“Yes. You reached level 15 today, right? Although they are lower grade, I can make potions for treating illnesses. I’m not sure if they’ll be effective, but please take them with you.”
Kite looked at the vials for a moment and then raised his gaze. Seeing that she had gone to the trouble of making these potions, she seemed just like her usual self.
Kite nodded, thinking that he had been overly sensitive.
“Thank you. I hope they work, even if it means reading your intentions.”
“When will you leave?”
Kite, who had thought he was being too sensitive, nodded.
“Thank you. I hope it works, even if it means looking into your heart.”
“When are you leaving?”
“I’ll be leaving in a little while.”
Luella still had a puzzled expression as she smiled brightly at Kite.
“Take care…”
She was saying her goodbyes when Cozette entered the dining room.
She greeted Kite with a curtsy and sought his permission.
“Your Highness, pardon my intrusion. I came to see the young lady, and I didn’t know you were here. Have I disturbed you?”
“No, don’t worry about it.”
Cozette turned to Luella and asked,
“Miss, have you finished your meal? If you’re still eating, I’ll come back later.”
“No, I was saying my farewells because His Highness is going to Helaene.”
“Is something wrong?”
Kite shook his head in response to Cozette’s concern.
“No, I’m just going to recruit an advisor.”
“Good news. I wanted to tell the young lady that I’ve finished the clothes you might need in a hurry. Would you like to try them on?”
Earlier that morning, before setting off on the hunt, Luella had hastily handed her measurements to Cozette. Luella stood up from her seat.
“Let’s go quickly.”
She was happy about the clothes, but she felt more burdened by Kite’s constant scrutiny.
“Then, Your Grace, have a safe journey. I shall take my leave now.”
Luella followed Cozette and bowed her head in respect. Kite’s brow furrowed again, but she decided not to pay it any mind.
“Go, Cozette. I’m so glad I can finally get out of these bloodstained clothes.”
“Wow, is this your everyday attire? It’s so pretty; you could wear it to a party, couldn’t you?”
Luella touched the light lavender dress hanging on the mannequin, which had a design that offset the monotony with floral patterns in a pale pink color matching her hair.
“Do you like it? It seems you like shades of blue. His Grace also mentioned that he liked the wallpaper color in the sitting room.”
Luella pouted.
“How did you know that?”
“Since the young lady is interested, you must have found out, right? His Grace also asked if you could change the curtains and carpet in your bedroom. How was it?”
“It was fine.”
“Oh, by the way, is there anything that His Grace is upset about? He was quite worried earlier.”
“Upset? Not really… I just felt a bit distant.”
Why was she having this conversation with someone she had hardly seen a few times? But maybe it was because she had been feeling frustrated lately, she found herself speaking without stopping.
“I don’t have any family or friends here. That’s why I came here and met such nice people. I’m really grateful.”
“But it didn’t seem that way after you settled in?”
Cozette, who looked like she was in her late thirties, strangely had a charm that could put people at ease.
Luella slumped onto the sofa in Cozette’s workshop on the third floor and grumbled.
“They’re all busy, I know. But I’m in a hurry too. Of course, I know I shouldn’t be upset just because they didn’t follow my words without explaining the situation. But when they said their opinions took priority over mine, it made me so frustrated and sad.”
Cozette smiled as she sat down on the opposite side.
“It’s like a fight between lovers.”
“It’s not like that. I’ve only been here for three days and haven’t met anyone other than Kite, Hazen, and Tienne.”
“Miss, as you may know, the people here are busier than anyone else.”
Cozette spoke vaguely, not addressing anyone in particular.
“I know.”
“From a young age, they were educated to prioritize responsibility and duty above all else.”
Luella nodded silently. She knew, but it still hurt.
“I know that too. It’s not like we’re talking about things like ‘let’s chat often’ or ‘let’s hang out together.’ This is a matter of life and death.”
Cozette’s eyes widened.
“Life and death?”
Luella quickly lowered her head, realizing she had carelessly brought up the topic.
“I meant it’s just that this mission is so important. Cozette, you roughly understand, right? You know what we’re trying to do.”
“Yes, I’ve heard about it. That’s why I think it’s remarkable. But before discussing such important matters, His Grace is also the ruler of Leor. Because of that, Her Majesty the Empress is very concerned. I heard that the budget for the second half of the year hasn’t been approved yet, and that’s causing problems. Her Majesty believes that if we can get it passed quickly, we can resolve not only tax issues and food shortages but also support for the poor and homeless.”
“Oh…”
It was a part Luella hadn’t thought about. She had been so absorbed in the thought that she could die that she hadn’t even considered the countless lives in the country he governed.
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.”
