“Nurse, I should eat moderately if I want to fit into my wedding dress, right?”
“Miss is so thin that eating more won’t be a problem.”
While noble daughters from other households had their snacks taken away and were forced to starve, my nurse was too kind-hearted—almost to a fault.
‘But I didn’t expect things to move this quickly.’
The day Yezar arrived, I firmly stamped the contract and spent the next few days cautiously planning how to gradually tell my father. But before I could say anything, everything was already settled.
‘Julietta. Forgive your father, who failed to foresee this.’
‘What?’
‘I’ve heard you’re in a romantic relationship with Duke Ferhaem. Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Unaware, I kept pushing unsuitable suitors upon you….’
By the time I tried to ask what was going on, the Ferhaem Dukedom had already completed all preparations. Thanks to that, the wedding was approaching at an incredibly rapid pace.
‘Still, I wish I could’ve taken a trip first.’
Though I felt a tinge of regret, ultimately, after divorce, all that would remain would be money and time. For the sake of their well-prepared goodwill, I might as well get married quickly first….
“Hey, marrying Duke Ferhaem? What kind of nonsense is this!”
“Julietta. To suddenly announce your marriage like this—your older brother is deeply hurt.”
Two brothers with completely opposite reactions suddenly burst through the door.
Weaslet’s constant nagging beside me was practically a daily routine, so I was used to it. But Valentino Orbetian, who worked at the imperial court, was someone I hadn’t seen in a long time.
I smiled gently at him, taking in his ebony hair and calm, deep green eyes.
“Big brother, you must be busy. What brings you here?”
“I rushed over as soon as I heard our youngest was getting married. I only ever heard that all your suitors were unsuitable. Since when have you been lovers with Duke Ferhaem?”
“I’m sorry. We agreed to keep it secret until things were finalized. I should’ve at least hinted it to you earlier. It was my mistake.”
“Hey, Julietta. Am I invisible?”
Regardless of what Weaslet said, my gaze remained fixed on Valentino.
“It’s alright. Still, it’s good news. Our youngest is getting married. I knew the time would come, but I feel a bit sad.”
How could someone speak so beautifully? Unlike the prickly Weaslet, Valentino Orbetian, heir to the countship, was nothing but gentle in both speech and manner.
“No way, brother! Julietta’s marrying Duke Ferhaem?”
“Weaslet, what’s wrong with that? Duke Ferhaem has an impeccable reputation—no scandals, very clean. And judging by how quickly they’re rushing the wedding, can’t you see? He clearly loves Julietta deeply.”
Weaslet’s left eyebrow twitched slightly. Clearly, he wanted to say something.
“Big brother Valentino, I need to talk to Weaslet for a moment. You must be busy, so please don’t worry about me and head back.”
“Our youngest… when did you grow so mature? Alright, I’ll be going. See you at the wedding.”
“Yes.”
He seemed extremely busy, likely due to soon inheriting the title. Brilliant and working in the imperial financial management department, many people clearly depended on him.
“Nurse, stop fussing over me and go rest for a while.”
“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”
“Yes, I’ll be fine. You’ve been glued to my side all this time, saying you won’t see me once I move to the ducal house.”
“Alright then. Rest well, Miss.”
After sending both my elder brother and nurse away, I turned to Weaslet.
“So, little brother, what’s wrong that you’re pouting your lips like that?”
“You speak like that even to someone who worries about you?”
“What do you want? Speak quickly. I’m busy with wedding preparations.”
“You’re not actually lovers with Duke Ferhaem.”
I froze. Honestly, I’d expected this. Weaslet wouldn’t be fooled by such a hastily made-up lie.
Father and the elder brother, who rarely stayed at the estate, might have been deceived, but Weaslet, who constantly watched over Julietta, couldn’t possibly miss such a shallow falsehood.
“That’s right. We’re not.”
“Hey!”
“Lower your voice.”
Weaslet, fuming quietly, calmed himself before speaking.
“Even if your older brother is oblivious to rumors, I know. Duke Ferhaem already loves someone. Suddenly marrying you? Are you trying to ruin your life?”
I found it strange how much more sensitive Weaslet was to my affairs than I was myself.
“It’s a political marriage anyway. Who he loves or doesn’t love doesn’t matter.”
My indifferent remark made Weaslet plead desperately.
“I want you to be happy, Julietta.”
How could I not understand from his actions? I knew perfectly well—he wanted me to have a married life filled with love. But honestly, I wasn’t someone who particularly needed love.
“Little brother, I’ve wanted to say this for a while. Love isn’t my top priority in life. Maybe if I had someone I loved as passionately as you do, I’d think differently. Otherwise, I prefer marrying someone who meets my conditions.”
“And what if you regret it later? What if you end up falling in love with Duke Ferhaem…?”
His sharp outer eyes drooped slightly.
“Honestly, you’re so emotional despite your appearance. When have you ever seen me make a choice I regret?”
“Never.”
An immediate answer.
“When have I ever regretted anything? Seriously, what are you even saying? I’ll be happy. So stop worrying.”
“But, Julietta…!”
“Weaslet, why don’t you focus on your fiancée? Don’t you have a date soon? If you’re late, your future sister-in-law might start disliking you?”
My playful tone left Weaslet helpless. He reached up and ruffled my hair, thoroughly messing up the neat styling my nurse had carefully done.
“Ugh! What are you doing!”
“Julietta. You must keep that promise. You said you’d be happy.”
“…I will.”
Even as I answered, my conscience pricked me sharply. This marriage was a loveless contract. But more than anyone else, I absolutely couldn’t let Weaslet find out the truth.
Because in this household, along with my nurse, he was one of the few who genuinely cared for me.
[This is the timeline separator]‘I don’t even remember how time passed. Is it really okay to rush into marriage like this, as sudden as roasting beans in lightning?’
Following the preparations made by the ducal family, the wedding day finally arrived. I looked at my neatly tied-up, vibrant red hair. Just as Julietta had proudly described it in the original story, it truly was a beautiful color.
‘At a glance, it looks like a rose, or perhaps like a sparkling ruby.’
Standing before the mirror, turning to view myself from different angles, I suddenly felt truly beautiful.
I wasn’t exactly a dazzling beauty, but my slightly upturned eyes gave me a proud, cat-like air.
And with the pristine white dress adorned with finely crushed gemstones, multiple blossoms decorating my hair, and a large pink diamond necklace resting against my pale neck—
‘I really do look like a bride on the verge of marriage.’
Only now did it start to feel real. Until now, to be honest, it had felt like someone else’s story. As the ceremony began and I slowly walked in, I saw noble families connected to our house seated in the hall.
Glancing sideways, Weaslet looked on the verge of tears. Father and big brother Valentino were sniffling too.
Meanwhile, I felt completely calm, not a trace of emotion. Yezar beside me seemed similarly composed.
Quietly turning my head to meet his gaze, I suddenly found my breath caught in my throat.
‘Why is he so handsome?’
For the first time, I understood what people meant by someone glowing with an aura. As I stood frozen, Yezar whispered, his voice meant only for me.
“Are you alright?”
“…Ah. I’m fine, Duke Ferhaem.”
Honestly, I’d felt it when I first met him, but he hadn’t earned his reputation as the novel’s standard heartthrob for nothing. He was simply wearing formal wedding attire—yet he seemed to shine all on his own.
“That form of address is unnecessary. Call me Yezar. Wife.”
As he spoke, his eyes softened into a gentle curve, and it was dangerous for my heart. The pope said something during the ceremony, but honestly, I didn’t hear a word. I only heard Yezar’s voice, calmly addressing me.
“Um… My Lady.”
“What is it?”
“I’m sorry…”
“What? For what?”
“For accepting such an impolite proposal. I worried you might have wanted a marriage built on mutual love, and I feared I might be obstructing your future.”
He really was frustrating.
“Don’t say such things. I agreed because I have my own reasons too. So, Yezar.”
“Yes…”
“Even if it’s just in formality, swear your love and close your eyes.”
If I had truly loved Yezar, this would’ve hurt. But aside from having liked the character in the novel, I held absolutely no romantic feelings toward him.
And honestly, he seemed more pitiful—someone who had a lover he cherished, yet had to suppress those feelings completely.
Swearing love in formality, Yezar tilted his head toward me. I felt the soft touch as he descended, and his trembling passed entirely through to me. Most likely, the woman Yezar loved—the novel’s actual female lead—was attending this wedding, which was why he was trembling so.
I gently took his hand. He opened his eyes in surprise. Seeing his unstable, wavering blue eyes, I smiled and whispered.
“Please take care of me, Yezar.”
My contract husband.
‘Phew. Finally, the time has come.’
After the wedding, as night fell, I was freshly bathed and led to the bedroom where Yezar waited. Yes—tonight was it: the wedding night! The union between the newly married couple!
But there wasn’t much to do. We weren’t real spouses, after all. There was no way we’d actually consummate the marriage. Besides, touching his pure body would be a sin in itself. So, with the intention of behaving properly, I entered the bedroom—
“D-Duke! Y-You need to stay still!”
The moment I spotted a dark, insect-like figure, I instinctively reached for a weapon. I grabbed the sword hanging decoratively on the wall and swung it—
“Miss Orbetian, may I interpret your current actions as a threat?”
I was instantly misunderstood. The bedroom, which should have been filled with a sultry atmosphere, now carried a chilling tension.
Was this marriage really going to be alright?
Male lead is reincarnated to save his wife
I’ve also read this one twice already. The female lead is kinda soft and gets embarrassed easily—not really my type, but the plot is definitely worth reading. Hurry up and read it, y’all!
Intro
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
