Chapter 3

Chapter 3

1

The palace was hosting a flower appreciation banquet, and I accompanied the young marquess into the palace.

This was my second time entering the palace. Last time, I was in such a hurry that I didn't take a good look around.

Now, as I took in the surroundings, the two dragons on the eaves, with their golden scales and armor, looked so lifelike. Truly, the palace was magnificent and splendid.

Hmm, those dragon horns seemed to be made of gold. If only I could pry one off and take it home.

The so-called flower appreciation banquet was, well, not really about appreciating flowers.

Why do I say that?

There were only a few pots of peonies in the middle of the hall.

And the ministers were accompanied not only by their wives.

The hall was filled with young women.

Everyone knew what kind of "flowers" were being appreciated.

Yet, there was always someone who didn't get it and decided to pick on me.

"I heard that the marquess's wife is well-versed in the classics and quite talented. Could you perhaps showcase some of your skills for us to learn from?"

"Why not compose a poem about the peonies?"

Was she referring to me as the marquess's wife?

My hand, holding a piece of pastry, froze in mid-air.

This person must have left her brain at home.

Even the host hadn't said anything, and here she was, talking nonsense.

I chose to ignore her and handed the pastry to the young marquess, winking at him. "Try this. The palace pastries are quite good. I wonder if we can take the leftovers home?"

The young marquess, who probably frequented the palace, seemed tired of the food and pushed it back to me.

"If you like it, eat more."

2

As we whispered to each other, the person who had been ignored spoke up again, louder this time.

"Is the marquess's wife ignoring everyone? A mere daughter of a fifth-rank official's family, thinking too highly of herself?"

Before she could finish her sentence, the young marquess slammed his cup down and stood up abruptly, startling me so much that I almost choked.

"Lydia, watch your words. Katherine is the rightful mistress of the Harpers' residence. Times have changed. Were you always this aggressive and bullying towards my wife?"

So this is what it feels like to be unconditionally protected?

I felt a warm rush, like I was falling in love.

With the young marquess being so supportive, I couldn't just sit back.

I dabbed a few drops of water from the teacup under my eyes and tugged at the marquess's sleeve. "Forget it..."

I covered my face with a handkerchief. "Boohoo, I'm used to it. It's not the first time..."

Who can't act a little?

The young marquess wasn't going to let her off easily and immediately knelt to ask the emperor for justice.

The emperor ordered Lydia to be confined for a month and to write lines a hundred times, and the matter was settled.

Tsk, she got off easy.

Throughout the banquet, the young marquess and I discussed which pastries were delicious, which dishes were unique, and which ladies were talented.

They say, you can't share a bed without becoming alike.

The young marquess was well-informed and didn't seem like the rumored playboy.

Someone's gaze almost pierced through me.

I sighed inwardly; a hundred copies of the Bible were too lenient for her.

3

Married life was nothing like I imagined.

I thought I'd be dripping in gold and silver, spending like crazy.

In reality, I stayed in the courtyard, eating, drinking, and daydreaming, with nothing to do.

The Harpers' residence had only the young marquess and me as the main residents. Erick was at the princess residence, so there was no need to pay daily respects.

Since the wedding, the young marquess rarely came home, as if he had forgotten he was married.

There were a dozen concubines in the back residence, but none of them came to see me. I couldn't even gather enough people to play cards.

Out of boredom, I even numbered the ants on the ground-186 of them.

"Stacey, have you ever been to a brothel?"

I asked Stacey, who was about to water the flowers, on a whim.

Stacey's face turned beet red.

Well, that was a wasted question.