When the Cruel Dark Lord Tenderly Seduces (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 11
Yet his impatience refused to settle, and people around him continued to gather.
Duke Hart felt suffocated standing right where he was.
With this many people crowding around him, Marquess Clint should have appeared by now to rescue him—but even he was nowhere to be seen.
Eventually, Duke Hart excused himself to the crowd, claiming His Majesty had summoned him, and slipped away to a secluded corner of the party venue.
There, he noticed a door that should have been locked was left ajar.
‘The guards must have forgotten to secure it properly.’
Beyond that door lay the necklace forged from Tears of Elena.
It was usually displayed ostentatiously whenever foreign dignitaries visited.
‘No one should come here often.’
Thinking this spot was perfect for a quiet rest, Duke Hart opened the door and stepped inside.
He then sank heavily onto a chair placed beneath the shaded area of the second-floor terrace.
But his peaceful respite didn’t last long.
Clang.
The sound of metal clashing against the marble floor echoed through the air.
Duke Hart slowly rose and looked over the balcony railing below.
On the floor lay the necklace made from Tears of Elena. Next to it stood a brown-haired young man.
The man glanced around cautiously before carefully picking up the necklace. His startled expression made it clear—trouble had already begun.
“Oh… what should I do…”
Flustered and at a loss, the young man stood frozen—until the door suddenly burst open.
Someone rushed in.
Duke Hart’s eyes widened as he recognized the newcomer.
‘That woman…’
She was unmistakably the young lady he’d been searching for.
Yet the woman herself didn’t notice him hiding in the corner; instead, she hurriedly dashed downstairs.
“What did you do!”
She scolded the young man sharply.
Her high-pitched voice reverberated through the space.
The moment he heard it, the Duke knew instantly.
‘So she really was the young lady who helped me that day.’
It was astonishing.
‘Don’t ever come down to the city again.’
Though her current angry tone was vastly different from the worried voice he’d heard back then, he was absolutely certain they were the same person.
But there was no time to indulge in sentiment—Crown Prince Carlos soon appeared.
‘Things are taking a bad turn.’
Carlos questioned the brown-haired young man.
“Did you do this?”
The young man firmly denied it.
Watching this, Duke Hart clicked his tongue inwardly.
He understood the boy’s desire to escape blame, but it was an obvious lie that would be uncovered immediately.
“There’s a monitoring magical artifact here. The recording should clearly show who broke it.”
Carlos’s words visibly flustered the brown-haired young man. Duke Hart stroked his chin, watching the boy closely.
‘Will he confess now?’
But the situation took a completely unexpected turn.
Thud!
A brown-haired girl beside him suddenly dropped to her knees.
“I’m sorry.”
She slowly looked up at Carlos.
“…It was me.”
Duke Hart’s eyes widened as he watched the scene unfold.
‘Why…?’
She surely knew this item was significant enough to be displayed here, and she’d also witnessed the young man’s mistake.
Until now, Duke Hart had calmly observed everything—but now his heart raced.
He didn’t fully understand why she’d take the blame upon herself, but he found it deeply admirable.
Despite knowing it wasn’t her fault, she willingly knelt.
A sudden curiosity—and a faint hope—welled inside him.
‘If it’s a woman like her… could she possibly understand my true self?’
It might have been a leap of logic, but it was something he desperately wished for.
He wanted to know more about her.
No—he needed to.
So he finally revealed himself and lied to Carlos, claiming he was the culprit.
Carlos looked suspicious of this sudden confession, but since there was only circumstantial evidence, he simply ordered the Duke to restore everything perfectly before leaving.
The woman seemed puzzled by his unexpected appearance and assistance.
A flicker of wariness crossed her face.
Clearly, she still didn’t realize he was the very creature she’d once saved.
‘Well… maybe that’s for the best.’
If she ever discovered his true identity, those big, bright eyes might instantly fill with fear instead of warmth.
Still, he felt at ease.
Now he knew both her name and her face. He could find her no matter where she went.
Duke Hart stepped back without hesitation and said,
“Nellia. I’ll see you again soon.”
Sooner than you might think.
As Duke Hart climbed the stairs to the second floor, he turned back. The recording device installed on the ceiling glimmered faintly.
With a flick of his fingers, the device let out a soft *fizz* and went dark.
‘If you’re going to destroy evidence, do it thoroughly.’
Then, as if nothing had happened, Duke Hart walked away casually.
Walking toward the Emperor, the Duke replayed Nellia’s face in his mind once more.
‘She really is just like a tiny creature.’
The way she hunched slightly while staring at him—exactly like a wary squirrel.
Come to think of it, why did Nellia regard him with such caution?
Their first meeting hadn’t been ordinary, but he hadn’t done anything to give her a bad impression.
Just now, he’d even helped her.
Thinking about it made him feel unfairly judged.
“Duke Hart, come in quickly.”
Entering the VIP room prepared behind the party hall, Duke Hart was greeted by Emperor Argen waving him over.
The Duke approached respectfully and bowed his head.
“Your Majesty, what did you summon me for?”
The Emperor smoothed his deeply furrowed brow.
“They say another monster has appeared in the eastern desert. It might be the same one we missed last time—that’s why I called you.”
At the word ‘monster,’ Duke Hart’s expression hardened for a split second—but then he gently smiled, tugging at the corners of his lips.
“It probably isn’t. People often mistake mirages in the desert for monsters, don’t they?”
“Still, it might be safer to send a monster-hunting squad. It could be that giant serpent from before.”
Duke Hart remained silent for a moment, then nodded.
“If Your Majesty is that uneasy, I’ll order Captain Helio to assemble a hunting party.”
“Yes, that sounds good.”
The Emperor’s face twisted as if recalling something unpleasant, then he shuddered slightly.
“Ever since I saw that monster years ago, I’ve absolutely loathed snakes.”
“I know. Didn’t you nearly suffer serious injuries because of it?”
Duke Hart moved behind the Emperor and gently massaged his stiff shoulders.
His cold gaze fell upon the Emperor’s nape.
His eyes were icy, as if ready to sink sharp teeth into that fragile flesh at any moment—yet his voice flowed out with infinite gentleness.
“Don’t worry. I’ll pay closer attention to ensure monsters won’t cause any more disturbances.”
The Emperor, seemingly relieved, lowered the hand he’d been rubbing on his arm.
“I’m truly fortunate to have you, Duke. My head’s already aching from dealing with Carlos—I can’t focus on anything else.”
“I understand. For now, Your Majesty should focus solely on His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Under the spell of that hauntingly captivating voice, the Emperor nodded as if entranced.
“If you’ve finished speaking, may I return to the main hall? There are still many guests I need to greet.”
“Of course. I’ve kept a busy man too long.”
The Emperor chuckled softly. Compared to when he’d summoned the Duke, his face now bore far less worry.
“Then I’ll take my leave, Your Majesty.”
Duke Hart bowed once more and exited the VIP room behind the party hall.
Outside, the coldness had already vanished from his expression, replaced entirely by gentle warmth.
He had someone specific on his mind.
The moment he was alone, Duke Hart began searching for Nellia again. Fortunately, it didn’t take long before he found her.
Now that he recognized her face, she stood out immediately.
His eyebrows, initially curved in delight at seeing her, gradually furrowed in concern.
He’d noticed it earlier too—her gait seemed slightly off.
As if she were wearing terribly uncomfortable shoes.
‘Her awkward walk even reminds me of a newborn foal.’
It looked perilous and unsettling.
Duke Hart finally moved, following Nellia from behind.
For now, he intended only to watch over her nearby.
And if she ever stumbled or seemed in danger, he’d catch her.
Nellia stopped at the catering table.
Seeing her enthusiastically grabbing cookies made him chuckle softly before he could help it.
She was so focused on eating that she didn’t even notice him lingering nearby.
‘She really does love desserts.’
It had been so long since he’d felt such a light, spontaneous laugh.
But the smile didn’t last.
Whoa.
He watched as Nellia collided with a passerby and began to fall.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he moved and caught her from behind.
Nellia looked startled at first, but soon her expression turned worried as she asked,
“Are your… feet okay?”
Of course, he wasn’t like ordinary people—he wouldn’t get hurt from something like this.
Though Nellia obviously didn’t know that.
‘Wait…’
If he used this to his advantage…
A plan swiftly formed in Duke Hart’s mind.
And a few days later, he visited Nellia’s home.
Having finished his recollection, Duke Hart fixed his gaze on Marquess Clint.
“So, what is it you’re curious about?”
“Do you really think Miss Nellia can accept and understand your true self?”
How could he possibly know after spending just one day together?
He merely held a faint hope based on how she’d knelt for someone else and taken blame upon herself.
That was precisely why he’d asked her to serve as a maid—to learn more about her.
“I’m not sure yet.”
At Duke Hart’s flat answer, Marquess Clint frowned.
“Really…? That’s disappointing.”
“But it won’t take long.”
Though she guarded herself against him for some reason, easing someone’s tension and drawing them in was one of the easiest things he knew.
“Don’t be overly confident. I spoke with her briefly today—she’s as cautious as a herbivore. And with that light brown hair… doesn’t she look just like a squirrel?”
One of Duke Hart’s eyebrows arched upward.
He disliked that Clint had arrived at such a similar thought.
“What? Why are you glaring at me like that?”
“…Nothing.”
Duke Hart’s indifferent reply made Marquess Clint quickly change the subject.
“Silian, by the way—did you know? Because you kept rejecting young ladies, an amusing rumor’s been circulating behind your back.”
“I know.”
Duke Hart answered, resting his chin on the armrest of the sofa. Clint looked surprised.
“What? You already knew?”
“You mean the rumor that I prefer men.”
He knew all too well.
Gossip reached his ears whether he wanted it to or not.
He’d even planted informants specifically to catch every detail about the Emperor.
“You don’t seem bothered by it.”
“That rumor has saved me from a lot of trouble.”
For example, refusing marriage proposals.
Thanks to it, fewer matchmakers sent him letters.
“I see… But did you know this too?”
Clint lowered his gaze, stroking his chin thoughtfully before suddenly lifting his head.
“The rumor linking you and me together.”
Duke Hart instantly scowled as if he’d heard something utterly intolerable.
“…What?”
“Why that offended look? I’m just as annoyed!”
Clint laughed incredulously.
He’d expected Duke Hart to be serious—but this reaction surpassed imagination.
“In the eyes of those young ladies with overactive imaginations, we’re just a beautiful couple.”
By now, Duke Hart should’ve relaxed his expression and chuckled dismissively—but he remained stone-faced.
“…If Nellia misunderstands, I won’t let it go.”
From Duke Hart’s icy tone, Clint sensed genuine seriousness. Startled, he quickly stepped back.
“I didn’t even spread that rumor myself! That’s too harsh.”
But Duke Hart no longer seemed to care who’d started the rumor.
“Leave this house right now. People think that way precisely because you keep coming and going every day.”
“That’s because of your medicine…!”
Marquess Clint protested indignantly, but it fell on deaf ears.
Duke Hart stood up, grabbed the Marquess by the arm, and dragged him toward the door.
“Alright, alright! I’ll walk out myself!”
Clint finally managed to shake off Duke Hart’s grip. A red mark remained on his freed wrist.
Rubbing his sore wrist, Clint opened the door.
“To treat me like this over a silly rumor… Do you even know how much I love—”
Clint’s voice cut off abruptly. There was someone standing at the door.
“Uh…? Miss Nellia.”
Clint called out to Nellia, but she looked flustered and unsure what to do.
“Um… perhaps…”
Nellia anxiously glanced back and forth between Duke Hart and Marquess Clint.
“Did I… interrupt the two of you?”
Haah. Duke Hart lowered his head and pressed a hand to his forehead.
Male lead first thought she played hard to get, only to realize she
really disliked him
Short intro:
What she can’t stand the most is the streets full of effeminate men, especially that so-called top beauty whom she avoids at all costs.
Shen Yaoxing looks at Jiang Mingyue, who keeps approaching her with coy shyness.
Shen Yaoxing: Bro, don’t be like this, I’m really about to throw up!
She fears nothing in heaven or earth, except for him getting close to her.
*
At first he thought she was just using the trick of feigning indifference to attract his attention. Later, he learned that she truly despised him.
This dealt a heavy blow to Jiang Mingyue, and he vowed to make her, like everyone else, fall at his feet in worship!
***
Synopsis:
Before transmigrating, Shen Yaoxing only wanted to find a reliable man to spend her life with. Who knew that after transmigrating, she would become a reliable woman herself…
A forced misandrist, highly skilled, and reliable female lead
vs.
An initially aloof and arrogant, later morbid, obsessed male lead
_____
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