I Married the Mad Duke Who Killed My Husband - Chapter 4
The wedding was a complete mess.
‘Open the door! Open it, Asilia!’
‘Duke, what is the meaning of this! I cannot approve of such a marriage.’
“Ah, so noisy. Please finish the ceremony quickly.”
I urged the officiant while hitching up the ill-fitting dress that threatened to slip down, hastily acquired for the occasion.
The wedding ceremony, held in a church with locked doors, was attended only by the butler of the Duke’s castle, a few knights, and the Second Prince. My family was outside.
“…Are you really sure about this?”
“What need is there for money in a marriage of love, Your Grace? You alone are enough for me.”
As the commotion outside grew louder, Cassion once again sought to confirm my intentions. Since not only others but also His Highness the Second Prince was present, I smiled brightly, signaling him to act properly. He seemed to find the situation amusing, his lips twitching into a smirk.
The reason was, that I didn’t want to give money that would include my share to the family who had tried to sell me off twice under the pretext of marriage.
Therefore, I suggested canceling the money I was supposed to give in exchange for marrying into his family, and we locked the ceremony doors in anticipation of my family’s anger.
“T-Then, for the final vow, a kiss…”
The officiant, who had been visibly shaken by the chaotic wedding, finally managed to utter the last words. Barely able to stand in my oversized dress and undersized shoes, I grabbed Cassion’s collar and kissed him. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say our teeth collided.
“Your kisses are combative too.”
“It’s a sign of my love.”
No longer able to stand, I practically leaped into Cassion’s arms. He caught me perfectly and turned to face the guests. No one was applauding.
“I know of a back door here.”
When everyone was still in shock, the Second Prince, befitting his royal status, calmly stood up and pointed towards a corner behind the officiant’s stand, gesturing for us to follow.
Truth be told, although I had agreed to help the Second Prince in the succession struggle, I wasn’t particularly interested in him personally, but he seemed like a nice person. Not only did he attend this kind of wedding, but he even offered to guide us to the back door.
“If I may ask, Your Highness, would there happen to be a carriage prepared at the back door?”
“You two seem so deeply in love that you can’t be apart, so I’ll call for one. Don’t worry, Duchess.”
“That’s not necessary…”
But it was necessary. I couldn’t walk anymore, and if the Duke went outside while embracing me in my wedding dress, we’d be sure to attract attention. The Duke also expressed his gratitude to the Second Prince with a beaming smile.
“I thought you two were just rushing into marriage to meet certain conditions, but seeing you like this, you’re a perfect match. As a friend, I’m relieved.”
Was that an insult or a compliment? I just smiled harmlessly. Fortunately, a carriage was quickly procured, and Cassion and I were able to avoid further inconveniencing the Prince.
“I hope you’ll come to formally greet Father in a few days.”
“Of course.”
“By then, buy some clothes that fit the Duchess properly.”
“…As you know, it was all so rushed…”
“Have a safe journey.”
As if unwilling to hear the Duke’s excuses, the Second Prince closed the carriage door with a bang, maintaining his smile to the end. So what if the dress was slipping and the shoes were too small? It was a wedding send-off from none other than the Prince himself.
“Ugh, how tiresome. Let’s go home quickly.”
As soon as I sat in the carriage, I kicked off the small shoes and half-reclined. When my shoulders became exposed due to the large dress, the Duke sighed and draped his outer garment over me, as if tossing it.
“Even for a wedding, isn’t this a bit too casual?”
“It’s my second time.”
During my wedding with the Marquis, I had to stand like a doll throughout the hours-long ceremony, but now, why should I care? I even undid my updo as it was interfering with my leaning against the carriage wall.
“As His Highness said, our marriage feels a bit too obviously like a response to each other’s schemes, doesn’t it?”
“That’s true.”
“So, I was thinking, how about we spend lavishly, pretending the money we were supposed to give to my family doesn’t exist?”
Cassion, not understanding my meaning, looked perplexed as he loosened his cravat, silently questioning me with his eyes.
“I mean, let’s go out on dates. To look like we’re in love to others. Even if it’s just for show, shouldn’t we at least keep up appearances?”
Right now, even if we asked a passing commoner, they’d know our marriage wasn’t out of love.
To anyone’s eyes, we were a Duke who needed a noble lady for appearances and an illegitimate daughter from a fallen viscount family, embracing dishonor.
We need to put on a show.
“Alright. We should start by buying you some clothes.”
“Ha, don’t be too surprised by my beauty when the time comes.”
If I look this good in this state, imagine how angelic I’d look in pretty clothes that fit properly. As I confidently raised my chin, he chuckled. But then…
“I haven’t fully explored the Duke’s residence yet, but it seems you don’t have proper clothes either, do you?”
“I have uniforms at least.”
“Uniforms and military attire are exceptions. If you’re born handsome, you should make use of it.”
“Am I handsome?”
“Should I lend you my mirror?”
With his smooth black hair and red eyes, he has a strong image, but anyone would agree he’s handsome in a manly way. As a war hero, his practical muscles, visible even through thick clothes, would undoubtedly make him a good clothes hanger.
“Our first date location is decided. Let’s go buy clothes right now.”
“In formal wear? Shouldn’t we… dress up a bit to go to noble boutiques and such places?”
As I instructed the coachman to change our destination, Cassion made a slightly uncomfortable expression.
Well, the first reason Cassion proposed to me and agreed to a contract marriage was for status. He’s labeled as a barbaric, blood-crazed madman of a Duke. For someone who has just become a new noble, such things would be quite concerning.
“I don’t have any clothes to dress up in any way. Do you have anything besides uniforms?”
“…No. I mostly have clothes that are easy to move in.”
“Then let’s just go like this. Oh, and don’t bother with that cravat.”
As the carriage entered the center of the town, Cassion, still looking uncomfortable, seemed about to adjust his attire.
I stopped him and carefully removed all the cheap ornaments from my absurd wedding gown, transforming it into what resembled a simple white dress. The veil had been discarded long ago.
“What’s important is attitude and money.”
“Money?”
“Don’t try to hide non-existent flaws, let’s highlight the strengths we have.”
“What strengths are you talking about?”
“Are you asking because you don’t know?”
As I hadn’t specified exactly where to stop the carriage, the coachman began to slow down gradually. I looked out the window, scanning the shops, and deliberately tossed my hair back, making it flutter despite having been completely let down.
“Money and beauty.”
“Ha.”
Cassion burst into laughter at my firm answer. Then, he wiped away his sour expression and returned to his usual confident, almost arrogant look. That’s exactly it.
“That shop looks good.”
I had the carriage stop. The shop front was made of glass, perfect for showing off our beauty and love. It seemed empty, probably because most nobles prefer more secluded places.
“Then, may I ask for your escort? Darling?”
“Of course, my dear.”
As the carriage stopped and Cassion got out first, I reached out my hand. I had thrown away the onion-net-like gloves too, so our bare hands touched, which wasn’t unpleasant.
Ding-a-ling-
“Oh my, welcome.”
The madam of the boutique greeted us with a puzzled look. She must have been surprised by our unfamiliar faces and our disheveled appearance. Regardless, my feet still hurt from the small shoes, so I immediately sat down on the sofa inside.
I pulled Cassion, who seemed unsure of what to do, by the arm, and he naturally sat down next to me.
“It’s hot today. Could we have a cup of tea and a catalog first, please?”
“Ah… Yes. We have seats prepared inside, should I bring them there?”
“No, here is fine. The glass windows look cool and nice.”
Although it didn’t seem to be a shop with many customers, the madam, while looking suspicious, didn’t immediately chase us out. Just as she was glancing at us, I could feel people passing by outside also glancing at us through the window. We chose this shop well.
“You don’t seem like the type raised gently at home, but you’re quite adept.”
Cassion whispered, twirling a handful of my hair around his finger. This is what you call class. But more importantly, you never know when you might die a violent death.
“I’m just doing what I want. You should do the same, don’t worry about others. Buy whatever you want, look at whatever you want.”
“…Won’t they think it’s vulgar?”
“As I said before, we should highlight our strengths.”
“Heh… You mean money and beauty?”
“Add confidence to that, and even if we tear apart clothes in this shop, it won’t be vulgar, it’ll be spirited.”
While we were pretending to whisper intimately, the tea and catalogs were prepared. There was a refreshing and sweet-looking lemon honey tea and black tea. I pushed the lemon honey tea placed in front of me towards Cassion and drank the black tea.
“The catalog only has women’s clothes.”
“Ah… Do you want shoes, bags, or accessories as well? I’ll bring them right away…”
“Men’s items too. Just bring all the catalogs. My feet hurt, so it’s hard to move.”
“…Yes!”
As I answered while wiggling my feet, barely visible in shoes under the dress, the madam seemed to realize that we could potentially be big-spending customers.
“It’s sweet.”
“That’s the taste of money and power.”
“No, I mean the tea is sweet.”
“…Do you like sweet things?”
I shrugged as I watched the madam hurrying away, but Cassion had already finished the lemon honey tea I had passed to him and was smacking his lips.
“I’m not sure. I mostly eat battle rations or pub food, so I don’t really have preferences. I eat pretty much anything well.”
“Hmm… So that tea was delicious?”
“Not bad.”
If that’s the case, it’s not that he doesn’t have preferences, it’s more like he doesn’t know them. I decided to include all sorts of dessert shops and restaurants in our future date courses as I watched the madam returning with an armful of catalogs.
Cassion seemed overwhelmed again by the vast array of choices. Then I should take the lead.
I rejected the madam’s attempt to hand us each a women’s and men’s catalog, and instead grabbed the men’s catalog first.
“Shall we look at clothes for my darling first? Let’s choose together. I’m sure you’ll look great in anything.”
As I leaned against his shoulder and opened one side of the catalog, he understood my signal perfectly and held the other side, flipping through it page by page. Does he not dislike shopping?
His gaze seemed more curious than reluctant. I gently brushed aside his slightly long bangs that looked like they might poke his eyes.
“I’d like clothes with accents that match your ruby-like eyes, darling.”
He paused while flipping through the catalog, then grinned and replied.
“And I’d prefer clothes that fit well to the body, not cumbersome when moving.”
“Of course, we must show off your sexy figure.”
Seeing our lovey-dovey attitude, the madam, who had been standing by and observing, quickly presented another catalog.
“Then how about this outfit? It has embroidery with red silk thread…”
And so began our extravagant spending spree and dress-up game in earnest.
