Ariana was treated like a patient with a severe illness.
Duke Langsti White swiftly picked up Ariana and took her to her room, ignoring her protests that she was fine.
She had thought that only Pelos was reckless in the White family, but Langsti was not to be underestimated either.
After the attending physician Uriel treated her wounds and left, Isabel rushed in with a pale, panic-stricken face, clutching the blanket tightly as she shouted,
“Hey! I! I… I’m sorry, Ariana.”
What?
Seeing Ariana’s eyes widen, Isabel choked back tears.
“I should have protected you… I’m sorry for running away, Ariana. I shouldn’t have run. You were scared, weren’t you? I’m sorry.”
“I told you to run. Thanks to you calling for help, I was able to stay safe.”
Isabel shook her head vigorously.
“It would have been too late. Had Zeor not been returning just then, we would’ve been in real trouble. Zeor always returns before others after ending a war, so he can arrogantly celebrate alone. Never before have I been so grateful for that trait.”
Ah, so that’s the kind of person he is.
Although Ariana had a proud and cold gaze, she recalled Zeor, who only spouted incomprehensible words.
“I’m really sorry, Ariana. If I knew this would happen, I would’ve practiced swordsmanship more diligently… From now on, no matter what happens, I will diligently practice swordsmanship to be able to protect you.”
Why would Isabel need to do that?
Ariana didn’t understand why she was so apologetic and vowed to protect her.
The adults left the room, leaving only Isabel, who kept apologizing. Just then, they heard people coming in.
“I have returned, grandmother, grandfather, uncles, and aunts. Not only have we won the war, but I have also protected the princess. Isn’t this return quite successful?”
The voice of Zeor came through the bedroom door.
“Let’s talk outside.”
The voice of Russel was also heard.
Ariana got up from the bed. Isabel stood in her way.
“Where are you going? Stay in bed. You don’t need to get up.”
“I have something to discuss with the adults.”
“Just stay in bed.”
Ignoring Isabel’s attempts to stop her, Ariana left the room. The people who were just leaving her room turned to look at her.
Theodore spoke.
“Why did you get up? Stay in bed.”
“I’d like to be part of the discussion about this incident.”
“Ah, child, we’ll take care of it. Just eat well and rest.”
“I insist on participating, as it involves me.”
Despite their reluctant expressions, they eventually gave their permission.
After sending Isabel out, only the adults remained in Ariana’s reception room. Under uneasy and worried gazes, Ariana spoke.
“When will my custody trial be held?”
Not expecting the topic of custody to come up after a kidnapping attempt, everyone looked stunned.
Russel, puzzled but answering, said,
“We’ve requested a trial at the imperial court. The date will likely be set for early May.”
“Have the two witnesses I mentioned agreed to testify?”
“Yes, they agreed without much hesitation.”
Ariana lowered her eyes and stared at the table for a moment before speaking.
“The person who sent the assassin to me today is not the Duchess of Bronthe but Seo Je-hu. If the assassins do not return, he will be convinced that I am siding with the Dongryeong. Seo Je-hu will also anticipate the custody trial. In doing so, the Chief Investigator will be at risk.”
“The Chief Investigator?”
“Right. Seo Je-hoo would have suspected from the moment I went into hiding that I might have sought asylum in Dongryeong. If I were to speak about abuse, he would have kept an eye on potential witnesses. If someone from Dongryeong had contacted the investigation chief, it would have already reached Seo Je-hoo’s ears. The moment the investigation chief tries to leave Seoryeong to testify, he’ll be killed.”
It wasn’t something a sixteen-year-old noble lady should have been able to discern. Ariana’s eyes shone keenly as she spoke with conviction, like a scribe facing impending war.
Everyone fell silent and stared at the young girl.
“Seo Je-hoo’s suspicion wouldn’t have reached the Duchess of Robenta in the empire. The Duchess of Robenta showed favor to me because of what happened in the Bronte estate. The Duchess of Bronte is still afraid of Seo Je-hoo, so she wouldn’t have reported minor social incidents to him.”
Ariana locked eyes with Russel.
“We have to protect the investigation chief.”
“Ye-yes. We should send someone.”
“Have the assassins spoken?”
Jeor answered.
“They died before they could speak. It was supposed to be done gently.”
Jeor gestured toward Russel with his palms facing up.
“You couldn’t hold back, could you? What angered you so much?”
“It’s alright. Their testimony wouldn’t have been of much help anyway. As long as the investigation chief safely arrives in the empire, the testimonies of him and the Duchess of Robenta will be sufficient.”
+++
Russel headed to his office with Jeor.
Seated in his chair, Russel massaged his furrowed brow.
Ariana was exceptionally sharp—so sharp she saw through strategies even adults couldn’t.
It hurt his heart.
My Ex-Girlfriend Is The Regent In The Female-dominant World (Male lead transmigrates to the matriarchal world)
Two years ago, Gu Sui picked up a homeless woman in ancient costume from the street.
Apart from occasionally claiming to be a princess from a female-dominant country due to illness, her figure, appearance, intelligence, and martial arts skills were impeccable.
Naturally evolving from roommates to girlfriends, as time went on, Gu Sui found it increasingly difficult to tolerate her queen syndrome.
“Mu Jiulu, can you stop controlling me inside and out? Let’s break up.”
Gu Sui made a breakup call, and since then, he couldn’t find any trace of her.
A year later, Gu Sui, who was planning to move, woke up the next day and found himself in a different place.
“Young Master, today is the day you choose your Wife-master through martial arts competition at Jade Dew Pavilion. Please get up quickly.”
Gu Sui: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
As the only son of a general’s mansion in a female-dominant dynasty, the young empress personally issued a decree allowing Gu Sui to select his Wife-master through martial arts competition. Whoever could defeat him could marry him.
Gu Sui: “……”
He didn’t inherit the original owner’s martial prowess, so anyone could defeat him! And what the hell is a Wife-master?
Forced to come to Jade Dew Pavilion, the densely packed women below made Gu Sui’s agoraphobia act up, and his face was full of resistance.
Until he saw the Regent sitting on the second floor, with a smile on the corner of her lips, her eyes wicked and nonchalant.
Hmm… she looked a little familiar.
It turned out that the Regent also found him a little familiar.
Mu Jiulu fiddled with her bone clasp, her deep gaze locked on the man who was out of place in this world.
“Finally, I found you.”
Male transmigrates into female-dominant world
One-sentence summary: What goes around comes around, taking turns in the crematorium
