The most important thing to take care of first……
Ah. Why does my stomach feel so itchy? Just one gift makes my heart feel so soft and tender. Because of that, I wanted to give him something too.
“Then, may I give you a gift as well?”
“Huh? To me?”
His eyes widened as if he hadn’t expected the question. At that, I smiled sheepishly and replied.
“Yes. I also want to see Yezar Ferhaem’s joyful expression.”
Of course, a single gift from me wouldn’t mean much to someone so many people admire. But gifts are meant to be give and take. Even if it’s not something grand, I’d be happy if it brought him a small joy.
“If it’s from you, my lady, I welcome anything.”
“Really? Even if I give you something you dislike?”
Teasing him on purpose, he calmly replied.
“Yes, because there’s nothing you give that I could possibly dislike.”
Usually, when someone says they like anything, it only makes choosing harder. I’ll have to think carefully. Even though he says there’s nothing he dislikes from me, I’d rather give him something he truly needs.
‘It’s a pleasant day.’
A faint rose fragrance brushed past the tip of my nose. Though it was a contract marriage, the time I was spending with him now felt incredibly precious.
[This is the timeline separator]The carriage arrived at the Duke’s residence. I took Yezar’s hand and stepped down from the carriage. Immediately, the waiting servants approached me, their faces beaming with smiles.
“Did you enjoy your tea time?”
“Yes. It was delightful.”
They exchanged glances among themselves, then nodded and turned to look at me. Their gazes felt as warm as the midday sun.
“We see. Then, my lady, do you happen to know how quickly the Duke finished his work and left?”
“We regretted not being able to witness how eagerly he rushed out, saying he mustn’t be late to meet you.”
“That’s right. You two are so sweet together—it’s obvious even to us, like a blissful newlywed couple.”
I hadn’t heard this before. I turned my gaze to Yezar, and he answered, clearly embarrassed.
“I was worried we might miss each other if I was late.”
“Next time, please let me know in advance. I’ll wait for you. I’d like to wait for Yezar to come pick me up.”
I said this, thinking of how he worried about possibly missing me. Then, after a slight delay, he answered.
“…I will.”
His profile was fully visible to me. Though his eyes weren’t on me, I could see him covering his mouth with his hand, clearly unsure what to do.
His reaction made me flustered too, so I quickly turned my head away and hurriedly said.
“I, I’ll go wash up now. I’m tired from being out for so long.”
“I also have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
To anyone watching, we both seemed to be rushing off, but in my fluster, I didn’t notice Yezar’s reaction. Soon, climbing the stairs with the maids, I felt an odd warmth spreading through my body.
It’s still early spring, so it should be chilly. Why does my body feel so hot?
“Hey, do you think I could wash with cold water?”
“In this weather, cold water might be too chilly. Are you sure you’ll be alright?”
“You’re right. Maybe it was hotter outside than I thought.”
“What should we do with the bouquet of roses you’ve been holding close, my lady? They’re from the Duke, aren’t they?”
Ah. Now that I think of it, I’ve been holding onto this bouquet the whole time. What should I do? Since I received them, I’d like to keep them somewhere visible.
After a brief pause, I handed the bouquet to May and said.
“Could you arrange them in a lovely vase and place them in the bedroom? I’d like them somewhere I can see them easily.”
“Yes, my lady. I’ll put them in the most beautiful vase and place them in your bedroom!”
Relieved by her cheerful response, I moved toward the bathroom. Soon, I entrusted my body to the maids, received bathing assistance, and changed into fresh clothes.
When I entered the bedroom, May greeted me with a bright smile.
“Welcome back, my lady! I’ve arranged them in a beautiful vase just as you asked!”
There, I saw the roses arranged in a white vase.
“Thank you. They’re lovely.”
They felt more meaningful than gifts I received without seeing the giver’s face—so much so that I almost regretted the flowers would eventually wilt.
“Hey, May. What kind of gift do you think the Duke would like to receive?”
But the answer came not from May, but from Ember.
“The Duke will love anything given by you, my lady. But if you’re going to give something, perhaps something he can use during outings would feel especially meaningful.”
Ember had served in the Duke’s household for a long time and had cared for Yezar. Her advice was therefore precious.
“If it’s something he can use when going out, what do you mean exactly?”
“Perhaps gloves? I happened to overhear that since the season is changing, he plans to order thinner gloves instead of the thick ones he usually uses.”
That was truly valuable information. I immediately grabbed her hand.
“Thank you, Ember! Could you possibly make sure Yezar doesn’t get his gloves before I have a chance to buy them?”
“Hehe. Of course. I’m always on your side, my lady.”
Then, all that remained was to gather information and present the gift to Yezar at the right moment.
“Mm. I’ll look into the rest myself. I really hope Yezar will be happy.”
At that moment, Ember, still holding my hand, spoke to me.
“My lady, you truly care deeply for the Duke… May I have a moment of your time for a private word?”
Her voice was gentle, yet very polite and serious. Unconsciously, I tensed up. What could she possibly want to discuss?
Could it be that I’ve been failing so badly in my role as the Duchess? But I attended tea gatherings, built friendships with the other ladies, and tried my best to get along with the knights and servants.
I steadied my mind, trying not to show my tension, and replied.
“Of course. Please speak freely.”
Then, Ember, offering a soft smile, said to May.
“May, could you step out for a moment? I need to speak with the lady.”
May, seemingly confused about the situation, glanced between me and Ember before bowing.
“Yes, Head Maid.”
Once May had left, only Ember and I remained in the room. Ember, who I expected to speak immediately, instead gazed at me silently for several seconds. Her eyes seemed strangely sorrowful.
“My lady, though you speak as if you’ll leave soon, it’s because of you that the Duke has been able to smile again. I know you’ve been diligently learning the duties of the Duke’s household to lighten his heavy workload, improving relations with the knights, and carefully attending to the servants.”
I had expected a scolding, but hearing such praise instead made me blush in embarrassment.
“Well, I think anyone in my place would have done the same.”
“No. That’s not true. Only because you are here has this been possible.”
Having said this, Ember released my hand, reached into her clothes, and pulled out a thick envelope, which she handed to me. I looked at her, unable to understand its meaning. She answered politely.
“To me, my lady, you are no longer someone who will soon depart, but the true lady of this household. As the head maid of this estate, I believe it’s my duty to show this to you.”
I carefully opened the envelope and checked its contents. Inside were letters. Several letters were tucked within.
‘Letters? Letters sent to Yezar?’
As I examined who they were from, I felt my face instinctively stiffen.
The sender was none other than Bertisha de Cloud—Bertisha Hermine, the woman who had become Empress and had been the object of Yezar’s devoted love.
“I see now, from your decision to show me these letters, that the one the Duke loved is Her Majesty the Empress?”
I was supposed to not know who Yezar had loved. This response was appropriate. Ember nodded shortly.
“I see. Then, what is the reason you’re showing me these letters?”
Though I already knew the reason, I asked anyway to give her space to speak. Then, she began.
“The Duke never replied to any of these letters. He only read them—painfully, terribly painfully.”
Ember’s voice trembled as she spoke.
“I’ve worked in this household since the Duke was a child. I’ve seen up close how much love has tormented him more than anyone else. Now that he’s finally found happiness through you, I, as someone who has cared for him since childhood and as the head maid of this estate, cannot stand by and watch him suffer and break again.”
In that moment, I understood. Those who had cared for Yezar during his painful times of love had also suffered helplessly, watching him in agony.
“May I, with all due respect, ask one favor of you?”
Her eyes were already shimmering with tears.
“Please help him put an end to this painful past love. I humbly make this request.”
Bertisha Hermine. Now Bertisha de Cloud—the woman who always turned her back to Yezar. The one who had reduced the proud, ever-forward-looking Yezar to utter ruin.
But was it right for me to help end such a devoted love simply because someone asked me to?
“I’m sorry. I don’t think it’s right to organize the Duke’s feelings just because someone asked me to. It wouldn’t be respecting his emotions.”
“I understand. I truly apologize for such an impertinent request…”
“Therefore, first, I’ll ask Yezar himself. I’ll ask whether it’s alright for me to help him sort through his feelings. Not because of your request, Ember, but because I want to help him myself.”
“My lady…”
Tears streamed from her eyes. Really, the people in this household are so emotional.
“Thank you for speaking to me as the head maid of this estate. I’m glad you see me as the Duchess of the Ferhaem Dukedom.”
I gently wiped Ember’s tears. Then, just as quickly as her emotions had surfaced, Ember—true to her role as head maid—regained her composure. Seeing her return to her usual self, I couldn’t help but smile.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
