palace.
Then, a quick orientation began, including Governor Gerald’s schedule.
The first meeting with the nobles regarding the oath of allegiance, facing the servants, and arrangements for accommodation, and so on.
According to him, just assigning the large Ducal Palace and servants seemed like a full day’s schedule.
But she, who had been listening quietly, suddenly stopped responding at some point.
It was because she was busy examining the just-instructed office.
“Here is the office that the late Duke Ashford used.”
“Yes, Lady Lucia. You’ve recognized it well. Although it’s been vacant for quite some time, we’ve tried to keep it similar to what the late Duke used.”
Governor Gerald had been negotiating with the Principality for a long time, and he was on good terms with Duke Ashford.
Rather than watching the Principality crumble under Emperor Caius’s orders, he had been working on the task of rebuilding the burnt castle.
Perhaps he didn’t know that among the remaining people, Lucia might be the only one who missed the late Duke Ashford.
“…I see.”
At her hesitating words, Gerald suddenly felt a bad premonition.
“Oh, I’m sorry! If you want to change the arrangement or furniture anytime…!”
Contrary to his concerns, she slowly shook her head.
Even though there was a separate throne in the audience hall, the actual important work of turning this Principality around was done in this place. Although it was a completely new piece of furniture untouched by human hands, what mattered to her now was the space used by her daughter’s real parents.
Lucia closed her eyes as if in meditation, placing her hands on the chair like putting them on someone’s shoulder.
‘I’ll borrow this place for a moment.’
At that moment, the Great Hall of the Principality, also the Audience Room, was alive with elegant music, and in the joyful atmosphere, a man who urgently entered began looking for his master.
And among the people where laughter blossomed and various jewels adorned the owner, someone ran up and whispered.
“Viscount, Governor Gerald has arrived!”
“Oh, is that so.”
Contrary to his expectations, the owner was calm, despite the servant’s rush from the waiting room.
Certainly, three days ago, until he arrived here, the busy owner was shaking all over, checking false ledgers.
“Haha, why is your expression like that? You seem very worried!”
“But, Viscount! Surely, if the black monster comes, please warn us…”
“Oh! Black monster! What a word! My lord! Tsk, tsk, why can’t you read the atmosphere? His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, is so friendly that he’s hosting such a lively party for three days. The one who co-hosted this party with him must have similar intentions! Hahaha!”
The greedy superior began to tremble with his laughter.
Clearly, compared to the appearance three days ago when he received an invitation like a death sentence from the Crown Prince, who was conducting all kinds of investigations, it was a completely different appearance.
And other nobles were no different.
Especially, the desire-filled laughter of women with thick makeup was incessant.
“Hoho! I was worried that a tyrant might not be pleased with the word ‘conquest,’ but it seems I misunderstood! How did you introduce such charming items that fit my taste so well!”
In her hands, there were accessories filled with numerous jewels.
As if, recognizing that they all gathered like parasites sucking on their prey once Lucia became the queen, who became a queen for the same reason.
In fact, it was quite reasonable to think so.
As the beginning of that reason, the Imperial Crown Prince appeared with jewel merchants demanded by the Empire.
He hosted a party with Lucia’s name and invited all the nobles who claimed to have some property in the Principality.
As a result, the Audience Room was now a very cheerful place, like the mayor’s office in any peaceful village.
So, the host of the party stood on the wide staircase overlooking the first floor and raised his glass.
“Well, it seems that the precious protagonist will appear soon. Let’s all welcome the new owner of this land who has created this lively gathering!”
A stage fitting this glamorous stage, truly enchanting laughter.
Everyone started lifting their glasses as if intoxicated by the provocative and graceful smile that was more tempting than anyone in this rustic Principality.
“For His Imperial Highness! For a new future!”
A loud response and a shower of applause.
As the Crown Prince descended from the stage like a prince, many women rushed towards him.
“Oh, why were you so cheerful last time? I was so scared that I couldn’t even talk. Hehe.”
“Yes, that’s right. You deliberately gave us a chance to buy such rare jewels. Maybe it’s because of the rumors, we were quite gloomy!”
The Crown Prince smiled gently as if empathizing with their words.
Then, the name that came out of the mouths of the even more excited women.
“Lord Jared and Sir Autumn should have come too! You would surely regret missing this joyful party!”
Amidst such lively laughter, the Crown Prince spoke with a smile.
“That’s true. They are the most delightful company.”
“Hohoho, really? Yes?”
Skillfully avoiding her suspicion as if mishearing, the Crown Prince simply smiled and slightly lowered his gaze in greeting.
“I would be delighted if you enjoy it even more. Beautiful ladies.”
“Oh my! Hohohoho!”
Receiving hospitality from such a handsome man, it was truly a happy day for these ladies.
However, at that moment,
[Dashing] Bbaengbbara night! Bbaengbam~With a grand sound, the door opened, bringing a cold winter breeze.
All the ladies shivered in the chilly wind, but someone breathed in the refreshing cold air as if finally catching their breath.
Like a pink cherry blossom tree preparing to bloom in the spring breeze.
‘Welcome, I have prepared for you. My queen.’
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.”
