Ariana watched the moving carriage.
“It’s not the Crown Prince after all.”
Now she understands that Jeor is not directly trying to kill her.
“In that case, it must be someone the Crown Prince wants to protect who committed such an act. Even if their skills are exceptional, accurately choosing the moment to get shot is challenging. Risking one’s life to protect the opponent…”
In the forest, Duke Oveliere and Isaac were seen walking out, engaging in a friendly conversation.
“Duke Oveliere…”
Duke Oveliere’s gaze briefly brushed past Ariana. Observing Duke Oveliere’s brazenly wandering figure, Ariana’s lips tightened.
“The Eastern Territory was peaceful until the Crown Prince decided to move. If I appeared, causing Duke Oveliere to start acting, it’s only a matter of time before he harbors treasonous thoughts.”
In such a case, how would Jeor act?
Ariana knew Jeor as the one who protected the Crown Prince but died when facing the Empire and Pagnaros. If Duke Oveliere became an enemy, Jeor would likely have no choice but to conflict.
“If my presence is disturbing Duke Oveliere, deciding to go to the Northern Command at this time was a wise decision.”
The reason Duke Oveliere acts this way is clear.
He wants to place his own son on the Eastern Throne. Even if Jeor was adopted into the White family, everyone knows he is Duke Oveliere’s son.
If Jeor ascends to the Eastern Throne someday, Duke Oveliere’s influence will be substantial.
“If I leave the position, Duke Oveliere will likely quiet down. Meanwhile, I need to find a way to deal with him.”
Even as a princess, she couldn’t easily handle a noble family with just one finger.
“Let’s advance the Northern journey a bit.”
There might be traps set by Duke Oveliere on the road to the Northern Command.
“Let’s depart early tomorrow morning.”
+++
A secretive atmosphere pervaded within Maho Castle.
Duke Hern, who had been melancholic due to Lord Brown’s betrayal, roamed about in a somewhat solitary manner. Maids and servants seemed unusually excited.
Suddenly, a massive cleaning began, and furniture arrangements changed. Unseen decorations were placed here and there.
Initially, Ariana left Duke Hern alone, thinking he was trying to dispel his gloom. However, as even the vacant room next to Cyrus was decorated, she could no longer tolerate it.
Approaching Duke Hern, Cyrus quietly spoke behind him.
“Duke Hern.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Do you have nothing to do these days?”
“Oh, Your Grace. I’ve been attending to official duties all night and taking some time to prepare for winter.”
“Preparing for winter.”
Cyrus squinted his eyes.
“When have we ever prepared for winter?”
“We haven’t, Your Grace. I thought it would be a good opportunity to try this time. The air felt heavy because we haven’t changed the interior for a long time. Look. Just by changing the frames and decorations, doesn’t the atmosphere significantly improve?”
“I didn’t know the Duke paid so much attention to the atmosphere.”
“Haha. As I get older, my emotions become richer, and everything, the flowers and the sky, looks beautiful.”
“But… why decorate this room so meticulously? There’s no one using it.”
Cyrus’s adjacent room was being decorated far more splendidly than Cyrus’s own. They even tore down and fixed the fireplace, painted the walls anew, and brought in a large bed even though no one was using it.
On the sofa made of warm-textured fabric, there was even the rare white tiger’s fur.
“Since I can’t touch Your Grace’s room as I please, I thought if I decorated the adjacent room, Your Grace might find it a pleasant change when you want to.”
“I didn’t know the Duke cared about my mood so much.”
“Oh, Your Grace. It would be disappointing if you said that, knowing that I worry about Your Grace all the time, every single moment of the day.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Something seemed off.
There was nothing wrong with Duke Hern’s words, but Ariana couldn’t shake off an uneasy feeling.
What kind of scheme could it be?
She wanted to tell him to stop doing useless things and focus on his work, but Duke Hern seemed so delighted that she couldn’t discourage him.
“Well, since Lord Brown was a longtime friend, he probably needs a place to clear his mind temporarily.”
Although she thought it was a waste of state funds, considering the effort put into it, she decided to turn a blind eye for now.
After Cyrus left, Duke Hern heaved a sigh of relief.
“Your Grace is quite perceptive.”
He almost revealed that valuable guests might be coming soon.
A few days ago, Isaac had sent a message.
“I am going to bring my wife to visit. We plan to stay for about a month. Please keep it a secret. I want to surprise you.”
Since Ariana had experienced a setback believing Isaac’s previous letter, she intended to ignore it this time. However, the next day, Crown Prince Hugh sent a message himself.
“My daughter wants to travel to the Northern Command. I apologize for abruptly sharing this news. Take care of her while she’s in the Northern Command.”
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
