Viare needed time to gather her thoughts and sat quietly in the carriage with her eyes closed.
As she had anticipated, the Elmadar Social Club buzzed with gossip-like romantic scandals and political issues of the empire, among other news.
The news about Dension had particularly weighed on her mind, leaving Viare to suppress her somber feelings alone.
“Lady, how about we stop by the large bookstore?” Diane suggested gently, noticing her subdued mood.
Joyan and Tonio nodded in agreement, prompting Viare to accept the idea as a distraction.
After the carriage arrived at the square, Viare instructed her attendants to enjoy their free time and briskly ascended the stairs into the large bookstore.
Standing in front of a section displaying new and popular books, her eyes landed on one particular title.
‘It seems easier to find now.’
Even years later, the book “To Regain Destiny” continued to be published.
Viare had purchased it in her past life and this one, but no longer possessed it.
The day that should have created memories with Dension about this book, she had waited in vain at the dessert cafe, hoping he might show up.
Disappointed by his absence that night, she had given the book to her maids.
Contemplating whether to repurchase it, she was startled by a voice next to her.
“Do you like this kind of book?”
‘Sion…’
Startled by his sudden appearance, Viare managed to steady her trembling heart before responding.
“Yes, it holds memories for me.”
The realization that those memories now existed only for her brought a bitter taste to her lips.
“Hmm, is it an interesting book?”
“…Haven’t you read it?”
She recalled that in the past, he had read this book, yet now he seemed unfamiliar with it.
“I’m not particularly interested in popular novels.”
“…I see.”
‘Wishing for you to remember this book is my selfish desire, isn’t it.’
Accepting that he was no longer the Dension she knew was not easy, despite her understanding of the fact.
The disappointment was evident in Viare’s expression, prompting him to add,
“I just don’t focus only on this genre.”
Viare remembered Dension enjoyed reading and deep conversations, being a member of a literary society.
“…Then perhaps you could try reading it now.”
“What do you mean?”
“This book. I’ll gift it to you, please read it.”
The book contained vivid memories of the brightest moments in her life.
Viare understood that he no longer remembered it, but her heart couldn’t easily let go.
She feared losing their connection completely and hoped he would read the book at least once more.
“…That’s unnecessary.”
“It’s a way of thanking you for helping me last time.”
‘Please accept it, Sion.’
“…Alright.”
Initially reluctant, he finally accepted Viare’s offer.
True to Viare’s memory, he was strong with the strong and kind to the weak.
Perhaps he still cared about her, having seen her cry that day.
Relieved that some aspects of Dension remained unchanged, Viare paid for the wrapped book and handed it to him.
“Thank you, Lady.”
Viare wore a faint smile, unable to say anything further.
Their brief conversation had moistened her heart like rain in a drought, gradually easing the subdued mood she had been in all morning.
She wanted to spend more time with Dension, but knowing she shouldn’t be greedy, she was about to bid him farewell.
“Please allow me to return the favor.”
“…A return favor?”
Surprised, Viare looked intently at Dension, who raised his lips slightly and showed her the book.
“Didn’t you recommend a good book?”
“I’m not sure if it will be a good book for you, Count.”
Although she had gifted it, Viare was uncertain if “To Regain Destiny” would resonate with him in his current state.
At her trailing off, Dension spoke in an indifferent yet somewhat tender voice.
“It’s good to try a new novel now and then.”
Insisting on reciprocating, he then led Viare out of the bookstore to a nearby dessert café.
Viare’s heart sank as they arrived.
“This place is…”
“I often come here to buy snacks for the knights.”
The café Dension brought her to was one she had stopped visiting, a place she used to frequent, hoping to see him. But after never encountering him there, she had stopped going, not wanting to harbor meaningless hope.
She never dreamed he would bring her here, so she could only blink in surprise.
“Aren’t you going in?”
“No, let’s go in.”
The café was quiet, perhaps due to the off-peak hour, and the scents of coffee and sweet tea wafted through the air.
As always, Viare chose a window seat bathed in winter sunlight, and Dension naturally sat opposite her.
He ordered familiarly for both of them, and soon their desserts and tea were served.
The fragrant Earl Grey tea and the rich coffee aroma eased the tension.
Seeing the pudding with tangy marmalade, Viare couldn’t help but let out an involuntary laugh.
At her laughter, Dension coughed a few times, adding defensively, “The knights like the pudding here, and it does taste good.”
‘You still like pudding.’
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
