Early in the morning, the Marquis’ residence was bustling with activity. The servants had been moving busily since before dawn due to Kedilen’s scheduled business trip.
Unlike his gentlemanly and polite public image, Kedilen was a man with an intense obsession with punctuality. If anyone was even a second late for the scheduled time, he would unleash his wrath, and in severe cases, they would be fired.
Knowing this, the noise from the servants trying to secure their livelihoods and the stewards and managers urging them on penetrated past the front door and into Ludmila’s room.
“Oh my, you’re awake?”
“…Yes.”
Emma, who had entered the room to wake Ludmila, widened her eyes in surprise.
Seeing off Kedilen was not just the servants’ job. Ludmila was also one of the necessary preparations.
Emma approached Ludmila, who was sitting on the bed in the dark room, deep in thought about something.
The sun had not yet risen as dawn had not broken.
Holding up a lantern to dispel the darkness, Emma let out a gasp of surprise as soon as she saw Ludmila’s haggard face.
“Heavens! Did you not get a wink of sleep last night?!”
Even under the lantern light, the lack of vitality in Ludmila’s complexion was starkly evident.
Emma lit all the lamps and wall lamps in the room. As the darkness receded, Ludmila’s face looked even more serious than expected.
“Oh dear, honestly…!”
A deep sigh escaped Emma’s lips. Ludmila often looked like a doll due to her usual lack of expression.
However, her originally fair skin was now pale, and her eyes were sunken, making her look like someone who had been starving for three days.
Her chapped lips and dried-out hair were quite different from the beautiful noblewoman’s usual appearance.
If His Lordship sees this, who knows what he’ll say!
It was clear that presenting Ludmila in her current state to the perfectionist man would certainly make him furious.
Knowing that the relationship between Ludmila and Kedilen was not as amicable as it appeared to the public, Emma couldn’t send her out like this.
“Come this way. Let’s get you ready quickly.”
Ludmila looked at Emma with tired eyes. The complex emotions revealed in her eyes sliced through the air a few times before disappearing as her eyelids fell shut.
“Okay.”
The quiet response signaled the beginning of an exhausting day.
[This is the timeline separator]“Have a safe trip.”
Before boarding the carriage, Kedilen turned to look at his wife, who was bidding him farewell with a warm smile.
The man, about to depart after being seen off by dozens of servants and his wife, took heavy steps back down.
His intention was not to hug and kiss Ludmila out of gratitude for seeing him off.
His hand grasped Ludmila’s platinum-blonde hair. The man indifferently rubbed the platinum-blonde strands a few times before clicking his tongue with a slight frown.
“It’s in terrible condition. I told you yesterday to take good care of yourself.”
“……”
“At this rate, forget about getting pregnant, I’m losing the desire to even embrace you.”
The small voice, spoken as if reciting and audible only to Ludmila, rang out.
Kedilen lowered his hand and stepped back onto the carriage.
Before closing the door, Kedilen’s fingers snapped. The butler approached and bowed.
“Schedule a hospital appointment for Ludmila’s checkup. Her complexion and condition don’t look good. Make sure she continues receiving treatment while I’m away.”
“Yes, understood.”
After dismissing the butler who had answered, Kedilen met Ludmila’s gaze as she looked at him with a smile.
“As I said yesterday, I’ll proceed as soon as I return, so take care of your health. And I’ve said it repeatedly, don’t make me scold you over such things. Can’t you even do this properly?”
“……”
“Sigh−. It’s best I stop talking. Let’s depart.”
The roughly closed door swallowed Kedilen’s irritated reaction.
Ludmila’s eyes, watching the departing carriage amidst the clamorous noise, followed its trail until it disappeared.
“Umm… Madam. Regarding the hospital appointment…”
“Schedule it with the obstetrics department.”
“Pardon?”
Ludmila turned to the butler with eyes that had lost their fabricated smile and vitality, resembling a lifeless tree, and gave a dry smile.
“With a doctor who is fairly skilled and loves money very much.”
[This is the timeline separator]
It was the beginning of winter. A black-haired man lying on the bed to rest slowly opened his eyelids at the shouting coming from outside the window.
Aden’s golden eyes, having returned to his quarters inside the Imperial Palace after finishing work at the palace, were heavily laden with fatigue.
He wanted to sleep a little more, but the shouting continued to grow louder.
Eventually, Aden sat up and rubbed his face. A hot sigh escaped through his parted fingers.
When he got up from the bed, the closed door opened.
Glancing over, Aden confirmed the bright blue-haired man approaching him and let out a hollow laugh.
“I guess today wasn’t my lucky day to sleep in.”
As he closed the window, muttering a small complaint, silence fell. In the meantime, the man who had approached him politely bowed in greeting.
“You’re awake.”
“How long are they going to keep that up?”
Aden pointed his chin towards the window.
The training in full swing since early morning was no different from a relentless alarm clock to Aden.
The man glanced at the soldiers and gave a plain answer, “It will continue until next week.”
“Ha−.”
A long sigh finally escaped Aden’s lips.
As if he had suffered all the misfortunes in the world, the man offered consolation in a sympathetic tone to the deep sigh.
“I have something to report.”
“……”
They won’t even give me time to rest. Aden nodded his head while picking up a glass of water with tired eyes.
Aden’s eyes were fixed outside the window as he listened to the report delivered in a businesslike manner and tone.
Aden, who had been scanning the bustling soldiers with his eyes, slowly turned his head.
“Come to think of it, I heard the winter training is just around the corner.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Even with the digression in the conversation, the man calmly responded. Aden swirled the glass, pondering for a moment before speaking lightly.
“The Crown Prince seems very interested in the training. I heard there was a territorial dispute with Kundra, so is he thinking about war again?”
“There has been no confirmation related to that.”
“No confirmation, huh. There’s living proof right in front of our eyes.”
Aden let out a mocking laugh. As the man closed his mouth, Aden waved his hand, indicating it was fine.
“It’s okay. Speak.”
“No, I’m finished.”
“Is that so? Good work. You may go.”
When Aden gestured for him to leave, the man calmly nodded his head and turned around.
With gentlemanly steps devoid of any unsteadiness, the man reached the door. Instead of grasping the handle, he twisted his waist.
“May I ask you one thing?”
“What is it?”
“I heard there was an argument with Chairman Vex at General Cedric’s retirement ceremony. Is that true?”
“Out of the blue.”
Although it was an embarrassing level to call it an answer, it was enough for the man.
The man, removing the glasses he was wearing, let out a small sigh.
“As I’ve told you before, in order to expand Habertzr’s budget, decisions from the Senate and the House are essential. If you continue to clash with Chairman Vex, we won’t be able to expand the budget this year either.”
“I know. But when I see a trashy human being, I can’t just let it slide due to my personality.”
“Didn’t you say the budget support was urgent?”
“It is urgent. That’s why I’m here dealing with these unnecessary tasks, Count Benjamin Turval.”
Aden, giving a thin smile, leaned against the wall at an angle while looking at Benjamin.
Aden, showing his raw self without a trace of palace etiquette, was a disruptive existence in this empire.
People tainted by that leisurely appearance often forgot the existence of propriety.
As Benjamin let out a small sigh, Aden burst into a chuckle.
“You don’t have to worry too much. Isn’t it a matter that can be resolved if the noble and righteous son-in-law of the Senate Chairman, Count Truval, personally steps up to persuade them?”
“Such nonsense…!”
Benjamin’s voice, which had been calmly uttering only refined words until a moment ago, erupted with a sharp tone.
As fine wrinkles gently formed around his eyes, Aden grinned as if he were very pleased.
“Aden, are you going to keep being like this? There’s a limit to how much I can help. If you keep acting rebellious like this, I have no intention of cooperating. The council members, led by my father-in-law, already view Habertzr negatively, so antagonizing them will only bring you harm.”
“Hmm−.”
“You said you needed money. You said Habertzr’s deficit was severe and required support from the Imperial Family. Then you should yield a little. How long are you going to keep your head held high like that?”
Even though his academy classmate of 15 years was sincerely advising him, Aden remained silent with a thin smile on his lips.
Rather, as if asking if there was more to say, he curved his lips even further, narrowing Benjamin’s brows.
“I’ve told you repeatedly, if you want to receive budget support next year, keep that mouth shut. Don’t cause unnecessary disturbances. And especially! Don’t provoke the Erdi Marquis couple.”
Erdi? At the familiar name, Aden’s eyebrows rose sharply, revealing his intrigue.
“I heard you threw insults not only at Chairman Vex but also at the Erdi Marquis couple. Please, I beg you, stay put. Don’t add fuel to the fire.”
Whether it was advice or persuasion, Benjamin delivered his final words, hoping his sincerity would reach Aden.
However, Aden remained frozen like a statue, scattering his gaze on the floor as if he had heard Benjamin’s words or not.
As a deep sigh lingered on Benjamin’s lips, Aden finally lifted his gaze and calmly expressed his gratitude for his old friend’s concern and efforts.
“You were still here?”
“You…!”
Benjamin gritted his teeth, spun around, and roughly left the room.
With a loud bang, the door closed, and a small chuckle escaped Aden’s lips.
“He’s still hot-tempered as ever.”
Turning his body, Aden faced the sunlight pouring down on him by the window.
The morning sun, gradually subsiding, was warm enough to be appreciated.
“Haah−! Haah−!”
Except for those unnecessarily loud shouts, that is.
“They’re overflowing with energy, how annoying.”
Taking a self-deprecating tone at his fatigue, Aden picked up a decorative liquor from the cabinet and headed outside.
That evening, an evening newspaper illuminated the capital, reporting that soldiers who had gotten drunk from drinking in broad daylight during training had strutted through the streets.
My Arch-enemy Sealed My Memory and Said That He is My Husband
This is an incredibly captivating story that you absolutely shouldn’t miss! I’ll give a brief introduction here, and below you’ll find a detailed synopsis of the plot.
The female lead is a fierce and powerful demon king. The male lead is a once-in-a-millennium celestial lord, admired by the entire cultivation world.
They are equally matched, legendary rivals who have battled for centuries.
In the final duel, the female lead is gravely injured. The male lead saves her, seals her memories, and hides her true identity. He tells her that he is her fiancé. His entire life has been flawless—except for the one thing he never expected, never controlled, and never wanted to control: falling for his greatest enemy. She is his inner demon, his obsession.
When the female lead regains her memories, she is furious at his deception.
She makes his life a living hell.
And somehow, the male lead—possibly a total masochist—doesn’t mind at all. In fact, he’s happy she’s paying attention to him.
Yep, we’re back to my favorite trope: male lead suffering. If you love this kind of story, jump into the pit with me now!!!
Intro
Dong Xia lost her memory.
Her handsome and extremely powerful fiancé Li Qing comforted her: “It’s okay if you can’t remember. I’ll always be with you.”
Everyone thought Dong Xia’s ancestors must have burned incense to get such a perfect fiancé. He was the number one person in the immortal realm, yet he remained chaste and only loved her.
…
The day before marrying her fiancé, Dong Xia finally remembered everything.
She wasn’t suffering from memory loss at all.
Her arch-enemy had made her fake her death, destroyed her cultivation, replaced her memories, and pretended to be her deeply in love fiancé.
No wonder he said, “It’s okay if you can’t remember”!
Dong Xia laughed coldly as she pulled out her long knife: Li Qing, prepare to die 🙂
*
Li Qing, as the supreme being of the immortal realm, was the people’s shining beacon.
The only unknown stain in his life was his affection for Dong Xia, the ruler of the demon realm.
In the final battle of the war between immortals and demons, the sky collapsed and the earth shattered. The ruler of the demon realm was finally slain under the sword of the supreme being of the immortal realm, and everyone in the immortal realm applauded.
The cultivation world lost a ruler of the demon realm.
And in the back mountain of Li Qing’s cave dwelling, he secretly hid away a fiancée.
Notes:
1. The female lead is white on the outside, black on the inside, and the queen of flattery; the male lead repeatedly tests the edge of darkness, a VIP guest at the crematorium.
2. Fantasy cultivation world setting.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
