How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 350

‘First, if the Marquise holds a grand banquet, invites everyone to one place, and declares that she will continue to create occasions like this in the future, most people will be satisfied.’

 

 

‘Of course, there will still be some who try to act territorial. If there are people like that, make sure to remember their names.’

 

 

‘Just because you’re above them doesn’t mean you have to embrace everyone below you.’

 

Was it because Leonhard was firmly by my side?

 

Even though several hours had passed since the banquet began, there was no one who openly tried to act territorial toward me.

 

‘I thought someone would sneak over and pick a fight when Leon stepped away, but that didn’t happen either.’

 

Hmm, maybe I’ve read too many novels.

 

Even until Leonhard returned to his seat carrying plates in both hands, no one came up to talk to me while I was alone.

 

“My lady, what are you looking at so intently?”

 

“Well, you see… just sit down first.”

 

The food Leonhard brought became secondary. I subtly gestured in a certain direction.

 

“Do you see over there?”

 

“…You’re not pointing at that black-haired man, are you?”

 

“I am.”

 

For a moment, Leonhard’s brows tightened.

 

His face looked full of dissatisfaction, as if asking why I was glancing at another man while having a husband. I let out a small laugh and placed my hand on his arm.

 

“Can’t you see where that man is looking?”

 

At my words, Leonhard shifted his gaze, and his expression slowly relaxed.

 

“So that is… what you called ‘something going on’ before?”

 

“You see it too, right?”

 

That’s right. The man I pointed at was standing alone by the window with a glass in his hand, not talking to anyone, but stealing glances somewhere.

 

And in that direction stood a brown-haired young lady. With her kind and cute appearance, she too was secretly looking toward the man.

 

Then, at just the right moment, their eyes met— startled, they both quickly turned their bodies in opposite directions.

 

“I see… I think I understand the feeling.”

 

“Doesn’t it make your heart flutter just watching them?”

 

Those two weren’t the only ones giving off that ticklish, sweet atmosphere.

 

After all, there were dozens of young men and women gathered there without fiancés.

 

And since they were all dressed so beautifully and elegantly, it was only natural that a soft, rosy mood like cotton candy would fill the air.

 

‘I really should hold banquets more often.’

 

I accepted the sandwich Leonhard fed me and tried hard to suppress the smile tugging at my lips.

 

Was it because I was already married? Because I was a married woman? Watching other people fall in love was just so fun.

 

“But my lady, I prefer experiencing romance myself rather than watching others.”

 

“Really? I didn’t know that.”

 

“If you knew, how about helping me start right now?”

 

As Leonhardt whispered that in my ear, his lips brushed lightly against my cheek.

 

If he did that on purpose, he was quite skilled. I glanced at him sideways, then whispered back near his ear.

 

“We’ve finished greeting everyone, and the mood seems good even without us—shall we sneak out?”

 

“Let’s go.”

 

Leonhard nodded immediately.

 

Seeing his previously stern and composed expression in front of others brighten so much, I wondered if he really liked the idea that much.

 

‘Well, what can I do? I’m the only one my husband can romance.’

 

I should help him properly.

 

After eating a few more bites of the food Leonhard brought, I quietly slipped out of the crystal hall with him.

 

And after that, what we did and where we went… I’ll keep it a secret.

 

My husband seems to quite enjoy not just romance, but secret romance too.

 

* * *

 

It was good that we successfully finished the grand banquet, but afterward, I ended up stuck in the office and library without a break.

 

‘Oh my, that sounds like such a lovely gathering. Please do invite me sometime.’

 

That was half sincere, but also half polite words—and the aftermath of those words came flooding in mercilessly.

 

Thankfully, I had a reason no one could argue with to refuse.

 

Our Titi.

 

I would love to accept your invitations, but as I am pregnant, I must be careful. Let us set a date slowly.

 

Sending replies like that, who could possibly complain to me?

 

Instead, I arranged light tea gatherings and invited various noble ladies two or three times a month.

 

Laylla helped me write the invitations. I truly felt lucky that she had become my maid.

 

Without her help, it would have been a headache deciding which ladies to invite, in what order, and how to group them.

 

‘For the first tea gathering, invite these ladies here. Then even those who aren’t invited won’t be able to openly complain. And after that…’

 

It is said that when I first came to Ajas, the story of Leonhard entrusting me with the family head’s ring when he left for the Hyella Gate is still being talked about.

 

They say there’s no better way for the Marquis to solidify the authority of the Marquise than that.

 

On top of that, the rumor that the Marquis is deeply in love with his wife needs to settle down a bit.

 

Layla hinted that no one would dare to ignore or mock my authority like in the previous generation.

 

And after several tea gatherings, I became certain of that myself.

 

‘I never thought I’d receive requests begging me to attend their social gatherings.’

 

And not just a few—the number of invitations easily exceeded ten.

 

‘Hmm… I don’t know. I should really put it off for later now.’

 

As my belly grew and my body became heavier, I started being careful about moving around the castle.

 

Especially when going up and down the stairs. One wrong step and…

 

‘Ugh, just imagining it gives me chills.’

 

Maybe it would be better to set up a separate bedroom and office on the first floor, at least until I give birth.

 

I was sitting absentmindedly in my chair thinking that when I heard a knock at the door.

 

“Madam, a letter has arrived from the capital. It is from Sir Alexander.”

 

“A letter from brother Alex?”

 

I quickly took the letter from the attendant.

 

‘It’s probably about receiving Mother’s gift from my older brother.’

 

That should have happened no later than last winter, so why did the letter from my second brother come so late?

 

The answer to that question was written inside the letter.

 

[I’m getting married to Violet.

You already have a niece or nephew.]

 

‘……Oh my goodness. Our family’s troublemaker has caused a huge mess!’

 

* * *

 

I already knew my second older brother didn’t really like writing.

 

But I didn’t expect him to write even a letter announcing his marriage and his fiancée’s pregnancy this briefly.

 

No, does this even make sense?

 

If someone who showed no signs of it just a few months ago suddenly gets married, he should at least explain properly how and why it happened.

 

If it were just dating, fine. But this is marriage—marriage! And one that’s clearly being rushed because of a pregnancy!

 

“I seriously can’t live like this because of that troublemaker Howard, seriously….”

 

If I weren’t pregnant, I would have rushed to the capital immediately.

 

But the capital was too far to run to while holding my swollen belly, and the situation at Hyella hadn’t fully settled yet either.

 

I was far too curious to calmly wait for my brother’s reply, so I couldn’t even sleep.

 

‘Should I bargain with Rake using a seven-tier cake?’

 

‘Or just teleport straight to the capital?’

 

Thankfully, before I could act on that impulse, I received another letter.

 

From Lily—saying she would be arriving in the North soon.

 

* * *

 

“Sister Lily!”

 

“H-hey, don’t run, don’t run. You might fall.”

 

Worried I might trip, Lily opened her arms, and beside her, Benjamin even pulled out his rod.

 

Fortunately, without needing to use wind magic, I landed perfectly in Lily’s arms.

 

“Lilyyyy, it’s been so long.”

 

“I’m happy to see you too, but your belly’s already this big—you need to be careful.”

 

“I am being careful, of course. More importantly, wasn’t it hard coming all the way here?”

 

“Why would it be hard?”

 

With a proud look, Lily stroked the rod at her waist, and Benjamin nodded along.

 

It felt like no hardship or difficulty could ever block the path of those two while they had that rod.

 

“Aren’t you cold? Let’s go inside first. Noah’s in a lesson right now, and my husband went to the Hyella Gate for knight training. He’ll be back before dinner.”

 

“Training in this kind of weather? They must be having a hard time.”

 

“Well… it might be hard to believe, but this is actually milder weather.”

 

“This is?”

 

“That’s just how the North is.”

 

At my words, Lily let out a small laugh.

 

“Nell, you sounded just like a Northerner just now.”

 

“Right? I thought so too.”

 

Giggling together, we moved to the drawing room.

 

Benjamin and Lily naturally sat close to the fireplace where the fire was blazing.

 

I served them hot chocolate made with warm milk.

 

“But, Sister, did you hear about Alex?”

 

* * *