The one she needed was Duke Harden, who could even wrestle bears in the mountains and was on friendly terms with rogues and pirates of the continent. Duke Harden, who had always ogled her with lustful eyes, was the right person for this moment.
Even when Duke Harden confidently assured her he could bring Prince Eric back, the Empress Dowager was skeptical. But now, biting her lip, she entwined her fingers in his thick, curly hair.
Pressing her body close to him, the Empress Dowager whispered in his ear.
“Tell the pirates to demand a ransom from the royal family for Prince Eric. If they don’t receive it within three days, threaten to execute him. They can’t just watch when the son of the previous Emperor is kidnapped.”
“Your wish is my command.”
Breathing heavily, the large hands of Duke Harden effortlessly lifted the Empress Dowager and carried her to the bed without hesitation.
At the Lotus Palace in the imperial palace, the second villa where Grace, the Lady of the Lérins duchy and a candidate for Empress, was staying.
“Did you hear, aunt? Prince Eric has been kidnapped by the De Skull pirates,” Grace informed her aunt, the Duchess of Lérins, who had come to visit her late at night.
“I just heard about it on my way here.”
“They say if they don’t get twenty chests of gold bars within three days, they will hang the Prince’s head on the mast.”
“Is that so?”
The Duchess, seated on the sofa, took a sip of the jasmine tea prepared on the table, replying nonchalantly.
“It’s actually a good thing for Prince Eric. He would have been shocked and made a fuss about needing rest even if he had only suffered minor injuries during the kidnapping. Now, he won’t have to go to the battlefield.”
At Grace’s words, the Duchess’s eyes sparkled as she revealed her white teeth in a smile.
“Indeed, no one can match your sharp mind, Grace. You must have been my daughter in a past life.”
“So you thought the same, aunt. It’s clear that the Empress Dowager had a hand in this.”
“That’s right. As if that coward Eric would become the Emperor. She still hasn’t given up on her vain dream.”
“I’m so grateful you refused when the Empress Dowager suggested me as Eric’s bride. With my parents gone, you and uncle are my only guardians.”
“Of course. I never saw you as just a niece. You’re my daughter. I couldn’t possibly marry off the precious only daughter of the Lérins duchy to a powerless prince.”
“And you, you’ll certainly become the Empress,” added the Duchess, affectionately stroking Grace’s glossy silver hair.
‘Once Grace is chosen as the Empress and bears the crown prince, the empire will belong to the Lérins duchy, or rather, to me. If Maxwell is taken care of, the young crown prince will need a regent, and the Lérins family will step in.’
Grace didn’t know this hidden agenda, but it didn’t matter. Ambitious Grace would rather be a widow and Empress, mother of the future Emperor, than be married to a mere prince for life.
“Your Highness, Duchess, Bridget greets you,” announced the arrival of the royal housekeeper, walking in. Every gesture and tone of her voice was steeped in the strict etiquette of the royal household.
“Come in, Bridget,” the Duchess greeted, taking Bridget’s hands in hers.
“Bridget, the chief housekeeper of the palace, will assist you from now on. She’ll support you not only in the upcoming competition but also once you become the Empress.”
With the Duchess’s introduction, Grace’s eyes lit up with unexpected joy at her aunt’s gift.
Bridget, the chief royal housekeeper, a woman who had managed the lives of royal women for nearly 40 years without being swayed by any faction.
The reputedly strict and thorough housekeeper never sided with anyone in the previous two Empress selections, resisting all temptations of money, wealth, and power.
Now that she was on Grace’s side, the position of Empress seemed almost guaranteed. Grace smiled, recalling the face of Emperor Maxwell, whom she had admired since childhood.
Finally, her long-standing unrequited love of 20 years was becoming a reality.
“Is the residence for the lady the Emperor is bringing back ready?”
“Yes, we’ve prepared the 11th villa.”
“And the maids to serve her?”
“Of course. I personally selected each one.”
The Duchess exchanged a meaningful glance with Bridget and nodded in satisfaction.
Rumors that the Emperor had saved a candidate for Empress from a burning forest were already widespread in the capital. But what use were they? The lady would disappear long before the two-month competition ended.
The Duchess played with the pearls of her necklace, a pleased smile on her face.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
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