I Married the Mad Duke Who Killed My Husband - Chapter 25
As we had just entered the terrace, these people must have come here and started gossiping not long ago. How surprised they must have been when the subjects of their gossip appeared right as they began to speak in earnest.
“Oh my… Thank you for your concern.”
I smiled with the most harmless expression I could muster to calm them down, as they turned pale as if their hearts had stopped. Their wildly trembling pupils darted between my smile and Cassion behind me.
“But it’s not even noticeable to us. Can you really call that amount of money an expenditure?”
“D-Duchess.”
“Are you perhaps having financial difficulties? To be so shaken by that amount of money… As fellow nobles, we could help you in times of need.”
It seems these fools with ugly faces have even uglier wealth and personalities. I smiled sympathetically.
“I’ve heard rumors that the Duchess is kind and beautiful, but she exceeds even those rumors.”
However, the response came from behind.
Wondering who else wanted to pick a fight and get hit, I turned around to find the First Prince, who had been near the platform, now standing close by, looking at me.
“…I offer my greetings, Your Highness the First Prince.”
Unable to throw the first punch at this opponent, I greeted him with the same smiling face. Taking advantage of this moment, the nobles who had been behind the curtain bowed halfheartedly and fled.
“They’re old-fashioned folks who don’t understand jokes, so don’t tease them too much.”
“I only approached them wanting to socialize, but it seems I went a bit too far. As I have little experience in social circles, I hope you’ll be understanding.”
I firmly held Cassion in place as he subtly tried to block my way, and continued speaking. The First Prince came to pick a fight with me, so why are you trying to block me? I have no intention of backing down just because he’s royalty.
“Come to think of it, you married before your debutante ball. Do you know how many men are regretting that after seeing you today?”
“I’m flattered, but I’m not so oblivious as to not notice the many gazes. However, what can I do when I already have a loving husband?”
Even when he tried to hold my hand, as Cassion attempted to intervene, I clung to him, even stepping on his foot under my dress. Only then did Cassion stop trying to confront the First Prince.
But this time, the First Prince turned his gaze from me to Cassion.
“Is this the first time we’ve properly talked since the war? Congratulations on obtaining such a bold and beautiful wife, Duke.”
“Thank you. It’s my good fortune.”
I almost let out a laugh. Isn’t this usually when one would say something like ‘It’s the Emperor’s grace’ or some such roundabout phrase? What’s with ‘It’s my good fortune’? As if his foot didn’t hurt at all, Cassion grinned and met my eyes.
“Seeing how close you two are makes me feel good just watching. However, may I make a request, even if it’s a bit inconsiderate?”
The First Prince, who had been quietly observing us, came to the main point. Though he wore a dignified smile, his face felt like a mask, just like the wax-like Empress.
“I hear you’ve been preparing for civilian flood damage recently, but isn’t that an annual occurrence? The people must have developed their own wisdom over the years. However, the unrest among the people of the newly subjugated vassal states and the border regions after the war might be somewhat unfamiliar.”
“I heard the Count’s family is already looking into the border situation.”
“Yes. But wouldn’t the people feel more reassured if you, a war hero, helped out? With a bit of suppression on the side if needed.”
“….”
“It seems the people from the Count’s family are a bit weak in that area, perhaps because they’re too soft-hearted. Wouldn’t you be perfect for that?”
In other words, it’s recruitment.
Cassion’s influence must have grown. For the First Prince to personally try to recruit him. I quietly observed Cassion as he made this proposal with the implicit meaning of asking if he wouldn’t come to his side even now.
Our contract is to make the Second Prince the Crown Prince.
But if he, who has solidified his position as Duke by marrying me, now wants to turn back… Although it would disrupt the contract, I’m not in a position to intervene and stop him. We’re not that close, after all.
“I’m honored that you think so highly of my abilities, Your Highness.”
“I’m only stating the truth. You have the capability.”
I wondered how Cassion would respond. I had a feeling he wouldn’t accept the First Prince’s offer, but I was still a bit anxious.
“However… As you can see, we’re newlyweds.”
But he suddenly clung to me, and I knowingly nestled into him intimately. So he’s going with the traditional approach.
“After suppressing the rebel forces from the vassal states that were raging at the border until the very end, I returned to the capital. As long as they don’t do anything foolish, it shouldn’t take much effort to govern the people of the vassal states. But if my strength is still needed, I should obey the command… However…”
“Darling…! Are you planning to leave me behind?”
I interjected at the right moment, giving him a plaintive look. I could feel him flinch as our chests touched due to how closely we were pressed together, but I firmly held onto his arm, not letting go. Now is not the time to back away.
“As you can see, I’m worried about my young wife and simply can’t bring myself to leave.”
“Your Highness, please withdraw your order. Wouldn’t settling the border take at least half a year? We’ve been married for less than a month, and to not see my husband for half a year…”
“Oh my, dear. Don’t cry. It pains me to see you weep.”
“Sob… I didn’t even have my debutante ball, so I don’t know anyone. My husband is all I have, I won’t be able to bear the loneliness alone.”
My eyes were already dry from the eye makeup and the stuffy air from the crowd. With a little effort, I managed to squeeze out a tear or two, and Cassion ostentatiously wiped my tears.
The dignified smile of the First Prince seemed to crack slightly.
“Actually, I just met the second son of the Count’s family earlier. I heard he graduated from the academy this year. He seemed so reliable, couldn’t he help with the family business instead?”
“…He’s only eighteen, Madam.”
“I’m nineteen, Your Highness.”
“….”
“Your Highness, I was seventeen when I went to war. That young… ahem. I believe the young master is capable of handling his responsibilities well.”
Even if we spoke with perfect etiquette, they would still criticize us behind our backs as upstarts or whatnot. In that case, we might as well act like the upstarts they accuse us of being.
We maintained just barely enough etiquette in our social speech to say “We don’t want to.” We blatantly said, “We don’t know, we don’t like it, ask someone else to do it.” What could they say to that?
“Brother, so this is where you were.”
As we clung to each other like a pair of mandarin ducks, making a scene in front of the First Prince who remained silent with a smile, seemingly dumbfounded, the Second Prince appeared.
The Second Prince approached us with a friendlier demeanor than usual, patting Cassion’s shoulder, and allowing us to separate a little.
“I should have introduced my friends to you earlier. I apologize.”
“…No need. We’ve already greeted each other.”
“Haha. Aren’t they good and interesting friends? They will be of great help to the Empire’s development in the future.”
As the Second Prince intervened, we were gently pushed back. Responding to the flowing interplay of checks and defenses, we distanced ourselves from the First Prince.
“By the way, Brother, I hear you’re trading minerals from the Nephele Kingdom? That’s truly impressive.”
“I see that rumor has already reached your ears.”
“Isn’t it a grand business you’re undertaking? I heard even Her Majesty the Empress’s family has invested. If it succeeds, it will greatly strengthen the national treasury. As it happens, I noticed some noble ladies over there seemed interested, so I came to escort you to them.”
Indeed, the group of noble ladies the Second Prince gestured towards were eyeing us with sparkling gazes. From what I’ve briefly heard, it’s about luxury goods made from minerals from the defeated country. I don’t remember it being mentioned in the original story.
If it had been a great success, wouldn’t it have been mentioned at least in passing?
“Oh my, then we should give way. We pray that all of Your Highness the First Prince’s endeavors be blessed by the Empire.”
The First Prince turned to look at us, perhaps not having given up on recruitment even after our earlier rejection. As he seemed about to say something, I quickly spoke first, nudging Cassion in the side.
“It was an honor to receive your proposal. May the Empire’s glory be with Your Highness the First Prince.”
Cassion followed my lead and greeted the First Prince. I noticed that he had his hands behind his back, with one finger crossed.
“…Indeed. I too enjoyed meeting the Duke and Duchess. May your future be peaceful.”
The First Prince’s farewell almost sounded like ‘I’ll make sure your future is anything but peaceful,’ but the three of us pretended not to notice and laughed politely.
The banquet doesn’t seem so bad after all. There’s a certain fun in annoying others.
