I Married the Mad Duke Who Killed My Husband - Chapter 27
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Wow-
I thought there wouldn’t be much excitement at a racecourse mainly visited by nobles, but I was mistaken. Most people stood up from their seats, abandoning their usual decorum, and cheered loudly for the horse and jockey they had bet on.
“……”
However, for some reason, I found it difficult to call out loudly for the original female lead among the crowd. Thanks to our good seats, I could see the racetrack well even with people standing and jumping in front of us.
Her start was impressive. She showed great concentration and composure which was hard to believe for a first-time participant, and although there was a small gap with the leader, she was running right behind.
“You’re really amazing. I thought you bet on an unexpected place, but your horse is running quite well.”
Cassion spoke beside me, sounding surprised, but at this moment, all my concentration was on Jenin Brown.
As they approached the finish line, the speed of horse number 7, which had been maintaining its composure and pace, gradually increased.
There were screams from the audience as she closely followed horse number 2, which had been the likely winner. It seems many people had bet on horse number 2.
“Run, Jenin!”
Now they were turning the last curved course, entering the final straight sprint. Watching her urge on her beloved horse with the command, I stood up without realizing it and shouted.
Gradually, but surely, she was catching up to the leader.
“You can do it!”
I waved one arm high to cheer for her, not noticing Cassion’s surprise at my excited state.
At this moment, I didn’t think about her being the original female lead, or that I was occupying the place next to her male protagonist.
I just wanted to cheer for her, who was living her life earnestly, just like me.
Beep-
“Kyaaah!”
“…A,sil!”
With the whistle, horse number 7 and Jenin Brown crossed the finish line first by a hair’s breadth. With a joyful scream, I threw my arms around Cassion’s neck, who had been hovering beside me. He stammered in surprise, but I didn’t care.
“We won, we won! Kyaah!”
“…!”
I hugged his neck and stomped my feet wildly, then unable to contain my joy, I kissed his cheek. I could feel the body I was hugging stiffen like a wooden block, but that was none of my concern.
“Amazing! Well done!”
I shouted towards the original female lead in the distance, not noticing even the nobles who had lost money looking at me in bewilderment. Her blue eyes seemed to smile prettily at me.
Probably very few people had bet on number 7, being a woman and a first-time participant, so I had hit the jackpot, so to speak, but my joy was not of that kind.
But I let my joy burst out, assuming everyone would understand even if I went wild.
As for the result of ruining the original story, well.
It was quite thrilling.
***
“The jockey would like to meet you and Your Grace.”
The owner of the racecourse handed me a hefty sum of money with a look of amazement.
“How on earth did you know, Duchess? Everyone bet on horse number 2! Horse number 2 is a champion that has won twice before. For a rookie jockey to beat such a horse. Your insight is remarkable!”
“I have a good eye for these things.”
I looked at the winnings that had multiplied to an amount almost too heavy to carry. I was about to ask a servant to take it to the carriage, but I thought for a moment.
“I’ll meet the jockey. Tell her she can come in.”
“Asilia. She’s a stranger.”
“You’ll be by my side, won’t you? And we’ve benefited each other.”
“…To use ‘we’ for a jockey at the racecourse? I should be careful of your gambling, you.”
Whether he did or not, I didn’t bother to correct his misunderstanding that I was excited about gambling. Somehow excited in a different sense, I smoothed out the hem of my dress that had been crumpled from jumping around, and Cassion clicked his tongue.
Meanwhile, the tent flap was carefully pulled back, and the original female lead entered.
“Duke, Duchess. Thank you for allowing me to greet you. I’m Jenin Brown, jockey number 7. I’ve taken the liberty to come and express my gratitude for your sponsorship!”
“It was our pleasure to provide the seal. Would you like to look up?”
Her voice was slightly trembling, perhaps still not over the excitement. Her eyes raised bravely, met mine once again. Such honest blue eyes.
As if half-entranced, I approached her and took her hand.
“You were really amazing.”
“Du-Duchess…!”
“…Are you happy now?”
I know it’s an abrupt question. Of course, she’d be happy after winning. But I asked with a slightly deeper meaning, and whether she noticed it or not, she stared blankly into my eyes, unbecoming of her status, and nodded.
“…Yes. Absolutely. I’ve achieved my dream with my beloved friend. It’s all thanks to you, Duchess.”
“That’s entirely due to your own ability.”
“No! Your seal gave me great courage and strength. The moment I received this seal, it felt like all my tension disappeared. It felt like someone was pushing me forward.”
She seemed to have tried to stay calm, but she spoke again with renewed excitement. Cassion frowned slightly as if to stop her from getting too close to me, but I waved him off with my eyes.
“I was… happy and joyful while watching your race too.”
“…Duchess…”
“This is my victory gift to you. Please accept it.”
I held out all of the winnings I had just received to her. Cassion and she opened their eyes wide in surprise. It was strange and amusing to see them both looking only at me, without even once glancing at each other.
At this moment, the original protagonists met for the first time.
Their love story couldn’t progress, but they were both safely on the path to success. Selfishly, I thought that the current situation wasn’t bad.
I liked seeing them shine in their bold and impressive ways.
“It’s too much, Duchess! I can’t accept this!”
“Please don’t say that and accept it. It’s a reward for showing us such a great race. I hope you’ll use this to rebuild your friend’s home when you go back, give him good feed, take good care of him, and make me happy again next year.”
“…!”
When I mentioned her horse, her eyes, which had been shaking her head stubbornly, started to tremble slightly.
Her horse, which had died in a landslide due to heavy rain in the original story. It was also because the stable that was swept away while she was struggling in the downpour was in poor condition. If it were reinforced, could the accident be prevented?
“I want to support your dream.”
“Do… do you mean sponsorship? You, Duchess… for me?”
I nodded and pushed the winnings into her arms once again. She received it reflexively, looked at the money pouch once, then at me once, trembling, and then bowed deeply.
“Thank you! I’ll shamelessly accept your sponsorship! Thank you, Duchess!”
Her high brown ponytail swayed. I suddenly realized that she was a bold and slender beauty.
“The Duke will be pleased too. Darling, say something.”
No matter how much I felt satisfied supporting her dream and sponsoring her on my own, a bit of conscience made me pull Cassion, who had been standing glumly until now, to introduce them.
“…Work hard not to disappoint my wife’s expectations.”
“I will do my best. Thank you, Your Grace.”
But their greetings lacked any excitement or anything else. Unlike when watching the race, I had been watching the two with a different kind of excitement, but I was momentarily stunned by their brief exchange that ended with just polite formalities.
“Asil?”
“Duchess?”
They looked at me with shining eyes, as if they had done as they were told. I was a bit dumbfounded by their behavior, treating each other almost like inanimate objects despite being so close.
And yet in the original story, they were destined to be together in love and even death… It’s amazing how much things can change just by altering the situation a bit.
Wasn’t it supposed to be love at first sight?
“Ahaha…”
Well, isn’t it good as it is? I’ll continue to sponsor Jenin, so we’ll be able to meet every year, and if they ever feel love for each other later, I can step aside!
For now, it seems good to just enjoy the happy sight of the protagonists shining with their talents without hardships.
“It’s a good day!”
This is not a novel, but the reality I live in. Rather than preserving the sad ending achieved by the poignant love in the novel, I will enjoy the small and big achievements and happiness of reality.
Jenin’s bright smile, following my laughter without knowing why, was radiant.
