I Married the Mad Duke Who Killed My Husband - Chapter 45
“Are you really going to be alright, my lady?”
“We’re ready to follow you even now!”
On the morning of our honeymoon departure, the expressions of the ducal household members who came to see us off weren’t good. Some knights were even fully armed with their luggage packed.
“I’ll be fine, we’ll have a cozy trip.”
“My lady….. What should we do with our lady? Have you been brainwashed? This isn’t what ‘cozy’ means.”
Pia worried about me right in front of Cassion. True to the ducal household’s nature of wearing their hearts on their sleeves.
“At this rate, you’ll come looking for me first when you return.”
The court physician was no better. Though Cassion glared at her, it was nothing compared to the collective stern gazes of the household members.
“It’s fine. We’re taking plenty of money.”
Their concern was understandable since we were mounted on a single horse instead of taking a carriage, and our only luggage was the one bag Cassion carried. Without taking any attendants. To them, it must have looked like we were going on a poverty experience rather than a honeymoon.
Of course, we had our own plans, but since we couldn’t reveal that our real purpose was to find someone rather than go on a honeymoon, Cassion ended up bearing all the criticism.
“Sob….. My lady.”
“Pia, are you crying? Why are you crying over something like this?”
“What noble lady goes on her honeymoon like this! You should be as beautiful as you are at imperial banquets, but instead you’re in those ugly, rough clothes! With carelessly tied hair! Did you at least pack a comb?!”
“Uh….. Yes. I have a comb.”
Actually, I don’t. Since my hair isn’t particularly coarse and we weren’t planning to camp outside, I was planning to use the basic amenities provided at the inns. But faced with the tearful Pia, I had no choice but to tell a white lie.
“I understand the clothes since you’re going to visit commoner village festivals, but shouldn’t you at least take us with you?”
As I watched the court physician hand a handkerchief to the crying Pia – when did they become so close? – the knights stepped forward. Macey, the knight who taught me horseback riding, was the most enthusiastic.
“Of course, having many people would make it difficult to have an intimate trip. But I! I can follow like a shadow! If it’s too cumbersome, just take me alone……”
“Look at that sneaky attempt to cut in line. My lady! Your Grace! Take me!”
“Yes, take one person. Then you won’t need to come looking for me when you return.”
The court physician, who had been patting Pia’s shoulder, clicked her tongue while siding with the knights. In her eyes, I must be an accident-prone scarecrow, and Cassion a neglectful husband.
Not knowing how to respond, I laughed awkwardly and glanced at Cassion, who already had a vein popping on his forehead. He’d been quite patient.
“These people really don’t know when to shut their mouths.”
“Does that mean your mouth is shut now?”
Macey quipped. The vein on Cassion’s forehead bulged even more, and I saw one of his hands move from the reins toward his sword hilt.
“If she goes with just me, she won’t need to see you when she returns.”
But Cassion’s anger was directed at the court physician instead. Perhaps he was irritated by how she stood at the back encouraging everyone. Uncharacteristically pointing his finger in anger, Cassion showed his displeasure, but she didn’t seem intimidated at all.
“I hope so, Your Grace. At least you’re taking emergency medicines with you, that’s fortunate.”
At her shrugging response, Cassion nearly fell off the horse, and I quickly grabbed his thigh from where I sat in front.
“Let’s get going, dear.”
Fortunately, Cassion froze as soon as I grabbed his thigh. When I leaned back against him and whispered, he flinched and pushed my hand away.
“……If you need to hold onto something, grab my hand or the reins instead. It’s dangerous to do that while riding.”
“Oh really? I didn’t know. I’ll be careful.”
I think I remember hearing that it’s important to grip firmly with your thighs while riding. Better not do anything dangerous.
“Oh my! Oh, my dear lady……”
But seeing Cassion stop my hand, Pia’s crying grew louder again. Why is she like that?
“‘My’ lady?”
“Ah, really. Let’s stop and go. Pia, if you keep this up, I’m really going to get angry.”
And there’s Cassion stirring again in response. It’s this difficult just to leave the ducal residence.
I finally raised my voice and looked at Cassion and everyone in turn.
“Is this how you’re all going to act about our honeymoon? Instead of wishing us a good trip!”
“……I’m sorry, my lady……”
“……We apologize. Please have a safe and enjoyable journey.”
If I acknowledge their response here, they might start whining again. I turned my head away pretending to be upset and tapped Cassion’s hand holding the reins. Since he said not to touch his thigh.
“Let’s go now.”
“……Right.”
Finally, the horse starts moving. Fortunately, no one was crazy enough to follow us as we gradually moved away. They just waved their hands as they grew smaller in the distance.
“We’ll be back soon!”
Feeling a bit guilty for being too harsh, I shouted a greeting and some voices called back. But the distance was too great to make out what they were saying.
“I’m not saying it’s your fault, but don’t you think the people in our mansion are a bit strange?”
“If you say they’re strange when I’m the one who hired them, isn’t that saying it’s my fault?”
“No, I’m absolutely not blaming you. The knights I brought aren’t exactly normal either. But while those guys were originally mercenaries, your court physician and maid are… excessive.”
“What’s excessive?”
If he means how they wear their hearts on their sleeves, I somewhat agree. But aside from that point, I liked both their abilities, so I pretended not to understand and asked again.
“They seem too obsessed with you. Especially that maid.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“‘My lady’? Does that even make sense?”
Cassion ground his teeth. This seems slightly off-track.
“She probably just misspoke.”
“That’s not possible.”
“And it’s because I’m so beautiful. Rather than being obsessed with me, I think it’s because I’m the perfect model for Pia to showcase her abilities?”
She was always eager to dress and groom me whenever possible. Remembering her sparkling eyes and determination to stay even if her wages were cut, I could understand why Cassion called it obsession.
“More importantly, I’m ready now. I think I’ve adjusted, so let’s try going faster.”
“Are you sure? Wouldn’t it be better to keep this pace until we’re out of the capital?”
“The sooner we start, the sooner we’ll arrive and rest. Let’s go!”
After spending several days looking for places where Lorang might be, we narrowed down the areas more than expected. Whether it was because Lorang didn’t want to live far from the capital, or because the Empress had influenced his current residence, it was good news for us who had to search for him.
Among the candidate locations we identified, the farthest one could be reached in a full day’s ride at Cassion’s pace. We planned to start with the farthest location on the first day when we’d have the most energy, then gradually narrow our search to closer places.
And for this plan to work, even though I’d be riding with Cassion, I – who was afraid of horseback riding – would need to ride for a full day.
“You’re holding on well, so don’t be scared even if we speed up. But don’t push yourself too hard, tell me immediately if you feel anything wrong.”
“Okay. You said I could touch your hands, right?”
Actually, I had only practiced riding for about an hour at most, so I could make this resolution only because I didn’t know the hell that awaited. Even as I felt the approaching disaster I had brought upon myself, I ignored it and tapped Cassion’s hand once more.
“Yes. Then we’re going. Don’t be too stiff, just lean back comfortably, Asil.”
“……!”
I couldn’t answer. Because Cassion suddenly increased the speed as soon as he finished speaking.
‘Aaaaahhhh!’
I gritted my teeth and screamed only in my mind as the wind whipped against my face. I should have known from the moment he said we’d go at ‘Cassion’s pace’ rather than just fast! I can only hope I won’t be unconscious but still sitting when we arrive.
