“There’s no need. If you persist in not wanting it, I won’t care for the Second Prince’s wife, even if it hurts your feelings.”
A lie.
Elin gazed at Raoul’s polished shoes moving cheerfully in tune with the music. Even his shoes were as elegant as his smooth words. At this moment, they seemed indifferent to the shattered pieces of her heart on the floor.
She thought he was trying to forget Princess Belia. She even harbored a bit of hope that he might have some feelings for her, considering his promise not to disappoint her, even if it was just a few words.
But now, with Khaled missing, Raoul revealed his true intentions.
‘He never intended to let go of Princess Belia from the beginning.’
He had never made any effort for her. It was just an action to get what he wanted.
In the cruel and harsh reality, Elin’s sincere feelings crumbled.
‘I truly loved His Highness…’
The music was about to end. Eventually, Elin responded disappointedly.
“If His Highness feels concern for her, then please.”
As Elin’s consent was granted and the song ended like a lie, Raoul lightly embraced and released her, whispering in her ear.
“Thank you, Elin. I’m fortunate that you are such a thoughtful person.”
As Raoul held his hand and arrived at his seat, there was no longer a smile on Elin’s face.
Raoul, instead of sitting down, stood in front of Belia, extending his hand. The inside of the party became silent in an instant at this sight.
“Belia, may I have the pleasure of dancing with you?”
The person who had just danced with my fiancée a moment ago was now extending his hand to me.
Belia glared at Raoul.
“Sorry, but I’ll have to decline.”
She had no intention of dancing with him.
However, Raoul, lifting one corner of his mouth, once again extended his hand with a relaxed attitude.
“Didn’t you hear me?”
Belia’s voice was sharp.
But Raoul effortlessly grabbed Belia’s hand, forcing her to stand.
“What is this…!”
She wanted to shake off his hand and escape. However, Raoul, seemingly indifferent to both of their feelings, held Belia’s hand tightly and led her beneath the platform.
The music started again.
Everyone watched them in silence.
Occasionally, some stole glances at Elin’s expression.
Belia stood in the center of the hall, facing Raoul, and asked, “What is this about?”
“What exactly are you thinking?”
Raoul naturally grabbed Belia’s waist and intertwined her hand with mine.
“I told you. Come to me. I’ll grant everything you desire, so why are you being so stubborn?”
“What I want is for you not to show any interest in me.”
They stood still, continuing their conversation without moving, as the music continued.
“Except for that, I’ll grant everything. I’ll let you enjoy life as the Second Prince’s wife. Externally, I’ll let you live as Khaled’s widow.”
“Nonsense.”
Words not worth hearing.
Raoul slowly led Belia. Since they couldn’t stand like this forever, Belia also sighed and moved in time with the music.
“Do you know how ridiculous our situation is right now? You, who make a move on my brother’s woman even though you have a fiancée, and me, dancing with my brother’s wife at a party when her husband is missing. Making people talk about us like this. Your Highness, you always have lies on your lips.”
“…Because I love you.”
“Don’t package it as love.”
Since they started dancing midway through the music, the performance was already coming to an end.
Belia let go of his hand and spoke coldly, “You’ve never loved me.”
As expected, there were many rumors in high society about Belia and Raoul’s relationship.
From stories of Khaled being taken advantage of to claims that Belia was just toying with the First Prince.
People did not hesitate to speak words that they couldn’t put in their mouths.
“Is he really out of his mind?”
Rachel yelled in frustration.
“The First Prince finally loses it at a party?”
“…How’s the atmosphere?”
Belia asked, and Rachel sighed deeply.
“Not good. Even if I say I have nothing to do with it, people are not willing to listen. It seems they found a target to chew on after a long time.”
For those who didn’t know them well, this situation was just another piece of gossip.
“Of course, there are many people who like the First Prince, and those people are trying to change the atmosphere, but everyone is too busy blaming the First Prince. Moreover… That day, the Duchess of Canterip seemed really pitiful.”
Belia closed her eyes and organized her thoughts on how to handle this situation.
If Rachel spoke this much, it was obvious what the image of Belia in high society was.
Already, Elin was the pitiful victim, and Belia had become the worst villain.
Since that day, Elin hadn’t come out of the mansion at all. The rumors were spreading rapidly, and Raoul seemed to have no intention of explaining.
“Why is the First Prince acting like this? Everyone already knew that he couldn’t forget Visionara. However, to openly ignore the lady in public and behave like this toward Visionara, even though she has a fiancé…”
“How is Duke Canterip reacting?”
“He’s furious. It seems like going against the Duchess of Canterip is causing a huge uproar.”
Belia sighed.
The situation was not good.
“Let’s observe the situation a bit more for now.”
Her reputation was gradually deteriorating.
Moreover, this was not the direction she had anticipated.
‘It’s become awkward.’
That night, as she continued to ponder how to resolve the situation, news of Baron Ceylon’s death reached them.
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.”
