“I also wanted to build a good relationship with Countess Line and prepared a gift. Will you accept it?”
Countess Line’s brows furrowed.
“Are you already eager to be the mistress? Even though you are engaged, you don’t know what might happen until you get married. I thought you knew well from past experience.”
People around burst into laughter as if on cue.
Ruela felt a tingling sensation on her forehead but made an effort not to lose her smile.
“I’m aiming to be the mistress. And there won’t be a repeat of the past. The Duke of Ferimont is a good man, unlike a man who breaks up due to trivial misunderstandings and comes back.”
At Ruela’s words, the Countess Line’s eyebrows slightly raised. Curious about the phrase “trivial misunderstandings,” she loosened her expression a bit and asked.
“Is the ‘trivial misunderstanding’ referring to the incident with Cedric Kyeong?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then, is it true that nothing happened between the two?”
Ruela chuckled arrogantly.
“Yes, absolutely. Do you think I would go so far as to meet with Cedric Kyeong, even giving the appearance of siding with the Kurane royal family?”
“Then why did Master Valder declare hostilities? If nothing happened with Cedric Kyeong, there would be no reason for such a drastic move.”
“Because I rejected the proposal to get engaged. I guess he thought I would bow down if threatened in that way.”
The eyes of the Countess Line sparkled.
“Shall we talk separately for a moment?”
After seeking permission from the people around, she gestured for Ruela to follow her.
Following Countess Line, beyond the low bushes forming the outer wall, a terrace with wide-open doors to the reception room was visible.
She ordered a maid to bring tea and took a seat.
“Please sit. We’ve entertained the guests enough, so from now on, I want to enjoy a more pleasant conversation with Miss Romine.”
With a suddenly changed attitude, Ruela smiled softly again. She instructed the steward who followed with the gift package to place it nearby and took a seat opposite the countess.
Countess Line briefly observed the guests mingling in the garden.
She asked with the tea brought by the maid.
“Even though you received a hostile declaration, didn’t you consider complying with Master Valder’s demands?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Ruela, lifting the teacup provided by the countess and taking a sip, answered briefly.
“Because I didn’t want to.”
Countess Line, who was about to pick up her tea cup, paused for a moment. She soon continued to drink tea as if nothing had happened and smiled.
“What didn’t you like?”
In a tone that seemed to dismiss it as the whim of a young lady, Ruela looked straight at her.
“Do you think the current situation is normal?”
“What do you mean…”
Looking away as if she couldn’t understand, the countess sipped her tea again. Ruela spoke with a straightforward attitude.
“Everything is controlled by the Kurane royal family. Do you think it makes sense even for nobles to rely on food distribution?”
For a long time, Countess Line said nothing, only drinking tea.
Ruela didn’t speak or initiate any conversation until Countess Line brought up the topic.
Finally, Countess Line opened her mouth.
“My husband, well, Count Line, that is.”
“Yes.”
“I think there is no future in this country. I’m trying to find people who share the same sentiments, saying we can’t leave things as they are.”
“Is the lady opposed to it?”
Countess Line took a deep breath.
“That’s right. I understand my husband’s words well, but… I think it’s too dangerous.”
Ruela, aiming to break down the still cautious wall of Countess Line, continued to speak.
“Is it because of the monsters surrounding Kurane? Do you think the Kurane royal family is not ordinary humans?”
Countess Line’s eyes narrowed.
She put down her trembling teacup and looked around.
“You really are fearless. Is it because you lack wisdom, or is it because you have no fear?”
“The latter. I’ve already received a hostile declaration. What is there to be afraid of?”
Countess Line sighed once again.
After taking a deep breath for a moment, she nodded.
“It’s a well-known fact that the king is a monster. And the one who made him like that is Duke Kurane.”
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
