Riding in the carriage prepared by Fernando, memories suddenly flashed back to two years ago when a similar situation occurred. It was when they met Leharht at the Hwangseong and were returning. Not long after their reunion, the atmosphere between Fernando and her, being alone, wasn’t as awkward as it might have been. It was a time when cutting off her feelings for him made it difficult to interact comfortably. However, as she continued to clash with Fernando and handle the things that happened to her, it became quite comfortable now.
Perhaps, as she had once told Leharht, dedicating her entire being to love made it easier to express herself sooner.
“If it weren’t for that, I might not have stepped a foot outside my house for real.”
It was a worry that she might unexpectedly run into Fernando.
While Etienne gazed out the window lost in thought, Fernando stared intently at her face.
Etienne usually let her hair flow naturally, allowing it to fall as the wind blew, and casually tucking it behind her ears if it bothered her. Today, however, she had gathered it all, exposing her entire face.
Her rounded forehead and the smooth curve of her nose accentuated her profile. When looking at her plump lips, it became impossible to turn one’s gaze elsewhere.
The girl who boldly said she wouldn’t mind making him her husband had grown into a woman with a refined presence. It would be nice if she said she wanted to make him her husband once again with those beautiful lips.
Etienne, who shook herself at their first meeting, has never made such a remark since then. Even if it’s just a joke, she wants to hear it one more time.
“Am I late?”
Revealing his feelings towards Etienne, he had let go of the opportunity to make such a comment with his own hands.
“Fernando?”
The gaze that lingered on Etienne’s lips rose. Then she met the eyes that were looking at her. It felt like she was being drawn into that gaze.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Oh, is it because of the conversation earlier?”
Etienne apologized for interrupting the conversation earlier.
“I really appreciate the compliment about being beautiful. Thank you for bringing it up when only the butler was around earlier, and for not making it obvious elsewhere. But, you know.”
“Is my affection burdensome?”
“No, it’s not that…”
“If you’re going to reject my feelings, you don’t have to say anything more.”
His words made Etienne’s expression awkward.
“We still have time until the debutante ball, so think about it more during that time. Don’t reject me in advance.”
“Fernando.”
“It’s a way to lessen the pain your friend will endure.”
When Etienne quietly called his name, Fernando smiled and ended the conversation.
The fact that there was still time was currently the biggest comfort for Fernando.
And he hadn’t postponed Etienne’s rejection to minimize the size of the wounds he would receive. Whether it’s a day or an hour left, he plans to do his best within that time.
Holding onto Etienne’s hem as he did on that day, he contemplated biting her again and letting himself go.
And… even if he gets rejected later, it won’t make the pain any smaller. After all, it seems impossible to have Etienne.
Feeling a sinking sensation, Fernando forcibly stopped his thoughts. Right now, he was busy just enjoying Etienne’s face.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Rudvi… Your Highness, the Prince.”
The Marquis Pigman, who was about to leave for the gathering, was startled when he saw Rudvi blocking his way.
“Is that a welcoming attitude? Well, not bad.”
He, who used to be treated as a presence worse than a secretary, suddenly spoke warmly.
“I have something to say… Whether we do it here or there.”
When Rudvi mentioned the carriage, the Marquis Pigman belatedly regained his composure and hastily turned his body to the side.
“Th-this way, please.”
Although he was thinking that it was about time for the long-lost Second Prince to appear, he couldn’t gather his wits when he suddenly appeared in front of him.
First, he guided him to the reception room. As Rudvi followed behind with leisurely steps, the Marquis Pigman belatedly removed the chair at the head of the table.
“Y-your Excellency, please have a seat. I think this place would be suitable for you.”
Once they entered the reception room, the Marquis Pigman quickly pulled out the chair in the most senior position. Rudvi declined the Marquis’s courtesy with a handshake.
“Please, take that seat, Marquis. I’m fine here.”
Marquis Pigman was greatly surprised. Earlier, the prince spoke with respect to him, and now his tone remained polite. He even declined the senior seat.
He didn’t know what happened, but he thought that perhaps, now that he was released from disgrace, the prince was not trying to assert himself.
“The reason I came to see the Marquis is… um… I may need some help in the future.”
“Help? From me?”
Marquis Pigman didn’t immediately understand, and while asking, he looked at the prince’s expression, wondering if he might feel uncomfortable with the question.
Male lead is a Destined Young Husband (Female-dominant)
One-sentence summary: Wife-master, listen to my explanation!
Li Ruantang, a young lady from a prestigious family, stumbled and fell. When she woke up, she saw a noble and beautiful young man sitting by her bedside, wiping away tears.
The young master had slightly reddened eyes, and his every move exuded charm.
The sight made Li Ruantang’s eyes hot and her heart flutter. After all, she had made a bet with the young master Meng from the neighboring family. If she couldn’t marry a husband before the end of the year, she would have to admit defeat and give up the jade she had worked so hard to obtain.
Outside the window, the flowers were in full bloom.
Rather than losing the bet, the jade, and her face, Li Ruantang calculated that it would be better to seek marriage with the young master in front of her, killing three birds with one stone.
…
Meng Jun never thought that an accident during a spring outing would lead to them rolling down a cliff and into a river, yet still survive.
Now they were trapped in an unknown village, and Meng Jun had overheard that the family who had rescued them had their own intentions.
After all, it was Li Ruantang who had lost her mind and sought marriage first. He was only trying to protect himself!
Glancing at Li Ruantang, who was listing her own merits, the young husband’s voice softened, and he blushed as he lied, “W-wife-master, Wife-master, don’t you remember me?”
The young husband’s voice was clear and handsome, coaxing Li Ruantang’s heart to be soft and sweet, and she spared no effort to protect him.
It wasn’t until they returned to the capital that Li Ruantang suddenly remembered.
When they had fallen off the cliff, in order not to implicate Wei Yunruo, whom he secretly admired, the young husband had instead pulled her, who was slightly farther away, down the cliff with him…
Short summary by Yuushi L: Initially, the male lead (ML) liked another girl, while the female lead (FL) liked the ML. Both fell off a cliff. The FL temporarily lost her memory, and the ML, fearing others might take advantage of him, claimed FL was his wife while they were staying in a village. Later, when they returned home, the FL regained her memories and remembered that the ML liked someone else, so she kept her distance from him. However, during their time living together in the countryside, the ML’s view of the FL had completely changed. From this point, his pursuit of the FL begins.
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