Young and Rich, Tall and Handsome(6)
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What kind of man was Tarkan?
Paellamien didn’t like Tarkan. But even in her eyes, Tarkan was a decent husband.
He was handsome, tall, fit, and capable.
She thought he would be cold and dismissive of his wife after marriage, but what?
Maybe he was the type that was affectionate to his woman even though he was cold to others, but he was practically dripping with honey.
Tarkan’s gaze on Aristine at the luncheon the other day made Paellamien confused on whether she was eating rice or scooping honey.
“Mmm.”
Aristine tilted her head.
She acknowledged that Tarkan was a pretty decent partner for a political marriage.
But as a husband, who was she to say?
“To call Tarkan a good husband is…”
“Your bed broke on the first night!” Paellamien yelled at the person trying to deceive her.
Then she went ‘oh no’ and immediately turned the other way.
Her cheeks flushed a bright red. She couldn’t even believe that those words came out of her mouth.
“Ehem, ehem.”
Aristine tilted her head again as she watched Paellamien clear her throat for no reason.
‘Is breaking the bed that important?’
Of course, she knew what breaking the bed signified. But was that so important to marital life?
Of course, if you’re doing it, it’s better to do it well(?). But it was just part of the duty to produce a successor.
“No, I mean, um… you know it was a political marriage? I didn’t even know what kind of person Tarkan was.”
A monster more hideous than a demonic beast.
A blood-crazed savage.
He wasn’t just called ugly, but all sorts of titles were being used to describe him as she was headed off to be married.
Aristine was an imperial descendant to her very core.
Naturally, she never even considered marriage out of love.
Marriage was both a means of negotiation and creating political alliance. Political marriages were one of the biggest businesses.
‘If it was Starlina, instead of Paellamien…or even Yenikarina, I’d at least understand.’
“I wish I didn’t know too. Then I could at least have hope.”
Paellamien mumbled and smiled defeatedly.
“I know. I know how childish it is to care about appearance in a political marriage. It’s not like I’m Starlina.”
Aristine was startled and wondered if Paellamien could read her mind.
“But,” Paellamien paused and opened her clenched fist.
There was a crumpled picture in her hand, alongside a bunch of fallen leaves.
Aristine picked up the photo which could be mistaken for a rag and examined it.
And then.
“Oh…”
A vague exclamation escaped Aristine’s lips.
Her purple eyes flitted over to Paellamien’s face. Her gaze was cautious.
“Uh, hmm…well, isn’t the age gap too much?”
“We’re the same age.”
“Huh?!”
This is the same age?!
Aristine stared at the picture with wide eyes.
A strand of hair dangled pitifully on top of the man’s head, like the last leaf in a wide empty field.
“Oh…I see, the same age…”
That was really hard to believe.
The last leaf aside, even his face was…well…
You shouldn’t do this with people’s looks but honestly, as a marriage partner…
At least, on the outside, it shouldn’t look like you’re having a wedding ceremony with your dad.
Of course, it would be a different matter if it was a decent person, but a political marriage was not based on personality.
“Ever since I was five years old,” Paellamien roughly ran a hand through her hair, “Ever since, I have laid flat under the Queen to survive.”
It had been a long time.
“All this time, I have never done anything. I have really done nothing.”
Paellamien’s brows twisted.
“I am a royal too. It’s not as if I had great ambitions or aspirations. But I wanted to devote myself to serving this country. But if I did that, it would raise their vigilance.”
Paellamien’s mother was a Lady from a prominent marquis family.
And unfortunately, Paellamien was clever.
A clever child born under the queen with a powerful family behind her.[1]
It was enough to raise the Queen’s vigilance.
At that time, they weren’t wary of Tarkan, so it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her Hamill’s sole competitor. At this rate, Paellamien would become Hamill’s biggest rival.
When the Queen, who had been watching her sharply, made her kneel with the excuse of not showing proper manners, Paellamien realized.
Ah, I’ll have to live like this for the rest of my life.
A long succession battle, ready to bleed her dry, lay ahead as a thorny path. And if she were to lose, neither herself nor her mother nor her maternal family would be safe.
Hence, Paellamien did not get up from her knees.
She went under the Queen, becoming the queen’s hands and feet.
She never held ambition to be king.
She felt a little annoyed and irritated when the queen gave her orders, but she thought of it as assurance for her safety.
However,
“If the family itself was okay, I wouldn’t even complain. They must have sent me to a family like this on purpose.”
If they sent her to a great family, Paellamien would gain her power. They were certainly on guard against that.
The family of her marriage partner was not a traditionally prestigious family, but a rich one. In exchange for giving Paellamien’s hand, the queen must have received a huge sum of money from the family.
She must be trying to buy back the nobles who turned away from her after the poisoning incident.
Paellamien chuckled.
‘I guess this is what they call disposed after being used.’
“I’ve lived as the queen’s dog my whole life, but to think this is the result.”
Tears ran down Paellamien’s cheeks.
Aristine felt a little sorry for her.
‘Right, his ugliness wasn’t the problem.’
The queen’s betrayal was the problem.
“If you’re going to do this, at least make him handsome.”
“…”
Aristine forgot what she was going to say.
Translator’s Corner:
[1] I was initially confused when translating this sentence because it just stated that Paellamien’s mother is a Lady from a Marquis family. But, it seems that every child born to the royal family is considered the Queen’s child, regardless of their actual mother.
**T/N: Had a brain fart. Here’s Thursdays chappie!
Get advanced chapters on Patreon~
- Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 67 - December 21, 2024
- Forget My Husband, I’ll Go Make Money – Side Story 21 - December 14, 2024
- Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 66 - December 14, 2024
Adding to your note, yes! All children accepted in the royal family are the queen’s children regardless of their birth mother. If they’re recognized as the king’s children and as royal they become the queen’s son or daughter per the laws. If not, they’ll be considered illegitimate children and will not have the rights to the throne
Obrigada por traduzir esta história maravilhosa 🥰🥰🥰🥰
If a I was her i would cry too
Thanks for the tranlation Miss Ruby…
A new friend is coming soon …..
Ouch. 5 years old.. she is really smart. Aristine could use her more than the Queen! and Aristine really need friend! After the case with Hamill! Help her!
I love Aristine’s reaction to when she saw the picture. Even she could no longer refute with Paellamien. Now Aris, bring her to your side and help her find a handsome hubby
I don’t know what to say either tbh xD
Crying for a future husband that looked like an old man despite the same age, man I would too. Thanksies, Ruby. Your updates brought me joy every single time 😘
Thanks for translation.
Other girls focus on face and while Aristine focus on abs.
Thank you for the update !
I feel bad for her, honestly. The queen’s the worst. And Rineh that bit about not knowing if he’s a good husband is cap. 🤥 Tarkan wya 😭😭
Thanks miss Ruby ❤️
Thank you for the chapters 🙂
I wonder how this situation will work out.
I miss my husband, Tarkan.. I mean Rineh’s. It’s time for fluff don’t you think??? Like please dear Authoorrr we beg you huhuhu
Marry Mukhali then. I bet he’s better than this sorry dude
Well, everyone loves a handsome husband 🥴