Chapter 94
I’ll endure it only until the wedding.
As Marican whispered and gestured for him to come closer, Ruan leaned in. She gave him a bright smile, pressed a quick kiss to his lips, and said playfully:
“I just love how good Ruan is at kissing. Ah—this one’s for Ruan. Mmm.”
But before she could even finish, Ruan’s lips swallowed hers in a deep kiss.
Ha… what am I supposed to do with this woman?
It wasn’t the first time. Every time she drank, it was always the same.
Surely she doesn’t go around kissing others like this when she drinks with them too?
After kissing him to her heart’s content, Marican promptly collapsed into sleep, her breathing deep and even. Ruan could only stare down at her in disbelief.
I’ll endure this only until the wedding. Once we’re married, I won’t let her fall asleep so easily afterward.
He gently covered her with a blanket and rose from the bed.
***
“Ugh… my head.”
The next morning, when Marican opened her eyes, a splitting pain ran through her skull.
Why am I here? Didn’t I sleep in my own room last night?
Startled, she sat up and realized she was still in her dress—lying in Ruan’s bed. Just then, Ruan entered the room, leaned down, and pressed a brief kiss to her forehead.
“After just one glass of wine, you were already this drunk.”
Right… I remember drinking the wine the Crown Princess offered us last night.
“Me? No way… don’t tell me I did something embarrassing again?”
“You really don’t remember?”
Remember…?
Marican furrowed her brows as fragments of memory surfaced.
‘Do you know why I love Ruan? …Because you’re so good at kissing.’
Her face went pale. I… I didn’t actually say that, did I?
When she looked at Ruan with panic in her eyes, he wore an utterly incredulous expression.
“My wife… are you seriously saying you don’t remember what happened last night?”
“…Huh?”
“You clung to me, kissed me endlessly, even tried to undress me. Do you have any idea how hard I fought to protect my chastity last night? To think that the very person who tormented me remembers nothing… it’s truly shocking.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?!” Marican shot him a glare. “All I did was kiss you! Just one kiss because I said you were good at it!”
“Oh? So you do remember, then.”
“Ah—haha… yes.”
Her face burning with embarrassment, Marican forced an awkward laugh. Ruan pulled her into his arms.
“Promise me.”
“…Promise?”
“Promise that you’ll never drink with anyone else but me.”
“What? Why would I even drink with anyone else?”
“My wife?”
“…Fine, I promise. I’ll only ever drink with Ruan. Happy now?”
“Good. Jang told me he made a hangover stew for you. Shall we go eat?”
“Yes.”
“This is delicious! Mm, it really clears my stomach.”
Marican smiled brightly as she savored the tomato stew. Ruan chuckled.
“My wife, you act as if you drank an entire bottle. It was just one glass of wine.”
“Really? But it feels so good, and this stew is amazing.”
“When do you wish to hold our wedding?”
“Our wedding?”
Ah, right. His Majesty said yesterday we should hold it officially.
“My aunt wants us to wait until spring. But I disagree. That’s far too long. Since it’s already December, how about January?”
“January’s a bit cold, don’t you think?”
Marican thought, like Olivia, that March would be better. But Ruan shook his head.
“What does it matter? If we hold it in the indoor garden, it won’t be cold at all. Or we can use the grand hall again. I even found out that with a bit of magic powder, we can make flowers bloom in winter. Wouldn’t it be beautiful to marry in a garden full of blossoms?”
A garden in full bloom…
Marican realized there was no need to wait until spring. She nodded.
“Then let’s do it in January.”
“I’ll inform His Majesty.”
“Yes.”
“Wife, don’t eat only the stew. Have some bread as well.”
He placed bread in her mouth, and she, smiling, tore off a piece and fed him in return.
“You eat too, Ruan.”
“Mmm. It tastes even better when you feed me. Now, ah—”
“…Honestly, you’re impossible.”
Marican sighed, but still tore another piece and placed it in his mouth.
“Ahh. It melts so wonderfully. Truly delicious.”
Marriage…
Not a temporary contract, but a real marriage.
And with the one I truly love.
Marican smiled radiantly as she watched Ruan piling food onto her plate.
***
“Eeek! A rat! There’s a rat in here! Let me out right now!”
Lucianne’s screams echoed through the prison. The guards exchanged weary glances.
“How can she scream like that all day? She looks delicate, but her temper…”
When no one came despite her shouting, Lucianne slumped to the ground in despair.
What did I do that was so wrong?
They lock me in this filthy, damp cell over something so small?
She had thought she’d be released after a few hours, but the cell remained locked.
Yes, she had rushed at Marican with a knife in anger—but Marican wasn’t even hurt!
To throw me in prison over that? And they won’t even release me?
Her chest burned with resentment.
That ball should have been mine. If only Marican hadn’t exposed the Duke’s rebellion first, I would have become Crown Princess. I would have been the one shining at the ball, not that cursed woman.
Her fists clenched.
That country bumpkin, selling sandwiches in some remote village—that’s what she’s suited for. And she dares to throw me in a cell? That wretched girl!
Lucianne seethed, recalling how she once believed Damon’s rebellion would succeed and she would rise as Crown Princess.
If she was going to live in the countryside, she should’ve disappeared where no one could find her. But no, she must’ve told the Duke where she was. Otherwise, how would they have tracked her down? Two-faced witch. Pretending to be kind while I know she’s nothing but selfish and rotten inside.
“Lucianne! What on earth is going on? Why are you here?”
Lucianne looked up, startled, as Penelope—summoned by the guards—appeared. Her voice cracked with tears.
“Mother, it’s all because of that woman Marican!”
Penelope’s face twisted in fury.
***
“Madam, I’m so looking forward to this year’s home party. This time, everyone can truly celebrate with joy, right?”
As Marican sipped tea in the garden after breakfast, Charles brought her a plate of cookies.
Marican nodded. It’s already December. The home party is nearly here.
“Yes, it’s true. The year has flown by.”
“Last year, we only pretended to be happy because Master’s condition was so grave. But now… you’ve returned, and he’s healthy again. This year we can really celebrate.”
Marican smiled warmly.
“You’re right.”
Last year’s party had been prepared like a farewell. But this year, it would be filled with genuine laughter.
“Charles, let’s invite more people this time. Zelda too. And perhaps even the Crown Princess.”
“The Crown Princess?”
“Yes. She’s my sister now too—my family.”
“A family gathering to welcome the new year… that sounds wonderful.”
“Ask Clea if we have enough plates. If not, we’ll need to prepare.”
“Yes, Madam.”
After Charles left, Marican finished her tea.
It’s already been three weeks since I returned to the Duke’s house. Time moves faster than I thought.
She rose to head back to her lessons, but Edward intercepted her with a troubled face.
“Madam… someone has come to see you.”
“Let me guess. Baroness Penelope?”
He nodded.
Of course. Lucianne must have told her it was my doing. Yesterday she stayed away, but now she comes without hesitation—as if this house is her own.
Marican’s eyes hardened.
“Tell her she cannot see me without an appointment. If she wishes to wait, she may do so in the drawing room. Otherwise, she should return home.”
“Yes, Madam.”
***
“What? I need an appointment to see my own daughter? Am I being mocked by a mere servant?”
Edward bowed. “I’m truly sorry, Baroness. But if you’re willing to wait, Madam said she would see you once her work is finished.”
Penelope’s temper flared. She wanted to storm upstairs, seize Marican by the collar, and demand her daughter’s release. But Marican now held the status of Allomande royalty. She had to restrain herself.
“…Very well. I’ll wait.”
She sat in the drawing room, her pride smarting at the humiliation of being made to wait.
That insolent girl… once she comes, I’ll teach her her place. She’ll never dare to look down on me or Lucianne again.
But an hour passed. Then two. Then four. Still, Marican did not appear.
She dares keep me waiting?
At last, the door opened. Marican walked in as though nothing were amiss.
“Oh my. You’re still here?”
