“Archduke Martins has requested an audience with Your Majesty the Empress.”
It wasn’t Rinel.
Fool, I should have expected as much.
“The Archduke? Right now?”
“Yes, he is currently waiting in the reception room.”
“What could it be…”
I frowned at the unwelcome guest.
“He wouldn’t disclose the matter, stating he would prefer to speak to Your Majesty directly…”
Sharon spoke cautiously, taking into account my mood.
“He only said that much?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I pondered for a moment.
Could the Archduke have heard some news about Princess Resilia from the Château d’Oneil royal family?
I couldn’t think of any other reason for him to visit the palace at this late hour.
“Shall I tell him to come back tomorrow if you’re not in the mood?”
“No. He’s waiting in the reception room, right?”
“Yes, he is.”
“It’s not bedtime yet, so it should be okay. Sharon, could you bring me a shawl to put on my shoulders before we go?”
Perhaps it was the coolness of the night, but my bare shoulders felt uncomfortably bare.
Considering it was inappropriate to change into a different dress at this time, I requested Sharon for a light shawl to wear.
“I will bring it right away!”
Sharon quickly crossed over to my private wardrobe connected to my bedroom.
Soon, Sharon brought a silk shawl and draped it over my shoulders.
“How is it?”
“I like it. Let’s go.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Feeling the soft touch of silk on my bare shoulders, I headed to the reception room to meet Archduke Martins.
[Star Icon][Star Icon][Star Icon]Archduke Martins was standing with his back against the dark window.
Upon my entrance, he greeted me with his characteristic leisurely smile and gesture.
“You’ve arrived, Your Majesty. I hope I didn’t disturb your rest.”
“Why wouldn’t you?”
Archduke Martins flinched at my teasing tone.
“I came out because I was curious about your reason for visiting the palace at this late hour despite knowing you’re interrupting.”
I asked, forcing a smile to hide my complicated feelings.
However, even to my ears, my voice sounded somewhat sharp.
Archduke Martins shrugged his shoulders and opened his mouth.
“I thought Your Majesty might be feeling quite lonely tonight, so I came to offer some company.”
He came to see me at this hour just for that?
If he really wanted to cheer me up, I wanted to tell him to go to the training ground right now and be my fencing partner.
Even though he failed the Knights exam several times, he would probably be knocked out after I swung my sword a few times.
“You’re still clenching your fist, Your Majesty?”
Archduke Martins asked, staring at my hand.
“Ah, it’s a habit. Don’t mind it.”
I said, extending my clenched fist slightly forward.
At this, even though we were at a comfortable distance, Archduke Martins leaned back, looking surprised.
What’s with him?
He regained his composure and started speaking in a low voice.
“A few years ago, I saw you at the royal training ground.”
“…Me?”
For a moment, sweat broke out in my hands.
“Yes, I happened to see Your Majesty engrossed in fencing training alone.”
“What… did you see?”
Startled by the Archduke’s words, I asked back.
I didn’t have time to deny it, saying it wasn’t me, or that the Duke was mistaking me for someone else.
“Yes, I saw. Including the fact that you were under the tutelage of Master Canal.”
“…Ah. The Archduke has seen quite a valuable scene.”
Seeing that he even mentioned Master Canal, it seemed pointless to deny it, so I just admitted it.
“Haha, actually, I didn’t see it myself.”
Is this fencing idiot playing a joke on me now?
I glared at Archduke Martins who immediately changed his words as soon as I admitted it.
“Then who saw me at the training ground?”
“My knight saw you. He said… that the sight of you fencing under the moonlight was enchantingly beautiful.”
At first, I was surprised, but then I pretended to agree.
“The Archduke… has a truly honest man at your side.”
At my words, Archduke Martins suddenly slapped his knee and began to laugh loudly.
His excessive laughter was starting to irritate me.
I wanted to punch him in the solar plexus to stop his breath for just 5 seconds.
Lately, my oppressed freedom had been causing my fists to clench.
“I heard from my knight that Your Majesty’s skill is quite high. I’m curious.”
“If you’re curious, I’ll give you the opportunity to experience it.”
I shyly rotated my left wrist.
The one who spent his entire life writing with a pen would have no muscle mass, so I decided to treat him with my weaker left hand, out of good conscience.
“Ahhaha, please, don’t bother.”
Grand Duke Martins raised both his hands in surrender and blanched.
“But, is it a problem if I can use a sword?”
“No, it’s not. There’s nothing to hide about a woman handling a sword. Especially on a continent where wars are frequent. I’ve heard there are quite a few female knight commanders in the South Continent.”
Male lead is a clingy little husband
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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