“Anyway, in the end, I survived safely and became the Emperor. So, my uncle kept his promise to protect me. If it weren’t for my uncle’s guidance, I might have been assassinated somewhere without anyone knowing.”
When he emphasized the word “assassination,” there were gasps heard here and there.
“Yo… Your Majesty, assassination? Who would dare to… Your Majesty…”
Someone spoke with a trembling voice.
“If we’re going to speak, let’s admit it. Everyone, don’t listen too closely.”
Hercesis, as if trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere, smiled and then spoke to his uncle.
“Anyway, I’m looking forward to it. How you and my uncle will cooperate going forward.”
“With what little strength I have, I will do my best to assist Your Majesty. Also, to strengthen the power that supports me sitting in this position… for the people.”
The Duke paused between his words, creating a meaningful gap.
“I also look forward to it, Uncle.”
Hercesis concluded his words and took a step forward. Then, as if brushing past his uncle, he stood on the same line and spoke with a voice that seemed intended only for him.
“Take care of your health. The aftereffects of Rosini’s kiss are quite significant.”
“…….”
“You probably know that well.”
‘Arrogant fellow.’
The Duke’s forehead tightened. However, as Hercesis disappeared from his sight, his expression quickly softened.
His eyes fell directly on another person.
Ishar and the Duke exchanged a glance for a moment. The Duke sent him a smile. It was the same meaningful smile as when he had paused between his words a while ago.
Ishar passed by indifferently, but there was a palpable awareness of him. His gaze shook slightly.
The Duke, with a satisfied expression, turned back to the 34 people who had thrown votes at him. Then, he began to give thanks that he hadn’t completed before.
“Thank you all. I will never forget your efforts.”
Liz wandered back and forth in the room all along.
It was for exercise and also to think. However, even though she might have exercised, her thoughts didn’t branch out at all.
‘Why did the Duke become the Magistrate?’
Her thoughts continuously lingered on that question.
The fact that the Duke became the Magistrate at this point in time, when major events in the original work were resolved and peace finally came, felt strangely uncomfortable.
It bothered her like a small pebble in her shoe.
Suddenly, memories of the venomous spider rushing towards her at the national wedding venue came to mind. It felt exactly like that time. A subtle feeling of being swallowed up by the darkness just before…
“……!”
Liz stopped in her tracks. She reached out and grabbed the armrest of the chair beside her. She exerted so much force that it felt like her fingertips were piercing through the velvet armrest.
Huh, it was a strong contraction, enough to make a sound.
Liz raised her head and looked at the wall clock. She needed to see how much time passed until the next contraction.
“Ah…!”
Five minutes. In just five minutes, the same pain came back. The physician said that contractions coming within five minutes were a sign of childbirth.
“Did you call for me, Your Majesty?”
Without even a minute passing, Rosa appeared.
“It seems like the contractions have started.”
Liz said, taking a deep breath.
“I will prepare quickly.”
Rosa, who had been prepared for such a situation for a long time, hurriedly left without showing any signs of confusion. The door was wide open.
Leaning against the back of the bed, Liz closed her eyes.
Why did she have to give birth in such a complicated moment!
Somehow, her mind became restless.
However, she tried her best to focus on the joy of the long-awaited end of her pregnancy and the excitement of meeting Cain. It seemed like it would be more helpful in the current situation.
Liz neatly placed both hands on her stomach. Her eyes stared fixedly at the wall clock. Anticipating that the interval would be shorter this time, she had mentally prepared in advance. However.
Tick-tock.
Despite the bamboo needle sound, like the rhythmic swinging of a bamboo stick, hitting the circle a hundred times, two hundred times, three hundred times, the third contraction did not come. It ended with just two.
‘It must have been a false alarm.’
Should she have waited for the third one? She felt too hasty.
Then, footsteps were heard from outside the door. It was quite a number. When Liz heard the busy footsteps ringing all at once, she felt inexplicably sorry.
When they revealed themselves, she felt even more sorry to meet their eyes.
They all appeared in sterilized attire, wearing masks and headscarves.
“It was a false alarm. I apologize for causing trouble.”
“No, Your Majesty.”
Rosa untied her mask and bowed. Other attendants also bowed with something in their hands. Then.
“Well, now there should be no problem with me meeting Your Majesty.”
A resounding voice came from behind them. Then, confidently stepping forward, she stood tall like a general.
“I requested to meet Your Majesty, but they said it wasn’t possible due to childbirth.”
Rene turned to Rosa, slightly glancing at her with a somewhat arrogant attitude.
It was her typical demeanor.
Rene sat comfortably and sipped her tea without any concern.
It was such a natural movement that the one-month gap felt completely imperceptible.
“What brings you here?”
“Just because.”
To Liz’s question, Rene replied, lowering the teacup.
“I came because I missed you. You probably missed me too.”
“Living and hearing nonsense from you.”
Liz chuckled and raised her teacup.
“I don’t have time to joke with you. Can you quickly get to the point? Did you come to say goodbye? Or is it a loyalty pledge?”
Waiting for a sarcastic response, Liz brought the teacup to her lips.
“Both.”
“…….”
“I came for both.”
To Liz’s surprise, Rene, looking into her eyes interestingly, added.
“A few days ago.”
Liz raised an eyebrow, putting down the teacup with a clinking sound.
“It’s annoying to be cut off. Can’t you tell the whole story at once?”
Today, Rene was unexpectedly cooperative.
“I came here a few days ago. On the day your husband and my brothers went hunting together. While my brothers were proving their sincerity to your husband with their catch, I was by your side, sipping tea, pledging eternal loyalty. Of course, it was only superficial….”
“…….”
“In reality, I was planning to say goodbye. After that, I was planning to leave the capital immediately.”
“But why didn’t you come to meet me?”
Liz asked. Then, Rene smiled as if lifting a veil.
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
