I Married the Mad Duke Who Killed My Husband - Chapter 47
“Ugh….. So bright……”
My waist. My bottom. My thighs! My whole body ached so much I didn’t want to get up, but the sunlight was strong enough to feel even with my eyes closed. Despite the small room, it had a large window with only thin linen curtains.
Creak.
“Ack.”
Finally losing the battle with the sunlight, I covered my eyes with my hands and got up, only for my shoulders, which had been tensely gripping Cassion’s hands and the reins all day yesterday, to make a loud noise. While waiting for the pain to subside, I felt something was missing.
“……Cassion?”
Though both the bed and room were small with nowhere to hide, Cassion was nowhere to be seen. The room’s wardrobe, seemingly placed for hanging outer garments, was too small for Cassion to fit in. Besides, he wasn’t the type to hide and surprise me.
“Cassion, are you not in the room?”
Still, just in case, I stumbled up and opened the wardrobe. Inside was neither Cassion nor his outer clothes. He left without waking me!
“Ah, that’s so unfair, really. I told him we’d go together.”
No wonder my position had felt uncomfortable at some point. Honestly, I was aware that I’d been using him like a pillow, hugging him all night on that narrow bed. But I was so tired, and that position was so comfortable that I kept sleeping…… At some point, I could only feel the inn’s characteristic hard wooden bed. And then the sunlight attack.
“He could have at least woken me up if it was getting late.”
Grumbling with pouting lips, I pulled back the curtains and understood why the sunlight was so intense. It wasn’t morning, but almost afternoon. Was I really that tired?
Thinking he had good reason to leave me behind, I clicked my tongue, when I noticed a note on the small vanity or desk or whatever it was next to the window. Checking it quickly, it was indeed from Cassion.
[When you wake up, don’t come out. Just get food from downstairs sent to the room. I’ll be back before sunset.]
“What kind of cold note is this…”
But the contents were the complete opposite, making me laugh. I casually ignored the note and changed clothes after just washing my face with what seemed to be fresh washing water. Unlike the smooth clothes worn at the ducal residence, these coarser fabrics caught on my messy bed hair, pulling at my scalp.
“Hair tie….. Did I bring one?”
I don’t remember packing any, but maybe there is one? My long pink hair was already eye-catching enough that I wanted to tie it up, but as Pia had wailed, I hadn’t packed anything. I should have at least brought a comb and hair ties.
“I can just buy some outside.”
But I have money, don’t I? And while Cassion’s note was thoughtful, I had no intention of not working after sleeping in so late. I need to gather some information too.
For now, I roughly smoothed down my flowing hair with my fingers and left the room with slightly less wobbling steps than when I woke up. However, while the flat corridor was manageable, the stairs proved challenging.
“Ugh….. I’m the guest from upstairs. Please give me breakfast.”
The innkeeper, rather than helping me as I gripped the railing with trembling legs, just watched while giggling. When I glared at him, he brought out bread that had clearly been baked in the morning and cooled since then, along with cheese, sausage, and a glass of water.
“Must have been quite the hot reconciliation last night? Walking like a baby deer……”
BANG!!
“Water.”
“……”
“I said water. What good is just a cup?”
Speaking informally and teasing right off the bat? Getting bold after I let it slide yesterday?
I deliberately slammed the cup down on the bar-style table and pulled out the side chair with a scraping sound before crossing my legs. Startled by my thuggish demeanor, the innkeeper poured water into my cup with both hands.
“Did my husband leave any message before he left?”
“N-no, he didn’t.”
I grabbed the rough-textured bread with my hands instead of using the knife and fork, tearing into it with strong teeth. No soup for breakfast? I wanted something to dip it in.
“You don’t even know where he went?”
“He just asked about the village layout and left……”
“Ah, you’re no help at all.”
I grumbled loudly enough to be heard while scraping the side chair again with a creaking sound, and my quick hands made the simple breakfast disappear. After one final sip of water to cleanse my palate, I made a loud smacking sound and slammed the cup down.
“Innkeeper.”
“Y-yes?”
“Isn’t this what you’re paid for? Huh? What if I were an assassin or something, teasing strangers like that? I’m letting it slide because I’m busy.”
“Yes! I’ll be more careful!”
“And I hope dinner will be less inadequate? Hmm? Pay attention.”
Though my body still ached, I couldn’t show weakness after putting on such a tough act, so I banged the table while swaggering as much as possible. When the innkeeper nodded, I left the inn with a satisfied expression. Acting tough over nothing.
“Whew, walking does make it feel better though.”
Looking outside, the sun was truly at its peak, suggesting I wouldn’t have much time to look around. I should gather some information while walking slowly. Deciding not to rush, I walked down the uncrowded street. Come to think of it, I should have asked about the village layout like Cassion did, but I forgot while teaching the innkeeper a lesson.
“Hey, missus. Young missus passing by! Come over here. Take a look at this.”
“……Young missus?”
What kind of strange way is that to address someone? I hadn’t walked far when an elderly woman at a stall called out to me. I understand being called young because I look young, but wouldn’t they normally say ‘miss’?
“How did you know I was married?”
“Hoho…… Word’s already spread. About the young couple that came traveling yesterday. News travels fast in this small village.”
“Hmm. Is that so? So everyone in the village knows each other?”
“Of course. We even know where neighbors hide their silver spoons.”
I naturally continued the conversation while examining the stall. This works out well. They have hair ties, and the old lady seems well-informed about gossip.
“Are there no outsiders in this village then? Is everyone native?”
“Not none, but you could count them on one hand. It’s such a remote and humble place that it’s hard for outsiders to adjust. Even those who were here tend to leave for the capital or elsewhere.”
“I see….. Ah, I’ll take this one. The color is pretty.”
“Isn’t it lovely? I made it myself. It’ll suit you wonderfully, so bright and fresh.”
The tie wasn’t silk, just sturdy linen with embroidered flowers at the end. But that’s actually better for everyday use. Nice and strong. And long too.
“Can I use it right now?”
“Of course. Shall this grandma help you?”
“It’s alright. I’m quite good with my hands.”
I gathered my hair into one bunch, twisted it up, and shaped it into a bun-like form before wrapping the fabric around twice and tying it below. The pink flowers embroidered in a color similar to my hair would probably make a nice accent.
“Oh my, how lovely……”
“I think it looks prettier down.”
As the old lady was clapping her hands in delight, a shadow suddenly fell and a strange man cut in. What’s this now?
“I’ll buy you something prettier if you’ll have a drink with me, miss?”
The man leaned heavily on the old lady’s stall, making it tilt, and leered. So this is what real thuggishness looks like. I looked at the old lady.
“I thought you said word had spread?”
“……”
The old lady closed her eyes silently. Her expression of exasperation and shame suggested he was a well-known good-for-nothing in the village. And of course, this guy must also know that I’m not actually a miss, but a married woman.
“I’m married.”
“Doesn’t matter. Your husband’s not here right now, so we can have just one drink together, right?”
I do mind though. So he did know. I thought since outsiders could be counted on one hand, we could quickly finish our business and leave this village by just checking those people, but there was this unexpected obstacle. As I twisted my lips in annoyance, the man’s expression completely changed.
“What’s with that expression?”
“Should I smile when you’re trying to get a married woman to drink with you in broad daylight? Should I?”
“This little wench doesn’t know to be afraid of men.”
“Everything about you is pathetic. Is it because you’re ugly?”
“You…!”
Finally, the man resorts to the most pathetic behavior – trying to use violence against a woman. Though I felt bad about causing trouble in front of the old lady’s stall, since it’s a fellow villager causing problems, let’s call it collective responsibility.
THWACK-
“Guh…. ack.”
“Too many people acting up this morning.”
The man slowly tilted over from my full-force g***n kick. Worried he might knock over the stall as he stumbled, I kicked him again, fortunately sending him falling in the opposite direction.
“……Asil.”
“Ah.”
And behind the man who fell with a thud, there stood Cassion, frozen in the position of running with his sword drawn.
with his sword drawn.
