The Foolish Wife Refuses to Be a Push-Over - Chapter 50 - My Wife Became Famous and It's Troublesome

Luden was spraying perfume. Nothing special, but because it contained Annelia’s power, it seemed to carry her scent, so he sprayed it with a comfortable feeling.

“I got perfume too!”

Reytan proudly held out his perfume to Luden. It seemed Laysia had sent it.

Since starting his relationship, Reytan said several times that he wished knight training would end quickly. Luden felt the same way. Annelia kept coming to mind.

“By the way, something strange happened.”

“What is it?”

“Father asked about Annelia.”

Why would the Emperor be curious about Annelia? Luden was flustered.

“So I just said she was like a pushover.”

“She’s not like that now, is she?”

“Well, I only know the past Annelia. I don’t know the current Annelia well.”

Reytan was right. The current Annelia was a different person from the past Annelia.

“Anyway, Father seems interested in Annelia. I wonder what he’s scheming.”

Reytan shook his head.

“Ah, while he has no interest in me at all.”

These days, since he said he was going to knight training, the Emperor occasionally sent letters saying it upheld the imperial family’s dignity. Though he seemed to have subordinates write them rather than writing directly.

With bitter thoughts, Reytan smiled.

“Anyway, I won’t be that kind of parent.”

Reytan was dreaming of a future with Laysia.

“I’ll love my children.”

“I will too. I grew up loved, so I know how sweet that is. I want to pass that on to my child.”

At Luden’s words, Reytan looked envious.

“I hope my child says things like that.”

Reytan muttered wistfully.

* * *

〈To Luden〉

I wrote his name at the top of the letter. Seeing it, Anan placed her hand on the letter paper.

“You can write it!”

Anan cheered me on. How did things turn out like this?

When Anan asked if I’d asked Luden about children, I said I hadn’t written it yet. Then Anan told me to bring the letter paper, so I had no choice but to write the letter in front of her.

“You must ask your son.”

I know. But it’s not easy!

I shouted inwardly and quickly wrote the letter. But when I tried to write the part about children, it wasn’t easy.

“It’s hard.”

When I grumbled, Anan said firmly.

“You’re whining.”

“Yes.”

Since she was right, I couldn’t whine anymore and glared at the letter paper.

I was given a mission harder than anything else. Could I do this well?

Worry came first.

* * *

A subtle tea fragrance lingered around his face. Smelling it, Kajiian took a sip of tea. It tasted exactly like the tea he drank at the counseling center Annelia ran. But tears didn’t come.

He moved his fingers, tapping them.

“Cheron, has I ever cried?”

Head chamberlain Cheron was flustered.

“Cried, you say?”

The Emperor crying? Wasn’t he famous for having no tears? And since he’d been crown prince from childhood, he had little reason to cry.

“Except when the late Empress scolded me in childhood, never as an adult.”

Kajiian said that and stroked his chin.

Originally, he didn’t particularly welcome shedding tears. But when he cried at the counseling center, his heart felt somehow refreshed. He couldn’t forget that sensation.

“I’m human too, aren’t I? Sometimes I want to cry.”

Kajiian raised one corner of his mouth crookedly.

“What’s today’s schedule?”

“The afternoon is free.”

“Good.”

He said that and stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“I think I’ll visit the counseling center.”

Cheron’s eyes widened. Didn’t that mean he was going to meet Annelia?

“Why on earth?”

What moved the Emperor’s heart?

Cheron couldn’t understand.

* * *

I looked at Laysia who came to the counseling center. After writing praise diary entries to herself, she seemed better than before. With a brighter face, she sat across from me and said shyly.

“I sent another letter to Prince Reytan.”

Laysia’s cheeks were flushed. Seeing her embarrassed, I smiled while drinking tea.

Laysia also drank tea. Then the quiet crying time began. Laysia said tearfully.

“I really cry easily when I come here.”

“It’s because this tea is special.”

“Is that so?”

“The details are a trade secret.”

Her nose bridge seemingly tingling, she rubbed her nose lightly with her finger, then firmly grasped my hand.

“Annelia, you’re my benefactor.”

Laysia’s eyes sparkled. I shook my head.

“No.”

I could make her cry and comfort her, but only she herself could save a person. So… everything was Laysia’s choice. After hearing my words, she could have made different choices.

“It’s time! I’ll be going now!”

Laysia stood up. Watching her pay the counseling center fee precisely and leave, I sighed.

There really are no customers. Well, Anan told me not to think about losses and just work. I’m not particularly worried about money either, but I still don’t like operating at a loss.

There were no more customers with appointments, but I waited in case someone passing by the counseling center might come.

As I quietly spent time reading a book, I heard the bell at the entrance. Finally, a customer came.

With a pounding heart, I waited for the counseling room door to open. What kind of customer would come today?

The customer who entered was one I didn’t wish for.

Taking off his robe with raised lips, he had the leisure of a ruler.

“It hasn’t been long.”

“You came again.”

“I didn’t come to interrogate you today.”

How could I believe that? But I wasn’t bold enough to say this to Kajiian.

He walked toward me step by step and pulled out a chair to sit. Even with his slowly probing eyes, I paid no mind and smiled, asking him.

“Would you like some tea?”

“Sure.”

He drank tea. A sharp tea fragrance rose.

The tea imbued with my magic touched his tears. Few people don’t sob when first drinking this tea. This man had few accumulated emotions.

‘Really.’

Why does someone who has everything come here? Kajiian looked at me while shedding tears.

“You’re strange.”

“Why?”

“You’re just different from the people I know.”

How exactly different? Because I have no power?

“There are many people like me.”

I told him. I didn’t know if these words would suit his taste.

“I see.”

He said nothing more and drank tea. Wiping his tears, he stared at me intently.

Why is he staring so openly?

“I hope this place lasts long. I like it.”

You don’t need to like it.

With a sulky heart, I grumbled inwardly.

* * *

“I’ll help you.”

“It’s fine.”

“Accept it. I’m not accustomed to refusal.”

Forcing me indirectly.

“Thank you.”

I didn’t want to say more, so I just bowed my head. Then he looked satisfied.

But what was he going to help with?

“I’ll make this place overflow with people.”

I don’t need that many customers…

“I’m curious what actions you’ll take when you have wealth and fame as Annelia, not as Lady Charlot.”

I’m not curious.

Unable to say this, I just smiled ambiguously.

And the Emperor put his words into action shortly after. He explained about a strange place during noble council time.

* * *

A place the Emperor liked.

When famous people say something is good, it becomes popular.

I wracked my brain. Suddenly many people sent letters wanting to visit. To letters asking where it was, I replied with the location and told them to come at their appointed time.

“You’ve become famous.”

Andre, who was helping organize letters beside me, said this, and Lella nodded vigorously in agreement. I didn’t want to admit it.

Making a tearful face, I moved my pen diligently for now. The black pen moved according to my will, making scratching sounds.

I bit my lip. Then finally lowered my head and sighed.

Why did I have to do this?

Of course, it’s good if the counseling center does well, but I didn’t want this kind of fame. The Emperor did something useless. I still haven’t written the letter to Luden.

I made a tearful face at the incoming work. I seemed to need to handle the immediate work and then write to Luden.

* * *

Luden woke up in the morning and went down to the dining room. It was time for Annelia to send a letter, but lately it seemed a bit delayed.

Thinking of Annelia, Luden went downstairs with Reytan.

“Hello.”

And today he encountered her again. Lorina. She had her flowing hair pinned up and wore a military uniform. The tight-fitting uniform suited her very well.

But Luden bowed his head indifferently and passed her. He treated her completely like a stranger.

He sat down and was eating when he suddenly looked up. Then he saw Lorina had already sat across from him, smiling brightly. But Luden showed not a trace of emotion and lowered his head again to spread jam on his bread.

Then Reytan, caught in the middle, couldn’t stand it and spoke first.

“Sister, enjoy your breakfast.”

Lorina turned her gaze to him. At Lorina’s cold gaze, Reytan added nothing more and ate his bread.

While eating, Luden didn’t give Lorina a glance and only spoke to Reytan.

“Isn’t there a horse racing competition today?”

“That’s right. The one who comes in fastest wins.”

“I’ll win.”

At Luden’s words, Reytan’s eyes widened. It wasn’t the indifferent expression he showed Lorina, but a playful one. At his attitude, Reytan laughed. In contrast, Lorina’s expression grew increasingly cold.

Luden was probably the first to treat Lorina this way.

Most people praised Lorina. Because she was beautiful and the Empress’s daughter. Everyone acted as she wished and was desperate to approach her. But Luden was completely ignoring Lorina.

“Luden Charlot!”

Lorina finally got angry.

“What is it?”

“What makes you so confident to be this rude?”

Luden tilted his head.

“Because I have nothing to say.”

Luden said indifferently and stood up. Lorina’s face flushed.

“Marquis Charlot!”

“I hope we don’t see each other’s faces from now on. It’s uncomfortable.”

Luden said curtly.

He’d said the same thing a few days ago, but she seemed to have forgotten.

Leaving Lorina alone like that, Luden left the dining room with Reytan. Everyone eating in the dining room saw Lorina mercilessly ignored by Luden.

“Amazing.”

Reytan let out the breath he’d been holding.

“Aren’t you afraid of consequences?”

At Reytan’s words, Luden shrugged.

“I already have a wife. I have no intention of taking another woman as my wife.”

Luden smiled, making his opinion clear.

“I agree with that thought, but…”

But Lorina was a princess. And the Empress’s daughter at that.

“Are you really okay?”

“Of course.”

Lorina was gradually crossing the line. If he endured a little more, he could seize the opportunity. Luden was waiting for that moment.

* * *

I finished the letter to send to Luden. I stamped it prettily and put the letter in the envelope. I pressed the sealing stamp with the Charlot family crest on the envelope opening and finished, holding the letter in my hand.

“Phew.”

It felt awkward to say I overheard the conversation with Andre, so I just asked if he’d like to have a child after knight training ended. Then Luden would explain on his own why he didn’t want to have children.

Already my hands trembled slightly with tension about what content Luden would reply with.

If I feel this way sending a letter, won’t I be unable to read the reply at all?

“My lady! It’s me.”

Andre opened the door and entered. In his hands was another basket of letters.

“These are letters asking to schedule appointments.”

“Many came.”

Do I have to schedule appointments for all of these? Since they were sent out of curiosity anyway, I planned to schedule mainly for people who came regularly and send replies.

Of course, the only regular customers were Laysia and Sallen. Ah, His Majesty the Emperor too.

I opened the letter paper.

Most said they wanted to visit the counseling center even if it took time. For now, I looked at the calendar, scheduled times in the order letters arrived, and sent replies.

“I hope Luden replies quickly.”

I smiled bitterly.

I wasn’t that courageous yet. I just started this because it seemed he had feelings for me.

If my guess was wrong, what should I do?

Thinking of divorce, my eyes stung.

‘Ah.’

I didn’t use magic, but tears welled up around my eyes.

* * *

Annelia’s letter arrived a day after the horse racing competition. While Luden was discussing political science with Reytan, the door opened and a soldier entered.

Receiving the letter the soldier gave, Luden slowly walked to the desk and opened the letter Annelia sent. He planned to write in his reply that he won the horse racing competition.

But her letter contained unexpected content.

‘…A child?’

“Did Annelia’s letter come?”

Reytan looked at the envelope with curious eyes. Of course, he had no intention of looking at the letter’s contents.

“I got one too.”

He proudly took out the letter Laysia sent from his pocket and showed it. Luden smiled gently, then said while looking at the letter.

“Annelia says let’s have a child when knight training ends.”

“What will you reply?”

“I should say I want to, that we absolutely should.”

Luden took out letter paper. Reytan frowned at the stiff paper.

“It would be nice to have better paper.”

After using only high-quality paper his whole life, coming here and using rough-textured paper, he couldn’t adapt. He wanted to write his heart on better paper, but couldn’t.

“But why didn’t you have a child before knight training?”

Curiosity showed on Reytan’s face. Luden raised his lips crookedly.

“It’s a secret.”

He planned to tell that reason only to Annelia.

“If my child and yours are different genders, how about marrying them later?”

At Reytan’s words, Luden thought for a moment. If it was Reytan, his character wasn’t bad, so his child would probably be decent too.

“I’ll think about it when the time comes.”

“Good!”

Luden sat in the chair and picked up the pen. Taking a breath, he slowly began to write.

He wrote the letter with his heart. Hoping for a future of continuing together with her.

“Hmm.”

“Something else special?”