“Your Majesty, Duke of Belarus Akkia has arrived.”
The Emperor was sitting in the audience hall, tapping the table with his fingers. Leia had sent a letter expressing her intention to enter the palace after receiving the marriage proposal.
His smile was evident as he seemed highly satisfied with the news of Leia’s visit.
“Bring her in quickly.”
Before Ilei’s words could fade away, the door to the reception room opened abruptly.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
Leia, who approached, greeted with utmost courtesy. Unlike when they first met as a pharmacist, she was now dressed in a dress, exuding a noble lady’s aura.
Interest flickered in the Emperor’s eyes as he observed Leia.
“It’s been quite a while, Lady of Belarus.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I was planning to invite you to the palace, but you came here first. It seems our minds are in sync.”
While the Emperor spoke with an affectionate tone, his gaze was as sharp as ever.
As Leia felt the piercing gaze that seemed to see through her, her hand holding the teacup subtly trembled.
‘A snake-like man.’
Today, his blond hair reflected in the sunlight seemed dull. Leia approached and took a seat opposite the Emperor.
In anticipation of Leia’s arrival, the room was already prepared with refreshments.
‘Not here for a leisurely tea time.’
Leia glanced at the snacks and then spoke.
“Your Majesty, I have a request to make.”
“A request, you say…”
Before Leia could finish her sentence, Ilei, who was holding a cup, stared at her. Even without hearing her words, it was obvious.
‘Probably a request to withdraw the marriage proposal that has come to me.’
Ilei leisurely smiled.
A few days ago, the Imperial Consort’s messenger entered her territory. The messenger left a brief message: “It’s time to arrange the Rose Palace.”
‘Rose Palace.’
It had been the Empress’s palace since ancient times. From that one statement, Ilei understood the Empress’s thoughts about bringing Leia into the role.
‘Well, if it’s the daughter of the Duke of Belarus, there should be no shortage as an Empress.’
It wasn’t just adequate; it was abundant. Moreover, Ilei had no intention of handing Belarus over to Akkia so willingly.
“Yes, Your Majesty, I…”
“What type of tea do you like?”
Leia hadn’t even finished her sentence when the Emperor, in front of the two, took a sip from the teacup and asked.
“……Pardon?”
Out of the blue, asking about her favorite tea. Leia’s eyebrows slightly narrowed at the Emperor’s unexpected question.
But unable to ignore the Emperor’s question, Leia responded promptly.
“I like jasmine tea.”
“Oh! Coincidence or destiny.”
After letting out a small sigh, Ilei, who had put down the teacup, looked into Leia’s eyes.
“My favorite tea is jasmine as well.”
“Is that so? Your Majesty, I came to deliver a request to…”
However, Ilei, seemingly uninterested in her continued response, asked another question.
“Then, what is your favorite color?”
‘Ha.’
Leia swallowed a sigh at the Emperor’s attitude, deliberately trying to avoid her answer. Looking at him playfully smiling, it was evident he intentionally switched to another question.
“I like red.”
Originally, she liked green, but somehow, she was drawn to the red that resembled Akkia’s eyes. A faint smile touched Leia’s lips as she thought of Akkia.
“As expected. Red is my favorite too.”
“……?”
“When I see red, it reminds me of you.”
‘Since when did he become interested in me?’
Watching the Emperor effortlessly lie with an unchanged expression, Leia had to suppress a bitter laugh.
“No matter how I think about it, we seem to match well, don’t we?”
Leia was annoyed by the Emperor’s shameless words. Amidst her confusion, the Emperor even leisurely smiled, seemingly unaware of Leia’s discomfort.
“Our marriage, it won’t be bad for you either. I will make you the most noble lady in the empire.”
If another woman had heard these words, it might have been a flattering statement, arousing excitement at the thought of ascending to the position of Empress. However, Leia felt no such thrill.
It was a statement that held no genuine emotion, merely an empty shell of words.
“Please withdraw the proposal. I entered the palace to convey this message.”
Leia’s eyes gleamed resolutely. Ilei, who was observing Leia, slowly lowered the teacup.
“Don’t act hastily; think calmly. And act wisely. Consider what actions you should take now.”
Ilei’s playful eyes abruptly settled down. However, even under the Emperor’s gaze, which seemed threatening, Leia did not flinch.
“My answer remains the same.”
“Do you have confidence not to regret it?”
At the mention of regret, Leia gripped her hands, placed under the table. Even as the Emperor’s cold gaze swept over her, she strangely did not tremble.
“Perhaps you and your family may be in danger.”
‘It’s okay.’
With Akkia by her side, Leia felt secure. Soon, she would become the Duchess of Heidern.
And she would assist in fulfilling that man’s long-cherished desires. Leia’s unwavering eyes met the Emperor’s gaze.
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.”
