Home / the Villainess they took for granted / Chapter 226: v2- - 45: the emperor’s decision IV

Read free on Ficlyn

the Villainess they took for granted

Chapter 226: v2- - 45: the emperor’s decision IV · Oct 27, 2026

Prev Chapter Novel Info Next Chapter

Chapter List (304)

Page number / 7

201 Chapter 201: v2- - 20: his private chambers III 2026-10-27
202 Chapter 202: v2- - 21: choose me, everytime 2026-10-27
203 Chapter 203: v2- - 22: certainty 2026-10-27
204 Chapter 204: v2- - 23: breakfast I 2026-10-27
205 Chapter 205: v2- - 24: breakfast II 2026-10-27
206 Chapter 206: v2- - 25: breakfast III 2026-10-27
207 Chapter 207: v2- - 26: a small packet I 2026-10-27
208 Chapter 208: V2- - 27: a small packet II 2026-10-27
209 Chapter 209: v2- - 28: free to choose 2026-10-27
210 Chapter 210: v2- - 29: the second test I 2026-10-27
211 Chapter 211: v2- - 30: the second test II 2026-10-27
212 Chapter 212: v2- - 31: the second test III 2026-10-27
213 Chapter 213: v2 - 32: the second test IV 2026-10-27
214 Chapter 214: v2- - 33: the second test V 2026-10-27
215 Chapter 215: v2- - 34: The second test VI 2026-10-27
216 Chapter 216: v2- - 35: the third test I 2026-10-27
217 Chapter 217: v2- - 36: the third test II 2026-10-27
218 Chapter 218: v2- - 37: the fourth test 2026-10-27
219 Chapter 219: v2- - 38: the fifth test I 2026-10-27
220 Chapter 220: v2- - 39: the fifth test II 2026-10-27
221 Chapter 221: v2- - 40: the fifth test III 2026-10-27
222 Chapter 222: v2- - 41: aftermath 2026-10-27
223 Chapter 223: v2 - 42: the emperor’s decision I 2026-10-27
224 Chapter 224: v2- - 43: the emperor’s decision II 2026-10-27
225 Chapter 225: v2- - 44: the emperor’s decision III 2026-10-27
226 Chapter 226: v2- - 45: the emperor’s decision IV 2026-10-27
227 Chapter 227: v2- - 46: the emperor’s decision V 2026-10-27
228 Chapter 228: v2- - 47: more than sufficiently 2026-10-27
229 Chapter 229: v2- - 48: morning after I 2026-10-27
230 Chapter 230: V2- - 49: morning after II 2026-10-27
231 Chapter 231: v2 - 50: Morning after III 2026-10-27
232 Chapter 232: v2 - 51: lunch 2026-10-27
233 Chapter 233: v2- - 52: a moment of peace 2026-10-27
234 Chapter 234: v2 - 53: a father’s concern I 2026-10-27
235 Chapter 235: v2 - 54: a father’s concern II 2026-10-27
236 Chapter 236: v2 - 55: a father’s concern III 2026-10-27
237 Chapter 237: v2 - 56: a father’s concern IV 2026-10-27
238 Chapter 238: v2 - 57: days in passing 2026-10-27
239 Chapter 239: v2 - 58: the Imperial wedding 2026-10-27
240 Chapter 240: v3 - 1: the man who survived I 2026-10-27
241 Chapter 241: v3- - 2: the man who survived II 2026-10-27
242 Chapter 242: v3- - 3: the arena I 2026-10-27
243 Chapter 243: v3- - 4: the arena II 2026-10-27
244 Chapter 244: v3 - 5: arena fighters I 2026-10-27
245 Chapter 245: v3- - 6: arena fighters II 2026-10-27
246 Chapter 246: v3- - 7: Arena fighters III 2026-10-27
247 Chapter 247: v3 - 8: The deathly course I 2026-10-27
248 Chapter 248: v3- - 9: the deathly course II 2026-10-27
249 Chapter 249: v3 - 10: the deathly course III 2026-10-27
250 Chapter 250: v3 - 11: the deathly course IV 2026-10-27

Marian could hardly believe it.

She looked at Adrian as though she were afraid that if she blinked, the moment would disappear.

”You really mean it.”

”I do.”

A breathless laugh escaped her.

”We’re going to be married.”

Adrian’s mouth curved.

”We are.”

Marian laughed again.

The happiness in her face was almost impossible to contain.

She had planned a wedding before.

She remembered it clearly.

The cathedral.

The announcement.

The invitations.

The preparations.

She had chosen those things with genuine excitement because she had loved Cassian.

She had believed she was going to marry him.

She had believed that was the life waiting for her.

And then it had all disappeared.

The wedding date had passed.

Cassian had never returned.

For a long time afterward, Marian had been afraid that perhaps she would never feel that kind of happiness again.

But she had eventually understood that loving someone who was gone did not mean she had to stop living.

She had returned to the capital.

She had begun thinking about her future.

At first, Adrian had been the practical choice.

Then somewhere along the way, he had become something more.

She had fallen in love with him again.

And now he was standing before her, telling her they were going to be married.

The realization sent a rush of happiness through her.

She wasn’t frightened.

She wasn’t thinking about the wedding that had failed.

She was simply surprised.

She hadn’t expected this.

Not yet.

She had only been back in the capital for a little over seven weeks.

She had thought she would spend months meeting people, considering her choices, deciding what kind of future she wanted.

Instead, Adrian had looked at her and decided.

Her smile grew.

”What happens now?”

Adrian raised a brow.

”Now?”

”Yes.”

She was already thinking ahead.

”The announcement?”

Her eyes brightened.

”The court will need to know. And my father. And Valmont.”

She paused.

”And the wedding.”

The last word came out softer.

Adrian watched her.

She was already imagining it.

Not replacing what she had once felt for Cassian.

Not pretending that wedding had never mattered.

Simply allowing herself to imagine another future.

One that had not existed when she first returned.

And for one moment, Adrian simply enjoyed seeing her this happy.

Then the old instinct stirred.

Test her.

The thought came quietly.

He could ask her something.

Make her prove it again.

See whether this happiness would survive once the excitement faded.

The impulse was familiar.

But Adrian looked at her again.

At the light in her eyes.

At the smile she could not hide.

No.

Not now.

He pushed the thought away.

She had just agreed to marry him.

He would not ruin this moment.

There would be time enough later.

He had already decided that she would be his wife.

For now, he could simply let her be happy.

”The announcement can be made as soon as I give the order,” he said.

Marian’s eyes widened.

”So soon?”

”There is no reason to delay it.”

Her smile returned.

”And the wedding?”

”The Imperial Household will arrange it.”

Marian blinked.

Of course.

She had almost forgotten how these things worked.

They had been preparing for Adrian’s wedding since he was Crown Prince.

The ceremonies.

The protocols.

The arrangements.

The court had always been prepared for the day their future Emperor would marry.

Only the circumstances had changed.

And, somehow, the bride had not.

Marian smiled.

”I need to tell my father.”

”Yes.”

”And Clara.”

”Naturally.”

”And everyone will know.”

”They will.”

Marian laughed softly.

She looked down at their joined hands.

Then back at him.

”I didn’t think it would happen this quickly.”

Adrian’s gaze rested on her.

”Neither did I.”

It was almost true.

Marian smiled.

She had no idea how quickly everything had changed.

Only about two months ago, she had returned to the capital wondering whether she could build another life.

Now she was going to marry the Emperor.

And for the first time since Cassian’s disappearance, the future did not feel like something she had merely accepted.

It felt like something she was looking forward to.

She squeezed Adrian’s hand.

And smiled.

For a moment, neither of them said anything.

Then footsteps approached.

Marian glanced toward the corridor.

An aide appeared and bowed.

”Your Majesty.”

Adrian turned.

”Yes?”

”The ballroom is awaiting your return.”

Adrian nodded.

”We’ll return shortly.”

The aide bowed again.

He was about to withdraw when Adrian spoke.

”Before we return, have the announcement prepared.”

The aide straightened.

”Of the engagement, Your Majesty?”

Adrian glanced at Marian.

”No.”

His voice was calm.

”Inform the court that I have asked Lady Marian Valmont to marry me, and that she has accepted.”

Marian’s eyes widened.

The aide bowed deeply.

”Yes, Your Majesty.”

”Have the Imperial Household begin the wedding preparations immediately.”

”At once.”

”And have the official announcement sent to the papers for tomorrow morning.”

”Yes, Your Majesty.”

The aide withdrew.

Marian stared at Adrian.

”You really are doing this.”

”I told you I would.”

Her smile slowly returned.

There was something almost dizzying about it.

Only moments ago, she had been wondering what would happen next.

Now the answer was already moving through the palace.

The court would know tonight.

The capital would know tomorrow.

And the preparations for her wedding would begin immediately.

Not a possibility.

Not a distant promise.

It was happening.

Marian laughed softly.

”I don’t know whether I should be nervous or excited.”

”Which are you?”

She looked at him.

”Excited.”

Adrian’s mouth curved.

”Good.”

He offered her his arm.

”Come.”

Marian slipped her hand through it.

Together, they turned toward the ballroom.

She could already imagine the whispers that would follow.

The looks.

The congratulations.

The gowns.

The ceremony.

The cathedral.

Everything was suddenly real.

She looked up at Adrian.

And smiled.

For the first time in weeks, she wasn’t wondering whether he would choose her.

He had.

And tonight, the entire court would know it.

To be continued

Prev Chapter Novel Info Next Chapter

Recommended Novels

Transmigrated as the Villainess, my University Romance went Off Script champilyn

Genius Doctor Black Belly Miss Dạ Bắc

The Deadly Hitwoman: The Heiress's Special Abilities Seven-leaf Hibiscus

Genius Doctor Black Belly Miss North Night

Peaceful Farm Life Evergreen Tree

Reborn In The Three Kingdoms Tang12

The Golem Mage mystic dark

My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead Mo Qi Jian

Stop Fooling the Us, China Really is Doing This! Shen Qian Zhi Jian

From Folly to Fortune：I Rewrite My Life After Rebirth! Lu Chengfeng

The Feng Shui Treasure Appraiser Chao Ji Xue Ba

Epoch of Twilight Don't Play People Fo

The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me! Chu Qianmo

The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming Zhan Xiye

African Entrepreneurship Record Evil er er er