I Married the Mad Duke Who Killed My Husband - Chapter 10
“A banquet?”
“Not a banquet, but a home reception.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
Cassion frowned as he popped a chocolate macaron into his mouth. Since that day, we’ve been on several showy dates around town, but this dessert shop we visited on the first day seems to be his favorite.
“It’s a bit different. Think of it as a more modest gathering at the mansion, compared to a full banquet.”
“Why do we need to do such a thing?”
“Because the Duke’s authority is weak, that’s why.”
This time, I frowned as I gulped down some cold-brewed black tea. Now that we’ve finished hiring the staff and our dates have started to create some buzz, it’s time to move on to the next step.
“Your reputation among the nobles is worse than you might think.”
“…It’s refreshing to hear someone say it so bluntly.”
I suppose so. Who would dare to say it outright to someone rumored to be a war-crazed brute with no manners? Except for me.
“If you want to be of help to His Highness the Prince, you need to expand your influence a bit. Honestly, right now… You’re on the outskirts, not just among the nobles supporting the First Prince, but even among those supporting the Second Prince.”
“I guess they don’t want to deal with an upstart like me.”
Cassion snorted and attacked the next cake. Doesn’t he drink tea? Doesn’t he ever get full?
“Beyond aiding His Highness, if you aim to secure the Duke’s household in the long run, you’ll need to establish power and authority, regardless of your personal feelings. Surely you wouldn’t want your future wife to face disrespect at upcoming banquets, would you?”
His expression soured further. He really dislikes the idea, even though he doesn’t even have a girlfriend yet.
“The news of our marriage and dates seems to have spread sufficiently, but we haven’t received a single invitation. If that’s the case, we need to take the initiative and arrange our own gathering.”
“Will they come if we invite them?”
He voiced his skeptical opinion. I glared at him while blocking his fork that was aiming for my tart.
“We’ll make them come. At least the nobles supporting the Second Prince. That’s why you have a job to do.”
Seemingly embarrassed that his unconscious attempt to steal my food was caught, he bit his fork. Feeling a bit sorry for him, I cut off a corner and gave it to him. He immediately took it, raising an eyebrow.
“Let’s invite His Highness the Second Prince to our reception.”
“That guy?”
“…I know you’re close, but don’t forget we’re in public.”
“If I speak bluntly, no one will know who I’m talking about.”
…He has a point. For the first time, I almost found myself agreeing with his opinion, but I quickly denied it. Somehow, they seemed too informal with each other at the wedding.
“There are just two key points for our reception. Look, we have His Highness the Prince on our side!”
“…And the other one?”
“We’re this rich!”
“….”
Cassion’s expression turned sour. I waved my fork excitedly as I passionately explained.
“Don’t make that face! Wealth and power are enough to sway people. If you have money, you should spend it and show it off! Our family has no history to speak of anyway!”
“You’re very direct.”
“It’s not like we have portraits of previous Dukes to show off to guests at the mansion. Should we just let the invited guests stand around awkwardly? Do you want rumors spreading that the Duke’s household looks shabby?”
Cassion was drawn into my passionate speech. He even stopped eating his cake and leaned forward, starting to listen to me more seriously.
“Spend money! Invite the most famous artists and musicians in the capital! Put out lots of shiny decorations for people to admire! And place the Prince at the center of it all!”
“…Didn’t you tell you to watch my words? It sounds like even you’re treating that guy like a decoration.”
“Anyway, set the stage like that and let people with the same goals mingle and chat.”
“I’m not sure if I’m talking to someone from a mercenary group or a noble lady right now.”
“Oh, stop nitpicking.”
“No, I meant it’s familiar and easy to understand.”
He grinned and ate the last piece of cake, then gulped down his tea. After my passionate speech, I was thirsty too, so I followed suit and drank the rest of my tea, barely holding back an “Ah” sound.
That’s because I could see the waiter and pastry chef behind us, looking at us with proud and overwhelmed expressions again today.
“Anyway, if you understand, send a letter to His Highness first. The date… the end of this month would be good.”
“Hmm…”
“What is it now?”
“I don’t mind sending the letter, but there’s a problem.”
He put down his fork and discreetly turned his gaze outside. Seeing him fidget with his ear, he must be feeling unsure about something.
“Even if it’s not a banquet but a reception, don’t we still need to dance?”
“We can dance or not. But as the hosts and newlyweds, we should probably dance at least one song as representatives.”
“…I don’t know how to dance.”
“Ah.”
He confessed in a lower voice than when he was talking about the prince. I realized the blind spot in my plan.
“What should we do? I can’t dance either.”
“….”
At my words, his expression changed strangely, looking both dumbfounded and somewhat relieved.
“Don’t look at me like that. I grew up in a room like a closet without windows. Do you think I received any cultural education?”
“And you think I learned to dance while moving from one battlefield to another?”
“….”
“….”
We were silent for a moment. That’s right. In a manner of speaking, we are a nouveau riche couple who suddenly rose in status. Dancing was the biggest problem, but in fact, we didn’t know the etiquette for hosting a reception either.
“…If we can’t cancel this reception thing, maybe we should postpone the date…”
“That won’t work. We need to do it while our rumors are still fresh for it to be effective.”
If that’s the case, there’s only one answer. Cassion’s weapon other than his sword. We need to use our wealth.
“Let’s hire etiquette and dance instructors right away. Preferably someone discreet.”
“No, isn’t it too rushed to learn from now and hold a reception at the end of this month?”
“Did you sleep during the war? What about our ambush preparations?”
“…I didn’t sleep.”
“When the instructor comes, we’ll spin around all night long. Anyway, as hosts, we only need to dance one song to fulfill the formalities, so we don’t need to learn much.”
I stood up to pay the bill, looking at his hardened expression.
“We’ll sleep when we’re dead.”
While he sends a letter to the Prince, I need to find someone who can come for lessons today. I’ll need to learn the basics of etiquette and read some books. I should stop by a bookstore on the way.
“What are you doing, darling? Aren’t you coming?”
I called out to Cassion, who was still frozen in place with one hand covering his face and extended my arm with a bright smile.
Reflexively, due to our recent dates, he came over and linked arms with me to escort me. With a contorted face, he ordered the bill and some items to be packaged.
When I gave him a puzzled look, he whispered with his face still scrunched up.
“If we’re going to be spinning around all night, we should at least stock up on some food.”
“Oh my, darling. How thoughtful.”
I poked him in the side. Despite eating so many sweets, he’s still firm. …I wonder if my sides are okay since I ate with him?
“Have them sent to the mansion. We need to look at clothes and accessories for the reception.”
We don’t have time to personally inspect each famous artwork or sculpture to decorate the mansion. Let’s buy everything for now and only display what suits the mansion. That’s the beauty of having money.
“Right. We should buy three or four more outfits.”
His eyes sparkle at the thought of spending money together. He probably recalled the nobles changing clothes and dancing all night at the banquets he attended as the Prince’s knight. If that’s the case, I should live up to those expectations.
“A large red jeweled brooch that sparkles like your eyes would be nice.”
I grinned at him, ready to wear a corset if he asked. There’s nothing more enjoyable than having a shopping companion with matching tastes who doesn’t fuss over money.
He smiles back at me with a mischievous grin.
“Come to think of it, we haven’t properly matched our wedding rings yet. Let’s get one with a big stone.”
“I hope it’s hard and big enough to crack someone’s skull if necessary, darling.”
“Excellent.”
We set off in agreement, dismissing the approaching carriage and starting to walk down the street lined with shops. The attention we’re attracting today is also welcome.
“Where should we go first?”
“Everywhere, starting with the closest.”
“Then let’s start with that shoe store over there.”
Before entering the full-fledged shopping war, I felt the need to change these high-heeled shoes for more comfortable ones.
“Don’t worry. If you can’t walk to the end, I’ll carry you around.”
“My, how dependable.”
I felt a slight chill. I might have stoked his fire too much; I could easily imagine him carrying me around and sweeping up items even if I suggested we buy the rest another time.
…I hope my stamina holds up.
“Let’s go!”
“Let’s.”
We solemnly entered the battlefield.
