“Well then, shall we go see how many items Miss Elize has taken a liking to?”
Those who were inside the store went outside. Elize was in the midst of browsing the store’s items.
“Mrs. Roma, I’d like to buy these first.”
“Yes, tell me, young lady.”
“This brooch and necklace here, the fan, and this scarf too. They’re in even better condition than new ones. Oh, and can the nibs on this fountain pen be replaced?”
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll take these 3 nibs as well.”
“You have good taste. The necklace was worn by the queen of the Wellon Kingdom, and the fan was made by Sevion’s chief designer, never shown at any party. And this scarf…”
Roma explained the items with a bright smile. As she spoke, her hands quickly wrapped the items, and by the time she finished speaking, all the products were neatly packaged.
Elize handed one of the packages to Ansi.
“The fountain pen is for you, Ansi.”
“It’s alright…”
“You read and write more than any other girl I know. I’m getting ahead of your husband before he notices and gives you writing tools as a gift.”
“Don’t worry. He probably won’t notice such things anyway.”
In the past, she might have been immersed in print while helping Rubella, but now she was far from such a life. Rather than a pen, he would be more likely to think she needed cream for hands roughened by servant work.
However, Elize’s point was elsewhere.
“How could he not notice? He was focusing only on you at the wedding. He looked ready to gift you the clock tower of Pelitz if you said you wanted it.”
“Not really… It’s not like that.”
Pessimism unknowingly seeped into Ansi’s voice.
“Ansi, it seems like you have something on your mind.”
Roma had brought tea and placed it on the table. Fragrant rooibos tea rippled in the cups. Elize leaned forward towards Ansi, who had sat down at the table before she knew it.
With a face that said to tell her anything.
But would talking solve the problem?
“Even problems that seem unsolvable when kept to yourself often find simple solutions once spoken aloud, young lady.”
Roma smiled gently, resting her chin on her hands propped on the table. As if she had read Ansi’s mind.
“Besides, I used to be quite the matchmaker back in the day. I’ve seen the ins and outs of relationships between men and women. Who knows? Today’s conversation might be of some small help?”
She wrinkled her nose playfully.
After hesitating, Ansi finally opened her mouth. In a tone feigning nonchalance, as if it were nothing.
“It’s not a big problem. It’s just… Damion doesn’t seem to think I’m as good a person as I thought.”
“Oh my, why do you feel that way?”
Even as she spoke, Ansi still doubted the possibility of a solution. Truly, she didn’t think talking about this would solve anything.
“I haven’t properly met Duke and Duchess Orphe yet. I suppose I’m too embarrassing to show to his parents.”
“What? That can’t be, Ansi.”
However, in Elize’s reaction, she felt something similar to when she had spoken with Simon. Elize leaned forward and shook her head.
“We’re talking about Lord Damion here. He’s definitely a romantic, isn’t he?”
“That may be true, but…”
“Maybe he was worried you’d get hurt? Threats to someone you love often seem bigger than they really are. If not that, then there must be another reason. Anyway, he definitely wouldn’t find you embarrassing.”
Elize’s eyebrows were furrowed deeply. Her excited voice continued urgently. As if she were desperate to change Ansi’s mind.
Worried I’d get hurt?
She hadn’t thought of that.
She recalled the man’s face when he returned after visiting Duke Orphe. The hint of self-mockery that crossed his face was too ambiguous to be simply anger.
His answer to the question of whether he considered her unsuitable for Orphe didn’t seem like a lie either.
Moments she had deliberately ignored then were now visible today.
“Still, Ansi, if Lord Damion really troubles you, tell me. I won’t stand idly by!”
“My, what do you plan to do?”
At Roma’s question, Elize clenched her fists. Then she held up both fists.
“I could throw a punch or two, couldn’t I?”
Elize asked seriously. Her expression was so resolute that Ansi burst out laughing despite herself.
“What’s that supposed to be.”
“Hehe, is that no good? My cousin brother often goes to watch boxing matches, maybe I could tag along and learn a thing or two?”
“It would be faster if I hit him myself.”
“Then I’ll testify that the situation called for it.”
“Thanks.”
She felt a small relief. Until just before coming here, she had felt so stifled. Now she felt a little… more at ease.
Perhaps she had wanted to grab anyone and talk, because she felt so suffocated.
“How about that? Feeling better?”
Roma winked.
“Yes, thank you.”
Ansi nodded.
The conversation wrapped up quickly. As she left the store, a small hole in the sandy ground caught her eye.
An ant emerged from between the hole. From the narrow, dark underground, through a small gap opening upwards.
It was a nice day. As if enjoying the light, the ant slowly walked across the ground. Ansi quietly watched its movements.
This outside world wasn’t the ant’s home, and eventually it would have to return underground. Even so, for now, it could enjoy the momentarily allowed light.
“Come on, Ansi!”
“Coming.”
Ansi moved towards the brightly smiling Elize. She took a small breath. This much breathing seemed okay to allow herself.
[This is the timeline separator]Silence filled the carriage.
The carriage carrying the two was heading towards an orphanage on the outskirts of the capital. Their expressions were stiff, unlike people going to deliver donations.
Ansi glanced at Damion, who was driving. It was their first time alone since that conversation. They had exchanged brief words when departing, but it was nothing more than businesslike.
Finally, Ansi spoke first.
“I think it’s very meaningful to deliver donations in person. Are you generally interested in this kind of charity event or donation?”
From her perspective, it was a step back. Since tomorrow was his birthday, she could make this much concession.
But Damion replied indifferently, staring ahead.
“Not really… If I had a great intention for charity, it would have been appealed in the newspapers.”
The man’s response was different from usual. It was oddly curt, clearly showing that the issue from that day remained unresolved.
Ansi unconsciously pouted.
Where was the man who used to push forward like a steam locomotive? To encounter such a sharp response now.
She had only worried about how to react to excessive kindness when with him, not how to deal with hurt feelings.
Besides, even if that man was like that, why did she have to be caught up in such a petty emotional battle?
In the end, Ansi snapped back, unable to hide her displeasure.
“Do people donate to brag in newspapers? Many people donate without publicizing it.”
“It’s a good spirit, but there’s no reason not to publicize it either. For people like us, raising our public reputation through promotion is more important than the psychological uplift gained from secret donations.”
“Then why are we going today without informing the journalists?”
“The director of the orphanage we’re visiting used to be the chief priest of the capital’s cathedral and has now stepped down to come here. He’s an influential person, so just making an impression is beneficial.”
“What a wonderful reason.”
“So when we arrive at the orphanage, Ansi, please try to smile a little. It will be good for you.”
“I’ll try.”
The conversation ended there.
Ansi swallowed a sigh that was about to escape and turned her gaze out the window.
Sometimes Damion de Orphe said things that weren’t very romantic. Like when he made up stories about where she had been for a year to tell people, or when he didn’t introduce her to his parents.
At those times, he seemed like the most realistic and calculating person. Ansi was filled with unnecessary anxiety and aversion at that image.
If he judged her value to be low in his calculations, he might remove her from the scales. Wouldn’t that make this revenge quite difficult?
Ansi focused on the scenery outside the window. The carriage was driving down a green ginkgo tree-lined road leading to the orphanage.
The large trees densely lining the road created a spectacular view. It didn’t get boring even though similar scenery kept repeating. It suddenly felt strange that this road, which would turn yellow in autumn, was so green now.
Damion glanced at Ansi.
The woman who had turned her head in displeasure seemed to be gradually regaining her composure. The summer trees were green, and the verdure had the power to calm one’s mind.
Damion too, like Ansi, tried to kill his complicated feelings in the green foliage.
He felt utterly incompetent for having muttered complaints like a sulking child.
In his mind, he wanted to lighten the mood with his usual teasing words, but his head and mouth seemed to be working separately. Strangely, even putting on an affectionate expression and speaking felt difficult.
The wound might be deep.
The seed of anguish that Henet had planted had been growing vigorously in Damion’s mind for days.
__________
My Clingy Little Husband (Female-dominant)
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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