I Found a Husband When I Picked up the Male Lead

“There are stars in your eyes!”

Raphel shouted, pointing to Lizelle’s eyes, as if making a huge discovery.

‘Ah, my heart hurts.’

Raphel, who pointed to her eyes and brightly called them ‘stars’ was so cute that her chest hurt.

The cheesy lines commonly used by men to seduce women felt like the ultimate compliment coming from Raphel, it was adorable.

How could he be so cute?

“Thank you, Raphel.”

The two smiled brightly at each other.

It was such a warm and lovely moment, it could make someone feel happy just by seeing it.

Raphel laughed brightly and immediately snuggled into Lizelle’s arms and yawned.

“Haaaaa…”

He was probably tired after riding in the carriage for so long that day.

Just as Lizelle was about to turn her gaze away from the window and head toward bed, something appeared outside that caught her eye.

A dark silhouette was outside the window. It was covered in darkness, but could not completely be hidden when the moonlight shone on it. It was Duke Chaser.

He was crossing the yard and she wondered where he could be going so late at night.

‘Whatever, it has nothing to do with me.’

“Alright, Raphel, let’s go to bed.”

Lizelle turned around, not even wanting to see his back.

“Hmmmm…”

Raphel was already fast asleep in her arms. She moved quietly so she would not wake him.

***

The next day.

Wilhazelle went to the Baron’s residence early in the morning and explained what had happened at the Duke’s residence.

“So, don’t worry too much.”

Wilhazelle tried to reassure her parents with a bright smile. However, the Baron and Baroness were unable to let go of their worries so easily.

“But still… Wont it be uncomfortable to stay at the Duke’s residence?”

“I think this is for the best. It’s the only way we can be sure that everyone will remain safe.”

Wilhazelle held her mothers’ hand tightly.

They had never lived apart from their daughter, not for the past 20 years. When she said that she would be living at the Duke’s for the next month, they couldn’t help but worry.

“Then, why don’t you just leave Raphel at the Duke’s residence and come back home…”

“What if they won’t give me the reward then?”

“Do you really think the Duke would do that?”

“It’s really possible if it’s that person.”

Lizelle said with a stern expression. The Duke she had met the day before was not a good person. She had to stick close to him and make sure he kept his word.

“Are you sure everything is okay? If by chance something happened yesterday…”

Rosalie was very worried about her daughter.

She was worried about her staying at someone else’s house, but she was most worried that her daughter might do something extravagant at the Duke’s residence.

It did not seem likely these days since Lizelle had matured greatly, but when she thinks of the past, there was still a possibility.

“It’s not like that. I have to help Raphel adapt to living with the Duke and I have to make sure I receive the reward to pay off the family’s debt.”

Rosalie felt slightly relieved when she heard the debt would be repaid. Still, that didn’t stop her worry.

While Lizelle and Rosalie continued to talk, the Baron bowed his head in silence.

The Barons face was filled with guilt as he fiddled with his fingers.

“I’m sorry. Because of this useless father…”

These were the first words the Baron had spoken. He had been silent the whole time so far.

Wilhazelle lifted her other hand, the one not holding her mothers’ hand, and placed it on the back of her fathers’ hand.

“Father. It’s really okay. I got us into this mess, give me a chance to redeem myself.”

“Lizelle… My daughter has really changed a lot.”

The Baron wiped at his sore eyes as he gazed at Lizelle, in deep thought.

“Ah, yes. I guess I’m starting to grow up now! Ahaha…”

Lizelle was embarrassed by the Barons words and laughed awkwardly.

If you thought about it, seeing someone who was so obsessed with extravagance and vanity suddenly worrying about debt and watching over a child may have been quite a shock to her parents because it was so unfamiliar.  She decided she should be more careful.

“Okay, I understand. If it becomes too hard at any time, you can always come back home…”

“Alright. Don’t worry about me.”

Lizelle smiled brightly as she looked at her father, whose lips were tightly closed and his lower jaw was trembling, as if holding back tears.

“I’ll be back soon.”

She got into the carriage, leaving behind her father and mother, who was clutching the hem of her skirt.

She had packed enough luggage to stay at the Duke’s residence for a month.

When she looked back, she could see her father dabbing the corner of his eyes with a handkerchief. It appeared he had broken down into tears.

‘I’m never getting married. It’ll only be a month…”

Lizelle suppressed her uncomfortable feelings and left the Baron’s residence. Before she knew it, the sun had started to rise and morning was coming.

‘I am indeed loved.’

That was all she could think about when she saw her parents. She knew very well how difficult it was to give affection without expecting anything else in return. Even if it was the affection between a parent and their child. She once again realized that Wilhazelle’s parents were very good people, which made her miss her real parents as well. Faces she couldn’t remember anymore because there weren’t any photos left.

‘Has Raphel woken up yet?’

When she thought of her parents, she naturally also thought of Raphel. He now had to grow up with his uncle instead of his parents. Raphelion is probably in a similar situation as she was, he had no parents left to give him a loving embrace.

There was a spot in everyone’s heart that only their parents could fill. No matter how good Chaser was to Raphel, his parents’ shoes could never be filled. Just like hers.

She felt sorry for him, who, like her, had become alone at such a young age. Maybe that’s why she had been drawn to him and continued to pay so much attention to him. His small embrace that seemed so fragile and ready to collapse and the small voice, desperately crying out to his parents, felt like her past self.

“I’ll give you lots of hugs when I get back.”

If only she could replace his parent’s affection, even if only for a moment. Lizelle headed straight to the Duke’s residence, vowing to do better with Raphel. She thought about bringing him with her, since he had wanted to see his grandfather and grandmother, but she gave up on that early when she remembered Chaser’s face the day before when he told her to leave the child behind. If she told him she was going home with Raphel, he probably wouldn’t want to come back, how could she let him come with?

“It’s obvious, even without seeing.”

Wilhazelle’s expression crumpled, she didn’t want to think about what It would be like when she had to leave him in a month. Besides, it was so early that she felt bad about waking him, who was sleeping so soundly. She just went alone.

On the other side of the small window, the sun was slowly rising. She had to hurry because Raphel would probably wake up by the time she arrived at the Duke’s residence.

“Haaa…”

Lizelle yawned and leaned back on the seat. Perhaps because she had been busy since dawn, she felt slightly fatigued. Her eyes were heavy.

The carriage she was in was provided by the Duke’s family, which meant that it was extremely comfortable. Inside, it was quiet, without a single disturbance, and the cushions were soft. It wasn’t even bumpy; the conditions were perfect for falling asleep.

Just as her eyelids were about to completely close.

“Wait!”

Lizelle opened her eyes, straightened her back and shouted. As expected, the carriage came to a smooth halt, not even shaking. She quickly opened the door and got out of the carriage.

“I’m going to go and look around.”

“Yes, alright.”

Just as she was about to fall asleep, she had noticed a lively market right outside the window. Looking at the market had reminded her of Raphel looking at the stars the night before. It was an opportunity for her to find a star for Raphel.

She entered the market.

It was clear that there would be at least one star shaped item somewhere in this place that was filled with stores. It was very busy, perhaps because it was opening time. She slowly looked around the shops and street vendors. Some stores were still opening, while others were taking out items they had stored, putting them on display. There were plenty of pretty and cute things, all things Raphel would like.

‘Well, it would be better if it was in the shape of a star, though.’

She looked at the items with careful eyes. There were more diverse items made in the shape of a star than she had expected. From small watches to hairpins, bracelets and necklaces.

‘Even that plate is shaped like a star.’

If she put carrots on that plate, would he eat them?

When she pictured Raphel happily eating carrots in her head, a smile naturally appeared.

She chuckled as she purchased the plate and walked on as the store owner thanked her. Her eyes, which were carefully inspecting the items to see if there was anything else to buy, suddenly became fixed on one spot.

A snow globe with a large yellow star sat on the display stand.

This was it. Raphel would definitely love it.

She then quickly reached out her hand and tried to grab the snow globe. Then a hand suddenly popped out from the side. Both hands had intended to reach for the globe.

Wilhazelle looked at the owner of the large hand that covered her own.

Yuck.

“What is that expression?”

Chaser was standing there with narrowed eyebrows and dissatisfied eyes.