I Married the Mad Duke Who Killed My Husband - Chapter 40
“It’s better to get one matched. You always say we need to pay attention to appearances.”
“Unless it’s a real skull-cracking attack ring, we don’t need it. Let’s buy more food instead.”
“We can buy both the ring and food, why are you acting so unlike yourself?”
“It’s not the ring that’s the problem… It’s that it’s a wedding ring. I’m fine with just decorative rings.”
Unlike before when we were busy buying this and that as soon as we arrived, the jeweler gave us space as we bickered with differing opinions.
We ignored the tea brought by the clerk and had a heated discussion in one corner of the store.
It’s the first time Cassion and I have disagreed on shopping.
“Then think of it as buying one more accessory.”
“How can a wedding ring be just an accessory? Look, even in the store, wedding rings, and regular ones are separated.”
Honestly, if it were during the early days of our contract marriage, I would have said the same thing as him. Since it’s a fake marriage, I would have said it’s better to have wedding rings as they are symbolic and important for maintaining appearances to avoid being discovered.
These days, noble ladies tend to remove their wedding rings to alternate accessories, but if possible, showing off is better for demonstrating a good relationship.
“I’m saying this with you in mind.”
But now that we’ve become friends beyond just contract partners, I couldn’t help but worry about Cassion, who might find a real wife in the future.
No matter how much we might declare, “Ta-da! We’re fake! It’s all an act!” wouldn’t it be upsetting to have a ring prominently displayed? I think I would be upset.
“If you’re thinking of me, you should buy it. I want to match.”
“Your materialism has really peaked lately.”
“Don’t change the subject. I’ve always been materialistic, and you’re no different. What’s so bad about it?”
“It’s not that I dislike it, I’m doing this for you! I’m a woman too, you know!”
“…A woman? So what? Does anyone not know you’re a woman?”
“Even if the wedding itself was a mess from the start, I still have fantasies about couple rings or wedding rings. And most women probably do too. It’s disrespectful to your future real wife.”
No matter how much I said no, he kept asking how about this design, how about that design, so I had no choice but to speak directly. Cassion’s expression crumpled.
Seeing his unusual demeanor, the clerk who was approaching to ask if we had decided quickly took a step back. Sharp instincts.
“Oh, this is quite a high-quality diamond.”
“?!”
But while watching the clerk approaching from the front, I didn’t notice the people coming from behind.
“What a pleasure to meet you here, Your Grace.”
“It’s been a while. Nice to see you, Baroness.”
Unlike the clerk, the people who spoke without reading the atmosphere were Baron Mayer and his wife, who had attended our reception.
“Wh-urk.”
“Indeed. This is the first time we’ve met in person since the reception! We heard you attended the imperial banquet, but we didn’t get to see you…”
As Cassion, who was in a bad mood, was about to ask who they were in a grumpy voice, I quickly elbowed him to stop him. Then I stepped forward slightly and smiled.
“It seems we’re having trouble choosing items. How pretty all these sparkling things are, it’s not easy to pick just a few.”
Baroness Mayer, brightening up as I returned her greeting, started chattering. This is an opportunity. Let’s join them and escape the debate with Cassion.
“Women, I tell you. To us men, they all look similar, don’t they? She buys things we already have at home, and the cost can’t be ignored.”
“Oh my, how can you say they’re all the same! They all have different colors and sizes!”
As I was forming a rapport with the Baroness, Baron Mayer, perhaps wanting to start a conversation with Cassion too, addressed him. But right now, he’s in a bad mood and won’t respond…
“It’s the opposite. My wife refuses to accept even when I try to buy her things, that’s what’s troubling me.”
“?!”
After staring intently at the Baron and Baroness, then glancing at me, he jumped in as if seizing an opportunity. Of course, it was a completely different opportunity from what I was aiming for.
As I stared at him in surprise with my mouth open, he reached out and gently closed my jaw, just as I used to do to him, and gave me the most affectionate smile.
When did his acting improve so much?!
“What jewel could compare to my wife’s eyes? Even if none can match that light, I want to buy her something, but she keeps refusing, so we can hardly leave this store.”
“Oh my. Oh my, my.”
The Baroness exclaimed, hitting her husband’s shoulder with her fan. Of course, the Baron’s expression crumpled, far from agreeing or finding an ally.
“I agree with the Baron. They all look similar, but they’re not cheap! We only have ten fingers!”
“Exactly! Madam, you understand my feelings! They say rumors can’t be trusted, but you truly have a kind heart!”
“…What rumors about my wife are you referring to?”
“….”
As the excited Baron responded to my words and then made a slip of the tongue, Cassion, who had been acting as an overly affectionate husband, turned cold in an instant. Even someone as tactless as Baron Mayer closed his mouth at the sudden drop in temperature, and silence enveloped the store.
When were the rumors about me ever good? The rumors of me being a seductress, the rumors of abandoning my family, and on top of that, the talk of me coming from a poor viscount family and snagging a nouveau riche hero to squander money.
“Why don’t we stop this here and go have some tea?”
“Y-Yes, let’s do that! I know a good place!”
As the Baron’s face was turning pale, I threw him a lifeline, and the Baroness grabbed it before her husband could.
I could see her stomping on her husband’s foot with her shoe while forcing a laugh as if nothing had happened.
“Let’s go, Cassion.”
“….”
And finally, I was able to escape from this damned jewelry store. A victorious smile played on my lips, but seeing Cassion’s burning gaze, I might have to come back here soon.
***
“…So these days, the popularity of His Highness the Second Prince is on an unprecedented rise. He was always a good person, but his bold investment in the dam project with Your Grace earlier has played a big role in winning the commoners’ favor.”
“Hmm.”
The dessert shop was inferior to the ones we usually frequented. It was somewhat crowded, and even the small cakes tasted more like they were drenched in sugar rather than having a deep sweetness.
Even Cassion, who usually eats sweets without getting tired of them, seemed to dislike this, taking only a bite or two before putting it down. But the Baron and his wife were eating well while talking excitedly.
“To think that such an unsavory rumor would dare to be spread about His Highness! He simply judges people based on their abilities, regardless of their social status, doesn’t he?”
“That’s right.”
“This must all be a scheme of the First Prince’s faction who feel threatened by His Highness! It’s infuriating, but since the Second Empress passed away long ago, there’s no way to resolve this slander… What does Your Grace think?”
“We should deal with those who spread such nonsense as soon as we spot them.”
Of course, we’re going to leave to find Laurent, but we can’t say that. The Baron, thinking we’ve gotten a bit closer as supporters of the Second Prince, flinches at Cassion’s ominous aura but then changes to a pleased expression.
“As expected of Your Grace. With someone like you by His Highness the Second Prince’s side, the day he becomes Crown Prince can’t be far off.”
“Your voice is too loud.”
It’s not bad to plan for the future and praise past actions as members of the same faction, but isn’t this place too open for that?
Cassion warned, uncharacteristically rinsing his mouth with bitter tea instead of dessert. Unlike earlier, the Baron, who didn’t maintain his flustered appearance for long, quickly changed the subject.
“Come to think of it, the new hunting season is approaching. Will Your Grace be participating? First place would be a sure thing for you.”
“Oh my, this man couldn’t even catch a single sparrow for me every year. You can look forward to it, Duchess.”
“Bird hunting is just for fun, so I deliberately let them go!”
“But you couldn’t even catch a single rabbit during the imperial autumn hunt.”
The Baroness glanced at her husband with a prim expression, then looked at me with eyes full of admiration. She had already all but come over to my side.
“It seems your husband values the importance of life. And my husband won’t be participating in this year’s bird hunt.”
“Oh my, is there a special reason?”
“As you know, we had our wedding in quite a hurry, so we’re planning to go on a belated honeymoon.”
“Oh my! A honeymoon!”
The Baroness looked at Cassion and me with envious eyes once again. It didn’t seem to be a topic the Baron particularly liked, as he was seen clearing his throat unnecessarily and averting his gaze.
“We had our wedding right before the war, so we only stayed for two days just outside the capital. I’m not sure if that even counts as a honeymoon.”
“Ahem. I bought you jewels instead, dear.”
“Gifts during the honeymoon are a given. You two must be planning a special honeymoon. May I ask where you’re going?”
Good. This couple seems to have loose lips, so it would be nice if they spread rumors like this. We can’t have word going around that we’re leaving the capital without reason.
I snuggled closer to Cassion and leaned my head on him, and Cassion wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
“We plan to go wherever our feet take us and visit all the places we want to see.”
“That sounds romantic, but won’t it be inconvenient to lead servants and knights?”
“We’re thinking of going just the two of us, intimately.”
“What? Just… the two of you?”
It seems that nobles never travel without any attendants unless it’s just a simple outing, so the Baron and his wife looked puzzled. But in times like these, Cassion’s reputation as a war hero comes in handy.
“I won’t take my eyes off my wife for a moment, so there’s no need to worry.”
Impressed by Cassion’s arrogant smile, the Baroness glared at her husband again. That household is going to have quite a scene when they get home today.
