Winter arrived in the north in the blink of an eye—fully a month earlier than in other territories. Dawn came later, and dusk fell sooner. At daybreak, a white frost settled upon the ground, and the air grew so cold that even the faintest breath escaped as a visible puff. Though the first snow had yet to fall, the overcast skies promised a heavy snowfall at any moment.
“Latie.”
A tender voice, accompanied by soft lips brushing my cheek. I slowly opened my eyes, having dozed off over the desk in my study. My vision was still blurry from sleep. As I rubbed my eyelids with the back of my hand, a cool palm cradled my cheek and swept aside the strands of hair that had fallen across my face—gentle, as if handling a precious treasure. A faint scent of soap drifted from his large hand, brushing against my nose.
“Edan?”
“Mm. It’s me.”
After blinking a few more times, Edan’s face came into focus, his expression calm and smiling. Over the past three years, he told me, even while fighting monsters, he made sure never to let his face be scarred—not for the old reason, that he disliked anything touching his face.
‘Because you like it.’
He added, with casual sincerity, that when we reunited, he wanted to greet me with a beautiful face. Seeing his flawless, unblemished skin, I remembered why—and smiled with my eyes.
“You’re handsome again today.”
“And you’re beautiful.”
When I giggled at his unhesitating reply, Edan braced one hand on the desk, leaned down, and kissed me briefly. A tiny, cute sound—*chup*—came from our touching lips.
“But weren’t you supposed to be at the Mage Tower? What brings you here at this hour?”
“Wasn’t today the day we agreed to go to the castle?”
“Oh, right. Was it?”
Lately, buried in books, I’d completely forgotten. We’d planned to have lunch together, then head to the castle to sort through belongings. Had time really passed that quickly?
I turned my head toward the window. Noon sunlight filtered softly through gray clouds. I could see the cold wind blowing, chasing fallen leaves across the garden floor.
“If you’re sleepy, go back to sleep. I’ll carry you to the bedroom.”
I shook my head.
“I’m fine.”
I couldn’t ruin a rare day with Edan just because of a nap.
I clenched my eyes shut, forced energy into them, and stood up. As I moved, the drowsiness clinging to my body began to vanish instantly. While I interlaced my fingers and stretched my arms high toward the ceiling, Edan’s gaze drifted to the towering stacks of books piled on either side of my desk. His eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of dozens of thick volumes.
“Aren’t these too many books?”
“But there’s so much I need to study.”
“I told you last time—moderation. It’s fine not to know everything.”
Edan tapped the books lightly, his expression clearly displeased.
“Edan.”
“What.”
“I’m going to be the Grand Duchess, you know.”
“So?”
“Do you think just anyone can be a Grand Duchess?”
“…What?”
At my slightly haughty tone, Edan raised an eyebrow, bewildered. Then, with a quiet scoff, he leaned his hips against the desk and crossed his arms.
“Who else would do it, if not you?”
He sounded amused, but I wasn’t joking.
Recently, at my request, Edan had arranged a study room for me right beside his own. It was little more than a desk and the books I needed, but lately, I’d been spending most of my time here—memorizing texts with sticky notes scattered beside me. Edan had warned me not to overwork myself, but this was something vitally important for my future.
“In half a year, I’ll become your wife—the Grand Duchess of the North. There’s so much to do once I’m Grand Duchess. Do you realize? There are dozens of noble houses in the North alone. I need to know not just the lords, but their entire families too. The list is enormous.”
“Oh? You’re trying to memorize all of it? Impressive. And then?”
“And I need to know about commemorative days, annual imperial festivals and events, receive guests visiting the North, and host seasonal balls.”
“You’re going to host balls?”
“Of course! The Great Blessing period begins in just a few months.”
“What’s that?”
“It means the North will draw tremendous attention. Countless guests will flood in. Other nobles will want to visit too. Hosting balls is only natural—for your reputation as well.”
The arrival of the Great Blessing period in the North was an event far greater than anyone imagined.
Until now, Edan had used his vast merchant network, stretching even beyond national borders, to ensure the people of his territory lived comfortably. So while northerners weren’t exactly poor despite their barren land, they certainly weren’t as wealthy as those in the south or the capital.
But now, predictions had surfaced that immense resources lay hidden within the untouched mountains and lands of the North. As a result, not only the local people but the entire empire—and even foreigners—had turned their attention northward. Especially the mages. They were thrilled at the prospect of harvesting rare herbs, hidden resources within the ice mountains, and other precious magical ingredients. Hundreds of permits had already flown to Edan’s desk, requesting permission to gather them.
So, as future Grand Duchess, I had preparations to make—starting with the basics. Table manners, ballroom etiquette, social protocols, and duties expected of a Grand Duchess. Fortunately, Killian had sent me a royal etiquette instructor who patiently taught me everything—I faced no major difficulties.
“Anyway, Edan, I’ll become a Grand Duchess you won’t be embarrassed by. Not even a little.”
“I wouldn’t be embarrassed by you even if you made mistakes.”
“That’s your opinion. I have no intention of being embarrassed. My mistakes become your mistakes.”
“Ambitious. But it doesn’t matter. I’ll assign you a capable secretary—you can ask them anything you don’t know.”
“It’s not about that—”
“Alright. I get it. You’re doing well.”
Seeing he couldn’t dissuade me, Edan smiled smoothly, as if everything were fine. But then, as if a thought had just occurred to him, he clicked his tongue lightly, clearly displeased.
“Still, aren’t balls kind of annoying?”
“Why?”
“They cut into our time alone.”
“….”
I froze, momentarily speechless. Lately, Edan had become utterly shameless in expressing affection.
Had he always been like this? The thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t recall him being this obvious before.
Lately, he seemed to voice every thought that popped into his head. Feeling slightly flustered, I fanned my flushed cheeks with my hands—when Edan continued.
“By the way, my brother sent an invitation.”
“Huh? What invitation?”
“Empress Venica wants to meet you. When I visited the palace recently and mentioned our marriage, she apparently had a lot to say—especially about your dress.”
“Really? When?”
“Next week. Is that alright? You’ve got so much to do already?”
Seeing my eyes widen with curiosity, Edan teased me playfully, gesturing toward the books.
“Of course it’s alright! We still have time until the wedding. I want to meet Her Majesty too.”
“Alright. I’ll send the reply.”
Edan tapped my cheek lightly and smiled.
Empress Venica of the Northern Empire—I’d been curious about her. The woman Killian chose… surely this time, unlike Ciela, she’d be a proper person. Maybe she heard about the wedding and wants to recommend a dress? It’d be great if we became close and she could guide me in high society matters. Please, let her be a good person!
“Let’s go to the castle after lunch.”
“Okay. But Edan—do you know how to dance?”
“What?”
My question seemed to catch him off guard.
But really, wasn’t it reasonable? He used to hate women intensely and had barely attended even small parties, let alone imperial balls.
Could he… actually dance? I was seriously pondering this when Edan let out a quiet laugh.
“What do you take me for?”
“You know how?”
“Of course. Manners like that are taught from a very young age.”
“Then… want to practice dancing together?”
“Not a bad idea.”
“But what if I step on your feet?”
“You’re too light to hurt me. Make as many mistakes as you like.”
Edan extended his hand toward me with the graceful formality of a gentleman asking a lady to dance in a ballroom.
“Shall we dance one song, my princess?”
I laughed—“Ahaha!”—and placed my hand atop his. Edan spun me lightly once, and laughing playfully, we stepped out of the study together.
***
The castle, revisited, was as it always had been. Though Edan had arranged for staff to maintain it, not a speck of dust remained—everything was impeccably clean.
Though we’d come to sort belongings, most of the gifts Edan had given me had already been moved to the White Castle, so there wasn’t much left to pack. After a quick glance through the small room that had once been mine, we headed straight for the Archmage’s secret chamber.
By the passage of time, it had been over three years since we last entered this space. Long, perhaps—but since this place was unaffected by time, everything should have remained exactly as it was—
“Good heavens! What in the world is this!”
It was not the same! The secret chamber was, quite literally, a complete mess.
Cold Male Lead Became My Clingy Husband (Female-Dominant)
Feng Bai Su transmigrated into a matriarchal novel, becoming the sister of the female protagonist and the Seventh Princess of the Feng Ling Kingdom.
After working herself to death in her previous life, finally reincarnating as a princess, she only wanted to be a lazy fish who could eat, sleep, and play.
Until she met the male protagonist from the book, Wei Jing Mo, and he took a liking to her!
Wei Jing Mo is the top young man in Feng Ling City, talented in both appearance and ability, from a prestigious family, with a cold and otherworldly appearance, a figure like the bright moon in the hearts of noble ladies. It was thought that only the most powerful and talented noble lady in Feng Ling City would be worthy of such a brilliant young man. Who knew that this young gentleman would secretly admire the infamous Seventh Princess?
Short scene 1:
Feng Bai Su looked at the young man crying like a pear blossom in the rain before her, and couldn’t help but doubt her life.
Wasn’t the male lead described as a cold and otherworldly figure in the book?
Then who was this poor little thing crying with swollen red eyes and tear-stained face?
Short scene 2:
Wei Jing Mo stared intently at Feng Bai Su who was about to go out, wanting to say, “Be careful on the road.”
Before he could speak, Feng Bai Su suddenly bent down and bit his cheek.
Her peach blossom eyes were full of disdain: “Tsk! You’re so clingy!”
Wei Jing Mo: “…”
A talented fox spirit female lead with a flirtatious appearance but actually abstinent VS A cold-looking but actually naive and clingy little jealous male lead
