As the northern lords and armies gathered, many of their families came along as well.
Although Count Spinel secretly brought the young lord Emil.
After Darius’s victory in the tournament, the families of various lords suddenly wanted to become close to me. Mainly young ladies around my age.
With people overflowing around me, Rose’s mood these days is terrible.
“The seat next to my lady is my place. No one else should sit there.”
“Miss Temery is still the same.”
“When we visited the north before, she would yell at us not to flirt with His Highness the Grand Duke.”
Hearing that many young noble ladies had followed the army, I thought these ladies were preparing for marriage.
However, unexpectedly, what they were after was the position of my lady-in-waiting.
Unlike menial maids, a lady-in-waiting is a cultured noblewoman’s companion. It’s a position to remain as a noble lady’s friend, learn the etiquette of social circles, and expand one’s network during maidenhood.
“Lady Anette, there are many stories about how wise you are despite being newly married. I would love to learn your grace by your side.”
The one saying this was the daughter of Viscount Weizen, who was in Inkhart’s friendly faction.
“I’ll consider it.”
“My lady!”
When I answered positively, Rose immediately made a crying face and clung to me.
“You don’t need new ladies-in-waiting. Rose is the closest to my lady. With just Rose, my lady doesn’t need to favor anyone else.”
“My, Miss Rose. Are you still acting so narrow-minded like a child?”
“I don’t like foxes like you clinging to our lady! Since when have you known our sister!”
“Do you know why there are no other young ladies around Lady Anette’s age in Inkhart Castle? It’s because of Miss Rose’s jealousy. She didn’t let anyone come near. It’s her castle, after all.”
I recalled what the ladies in the castle had said about Rose.
That Rose particularly followed Darius because there was no one her age suitable in Inkhart Castle. That because there were no other girls besides Rose, the people in the castle pampered her.
‘Now that I see it, it wasn’t the world ostracizing Rose, but Rose ostracizing the world…’
Rose, this fearsome child.
To think she personally cleared out the young women in the castle for the future female protagonist.
“Miss Rose called me a fox, but Lady Anette, please look at Rose objectively.”
The young ladies attending the luncheon were in an uproar, displeased with Rose opposing them.
“Hmm.”
Not knowing what to say, I awkwardly smiled and just drank my tea, when Rose forcefully covered both my ears.
“My lady, don’t listen to them. It’s all lies. You know I’m good, right?”
“She’s been following the Grand Duke around like that since she was little, not letting us get close!”
Boos erupted.
It’s true that Rose is a bit willful and prone to tantrums.
“But Rose is cute, so…”
“That’s right, Rose is cute. Rose is cute, so she’s done nothing wrong.”
“Rose won’t do it again, right?”
“I won’t do it next time.”
“She says she won’t do it next time.”
“But I didn’t say I wouldn’t do it this time, so I’ll keep staying by my lady’s side.”
Then Rose clung tightly to my side and glared at the other young ladies.
The young ladies looked at me as if to say, “See?”
But still… Rose is cute. Even Darius gives in to Rose. The other day when Rose came running in crying, Darius even gave up the pudding he was eating and left.
“Come to think of it, it’s about time for Rose’s fiancé to arrive.”
Rose’s prospective fiancé, the heir to the Eastern Count, is coming to Inkhart Castle in person to meet her.
This winter, Inkhart Castle was expected to be bustling with people.
* * *
The carriage wheels were stuck in the mud. While waiting for the coachman to pull out the wheels, Alexei Rusilov was getting irritated.
“There’s not a single thing that works properly in this countryside, I tell you.”
“I’m sorry for making you take this troublesome journey, godfather.”
“You’re my godson. It’s natural for me to accompany you on your travels. But it’s true that I’m not pleased with your engagement.”
Tsk, Alexei clicked his tongue disapprovingly at the well-mannered young man.
“You’re the heir to the Eastern Count’s family. Even if you don’t have parents, to be engaged to a cavalry family from the north…”
“I’ve heard that Lady Rose’s brother, Sir Lucian, is an outstanding knight who entered the Sword Aura at a young age. The Temery family is also an old and prestigious family in the north.”
“Hmph, your uncle who pushed for this marriage must not want your future to turn out well.”
Alexei continued to complain about the north after that. He was dissatisfied with everything – the frozen then thawed ground, the frequent appearance of wild beasts on the journey, everything.
But knowing that his godfather had a personal inferiority complex towards Darius Inkhart, the young man didn’t pay much attention. The engagement was already decided anyway.
Alexei took out a letter he had received hastily before boarding the carriage. It was unwelcome news for him.
To Count Rusilov. I report on the current situation at Inkhart Castle.
Count Spinel, who was expected to form an anti-Inkhart sentiment in the north, has unexpectedly sided with Inkhart. The plan to smoothly divide the castle until your arrival has become difficult to proceed.
“What on earth made that stubborn woman change her mind…”
Alexei roughly stuffed the letter back into his breast pocket. The plan wasn’t disrupted anyway. It just became a little less smooth than it had been.
* * *
‘Phew, finally in bed.’
I’m about to get people-sick.
How fortunate that the marital bedroom is a private space. Otherwise, it would have been crowded with people trying to take the spot next to me here too.
Darius was just as busy. Even though we share the same bedroom, our interactions were limited to exchanged glances between busy schedules, and briefly held hands as we passed by. That was all.
We clearly had breakfast together, and dinner together, but.
Among all those people, we were really just occupying the same space.
‘No, come to think of it, yesterday too, and the day before…’
Have I had a proper conversation with Darius recently? Since people flooded into this Inkhart Castle, that is.
‘This sounds more like a conversation between comrades than a married couple.’
It’s like encouragement between coworkers facing a crunch at a company overwhelmed with work.
‘We decided to share a bedroom while the northern lords are staying at the castle to maintain the image of an intimate ducal couple for others’ eyes, but.’
Intimate? Is this really intimate? Shouldn’t a married couple be more…
“No, no! I should be happy about this, right? This is what I wanted, isn’t it?”
Outwardly, we’re a good couple sharing a bedroom and meals together, but in reality, nothing happens between us, literally just sleeping together! What more is there to think about!
“What did you want, Anette?”
“Eek!”
Thump thump, I was startled by Darius’s sudden voice, even though I hadn’t done anything wrong.
“Ah, I’m tired,” Darius said as he lightly rested his head on my shoulder.
“It feels like I haven’t seen Anette’s face in a long time.”
Even though I thought, ‘This guy?’, seeing Darius’s tired face as he leaned on me made me let it slide.
“We saw each other at dinner time, didn’t we?”
“That was seeing you with other people.”
Darius closed his eyes quietly as he rested his face on my shoulder. I was about to push him away, but before I knew it, I was stroking Darius’s hair. Below his raven-black hair, his jawline had become a bit sharper.
‘He’s lost weight.’
Always being together, but when you look again, he’s changed drastically. He, who had just turned twenty, seemed to grow every day. How long would I be able to stay by his side, watching him grow and change?
“Anette, what are you thinking about?”
“…Thoughts like, how can someone’s husband be this handsome?”
“You’re lying.”
“Why is it a lie? Where else could you find such a handsome man?”
“Then why aren’t you focusing on your handsome husband right in front of you?”
Darius noticed that I was lost in thought and chided me. Meanwhile, I laughed a little at his words.
“Yes, yes, you’re handsome.”
I looked at Darius’s face intently as he wished. Clean, beautiful, and harmonious things were contained in his face.
“You really are handsome.”
I mumbled again unconsciously. I had become unknowingly accustomed to seeing him all the time, but he was a handsome man of my taste.
“A married man only needs to look handsome to his wife.”
This time, Darius seemed satisfied with my attitude and looked pleased.
“One wife, you say. You’re the kind of handsome man that people would stop and stare at for a long time on the street, not even realizing it’s rude.”
“No, that’s not necessary. It would feel unpleasant if strangers stared at me.”
“It can’t be helped! You should understand, being such a rare handsome man! Do you think handsome men like you are common? Try to empathize with the feelings of ordinary people whose eyes are naturally drawn to you!”
My nonsense about how handsome men and women bring peace of mind, so Darius needs to show his face generously for everyone’s emotional stability and stress relief… made Darius’s expression cloud over.
Somehow, he looked even more tired than when we first lay down on the bed.
“Do you have something on your mind? You’ve been looking tired since earlier.”
“I’m worried about where Anette might suddenly pop off to next.”
“But beautiful people…!”
“Alright, that’s enough of that now. Shh.”
Darius, who finally stopped my praise of beautiful people with his finger, looked into my face and sighed as if troubled.
“Actually, there’s something I want to ask of Anette. Will you listen?”
“What is it?”
Darius, who had been hesitant to speak, whispered what he wanted to ask in my ear as if it were truly a secret.
“Huh?”
My eyes widened like saucers at Darius’s words.
“Really?”
“Really.”
To my doubtful questioning, Darius answered clearly.
“If it helps, I’m willing to do anything, but… are you really planning to do such a thing?”
Really?
__________
My Clingy Little Husband (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
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