The four of them enjoyed sightseeing at the festival. Amy and Ryan competed to guide Riena, each claiming to know the attractions better.
Following at the very back, Max looked a bit troubled watching the two of them. Seeing him sigh heavily several times, it seemed he was already worried about his beloved sister getting a boyfriend.
Riena moved closer to him and whispered.
“Lord Carrot, don’t worry. Ryan is a really good person. What was it they say? There are no bad people among those who love plants.”
Still, Max heaved a deep sigh.
“I already know that gardener Ryan is a decent man. There are plenty of rumors in the mansion. Of course, many maids like him too. And Ryan is kind to those maids as well…”
“Is that the problem?”
Worried that Ryan might cheat?
Riena swallowed her words.
“It’s not really a problem. Ryan is actually kind to everyone, regardless of age or gender. He’s quite friendly even with the knights he rarely interacts with. But…”
Max seemed worried that Ryan, who was gentle and kind to everyone, might hurt Amy with his ambiguous attitude.
“Well, I still think that if Ryan were to get a girlfriend, he would draw the line properly. Though I don’t know who that girlfriend might be.”
“Huh, is that so?”
“Miss, what are you doing? Aren’t you coming?”
While Riena and Max fell behind talking, Amy, who had gone far ahead, called out. She scurried back and grabbed Riena’s arm.
“There are so many people, you might lose us if you’re not careful. Stay close to me.”
“Okay, got it.”
Riena smiled at Max, who sighed again as he looked at Amy, then started walking briskly.
After that, the four of them did many things. First, they went to a restaurant famous in the capital to satisfy their hunger.
If it became known that Riena was the much-rumored fiancée of ‘that’ Duke Winckler, it was obvious that the surroundings would become chaotic.
They didn’t mention that she was Cassel’s fiancée, as it would be difficult for Max alone to provide protection if a large crowd gathered around Riena.
As a result, they had to wait for a regular table instead of a special seat, but it was fun in its own way.
After filling their stomachs, they began sightseeing in earnest. Riena took turns visiting places guided by Amy and Ryan.
They saw exotic accessories said to be imported from abroad, bought toy gifts for Noah, and participated in games at stalls.
There was a game where you could receive predetermined prizes based on the number of times you hit a small target by throwing daggers. Max succeeded all 5 times and won the best prize.
“No one has ever succeeded all times, that’s amazing.”
“I’m just a bit good at throwing daggers.”
Max shrugged. Far from being sad, the shop owner gladly handed over the prize, saying he had enjoyed a good show. It was a quite expensive-looking necklace.
After a moment’s hesitation, Max gifted the necklace to Riena. Riena then gave it to Amy. Max didn’t seem displeased by her action.
As they excitedly looked around, losing track of time, at some point their feet started to hurt. Noticing the discomfort in Riena’s expression, Amy said.
“I think we’ve seen enough, how about we head back, miss?”
“Shall we? Is everyone okay with going back?”
“Of course. We’ve already seen plenty.”
“I’m prepared to follow whatever you say, miss.”
So the four of them walked towards the carriage storage. Due to the large crowd, carriages couldn’t enter the inner areas.
As she walked, taking in the surroundings until the very end, Riena stopped in her tracks at the sight through a shop’s glass window. The showroom of the extravagantly decorated shop from the outside displayed mouth-watering chocolates.
They came in various colors and shapes. There were even chocolates carved as large as marble statues.
Noticing Riena’s interest, Amy explained.
“This is a dessert shop run by a famous chocolatier in the capital. Many noble young ladies frequent this place. Since your feet hurt, would you like to go in and enjoy some refreshments while resting?”
“I’m fine without tea. I’m not hungry yet. But can we go in and buy some chocolates?”
“Is it for young master Noah?”
“Umm…”
Riena trailed off.
In fact, the person Riena thought of as soon as she saw the chocolates displayed in the showroom was Cassel. She hadn’t even thought of Noah.
〈When I was crying, my brother would secretly give me chocolate. Actually, this is a secret, but I really love chocolate.〉
She remembered a conversation she had with Cas when they were young.
‘Come to think of it, I’ve been in the capital for quite a while, but I haven’t seen Cas eating chocolate.’
Not just chocolate, she had hardly seen him eating desserts at all.
Considering that Riena’s tastes were similar to when she was young, Cassel probably still liked chocolate…
“Young master Noah will love it. Let’s go in!”
Amy, unaware of her thoughts, pulled Riena inside. A clerk greeted them.
“Welcome. How may I assist you?”
Amy answered on Riena’s behalf.
“We’d like to buy some chocolates. For a child about 10 years old.”
“If it’s for a young customer, I recommend chocolates with lots of milk, which are less bitter. Chocolates with nuts and dried fruits are also very popular.”
The clerk pointed to the chocolates displayed in the glass case and explained the taste of each one. Riena and Amy chose chocolates for Noah.
“How about buying some desserts to enjoy with tea when you return?”
“Should we?”
They additionally packaged a few cakes and tarts, and bought cookies to give to the maids.
The clerk, excited about selling a lot, asked with a bright smile.
“Is there anything else you need?”
“No…”
“Wait, Amy.”
Riena interrupted Amy. The clerk smiled even more brightly.
“Yes! What else can I help you with?”
“Do you have any chocolates with a richer taste? Something that even someone who dislikes sweetness could eat.”
She wanted to choose an appropriate chocolate in case Cassel had grown to dislike sweet tastes.
“For that… Oh, are you going to eat it yourself, or is this also a gift?”
“It’s a gift.”
“I assume it’s for a gentleman?”
“…Yes.”
Riena’s voice became a little quieter due to embarrassment.
“Chocolates suitable for gifting to a gentleman… Let’s see.”
The clerk, looking at the chocolates, asked again.
“Does the gentleman drink alcohol well?”
“Well, I’m not sure about that… He doesn’t drink often, but I think he probably has a high tolerance.”
“Then I’ll recommend chocolates with alcohol. They’re especially popular as gifts for lovers.”
At the clerk’s additional comment, Amy interjected with an interested expression.
“Miss, could it be for the master?”
“No, it’s just… Since we came all this way, it seemed a bit odd to only buy for Noah, so…”
Amy grinned.
“You should have said so earlier! The master is strong with alcohol! He doesn’t drink often, but when he does, he remains perfectly fine even when all the knights dining with him have collapsed.”
Max chimed in.
“That’s right. No one can match my lord’s drinking capacity.”
“Would it be okay to give this as a gift?”
“Of course! He’ll probably be very pleased if you give him this!”
The clerk, not missing this conversation, continued her sales pitch.
“Then how about this? Our shop is currently selling gift sets with chocolates containing various types of alcohol in one box.”
“Yes, I’ll take that please.”
“An excellent choice. If you wait a moment, I’ll prepare it and bring it to you.”
After paying, they sat briefly on the waiting chairs, and the clerk returned with her hands full of paper bags.
She showed Riena the contents of the bags, kindly explaining what was in each one.
“This is a new product that came out this fall. I’ve included it for you to try. And.”
The clerk handed over the last bag with a satisfied expression.
“I took extra care in packaging the chocolates you’re gifting to the gentleman.”
As she said, the packaging of the chocolate box for Cassel was elaborate.
It was tied with a burgundy ribbon that contrasted with the brown box, and the ribbon was voluminous and stood out. Moreover, a pink paper cut in the shape of a heart was attached to the bottom of the box.
‘This wasn’t really necessary…’
Worried that Cassel might misunderstand, she still smiled at the clerk.
“Thank you. The gift wrapping is pretty.”
“I’m glad you like it. Please visit our shop again anytime.”
The festival outing ended like that. Riena returned straight to the mansion, distributed cookies to the maids, and gave Noah his toys and chocolates.
“Wow, are you really giving these to me?”
“Yes. Do you like them?”
“Very much! Thank you so much, sister!”
Afterwards, Riena had tea in the garden with the three companions from today until dinner time. They also enjoyed the desserts bought from the store earlier. A couple of desserts were sent to Noah and his tutor.
Having enjoyed a pleasant time until the very end, Riena headed to the dining room with a happy heart.
__________
Ex-husband Wants Reconciliation (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: Chasing the wife to the crematorium (making an effort to attract someone who has become indifferent), the female lead doesn’t look back, the second male lead takes the position.
Synopsis:
To repay the kindness of the older generation, Su Mu crossed into a female-dominated world and became a live-in daughter-in-law of the Yan family, single-handedly saving the Yan family from fire and water.
But her husband, Yan Jiyue, the eldest son of the Yan family, treated her with sarcasm and never showed her a good face.
He even had his eyes on another woman.
It wasn’t until after Su Mu’s death that this pampered and arrogant young master shed a few fake tears and pretended to want to die for love.
Su Mu expressed her disdain.
This life’s kindness was enough. If there was a next life, she would definitely kick Yan Jiyue away.
She also wanted to embrace Xie Yi, who had silently stayed by her side in her previous life and committed suicide by taking poison after her death.
Who knew that the heavens would be so kind as to allow her to be reborn, returning to the time when she had just married into the Yan family.
Su Mu glanced at the Yan eldest son, who still spoke coldly to her, and threw a divorce letter in front of him.
“Let’s divorce!”
—–
Yan Jiyue never imagined that he would be reborn. He happily went to find Su Mu, wanting to make up for the mistakes he had made in his ignorant youth.
Wasn’t the reason the heavens allowed him to be reborn to let him reconcile with Su Mu?
But when he pushed open the door to Su Mu’s room, the person lying on the bed was another man.
Su Mu’s personal attendant, Xie Yi.
Yan Jiyue hated him so much that his teeth itched. In front of Su Mu, Xie Yi was a gentle and considerate whisperer of sweet nothings, but in reality, he was vicious-hearted and deliberately sabotaged their husband and wife relationship.
In the previous life, it was he who secretly hid in Su Mu’s coffin and committed suicide, stealing a step ahead of him to be buried with Su Mu.
Yan Jiyue’s eyes were filled with hatred as he cursed, “What kind of thing are you? Your background is lowly, what right do you have to occupy Su Mu?”
Xie Yi looked at the sleeping Su Mu and no longer pretended to be a whisperer of sweet nothings.
He proudly stuck out his belly, “I have the right because my belly is capable of giving the Wife-master a daughter.”
[Reading Guide]
1. True divorce, chasing the wife to the crematorium, the female lead doesn’t look back, the male lead is Xie Yi.
2. The ex-husband did not cheat, he just realized too late and didn’t realize that he liked the female lead.