After that day, I began to worry about Ascan’s mental state.
Could he have already succumbed to corruption?
If he really has fallen into corruption, what should I do?
In the original story, Ascan desired a destructive ending that would bring about the ruin of everything. However, I wanted to turn this novel into a happy ending.
From the Brellof family to the people in the research lab, the detestable Decain and the taciturn Zen, even the affectionate maid Jelin, I had formed connections with many people.
I couldn’t just stand by and watch them die or suffer.
Not only that, I also wanted Ascan to break free from his dark past and find happiness. My survival and a bright future went without saying.
To achieve this, I felt the need to understand Ascan’s current mental state.
If Ascan is really corrupted and desires the destruction of everything, I must come up with a plan.
“But asking directly, he might not give an honest answer….”
Acting rashly might only make him more guarded. While contemplating how to approach Ascan cautiously, an opportunity presented itself.
Suddenly, a messenger sent by Helcyon arrived at Ascan’s mansion.
“His Majesty the Emperor has commanded the presence of Lady Atreas and the beloved of the Brellof family tomorrow. He suggests having dinner together. What do you think?”
Since I expected to meet Helcyon soon, it wasn’t anything unusual. What surprised me was that Ascan had also been invited.
Ascan responded in a subdued voice, “Let it be so.”
Upon careful consideration, it wasn’t a bad opportunity.
When going to and returning from the Kalua Imperial Palace, it was just Ascan and me. It was an ideal time for casual conversation.
The messenger, after hearing Ascan’s response, looked at me and asked, “Does the beloved of Brellof also agree?”
“Yes, I will be present for the audience tomorrow.”
“Understood. I will convey your intentions to His Majesty.”
Having finished his business, the messenger politely bid farewell to Ascan and me before leaving.
Despite staying in the same mansion, I didn’t often run into Ascan. I hurriedly intercepted him and struck up a conversation.
“Who is the Kalua Emperor? It’s our first meeting, so is there anything I should be mindful of?”
In fact, I didn’t care much about meeting Helcyon, but understanding the relationship between the two could be quite helpful in getting to know Ascan better.
In the original, the Emperor of the Kalua Empire wasn’t Helcyon. Therefore, I was curious about how Ascan perceived him in this altered narrative.
Ascan glanced at me and replied, “You don’t need to worry too much. His Majesty appreciates those with abilities. As the continent’s top weaponsmith, you’ll be treated exceptionally well.”
“Even if he wanted to meet me, wanting a weapon in a situation where the rebellion is over, I’m curious why he’d want a weapon.”
This was indeed true.
Ending the rebellion and stabilizing the empire must keep him busy, so it was challenging to guess why he called me in this situation.
Ascan silently stared at me for a moment, without saying anything.
Could it be that the question was too difficult for him to answer?
“Did I ask something too difficult for the Commander of the Kalua Empire’s Royal Guard?”
“No. Seeing you ask such a sharp question makes you truly seem like a weaponsmith.”
“Ha…!”
I was about to point out the absurdity of the situation, but Ascan spoke first.
“I don’t know why His Majesty summoned you. I just followed orders.”
“Is that so?”
While there was no guarantee that Ascan was telling me the truth, at least, based on my instincts, he didn’t seem to be lying at the moment.
Then, a man approached us.
Ashen eyes and thick blue hair. An outstandingly handsome man with a chilling aura.
“Brother, what are you doing here?”
Despite his cold appearance, the way he addressed Ascan was affectionate.
The moment I heard the term “brother,” I recognized who the person was.
As far as I knew, there was only one person who called Ascan “brother” with such a friendly term.
In the original novel, Ascan’s right-hand man and loyal subordinate, it was none other than Bill.
“This man is… Bill.”
Bill, loyal enough to jump into fire with a oil can if commanded by Ascan. Moreover, their goals aligned after escaping the laboratory.
The destruction of the world, that was their shared objective.
For some reason, my head began to ache, and I pressed my temples with one hand. Meeting Bill somehow increased my curiosity about Ascan’s current mental state.
Bill looked at me with an intriguing gaze and said, “Hello, I’m Bill, the deputy commander of the Royal Guard. Are you Lady Brellof, the best weaponsmith in the continent?”
“Oh, yes. Nice to meet you.”
I couldn’t quite understand why, but Ascan seemed to be watching the scene of Bill and me greeting each other with an uncomfortable look.
Ascan spoke in a low voice, “Why did you suddenly appear?”
“I just missed you, brother. I was curious about Lady Brellof. Aren’t you the best weaponsmith in the continent?”
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.”
