When Conrad Cullen was ten, his mother died from a sudden illness.
In the same year, Charlie Cullen married his mistress, and the following year, Conrad Cullen was severely injured during a hunt by a pack of Mana Beasts.
The Old Marquis personally took his eldest grandson to his side for care, and from then on, Conrad Cullen often stayed at the Marquis’s Estate.
Just a few sentences, and Ellie Miller was struck by the terrifying implications.
The Holy Court does not allow great nobles to divorce, but it does not say they cannot be widowed.
Ellie Miller felt the phrase ‘died from a sudden illness’ about her aunt made one hesitant to think further.
Strangely enough, the year after the mistress entered the house, the legitimate heir nearly fed the Mana Beasts.
Moving further down.
Charlie Cullen’s sister, Vivian Cullen, is the focal point of this family’s drama.
In the Colorful Dragon Calendar, year 919, the current King had an affair with Vivian Cullen.
The following year, the unmarried Vivian Cullen gave birth to a baby girl.
Upon the baby girl’s birth, King Harry bestowed the title “Marchioness Marina” upon her.
Not elevating her to “Duchess” probably preserved some face for the current Queen’s maternal family.
The remaining information pertains to war aspects.
Earlier this year, in January of Colorful Dragon Calendar year 938, The Duke of Coldcrest launched a war against the Cullen Family.
The result is as follows, the Cullen Family was “plowed” by the iron hooves of The Coldcrest Knights.
Charlie Cullen’s son from his second wife was captured, and a large ransom was paid to bring him back.
Despite such conflict, Charlie Cullen dared to visit Kostanyn?
Well, it’s thanks to his sister having given birth to a ‘Marchioness’ that he acts so recklessly.
However, Artor Coldcrest is clearly not someone who plays by the rules.
With these thoughts, Ellie Miller lay on her soft bed and sweetly drifted into a slumber.
…
The next day, Joanna arrived early at Kostanyn, dragging the sleepy Ellie Miller out of her cozy nest.
“Ugh…” What time is it?
“Lady, the Viscount is visiting today; you need to bathe, do your hair, apply makeup, and change clothes.”
Joanna counted on her fingers, “Regardless, you must wear the corset today.
Otherwise, in a month, rumors in the Royal Capital will say The Duchess of Coldcrest’s waist is as thick as a barrel.”
Ellie Miller bewilderedly lifted her clothes, saw her slender waist, “Look here and say that again.”
Joanna helplessly said, “But it will be even slimmer with the corset.”
Joanna demonstrated, “Trust me, men will go crazy over it.”
Ellie Miller wanted to retort but was ‘ruthlessly’ pulled into the washroom before she had fully awakened, with a toothbrush stuffed into her hand.
As Joanna helped brush her hair, she mumbled on, “I can imagine her returning to the Royal Capital, eagerly hosting various banquets, overtly and covertly mocking you.”
Ellie Miller: “…”
So, like a big doll, she was fussed over all morning until—
Looking at the mirror, the woman as beautiful as an angel was astonishingly covered her mouth, “God, you look stunning!”
Ellie Miller looked at herself in the mirror, a hint of makeup turned her face into that of a morning angel.
Her eyes were as dewy and vibrant as emeralds, seemingly holding a galaxy within.
“I now understand why someone might ‘admire their own reflection’,” Ellie Miller mumbled.
I am truly darn beautiful~
“Alright, hurry down, His Grace must be growing impatient.” Joanna looked at the time and instantly exclaimed.
In the hall on the first floor of the castle, the Duke frowned slightly, “Conrad, go check how much longer.”
“Master, urging a lady during her grooming is not gentlemanly,” Conrad replied with a smile.
As the words fell, footsteps ‘da-da-da’ were heard coming from the stairs.
The two turned their heads towards the sound.
Ellie Miller lifted her cake gown’s hem, descending one step at a time, seemingly with difficulty.
Feeling the gaze upon her, she lifted her eyes and met the Duke’s gaze.
The Duke of Coldcrest’s gaze slowly moved downwards, from her gown’s hem to her waist, lingering momentarily on the corset-tightened slender waist, and then slowly moved back up, from the neck tracing up to her stunning face.
The deep blue eyes grew increasingly profound, making her slightly uneasy.
“Uh… is there something wrong with this attire?” Ellie Miller froze in place.
The man’s dark hair was slicked back, enhancing that unmatched handsome face.
His blue eyes fixed on Ellie Miller’s face, like an unpredictable big cat.
Artor Coldcrest ambiguously responded with an “hmm.”
Normally, for alchemy convenience, Ellie Miller wouldn’t use skirts, wear corsets, or apply makeup.
Though she felt the attire was somewhat excessive, especially with luxurious pearl hair ornaments that made moving her head inconvenient.
But being disliked directly by Artor Coldcrest stirred a hint of defiance within her.
She was clearly super gorgeous!
Ellie Miller kept a straight face and intentionally asked, “Then should I go back and change now?”
Unexpectedly, the Duke nodded.
Annoyed, Ellie Miller wanted to pounce and scratch him, asking if he knew how to appreciate!
Ellie Miller lifted her skirt and was about to return.
Whatever!
I won’t serve anymore!
You can meet whatever lord yourself!
Unexpectedly, a male servant rushed in wiping sweat.
“Your Highness, Lord Cullen’s carriage has arrived, but he refuses to get out.”
The Duke’s blue eyes instantly veiled with a shadow, and he scoffed, turning toward Ellie Miller, who was stormily going upstairs, “No time left, tsk.
You get to flaunt yourself in front of Charlie Cullen.”
Ellie Miller continued hastily, climbing the stairs.
Little did she know, the duke took three strides for each of her steps, catching up in two or three large strides, and then she found herself abruptly lifted by a firm grip to her waist.
“Ah!” Ellie Miller let out a short gasp.
The castle’s servants all lowered their heads, faces flushed, too embarrassed to watch further.
The Duke simply hoisted an angry Ellie Miller over his shoulder, her small feet kicking wildly, “Darling, don’t you want to see your ‘uncle’.”
The word ‘uncle’ was bitten out heavily, difficult not to associate with the unpleasant conversation over dinner the previous night.
“Put me down, I will walk by myself.” It was her last stubbornness.
…
Who knows what got into the Duke today, insisting on flaunting affection with her.
Even offering ‘his’ arm for Ellie Miller to cling onto.
Under the eaves, one must bow.
Ellie Miller “pinched her nose” to bear it, reluctantly clinging to the Duke’s sturdy arm, though the gap between them was enough for another Joanna to fit inside.
Artor Coldcrest glanced at the gap between them, almost amused.
He pulled out his arm and wrapped it around Ellie Miller’s shoulder; with his roughened hand lightly tugging, he drew Ellie Miller entirely into his embrace.
“Oh, my lady prefers it closer,” he said.
Ellie Miller maintained her smile, secretly trying to wriggle free, only to be drawn closer by the Duke.
From a distance, it appeared like a delicate petite wife cuddling into her tall handsome husband’s arms.
In the parked royal carriage afar…
The Lady peering through a small spyglass contorted in jealousy, furiously dipping a feather pen into ink, jotting in her handy notebook:
[Ellie Ness is extremely skilled at enticing men; her conduct, speech, and behavior defy noble decorum, seducing her husband in broad daylight…]
“Oh!
My God of The Radiance, is that Ellie Ness?
She’s even more beautiful than she was as a child, simply a…” remarked the Lord, pressing against the window greedily gazing at the maiden embraced by the tall handsome Duke.
“Temptress.” Charlie Cullen greedily licked his thick sausage-like lips.