Home/I ended up having a surprise marriage with the male lead/ch 1

Chapter 1

The village's small general store.

"Emilia, are you done with the tidying up?"

"Cough, yes!"

From deep inside the stockroom, a brown-haired woman poked her head out.

"I'm almost done now!"

"Then finish that up and you can head home."

Mrs. Anderson said, glancing over the ledger.

"Really? Are you sure?"

Emilia's face lit up. It was much earlier than her usual quitting time.

"Yes. It's not like we're getting many customers anyway. And..."

The woman's expression turned a little hesitant as she spoke again.

"Didn't you say today was Cedric's exam result day?"

"Yes, that's right."

Emilia nodded brightly.

Seeing that, Mrs. Anderson shook her head as if she couldn't help it.

"What on earth do you see in that boy? All he ever does is put you through the wringer."

"Well, passing that exam isn't exactly easy."

"Still, for your sake, he ought to pass it soon. How many years have you been supporting him now?"

At that, Emilia let out an awkward laugh.

"Anyway, if he fails this time too, just give him a good kick in the backside and leave him. Got it?"

"Hmm, I'll think about it."

"Don't just think—do it! The boy's clever enough, but he acts like a bear when it counts..."

"Alright, alright. So I'll put my thoughts into action and head off now, then?"

Before the nagging could continue, Emilia quickly slipped off her apron.

"Oh, fine. Go on, get out of here."

Mrs. Anderson waved her hand as if to shoo her away.

Ding-a-ling—

Leaving the store, Emilia headed straight for the grocery shop.

But soon, her steps faltered, her expression darkening.

Though she had exchanged lighthearted banter with Mrs. Anderson, inside she was wound tight with anxiety.

What if he fails again this time?

To be honest, she felt a bit lost.

Her fiancé Cedric had been sitting for the Grade 5 Administrative Officer Examination for years now.

It was a test open only to families of baronet rank or higher, and passing granted the right to serve in the Imperial Palace—which meant the competition was fierce and the difficulty considerable.

Most candidates hired private tutors to prepare.

But Cedric came from a fallen noble family, struggling financially, and supporting his widowed mother.

For these reasons, Emilia had shouldered all the responsibility for his studies and financial support.

Of course, she was merely a commoner living in the countryside—but unusually, she retained memories of a past life, which made it possible.

Well, the fact that this world is from a novel might also count as unusual.

Still, living in a small rural village, she had no connection to the story itself.

What mattered now was whether Cedric had passed.

Still, today I'll put in a little extra effort and prepare a good meal.

Emilia rubbed her stiff shoulders as she resumed walking toward the grocery store.

---

"Mother, I'm home."

"Come in."

"Is Cedric not back yet?"

Emilia stepped inside and glanced around.

"If he were, would I be sitting here like this?"

Mrs. Romains snapped without even looking at her, irritation plain in her voice.

"Right. Sorry for asking something so obvious."

Emilia smiled softly and apologized.

The woman must have been waiting anxiously ever since Cedric left.

If so, Cedric would likely be at the village entrance right now—

waiting for the mail carrier, who came once a week.

And the mail he would receive was the examination result notice from the Imperial Palace.

"Emilia."

"Yes."

"If by any chance Cedric failed, you must not show even a hint of disappointment! Do you understand?"

Mrs. Romains fixed her with a sharp glare and warned firmly.

"Of course. I know that well."

Emilia answered calmly and nodded.

In truth, the one who couldn't maintain composure was always Mrs. Romains, but she chose not to point it out.

A moment later, the door burst open with hurried footsteps.

"Cedric?"

Emilia turned and called his name.

But his expression seemed oddly dazed.

She dropped her gaze to his hand and saw a crumpled notice.

Surely not...

Emilia quickly masked her disappointment.

Then, forcing a smile, she reached out to touch his shoulder.

"Cedric, it's alright. Even if it's not this time, there's always next year—"

But before her hand could reach him, Cedric snapped his head up.

"That's enough."

"Huh?"

"I said enough! I, Cedric Romains, have become a Grade 5 official of the Imperial Palace!"

Mrs. Romains, who had been standing tense with anxiety, widened her eyes in disbelief.

"Really? Is it true?"

"If you don't believe me, see for yourself!"

He thrust the notice in his hand toward her with an excited voice.

Mrs. Romains quickly took the paper and scanned it.

"Good heavens!"

Overcome with emotion, she pulled Cedric into an embrace.

"My son, my son! I knew you could do it! Splendid, splendid! Now this mother can die without regrets!"

"What are you saying, Mother? From now on, we can finally live at ease!"

Cedric shouted, his face flushed with excitement.

"That's right! A talent like mine was bound to be chosen! It was just bad luck all those years!"

"Of course, of course!"

While Mrs. Romains chimed in with Cedric's words—

Emilia quietly picked up the notice that had fallen to the floor.

There, indeed, was Cedric's name, along with the words of acceptance.

He really passed...

Her legs gave way, and Emilia sank heavily to the spot.

Somehow, it didn't feel real.

At the same time, the hardships of the past few years flashed before her like a panorama.

Earning money at the shop from morning till sunset, and spending every other moment for Cedric—

not to mention preparing dinner for both him and his mother.

She had studied administrative and legal texts, even drafting practice questions, supporting him in every way she could.

Drawing on her experience from passing the administrative exam in her past life.

It would be a lie to say the years hadn't worn her down.

"Hey, why are you crying?"

Noticing Emilia's shoulders trembling slightly, Cedric grumbled reproachfully.

"That's right. It's a happy day. You're being foolish too."

"I'm just so happy."

Emilia quickly wiped her tears, embarrassed.

Then she turned a bright smile toward the two who would soon become her family—

unaware of what Cedric might say after returning from the capital for his appointment ceremony.

---

One month later.

Emilia stared at the circled date on the calendar, her face clouded with worry.

"Why isn't he back yet?"

Cedric's return date had long passed.

Even if the schedule, including the appointment ceremony, had taken longer than expected, this was far too late.

Could something have happened?

The trouble was that he had sent no word at all.

Since she had no idea where Cedric was staying, she couldn't know anything unless he contacted her first.

After gazing at the calendar for a long while, Emilia suddenly rose from her seat.

I can't wait any longer. I should ask Mrs. Romains.

---

Knock, knock.

Emilia stood in front of the house, waiting for Mrs. Romains to answer.

But after a long while, there was no response.

Is she not home?

She peered toward the window and saw light spilling out.

She could even hear voices, it seemed.

Just as she was about to knock again, the door swung open.

"...Cedric?"

Emilia's voice came out bewildered.

The one who had appeared was the very person she had been waiting for so desperately.

"Oh, uh—?"

"What do you mean by that? If you were back, you should have let me know right away. Do you have any idea how long I've waited?"

She felt a pang of hurt seeing Cedric back home without notifying her.

Still, she scanned him from head to toe, checking for any injuries.

At least he doesn't seem hurt.

If anything, he looked better than before—perhaps the capital had agreed with him.

Emilia decided to take comfort in the fact that nothing was wrong with him.

But something about Cedric seemed off.

After a moment of awkwardly darting his eyes, he gently slipped his arm from her grasp.

Why is he acting like this?

Just then, from behind Cedric, a woman poked her head out.

Emilia's gaze naturally turned to her.

"...And who is this?"

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