Helcyon, who seemed to notice that Seruna and I were together, approached and struck up a conversation.
“Lady Brellof, is this your first time attending a party in the Kahlua Empire? Is there anything uncomfortable for you?”
“Yes. I was enjoying the spectacle.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Seruna was also silently observing, but she made a graceful gesture to summon Maroko, who was nearby.
“Lady Brellof, this is Maroko Duke. He’s also my father.”
Although I knew it in advance thanks to Askan’s advice, I bowed slightly as if I didn’t know anything.
“Nice to meet you, Duke Maroko.”
Rufelmo was notably short, not just in height but also in physique. His appearance couldn’t be described as handsome in terms of height or stature, but as an old man, he exuded an inexplicable aura that was difficult to approach.
“Pleased to meet you. Lady Brellof. I’ve heard the rumors that you’re the continent’s top weapons master.”
“You’re too kind.”
“I have a lot of questions about magic engineering weapons that I’d like to ask you, Lady Brellof. Could you spare some time later?”
It felt like we were getting to the point.
If Seruna and Rufelmo were going to hypnotize me, they had to avoid crowded places. Meeting them in a quiet space would signal danger.
However, I didn’t reveal my suspicions. It was the right time to utter a refusal, pretending to be unaware, as I had done so far.
“Unfortunately, that seems difficult. Lady Brellof isn’t feeling well today, and she plans to return home early.”
Unexpectedly, a low voice reached my ears. When I turned my head, I saw Askan in his white imperial guard uniform.
It seemed like he appeared here to rescue me after seeing me surrounded by Helcyon, Seruna, and Rufelmo.
Although I could have handled it alone, it was better to appear a bit helpless, so I discreetly stepped back.
Rufelmo laughed mockingly and said, “If anyone sees, it seems Count Atreus is Lady Brellof’s spokesperson.”
Calling Askan, a count and captain of the imperial guard, my spokesperson was nothing short of an insult.
However, even with Rufelmo’s provocation, Askan didn’t bat an eye.
“Currently, Lady Brellof’s safety is under my protection as the imperial guard captain. Please understand.”
Rufelmo frowned displeasingly, but Helcyon, watching the scene, seemed quite satisfied.
Knowing that the Maroko family was adept at hypnosis, Askan, who preemptively blocked the danger, looked commendable.
Seruna seemed about to say something, but Helcyon quickly spoke up.
“Health is the most important. Lady Brellof, if you’re not feeling well, it’s okay to go inside.”
Among the people present, no one believed that I was genuinely unwell.
In truth, my physical condition was fine, but since Askan seemed to have made an excuse for me, I played along.
“Yes, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”
Seruna opened her mouth with an angelic smile.
“Oh, I’ve arranged a small welcome event for Lady Brellof today. How about attending that alone? It could be helpful for you to get to know the nobles of the Kahlua Empire.”
Looking closely, Seruna’s eyes didn’t show any signs of laughter. It felt eerie as she raised only the corners of her mouth, seemingly smiling.
It was my intuition, but both Rufelmo’s proposal to talk about magic engineering weapons and Seruna’s welcoming event seemed to be prepared to trap me.
If they didn’t know about their ability to hypnotize, they might not be aware that private meetings should be avoided at all costs.
“I apologize to Your Majesty the Empress. You’ve been considerate, but I don’t think I can participate today. Let’s meet next time.”
My purpose in attending this party was to see Calspelliver and deduce Askan’s psychological state.
I had no intention of falling into traps set by Seruna and Rufelmo.
Seruna nodded her head with a kind expression, as if there was no choice. It didn’t seem like she would give up easily, but I had no intention of yielding either.
“I might have kept the Emperor and Empress too busy. I’ll step back for now.”
In response to my words, Helcyon nodded with a satisfied smile.
“Sure. See you later.”
Although it sounded like a casual farewell, for a moment, I clearly witnessed a venomous look in Seruna’s eyes.
Having bid farewell to Helcyon, Seruna, and Rufelmo, I returned to my original place.
Askan left that place with me, but his gaze continued to watch the location where Seruna and Rufelmo were.
“The words I said earlier weren’t empty. I have other engagements today, so I won’t be by your side until the end. Please return to the mansion first.”
“Why? Is something wrong?”
“It’s nothing serious. There’s no need to worry. I’m just protecting the Emperor as a member of the Imperial Guard.”
Askan’s words were indeed natural since it was entirely reasonable for the Imperial Guard to protect the Emperor.
I hadn’t realized until now, but there seemed to be an unusually high number of men wearing the Imperial Guard uniform throughout the party venue.
As I had moved here from the Arwen Empire with the Imperial Guard, I naturally became aware of the numbers.
Male lead is a Destined Young Husband (Female-dominant)
One-sentence summary: Wife-master, listen to my explanation!
Li Ruantang, a young lady from a prestigious family, stumbled and fell. When she woke up, she saw a noble and beautiful young man sitting by her bedside, wiping away tears.
The young master had slightly reddened eyes, and his every move exuded charm.
The sight made Li Ruantang’s eyes hot and her heart flutter. After all, she had made a bet with the young master Meng from the neighboring family. If she couldn’t marry a husband before the end of the year, she would have to admit defeat and give up the jade she had worked so hard to obtain.
Outside the window, the flowers were in full bloom.
Rather than losing the bet, the jade, and her face, Li Ruantang calculated that it would be better to seek marriage with the young master in front of her, killing three birds with one stone.
…
Meng Jun never thought that an accident during a spring outing would lead to them rolling down a cliff and into a river, yet still survive.
Now they were trapped in an unknown village, and Meng Jun had overheard that the family who had rescued them had their own intentions.
After all, it was Li Ruantang who had lost her mind and sought marriage first. He was only trying to protect himself!
Glancing at Li Ruantang, who was listing her own merits, the young husband’s voice softened, and he blushed as he lied, “W-wife-master, Wife-master, don’t you remember me?”
The young husband’s voice was clear and handsome, coaxing Li Ruantang’s heart to be soft and sweet, and she spared no effort to protect him.
It wasn’t until they returned to the capital that Li Ruantang suddenly remembered.
When they had fallen off the cliff, in order not to implicate Wei Yunruo, whom he secretly admired, the young husband had instead pulled her, who was slightly farther away, down the cliff with him…
Short summary by Yuushi L: Initially, the male lead (ML) liked another girl, while the female lead (FL) liked the ML. Both fell off a cliff. The FL temporarily lost her memory, and the ML, fearing others might take advantage of him, claimed FL was his wife while they were staying in a village. Later, when they returned home, the FL regained her memories and remembered that the ML liked someone else, so she kept her distance from him. However, during their time living together in the countryside, the ML’s view of the FL had completely changed. From this point, his pursuit of the FL begins.
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