The Emperor issued an imperial edict and left the court with Cyrus.
On the way to the imperial palace, riding in a carriage, the Emperor stared silently at Cyrus sitting in front of him.
The Cyrus who once held his mother’s hand and smiled brightly had lost his smile. The occasional smiles that did appear were clearly forced, anyone could see that.
Knowing he had contributed to this change in Cyrus, a sense of guilt welled up in his chest.
He had turned his gaze away from his ancestors who had supported him wholeheartedly, like parents, like siblings, out of suspicion and greed. He had even ousted Cyrus, who they had cherished most, in an attempt to seize the Northern Territory.
As time passed and he reached an age similar to that of the previous emperors, he realized deeply what he had discarded and lost due to his greed.
Because of his guilt, he could only be weak in front of Cyrus.
Ever since Cyrus, who as a child had warmly embraced him with a smile, had returned cold as ice and yet still knelt in loyalty, the Emperor could not raise his head to him.
Cyrus stared out the window with his beautiful eyes.
“Are you feeling better, Cyrus?”
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s concern, I was able to correct my course in a timely manner.”
“Are you concerned about that child?”
“I couldn’t ignore her due to some past interactions.”
Though he answered the question, a palpable barrier could be felt in his voice. The Emperor sighed.
“You may be disappointed with Seo Je-Hoo this time… But once you have your own children, you’ll understand him. After all, he’s human and must have crossed the line because his heart softened regarding his child.”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
Cyrus barely swallowed the laugh threatening to burst out.
Even now, the Emperor was still shielding Seo Je-Hoo.
Of course, he would. The man knew how to speak sweet words that the Emperor wanted to hear.
During his time in the North, Cyrus had been paying as much attention to the matters in the South and the Empire as he had to the North. When he heard from his subordinates that Ariana had a custody trial, he thought of it as an opportunity.
Ariana, being clever, would prepare perfectly. The more perfect Ariana’s preparations, the more likely Seo Je-Hoo would cross the line to destroy them, Cyrus was certain.
He thought he could exploit the line Seo Je-Hoo crossed.
He intended to exploit any small gap in Ariana’s defense that she hadn’t managed to cover.
He had arrived in the Empire before the trial and had kept a low profile. He approached the Emperor only after the verdict was out, to involve the Emperor in this issue.
He wanted to show the Emperor directly how Seo Je-Hoo had crossed the line.
It had been successful, but not enough.
‘Yes, this won’t be enough to completely shatter the Emperor’s trust in Seo Je-Hoo. But it’s a start.’
The day the Emperor’s trust in Seo Je-Hoo completely crumbles will be the day Seo Je-Hoo pays for his past sins.
‘Ariana did a very good job.’
It must have been a struggle for her, but for Cyrus, it was an opportunity.
Indeed, monitoring Ariana from the South and aiding her had been the right choice. Ariana’s actions in the future would be a crucial piece to tighten the noose around Seo Je-Hoo’s neck.
‘Anyway.’
Cyrus recalled Ariana as he had seen her in court. When she opened her eyes wide in surprise at his appearance, she looked very cute.
‘But she looked unwell.’
Pale.
In fact, he had found it difficult to focus on his testimony due to her visibly sweaty forehead, bluish lips, and small body trembling as if enduring something.
‘Did she get tortured by Seo Je-Hoo? No, he wouldn’t be so reckless before leaving the Empire. Then why did she look so strained?’
He was concerned.
Although he knew Dong Je-Hoo would take care of it, he wondered if it was okay to leave it at that.
Cyrus tapped his knee with his index finger and then spoke to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, I have somewhere to go, so I will head to the palace separately in time for dinner.”
+++
Even after Cyrus left the courtroom with the Emperor, people couldn’t leave their seats, expressing admiration for the legal battle that had even engaged the Northern Empress.
Herald was no exception.
“Wow. That’s no ordinary grace. To move even the Northern Empress.”
“Amazing. I never dreamed I would see the Northern Empress here…”
“Exactly. Did everyone see more surprised than when the Emperor came out? Wow, it was really worth coming. It was really fun.”
Contrary to the jovial words, Herald’s eyes were carefully observing Ariana.
After losing in the trial, Western Empress Rachel and Southern Empress sat like statues before being led somewhere by the royal knights, and Ariana was leaving the court with the Eastern Empress.
‘Ariana Bron… no, now she’s Ariana White.’
Interest arose.
He felt an attraction to Ariana, who was more pitiful than any other woman he had ever met, yet more noble.
‘Western, Eastern, and even the Northern Empress. To shake them all in my hand. She would be perfect for my vase.’
+++
Male lead is a clingy little husband
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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