I Married the Mad Duke Who Killed My Husband - Chapter 20
“Oh please. Please, let me go for just one walk. I really feel like I’m turning into a pig.”
“Is there a pig with such thin arms?”
It had been three days since we stayed in the Imperial Palace. During that time, the Emperor had seen Cassion once more but hadn’t given me the same instructions.
However, through Cassion, he conveyed his apologies for my poisoning, saying it happened because he hadn’t finished his luncheon.
“But the physician said the poison has been completely neutralized! He said I just need to eat well and move around now! Let me take a walk, and we’ll return to the Duke’s mansion tomorrow.”
“I agree with returning to the mansion. The food they serve here is always suspicious, even under constant surveillance… Tsk. But there’s no medicine as good as the Imperial medicine. And it seems they’re planning to hold an Imperial banquet.”
“A banquet?”
I stopped my tantrum of flailing my arms and legs at the sudden news and opened my eyes wide. Imperial banquets are usually held on important national holidays like birthdays or the Empire’s Founding Day.
A sudden banquet at this time?
“It’s probably a banquet to show the stability of the Imperial family. Since it’s being prepared in a hurry, it won’t be as grand as usual, but most nobles will attend.”
“Hmm.”
“His Majesty said you could stay in the palace until the banquet day as an apology. But if you want to go back, we can return to the Duke’s mansion with just the medicine.”
“No, I can’t just rush home when the Emperor has shown such kindness.”
This might be an opportunity. Even though Cassion is a Duke, how often do you get a chance to directly observe the atmosphere in the Imperial Palace? Maybe I’ll stay until the banquet day and snoop around pretending to know nothing.
“Your well-being is the top priority, whether it’s the Emperor or the Prince.”
I wonder when the exact date of the banquet will be. Given that he said to stay until then, it probably won’t be a month, maybe within ten days at the latest. If I’m lucky, I might even run into the Empress or the First Prince.
As I was lost in thought, thinking about how to make the most of this opportunity, Cassion approached and lowered his head.
“I… That day, I should have ignored the provocation and sent you out first.”
“What?”
“I was careless. It was a place where poisoned food had already been served once. And I didn’t even think that you, not me, would be harmed. I was foolish.”
“No, didn’t we finish that conversation? I’m fine, I tell you. It was something I chose to endure.”
“It’s not that simple, Asil.”
No, it seems like he’s making something simple complicated. It’s true that he responded to the Emperor’s provocation, but it was my decision not to avoid that place. I gently patted his shoulder.
“See, I’m fine. Don’t blame yourself too much. If you’re sorry, why don’t you let me take a walk?”
“That’s not possible.”
“Come on… Cassion…”
“…No.”
“Really, just for a moment, I’ll be back in 30 minutes. Okay? I feel so stuffy. Being cooped up in the room makes me fall into unnecessary thoughts.”
“…”
Cassion fell into contemplation at my last words. Although he had rarely left my side since the luncheon, today he seemed to have something to do with the Prince.
“…Just for a very short time. Dress warmly, and take the attendant I assign with you. And if you’re not in your room by the time I return, there won’t be a second chance.”
“How am I supposed to finish the walk before you return when I don’t know when you’ll be back?”
“I guess you don’t want to go?”
“I’ll just get a breath of fresh air and come right back.”
Seeing his flashing eyes, I quickly got up. Whew, if he’s like this with a contract wife, I wonder how much he’ll dote on his real wife when he actually gets married.
While he was selecting an attendant, I put on thick clothes unsuitable for the season and a wide-brimmed hat, and headed out the door.
“Your outfit is too light.”
“It’s already hot.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to take at least one more shawl?”
Feeling like my walk time would be further reduced at this rate, I had the attendant he assigned carry something I could wrap around myself. Only then did Cassion’s expression soften a bit.
“Take care of the Duchess meticulously. And make sure the walk doesn’t exceed half an hour.”
“Yes, I will be careful, Your Grace.”
The attendant seemed to have been thoroughly grilled, looking quite tense. But it must be better than me. I thought I was going to die of boredom for four days, even though my legs weren’t broken. Finally, I get to move around!
***
“Wow, His Highness the Prince said the spring flowers were blooming beautifully, and he was right.”
“I will tell the gardener to decorate the flowers in the Madam’s chambers.”
“Thank you.”
We came to a garden not far from the room where I was staying, rather than the back garden where we had our secret conversation.
As expected of the Imperial garden. Perhaps it’s partly due to the spring season, but it’s really splendid and beautiful. Even though I’m not particularly fond of flowers, it’s enjoyable to look at.
Or is it just so nice because I’m out for a walk after so long?
“Phew.”
But I’m getting a bit out of breath just from walking. I didn’t realize it, but maybe the effects of the poison are still lingering, or my stamina hasn’t fully returned yet.
Worried that the attendant might report back to Cassion if they noticed, I tried to breathe out as discreetly as possible while walking.
“…Oh!”
It happened when I raised my head after surreptitiously wiping off my sweat. A gust of wind blew, and my wide-brimmed hat flew off. It wasn’t a particularly strong wind, but due to my poor physical condition, I couldn’t catch the hat.
“I’ll get it for you, Madam.”
As I moved to retrieve it, the attendant stopped me and ran to get it. However, before the attendant could reach it, a man approaching from the opposite direction picked up my hat.
He’s an incredibly handsome young man.
“It seems even the sun wanted to see the beautiful face of the young lady.”
…What kind of line is that? I was so taken aback by his cheesy remark that I lost my words and opened my eyes wide. If anything, it was his golden hair that seemed to be receiving the sun’s love, shining dazzlingly.
“You don’t look well. Since the hat got dirty, it might be better to move to the shade.”
“Ah… It’s alright.”
I gave a slight bow and roughly dusted off the hat before putting it back on. Seeing this, the young man with blue eyes smiled angelically.
“I am Lex Romenel, the second son of Count Romenel.”
The young man bowed perfectly, kissing the back of my hand, and then smiled again with his eyes. When he smiled, he looked almost boyish, like the incarnation of Cupid.
“I am Asilia Yeager. I’m not a young lady.”
“Ah… I apologize for my mistake. You’re the Duchess, then.”
For the first time, I felt a strange tickle as I referred to myself as Asilia ‘Yeager’. It felt unfamiliar to hear my name with the changed surname, unlike when others called me Duchess Yeager.
“What brings you to the palace?”
I thought he might lose interest once he realized I wasn’t an unmarried young lady, but the young master Romenel continued to engage in conversation.
The Romenel Count family… I’m sure they were nobles supporting the First Prince. But if I remember correctly from my brief investigation, the second son was said to be a neutral party who had just graduated from the Academy. That’s why he looks so young.
“His Majesty invited me. However, due to my poor health, I’ve ended up staying a bit longer.”
“Oh my. You still look quite pale.”
It seems the rumors about the attempted poisoning at the luncheon haven’t spread. Of course, the Emperor might subtly mention it at the upcoming banquet, but for now, it appears none of the nobles have openly heard about this incident. Except for those with excellent information networks, of course.
…I wonder which side this young man is on. I smiled as I declined the handkerchief he offered.
“Thank you, but this is my natural complexion.”
“I apologize if I’ve offended you.”
“Not at all, thank you for your concern, young master.”
“You have a beautiful disposition to match your graceful appearance, Madam.”
But look at this? He keeps smiling with his eyes and getting closer to me.
“Actually, when I first saw you, I thought I was seeing a flower fairy appearing in the Imperial garden. Your pink hair flowing in the wind was more beautiful than flower petals.”
“Your praise is excessive, young master.”
“Since we’ve met like this, please feel free to call me Lex, Madam.”
What kind of fate is he talking about? I can see he’s openly flirting. I managed my expression while looking at this young man who was fully utilizing his radiant face. What’s his purpose? Just a playboy? Should I play along and try to extract some information?
“Alright, Lex. I heard you graduated from the Academy…”
“Yes. I finished my studies this year at eighteen.”
Hmm. At eighteen, he’s only a year younger than me. More importantly, if he was at the Academy, he probably wouldn’t have much information about what I’ve been doing in the capital.
Or did he receive some orders from his parents? Even if not about the attempted poisoning, rumors about Cassion and me being invited to the Emperor’s luncheon should have spread by now.
“I feel shy under your beautiful gaze.”
“…Lex. Too much flattery isn’t good.”
“I’m only stating facts.”
What’s with all this flirting? It seems I won’t be able to learn anything more from this conversation.
And I’m getting tired of responding to his advances.
“It was nice meeting you. I should…”
As I turned my back on Lex, who was subtly trying to lead me to a more secluded walking path, I reflexively looked up to where my room was located. And I felt a cold sweat run down my spine for a different reason.
“…I need to go back urgently.”
Even from a distance, I could see Cassion’s burning gaze. Ah damn, I lost track of time while talking.
