Cain opened his mouth but then closed it. If he brought up this story, the conversation would go on too long. Recalling the list of tasks he needed to do, Cain picked up his pen without hesitation.
“We’ll discuss that later.”
“That’s disappointing.”
“If you want more work, I can tell you now.”
“Who’s curious? I’m not curious at all. Don’t say anything, absolutely not.”
Nathan cut him off sharply. He hesitated, as if he had more to say. Cain pointed at the clock, urging him to speak quickly if he had anything else to add.
Nathan sighed.
“Do you know about it?”
“About what?”
“The secret regarding the death of Your Grace’s parents.”
The previous Duke Hastings died at the hands of rebels.
“It’s also related to that young lady’s parents, isn’t it?”
The names of the previous Duke and Duchess Hastings were on the rebels’ list for elimination. Wasn’t it Gillen Whitney who reviewed that list?
If the rebellion had succeeded, the Whitney family would have brought down House Hastings.
Cain’s eyes deepened. He became lost in thought.
At the time, Cain was furious about the facts surrounding his parents’ death. Not knowing this, he had lived as the royal family’s dog for a full two years to restore the Whitney family.
There had been no need for that at all. The Whitney family was the one who had betrayed them.
At that time, Phil handed him a letter when he was struggling.
That letter was full of harsh words. The first page was filled with curses and resentment towards House Hastings, and the second page was full of criticism of Cain’s incompetence.
She trampled on Cain’s love and turned precious memories to ashes.
That letter completely evaporated Cain’s love and lingering feelings for Jane.
He was able to comfortably wish for the perfect downfall of the Whitney family.
“Keep it a secret for now. All the related parties are dead anyway, so there’s nothing to say if we deny it.”
“Yes, I understand. And will you continue going to the gentlemen’s club?”
“Why ask such an obvious question?”
“I was wondering if you might cut back on your night outings, now that you’re married. Strange rumors might spread.”
“I’m already rumored to be a playboy.”
“That may be true, but there’s no need to add rumors of being an adulterer on top of that. The playboy rumors are unfair enough as it is.”
The rumors that Cain slept with many women were just that – rumors. It’s true that Cain occasionally went up to hotel rooms connected to the gentlemen’s club with women, but that was only to obtain information.
Of course, some women misunderstood and threw themselves at Cain. Cain politely rejected them every time.
Then the women, with their pride hurt, would spread strange rumors the next day. That they had spent an amazing night with Cain.
Cain never corrected those rumors.
“I’m not bothered by it at all. So get back to work.”
“I’m the one who’s bothered. Rather, give me that face, that perfect body.”
Cain laughed at Nathan’s complaints and was about to lower his head to the documents when-
“Let me ask one more thing. When will you tell Miss Jane about Master Joseph?”
“About Joseph? What?”
Cain had no idea what Nathan was talking about. Jane and Joseph hadn’t even been formally introduced yet, so what was there to tell her?
“That Master Joseph isn’t your biological son. The fact that Joseph is actually…”
Cain, who had been listening silently, raised his hand to stop Nathan’s words.
“It’s not that I want to do anything about it, I just miss him.”
“That’s enough.”
His expression was firm and stern.
“Understood. I won’t say more.”
Realizing he’d be scolded severely if he continued, Nathan closed his mouth and returned to his seat.
Nathan knew the reason Cain had taken in Joseph, but he couldn’t agree with his decision to hide everything and raise him as a son.
Because Joseph was none other than ‘his’ son.
“Stop thinking about it.”
“Understood. I’ll get back to work.”
Seeing Nathan pull the tall stack of documents towards himself, Cain also turned his eyes to the paperwork.
His hand stopped after turning one, two pages of documents. Nathan’s question suddenly came to mind. Norbert had asked the same thing.
However, Norbert’s question held a hint of resentment.
He was worried that he might completely ruin Jane’s life.
“Didn’t I actually save her?”
If it hadn’t been for him, she would have been dragged away by that bastard Victor or whoever and lived a miserable life.
Though there was a possibility she wouldn’t meet a good end, at least he would give Jane a chance.
Whether she’d be ruined, or…
Just as the gentleness masking Cain’s face was about to be stripped away to reveal his cold inner self-
Knock knock, there was a knocking sound.
“It’s Jane.”
Nathan jerked his head up at the arrival of the unexpected guest.
* * *
Jane took a deep breath as she stood in front of Cain’s office. She had just come from putting her belongings in the room, following Norbert’s guidance.
Jane’s room was a north-facing guest room.
It wasn’t a room befitting the future Duchess staying at Somnium House.
Norbert had been very apologetic while showing her the room.
But Jane liked that room.
Jane said with sincerity.
Though it didn’t get much sunlight, it was twice as large and luxurious as the house on the hill where Jane had stayed before.
There was a large window, and the walls were covered in sky blue wallpaper that seemed to hold the color of water. The canopied bed was wide enough for three adults to lie down. And there was a fluffy down comforter.
The room smelled of fragrance, not mold, and hot water would gush from the bathroom taps.
This was enough.
It was sufficient without elaborate tapestries or gold-trimmed furniture.
Above all, the best part was that it was far from Cain’s space.
Jane’s room was at the end of the 4th floor. Cain’s space was on the 2nd floor.
Still, the fact that they were under the same roof remained unchanged. A stinging pain was felt in her chest.
Jane, having lost her purpose, was confused. Until this morning, Jane’s goal had been to become friends with Cain. But on the way back, that purpose had crumbled to dust.
Then for what purpose should I be here?
What Cain had proposed was his purpose, not hers. Jane needed a purpose she set for herself. She had lived that way since 7 years ago.
There was no need to create a new one. She had one purpose related to Cain.
To shake off her lingering feelings and guilt towards him.
To not love him anymore.
‘Yes, that will do.’
As she found her purpose, her distracting thoughts disappeared. Jane slowly walked around the room, gauging her future life.
‘Since Cain said we should prepare for the wedding, will we start with fitting a dress? Or set the wedding date first? What should I do?’
Typically, noble marriages were prepared and pushed forward by the parents.
The marriage parties only needed to show their faces and convey their opinions when called upon by their parents out of necessity.
But Jane and Cain had no parents.
They hadn’t had a concrete discussion about how to proceed from here.
Jane had already received much from him. So since she’d agreed to do this, she wanted to do it well.
She couldn’t burden his family again.
Jane headed to Cain’s office to discuss the specifics of their arrangement.
Jane found her way to the office without guidance, relying on her memories.
There wasn’t a single maid passing through the corridor of the floor Cain used entirely. It seemed a separate order had been given for the sake of Cain, who liked quiet.
Jane raised her hand to knock. But she couldn’t bring herself to knock right away, raising and lowering her hand repeatedly.
The voice of Mrs. Hastings, holding her hands tightly as she spoke, came alive. Jane’s body quickly grew cold.
Jane repeatedly kneaded her hands while taking deep breaths.
This was a memory she had to overcome in order to live here.
Jane bit the inside of her mouth hard and managed to knock.
“It’s Jane.”
There was no answer from inside.
She had checked the schedule with Norbert before coming, but perhaps there had been a change in the meantime.
Just as Jane was about to turn away, the door opened.
A young man with light brown hair widened his eyes briefly before returning them to their original size.
“May the glory of the goddess be with you. I’m Nathan Nathan. It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Jane.”
“May the goddess’s blessing be with you. I’m Jane Whitney. The Duke’s…”
“Fiancée, right? The Duke is inside.”
Nathan skillfully finished the introduction in place of Jane, who was hesitating on how to explain.
Jane nodded and entered through the open door. Her eyes widened as she saw the office.
The office’s location was the same as before, but the inside looked completely different.
Thanks to that, Jane was able to avoid recalling her last memory of this place.
A room with high ceilings, bookshelves full of books lining the left and right walls.
The sofa and table for guests were gone, replaced by a large oval desk.
“It’s a desk used for meetings.”
Nathan explained as Jane’s gaze fell on the desk. Then he pointed to the end of the left bookshelf.
“His Grace is inside there.”
An arched doorway was hidden behind the bookshelf.
“I’ll be leaving briefly to run an errand His Grace ordered. Please talk comfortably.”
With that explanation, Nathan left Jane alone. She didn’t have time to stop him.
Both Norbert and Nathan were quick-acting people.
Jane, who had been standing there blankly, was hit by a gust of wind blowing through the open window and recalled her purpose for coming to the office.
Although Cain likely heard her conversation with Nathan, he hadn’t come out.
Worried that she might be turned away at the door, Jane stood in front of the arched doorway.
Perhaps he didn’t hear because he was concentrating?
He had always been unable to hear surrounding sounds when absorbed in something.
Thinking she should leave if he was busy, Jane quietly opened the door without knocking.
And she froze.
Cain was right in front of her.
Sitting in the sunlight pouring through the enormous arched window on the right, he looked like part of the sun itself.
Cain was looking over documents. His brow was deeply furrowed, as if in concentration.
Jane’s mouth wouldn’t open easily. She felt the desire to take in that magnificent sight a little longer.
“You’ll bore holes in me.”
But Jane’s desire was quickly cut off.
__________
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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