A look of perplexity swept across Askan’s eyes. It was arguably the most confused he had ever looked.
He moved his lips a few times as if to say something, then furrowed his brows. For some reason, his throat seemed redder than it had been a few moments ago.
‘Why is he so cute?’
I blurted out without thinking. Seeing Askan react to my words made him even more adorable, to the point where it felt maddening.
Even when Noxia had overturned the water last time, he was the first to bring me a towel.
It felt more like a duty as a servant than an act for me, but to me, it felt incredibly loyal.
‘Did I have such a taste?’
I began to reflect on myself.
Even when bad guys were trendy in dramas or novels, I preferred pure and devoted men. Especially the men overflowing with innocence were the best.
Askan, who was the villain in the novel, was different from my taste, but the him standing in front of me now was like a collection of all my preferences.
He was like a loyal dog that only followed me.
I moved my hand from Askan’s shoulder and stroked his head, like petting a puppy. It was a thoughtless gesture.
“Thank you. You can get up now.”
At my words, Askan nodded slightly and rose from his seat with a stiff motion. Then he stood behind me as usual.
Noxia was looking at the robotlike moving Askan and me with a surprised expression.
“I’m, I’m, I’m sorry.”
The employee who spilled the tea seemed to have regained his senses late, repeatedly bowing his head and apologizing.
Michelle was the same. She spoke with a darkened complexion, as if she was scared of my scolding.
“I don’t know how to apologize… I’m really sorry. It’s my fault for inadequately training the employees.”
I glanced at my teastained dress. Thanks to Askan, I was able to prevent the stain from spreading, but it didn’t seem like it would easily disappear.
“You’re not planning on ending this with just an apology, are you?”
“Of course, we have to compensate you. If there’s anything you want, please tell me.”
“First, I plan to charge you for cleaning my dress and Sidong’s clothes. If it doesn’t come out, you might have to send a new dress.”
“That’s only natural. And if you want punishment like last time……”
Punishment?
What is she talking about?
For some reason, Michelle’s voice was trembling more and more. I could tell that she still had something to say to me.
What else is left here when I’ve already said all the damages I want?
Curious, I waited for Michelle’s words, but she couldn’t easily spit out her words with a pale complexion.
Unable to wait, I opened my mouth first.
“If you have something to say, say it.”
Whether my words sounded cold or not, Michelle was surprised and responded.
“Um, you flogged the employee yourself when this happened before. Can’t you overlook it this time with a generous heart?”
I was dumbfounded without knowing it. It was a completely unexpected remark.
Only then could I recognize the employee who was noticeably scared. Upon closer inspection, it was the very employee who had been trembling exceptionally when walking to the fitting room earlier.
I didn’t think my personality was particularly good, but I had to give it up to Tanashia.
I never thought she would flog the costume room staff herself over such a small matter.
I was at a loss for words. Misunderstanding my silence, Michelle began to justify her earlier remarks.
“Of course, it’s a mistake on our part, so it’s natural that you punish……”
“That’s enough. You don’t need to explain.”
I had noticed from the beginning that I was a troublesome customer at the costume room, but I think I understood why the employees were so tense in front of me.
It was because they knew they would be flogged mercilessly even if they made a small mistake.
The more scared a person is, the more likely they are to make mistakes. The reason the employee was shaking his hand while moving the tea seemed to be due to that.
I unknowingly held back a sigh.
When I turned my head a little, I could see Askan’s expressionless face. I was at a loss whether to be glad or sad about the fact that I wasn’t the only one who flogged him.
What’s more, I felt embarrassed by Noxia and Askan, who were quietly waiting for my verdict as if they were familiar with this situation.
I wanted to deny that it was my doing, but it was part of what I had to accept as Tanashia’s possession.
‘What sin did I commit in my past life……’
Suddenly, I felt a sense of selfloathing. But that didn’t change the current situation.
Immersed in her complicated feelings, Margaret remained silent for a moment before Michel spoke again.
“If I’ve upset Your Grace, I apologize once again…”
“I’m fine.”
“…Excuse me?”
Michel looked somewhat surprised.
He seemed not to have expected her to accept his apology so easily.
“Is the employee I disciplined last time still working here?”
“Ah, no. We’ve made sure they can’t even set foot in the costume room again, so there’s no need to worry…”
“There’s no need for that.”
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.”
