Understanding the implication of the question, the director hastily waved his hands. Duke Adrian was inquiring if there had been any abuse towards Rosette.
“No, not at all! While we do teach the children not to be picky eaters, we never force them to eat something they can’t.”
“Have you ever forced a child with allergies to eat something they’re allergic to?”
“What kind of adult would commit such a heinous act!”
The director, forgetting for a moment that he was speaking to ‘that’ Duke Adrian, expressed his outrage.
“I understand your concerns, Your Grace. But I feel uncomfortable with such suspicions. I swear to God, I have never mistreated the children.”
Duke Adrian, who had met countless people, was adept at reading them.
The director appeared to be telling the truth.
“Do you have any idea why the child might have done that?”
“Maybe she wanted to make a good impression on you, Your Grace.”
“Then how could she possibly know about her allergy?”
“I really don’t know.”
Again, the director seemed to be speaking truthfully. It appeared further questioning would yield nothing more. Duke Adrian stood up to leave.
“I shall take my leave. Should any other issue arise, I’ll return.”
After leaving the director’s office, Duke Adrian went to see a child named Jane.
“Child.”
“Uh?”
At his signal, an aide brought out some cookies that had been prepared earlier and handed them to Jane. Hesitantly accepting them, Jane then passed them to another child standing behind her. The child ran off to share the snacks with others.
Then Jane asked, “Is Rosette doing well?”
“You seem to miss Rosette a lot.”
“Yes, very much. But I’ll bear it. I hope she’s happy.”
“I see.”
Duke Adrian hesitated for a moment before asking, “Is the director nice to you?”
Fortunately, Jane brightly smiled and answered without suspicion.
“Yes!”
“Any bullies like before?”
“No!”
“Good.”
“Please send my regards to Rosette!”
“I will.”
After a brief conversation with Jane, Duke Adrian returned to his carriage. Unlike adults, children are not skilled at lying. Jane’s response about the director being kind was without hesitation or falsehood.
However, Duke Adrian remained troubled by Rosette’s behavior. If not here, where had she been forced to eat shrimp?
“Joseph.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Keep an eye on the orphanage from now on.”
“What concerns you?”
“The well-being of the children.”
That was enough of an answer. Through the carriage window, his aide Joseph nodded in understanding.
“And, for the time being, keep shrimp off the menu.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After concluding his instructions, the Duke closed the window. He wanted to visit Rosette and the children again, but he had many pending tasks due to the adoption and accumulated work.
With a hint of regret, he headed back to the capital.
‘Regret, huh? I’m getting sentimental.’
Despite his thoughts, Duke Adrian unknowingly smiled.
“Adoption?”
The Emperor asked, truly thinking he had misheard Duke Adrian.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I intend to adopt a daughter.”
“Why the sudden decision? I’m aware that adoption has become somewhat of a trend among nobles as part of their charitable works, but I didn’t expect you to join in.”
“It is sudden, but it’s not a decision made lightly.”
“Then?”
“I just felt drawn to her from the first moment I saw her. She seemed pitiful, and I found myself wanting to care for and keep her close.”
The Emperor looked at Duke Adrian with an expression of intrigue, closely observing his face.
Duke Adrian, famously known for his cold and detached demeanor to the point of being called a heartless man, was only warmly affectionate towards his three children and his student, Joshua. The fact that he was smiling while discussing the child he planned to adopt was evidence enough that he had become deeply attached to her.
“Moreover, despite her young age, she already possesses exceptional magical abilities, capable of performing healing magic.”
The Emperor, who had been listening casually, perked up at this.
“Magic? She can already perform healing magic?”
“Yes.”
“If what you say is true, then she is indeed a remarkable talent. Very tempting. She might even be a good match for Max.”
“It’s too early for that, Your Majesty.”
“Too early? Surely you know that royal marriages often happen early.”
“…”
Duke Adrian did not respond. He did not want his cherished daughter Isabelle, and soon-to-be daughter Rosette, to be caught up in political storms.
But unable to say this, he changed the subject.
“Anyway, that’s why I’m proceeding with the adoption, and I seek your permission, Your Majesty.”
Although the Emperor knew Duke Adrian was diverting the topic, he pretended not to notice.
“There’s no reason to refuse. Proceed with the adoption as soon as possible.”
“Thank you…”
Before the Duke could finish his gratitude, a commotion erupted outside.
“Your Highness, the Emperor is currently with Duke Adrian…”
“I know that. Stand aside!”
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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