Melly recalled Edric’s scandal articles that often appeared in the gossip columns of the special editions as she faced the ten days’ worth of special editions Oz had brought.
It was the reason she no longer looked at the special editions.
Well, it wasn’t just the special editions that bothered her.
The numerous seductive gazes directed at him, women who approached with alluring gestures even with his wife right beside him, gifts that never seemed to diminish.
Perhaps it was the price she had to pay for life for having a man too good for her…
Sigh-.
Melly let out a deep sigh and picked up one of the special editions.
It started with Edric from the beginning.
It was an article about predicting the success or failure of his newly promoted business and its problems. There was also sharp criticism that he might not easily succeed this time due to his aggressive promotion methods.
Melly felt offended as if she herself had been criticized.
‘He will surely do well this time too.’
Melly moved on to the next page, hoping he would succeed and flatten the nose of the journalist who wrote this special edition.
Melly’s eyes suddenly hardened as she read the article carefully.
[Edric Pelton, private meeting with opera singer Clara Martina at Paulman Restaurant.]This time it’s Clara Martina.
Melly recalled the image of her singing at parties she was often invited to.
Beautiful appearance, voluptuous figure, bold dress with deep side slits. And her long, slender legs that were visible through those slits in a precarious position.
She had heard that many men were desperate to make her their lover. After all, all sorts of gifts noble men had given her often appeared at auctions.
If such a woman set her mind to seducing Edric, could he really not even raise an eyebrow?
“What am I thinking?”
To have such thoughts when she knew what kind of man he was.
It’s all because of these special editions. Even the most steadfast person’s heart can waver in the face of falsehoods flickering before their eyes. Especially when it takes on a rather credible form.
Melly closed the special edition.
‘At times like this, I should keep myself busy.’
She got up and went outside.
She had intended to take a walk, but changed her mind when she saw the lobby busy with party preparations.
Eida was leading the newly hired external workforce. Melly admired Eida for a moment as she gave clear and concise instructions, then approached her.
“I’ll help too, Mother.”
Eida turned to Melly and said with a kind face.
“It’s alright. You go in and rest.”
“But I don’t feel comfortable resting alone. Please let me help.”
Just then, two strong male servants crossed the lobby carrying a large marble statue. Eida made Melly step aside and said,
“I’m worried you might get hurt if you stay here. It would be terrible if there was a child in your belly, wouldn’t it?”
“…”
At those words, Melly’s face became shamefaced.
She had already received the results of the pregnancy test she had requested three days ago this morning. It was, without fail, not pregnant again.
“I’m fine. It’s okay if I get a little hurt.”
Eida immediately understood what those words meant. She said with a pitiful face.
“I guess it’s not this time either.”
“No…”
Melly answered in a small voice.
“It’s okay. The child that’s meant to come will come someday. Let’s wait for next month, shall we?”
Eida said, holding her hand with a gentle voice.
Melly’s eyes stung. She could smile at Edric’s cold treatment, but was weak to kindness.
She wiped away her tears and quickly said cheerfully.
“Then I’ll help with the work now.”
“No. How could you focus on work? Just go in and rest. Oh, isn’t it time for you to take your medicine?”
“Ah…”
Had it already been that long? While Melly was counting on her fingers, Eida called for the maid Anna.
“Anna, prepare the young madam’s medicine.”
“Yes, Grand Madam.”
Anna politely bowed and disappeared towards the kitchen. Eida once again gently held Melly’s hand.
“I think we should change your medicine or increase the dosage soon. Taking it for too long might build up a tolerance.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
“No need for thanks. It’s only natural for me to take care of my daughter-in-law.”
Melly believed her.
She was too kind to dare harbor suspicions, and the Eida before her eyes was too benevolent.
[This is the timeline separator]For generations, the Pelton Ducal family had adhered to a traditional style of parties.
But Edric tried something different this time, as he had done last time.
He encouraged the invited guests to use cars instead of carriages, and sent his own cars to those who didn’t have one.
This was also connected to the new industry he was promoting, a strategy to popularize cars that had been developed long ago but not yet commercialized.
His plan was a great success.
Seeing the cars arrive one after another, showing off their gleaming polish for the party, even the nobles who had criticized them as undignified and only for nouveau riche began to bring in cars one by one.
Edric also arranged the atmosphere of the banquet hall with a harmonious blend of sophisticated modern and classic styles.
Instead of chandeliers that needed candles replaced, he used chandelier-shaped light bulbs so that the light would remain bright for a long time, and he also paid attention to decorative sculptures so that the past and present could coexist without discomfort.
To those looking around with admiring eyes, Edric said,
“Mellisa helped a lot by my side.”
Then people’s awe turned towards Melly. Instead of truthfully saying that she had done nothing, Melly recited the script Edric had given her beforehand.
“I’m at a loss for words at your praise of my humble skills.”
And she added explanations to help people better appreciate the decorations.
“This marble statue was created with mythology as its motif…”
“This objet d’art vase symbolizes the dahlia flower of wisdom and…”
Of course, all of this was prepared by Edric, and Melly had simply memorized his explanations, but the noble ladies who didn’t know the circumstances nodded, thinking to themselves that Melly had become quite knowledgeable compared to before.
Melly felt her self-esteem slipping away like sand between her fingers a little each day.
But in front of this grand party, her self-esteem felt insignificant.
If she had hosted it alone, could she have created such a beautiful party?
Perhaps in about ten years she could, but Edric wouldn’t turn a blind eye to ten failures for one successful event.
Therefore, she would have nothing to do but continue memorizing scripts for the foreseeable future.
“You have such good taste, Duchess.”
“You flatter me.”
Melly responded to people’s praise with fairly skilled acting.
Suddenly the music changed to a lively tune and the center of the banquet hall cleared. It was time for the dance to begin.
Couples matched up and walked into the empty center of the hall. A quick-witted and swift-acting noble lady approached Edric and hesitantly asked him to dance. Edric gladly accepted the lady’s shy request. And behind her, Melly saw numerous women waiting for their turn.
Edric…
At parties, he looked like everyone’s lover.
Everyone wanted to dance and talk with him, to receive his attention. And he didn’t refuse to politely respond to such wishes.
At times like these, Melly thought perhaps she shouldn’t have married him.
If she had been just a guest at the party, then at least she could have easily had the opportunity to dance with him, gaze into his eyes affectionately, and exchange small talk.
How ironic that an opportunity so easy for others became so difficult to obtain after becoming family.
While she was lost in thought watching people for a while.
“If it’s alright with you, may I ask for a dance?”
Startled by the hand suddenly extended in front of her, Melly’s shoulders jerked.
“Ah, I’m sorry for startling you, Duchess.”
“It’s alright.”
Melly looked up at the slender man with chestnut hair and grayish-blue eyes.
It was Count Ludens, whom she had seen once or twice at parties. He had a calm and kind impression, but…
“I’m sorry, but my ankle isn’t well.”
Melly politely declined, bending her knee.
Then Count Ludens awkwardly ran his hand through his hair and said,
“Ah… No, I should be the one apologizing. Well then.”
He left with an embarrassed smile to look for another dance partner.
‘I’m sorry.’
Melly hadn’t danced with anyone since stepping on Duke Claudius’s foot at a ball several years ago.
Duke Claudius’s scream that rang out like an animal’s cry. And the reproachful gazes of people directed at her.
That day’s events became a trauma for Melly.
It must have been even more so because it was her first ball after miscarrying and when her heart was weak.
She didn’t want to ruin a party like that again.
Melly quietly retreated to a corner of the banquet hall and observed the dancing people. She thought she was in a place that wouldn’t draw attention, but somehow a few more people came to ask her for a dance.
“I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well today. I would be grateful if you could give me another chance next time.”
Melly politely refused them all.
And just when she thought she could finally rest as no one else came,
“Please, I beg you, can’t you stop being so stubborn?”
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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