Marshal Alhemitz, she was one of Riona’s closest friends.
Next to Marshal was Countess Bolan Palmania, who was also the same.
Riona, Marshal, Bolan. This combination made the previous Esika’s teeth chatter.
The ill-fated relationship began when Esika got married and was considerably embarrassed by the three at Riona’s first birthday.
“Gifting blue pearls, do you know what that means?”
“I… I… In the Frihatz region, blue pearls symbolize beauty and longevity…”
“Now I understand the Grand Duchess Klaus’s heartache. Your daughter-in-law needs much education.”
In the capital Torres, blue pearls meant ‘jealousy’.
Riona briefly employed Marshal and Bolan to educate Esika.
It was education in name only; it was nothing short of abuse.
“It’s too cold, please let me go inside…!”
“My, you want to go inside when you can’t even walk properly as a duchess?”
Marshal, who wore thick fur clothes herself, made Esika practice walking outside for hours in what was almost nightwear, claiming to practice proper posture.
“I’m hungry. If you could give me just a little more…”
“Maintaining one’s figure is a basic virtue of a noble lady. You probably never learned this in the commoner-like Brigitte family.”
Bolan, whose waist was twice that of Esika’s, made her survive each day on bread the size of a thumb.
It was obvious who their abuse stemmed from.
Grand Duchess Riona Klaus.
In the early days of her marriage, Esika lost even the will to resist as she suffered their abuse.
If she didn’t do as they said, harsh punishments followed…
To survive, she had to do as she was told.
“Now you’re somewhat presentable.”
Marshal and Bolan giggled as they said this during the last lesson.
“Still not fitting for Klaus, though! Hohohoho!”
Esika’s once lively cheeks had become rough, and dark shadows lay under her eyes.
Only when the image of the young, dream-filled duchess had completely disappeared did they finish their education.
Even after that, the two women often came to the duke’s residence to meet Riona, and on days when even their shadows were visible, Esika trembled in her room.
“…”
The last face of Esika Klaus was one of a pale complexion, trying to slink away…
But to Marshal, today’s Esika looked different.
A dignified and confident face that didn’t even avoid her gaze.
Bolan too twitched her eyebrows at the sight of Esika, who wasn’t shrinking at all.
“On behalf of the Grand Duchess, I’ve come to congratulate Count Alhemitz on receiving the Imperial Medal.”
And a dry voice that showed no fear at all.
‘What’s this?’
Marshal slightly furrowed her brow, pondering this sense of dissonance for a moment.
She had somewhat expected to see how frightened that woman would be when she heard Esika was coming instead.
“…Well then.”
She’s far too composed.
“Where should I sit?”
At Esika’s words, the ladies stirred and looked at Lady Marshal.
Marshal, flustered, pointed to an empty seat for the maids.
“…Guide the Duchess to her seat.”
It is greatly impolite not to offer a seat to a guest at a tea party.
Marshal’s embarrassment at being unexpectedly caught off guard soon turned to anger.
Riona always said that Esika was only a ‘temporary’ match for Callian.
Certainly, Brigitte was far too low in status to marry into Klaus, and Esika, who was not favored by either Riona or Callian, seemed to barely hold on in the family.
So it wasn’t bad to bully this noble girl from a humble province who would someday be driven out of the duke’s family, pleasing Riona and relieving stress at the same time.
But for her to dare touch me?
Marshal’s insides boiled with rage.
‘Was I defeated by such a woman?’
Meanwhile, Esika, seated in her chair, smirked.
The previous Esika had suffered daily suicidal thoughts because of mere women like them.
They too were among those who would someday pay the price for their evil deeds.
“Hello, Duchess.”
As she sat down and began to partake in refreshments, someone briefly greeted her from beside.
The woman with brown hair and brown eyes wore a dress that looked more modest compared to the two ladies of the count’s family.
But unlike others who treated Esika like an invisible person, wary of the two ladies… whether oblivious or not, she was speaking to her.
“Ah… I am Helenia Merhin. I’m the wife of Baron Merhin.”
When Esika stared at her blankly, she introduced herself, suddenly realizing her mistake.
Only after recalling the list Sela had investigated did Esika think it made sense.
Merhin was a native noble of the Sainan region, an outlying area like the port city of Frihatz.
“Duke Klaus is famous even in Sainan… it’s such an honor to meet his wife like this…”
She had come up to the capital recently to expand her cheese business, if I recall correctly.
So she was unaware of the atmosphere among the Torres nobility and social circles.
“…?”
Someone seemed to have poked Helenia Merhin in the side, as she was seen flinching.
The woman sitting next to her whispered something in Helenia’s ear, causing her face to turn pale.
Seeing this, Esika no longer conversed with Helenia.
Afterwards, pleasant conversations were exchanged.
Esika did not participate in the conversation, and no one asked Esika anything.
If anyone was mindful of Esika at all, it was only Helenia.
Though she, too, could not bring herself to speak further.
However, Bolan did not like the sight of Esika enjoying her refreshments, far from being intimidated by this blatant ostracism.
“There is something I would like to ask Duchess Klaus.”
So Bolan addressed Esika.
Esika, who had been focusing on her cookie, raised her gaze to look at Bolan.
The moment their eyes met, Bolan felt her heart sink.
‘Was her… gaze always like this?’
Though it was probably just her imagination, she felt like a mouse before a lion.
Even without hostility, an indescribable pressure flowed from Esika’s calm eyes.
‘I must not be feeling well today.’
Bolan tried to deny it as she opened her mouth.
“I heard that the Grand Duchess was planning to send a gift to the Alhemitz Count’s family through you.”
At those words, all the ladies focused on Esika.
Bolan expected Esika’s face to be tinged with embarrassment.
The Esika she knew would immediately tremble in her voice.
She would probably break into a cold sweat, saying, ‘I… have never heard of such a thing.’
Then she could corner Esika into submission by accusing the Grand Duchess of lying.
However, Esika let out a slight chuckle.
After a moment, she opened her mouth.
“Countess Palmania, you are insulting Klaus.”
A cold voice flowed from between those lips.
At those words, the atmosphere of the tea party was doused with cold water, and everyone was too shocked to even open their mouths.
Even Bolan doubted her own ears as to what she had just heard.
A moment later, Esika easily cut off Bolan’s angry words.
“Wh-What do you mean…!”
“The Grand Duchess has been bedridden for three days with a severe illness. The Count received his medal the day before yesterday. Do you think she would have had the opportunity to prepare a gift?”
Bolan’s eyes shook greatly at Esika’s sharp response that pierced through the truth.
Now all the ladies gathered there were looking at Bolan.
“I knew that Lady Palmania was close to Lady Alhemitz, but to openly request a gift from the Duke’s family under the pretext of a medal bestowed by His Majesty…”
It was insubordination.
“I… I’m just relaying what I heard from the Grand Duchess. A… a week ago, there was talk that Count Alhemitz was likely to receive a medal, and from there…”
“The bestowal of Imperial medals, as well as all announcements from the Imperial family, are strictly confidential matters. Even the Duke’s family cannot know before the announcement, and even if they did, it is principle not to speak of it.”
At Esika’s words, Bolan’s hands trembled.
Of course, Riona would never have said such a thing.
But Riona, who despised her daughter-in-law so intensely, was a woman who would readily accept any lie told to torment Esika.
Esika’s education, too, was carried out in such a manner.
“Are you now exposing that the Grand Duchess Klaus ignored principles and acted recklessly, Lady Palmania?”
“N-No! That’s not it!”
Bolan, who had sprung to her feet, waved her hands emphatically with a darkened complexion.
In trying to torment Esika, she had suddenly become someone who insulted Riona and demanded a congratulatory gift from the Klaus Duke’s residence in an act of insubordination.
Most of the ladies here were from families friendly with Alhemitz or Palmania, but rumors spread quickly and exaggeratedly, so this situation was troublesome.
Bolan eventually apologized to Esika in a trembling voice.
“I apologize, Duchess. It seems I was mistaken.”
Marshal’s complexion had changed as well.
‘What on earth? Why has that stupid and unsightly Esika Klaus changed like this?’
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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