Scarlet quietly watched Cain and Jane boarding the carriage side by side.
“They seem to be in trouble. Shouldn’t you go help them?”
When she said that to Cain, Scarlet didn’t know. That Cain would leave her behind.
Though outwardly she appeared very peaceful, inside she was twisted. She was very bewildered and irritated by Cain leaving her all alone.
However, like a well-educated lady, she maintained the faint smile on her lips.
“Young lady, shall I escort you to the mansion?”
Lili, who had been watching Scarlet’s mood from a step away, approached.
“Let’s do that.”
There was no reason to stay in Hausten Street now that Cain had left. In the past, she might have gone shopping, but now she wasn’t in the mood for shopping.
She felt like a woman who had been pushed aside for Jane.
And it seemed like the whispering people were talking about her.
But in reality, they were all gossiping about Jane.
“It seems the rumors about Duke Hastings and Lady Whitney getting married were true.”
“Is it a love that even the Rose Faction couldn’t separate?”
“How romantic. Then, is that child Joseph Lady Whitney’s child?”
Scarlet tightened the corners of her mouth.
Her insides were boiling, and she wanted to tear the mouths of the women spouting nonsense.
But at times like this, one must smile even more. That’s what being noble meant.
“Um, young lady…”
Lili watched Scarlet’s expression carefully.
“Speak.”
Although Lili hadn’t been Scarlet’s maid for long, she had received advice from senior maids and knew this was a time to be cautious.
“There are times when the young lady smiles in a way that chills people. She smiles very brightly, but it gives an eerie feeling. You have to be careful then.”
When she first heard the advice, Lili didn’t understand what it meant, but seeing Scarlet now, she could tell right away.
“It will take some time for the carriage to be sent back and arrive. Why don’t we wait in a cafe…”
Scarlet took a deep breath.
“I sent the carriage away, that’s right.”
Her tone, which sounded more like recalling her own memory than speaking to Lili, was tinged with faint anger.
Scarlet had planned to ask Cain to take her home after finishing their business.
But things had gone completely wrong. It meant wasting time unnecessarily.
In this time, she could have received not only a massage but also nail care.
She ended up wasting her precious time.
Because of whom?
‘Jane.’
Because of that cunning and crafty woman. The woman who pretended to be innocent and entered the Hastings family to seduce Cain.
‘Did I think too lightly of it?’
When Scarlet heard the news that Cain had brought Jane to the Hastings family, she didn’t think much of it.
Unlike the rumors of him meeting many women, Cain was actually indifferent to women, and he had shown aversion to the Whitney family.
This was information Scarlet had confirmed with her own eyes and ears.
Whenever the Whitney family was mentioned in the gathering of Scarlet, Cain, and some other noble children, Cain showed his discomfort.
Scarlet’s father also told her there was no need to worry about Jane.
The queen had ordered to sweep away the Rose Faction, and bringing Jane into the Hastings family was part of that, according to Count Carelina’s speculation.
Scarlet agreed with her father’s opinion.
‘They probably needed a woman to take care of the illegitimate child.’
At best, she thought Jane was just a nanny, nothing more, nothing less.
That thought was shattered a few days ago at Jane’s debutante. Scarlet was relieved when Cain ignored Jane, but suddenly the two were dancing on the floor.
The atmosphere at that moment was very strange. The two couldn’t take their eyes off each other.
The look in their eyes couldn’t be called sweet and pure affection, but there was clearly emotion passing between them.
Scarlet wasn’t the only one who felt it. After the ball, subtle rumors began to circulate.
“Could they have fallen in love?”
It was an absurd rumor. It was also something that shouldn’t happen.
Jane didn’t suit Cain. The only one suitable for the noble and proud Hastings family was Carelina, specifically Scarlet.
The Hastings family was at the pinnacle of Emblem Kingdom’s nobility. And they were a pillar of the Emblem Kingdom.
How dare the daughter of a traitor try to take the position of the Hastings family’s mistress?
That position was hers.
Scarlet turned to look at Lili. Lili flinched when their eyes met.
Scarlet gently stroked Lili’s shoulder.
“Lili, we need to find out more about Lady Jane Whitney. Quietly and discreetly.”
Go to the back alley.
Scarlet added in a voice as soft as down.
* * *
“Joseph, I have something to talk about with Jane, so you ride in the carriage behind.”
Somehow, the carriage Cain had ridden and the one Jane and Joseph had arrived in were side by side in a corner of the square.
“Yes, yes, Father.”
Joseph slipped into the carriage he had been admiring throughout the ride as soon as Cain set him down.
As Joseph disappeared, a chill spread across Cain’s face.
“Get in.”
Cain nodded slightly. But Jane hesitated instead of getting in promptly.
“Just a moment, Cain. I have someone to greet.”
Jane pointed to Mrs. Merche and Wolfgang standing near the fountain. Cain’s gaze lingered on them for a moment.
When he didn’t readily give permission, Jane’s heart grew anxious.
She could write a letter after returning to the duke’s residence, but then Mrs. Merche would think it strange.
She would worry a lot too.
Just as Jane was anxiously watching Cain’s reaction, he grasped her hand and approached Mrs. Merche.
Before she knew it, Jane was standing in front of Mrs. Merche alongside Cain.
“Jane, you should introduce us.”
Cain said after exchanging eye greetings with Mrs. Merche. Jane’s eyes widened.
“Jane, greet them.”
Cain urged Jane, who was standing blankly. He spoke with his eyes.
Act natural.
Realizing his intention, Jane quickly smiled.
“Cain, this is Mrs. Merche. She helped me a lot when I was working as a tutor.”
Mrs. Merche stepped forward as if she had been waiting for this moment.
“May the goddess’s fortune be with you.”
“Mrs. Merche, this is Duke Cain Hastings. And I…”
“We are to be married soon. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Merche. May the goddess’s blessings be upon you.”
Cain cut off Jane’s words and continued. Mrs. Merche’s congratulations followed. Both Mrs. Merche giving the greeting and Cain receiving it seemed natural.
Jane was the only one surprised by the mention of marriage.
“Jane, I think it would be nice to invite Mrs. Merche and Wolfgang to the mansion. When would be good?”
Cain asked Jane. Jane was too preoccupied with the strange feeling that kept arising to properly hear his question.
“What did you say, Cain?”
“I said we should invite Mrs. Merche and Wolfgang home.”
Cain smiled at her. At that moment, Jane realized the nature of the strange feeling.
The situation itself was the problem. Cain was treating Mrs. Merche like a friend of a beloved lover.
Kindly and gently.
It seemed like he was trying to make a good impression on a lover.
“Jane, I met Livia at the cafe the other day. So I treated her to delicious tea and dessert.”
“Why did you do that?”
“Well, because Livia is your friend.”
A vision of Cain from the past, in the form of a boy, flashed by. What Cain was imitating now was his past self.
Jane’s precious memories were being used in his perfect act.
Those memories that she dared not even look at for fear they might fade.
Jane’s skin crawled.
What was he doing this for? Did he think it was important to appear as loving parents to raise a child properly?
‘Thinking of our parents, that seems right, but…’
It wasn’t a good thing for Jane.
“Jane, is it alright for us to visit the Hastings residence?”
When Jane’s answer was delayed, Mrs. Merche asked. Wolfgang and Mrs. Merche’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Seeing that look in their eyes, Jane found it difficult to refuse and nodded.
“I’ll send an invitation soon.”
“It will be after the wedding.”
At Cain’s added words, Mrs. Merche beamed. Mrs. Merche was as delighted about Jane’s marriage as if it were her own affair. Jane smiled back awkwardly.
Although it was on the street, the conversation between Mrs. Merche and Cain continued for quite a while. It was mostly about Jane.
Cain asked Mrs. Merche about Jane when she was working as a tutor.
Each time, Merche praised Jane to the point her mouth might dry out.
Jane’s body twisted with embarrassment at her excessive praise. Jane’s face grew redder and redder. Just as it seemed she might burst, Mrs. Merche’s carriage arrived.
“See you then, Jane.”
Mrs. Merche said goodbye and left.
“Let’s go too.”
Cain strode ahead. As soon as Mrs. Merche disappeared, their clasped hands came apart. It was a signal that his act had ended.
Jane looked down at her hand. It was the hand Cain had been holding all along. Suddenly, with the warmth gone, her hand felt cold despite the warm spring day. But the current state was much more satisfying.
It hurt less than watching Cain imitate his past self.
* * *
Silence fell inside the carriage returning to the Hastings residence.
Jane expected Cain to say something about the commotion in Hausten Street.
However, he had been staring out the window ever since getting into the carriage.
He seemed lost in thought.
At first, she tried to start a conversation, but Jane soon gave up and looked out the window as well.
“The more we talk, the worse I feel.”
The reason she didn’t force conversation was because she remembered what he had said at the ball. Cain had a similar expression then too.
She couldn’t say it at the time, but Jane had similar thoughts to Cain.
That silence would be better for us than conversation.
Every time he opened his mouth, Jane was hurt. So Jane decided to enjoy this silence instead.
The silence that seemed eternal was broken when the carriage stopped.
As soon as the footstep was prepared, Cain rose and went out.
However, Jane sat back down. Because of the single word he said as he got out.
“Well done.”
Cain had praised Jane.
__________
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.