I Married the Mad Duke Who Killed My Husband - Chapter 57
“Will you be alright? I can still prepare a larger carriage for you…”
“It’s really fine. Thank you for accommodating our sudden request for supplies.”
As we squeezed Lorang into the tiny covered wagon, which was nothing more than a wooden cart with a tarp thrown over it, the lord fretted with a worried look. Even the lord’s daughter, the new bride, came out to see us off, her eyes questioning why we were riding in such a thing.
But Cassion said this was the best option for fast travel if he was to ride the horse alone.
It’s all because of my poor horseback riding skills.
“I’ll make it up to you when we return to the capital. Belated congratulations on your marriage. I wish you well!”
“Compensation? Your congratulations alone are more than enough. I hope we can live as lovingly as the Duke and Duchess.”
Why? I’m not sure what part of us, crammed into this dirty, cramped wagon, looked loving.
But we couldn’t waste any more time, so I cut the greetings short and looked at Cassion, who then started driving the horse.
“Once we enter the forest path, I’ll increase the speed, so hold on tight!”
“What did you say?!”
“I said hold on tight!”
The speed certainly increased, though not as much as when Cassion and I rode a horse together.
The only downside is that it’s difficult to have a conversation.
I stuck my head out through the tarp and tried to shout a conversation, but nearly bit my tongue due to the horse galloping on the stone road. I quickly returned to Lorang’s side and held onto the wagon tightly.
“The, the mountain path is rough, how long will it take?”
“If we keep going at this speed without stopping, we should reach the duke’s mansion in the capital by sunset.”
Lorang also asked with a shaky voice due to the terrible ride quality.
Since it took us a full day of riding to reach the farthest village on our way here, we should be able to arrive before nightfall, even with the wagon slowing us down, since we’re starting from the middle.
“Is that possible? I mean, we are going fast, but…”
“Your bottom will just have to endure. We’ll take shortcuts. And even if we don’t arrive by sunset, we won’t stop to rest.”
“You mean we’ll camp out?”
“I mean we won’t sleep at all.”
I don’t know if you get it. Our couple’s iron rule is to sleep when we’re dead.
But Lorang’s face grew darker and darker as he listened to my words. Still, we’re sitting comfortably in the cargo area, so why make such a face?
“It’s better to suffer for a day than to be ambushed because we’re late. Think about what you need to say in court and any evidence while we travel.”
“I, I… I’m not confident. Actually, I’m still too scared! Couldn’t we just go back now and live quietly?!”
“It’s too late.”
“How do you know that! If we don’t stir things up, she might let me go again. She was a bit cold, but not cruel…”
“If you want to see her unknown side, I won’t stop you.”
The timid Lorang immediately shrank at my words. But my words are not empty threats.
Now that we’ve taken Lorang out of where he was living, even if we return him, the Empress, who has realized the danger, won’t leave him alone.
“If you leave us, you’ll die. Remember that.”
“Hic.”
As I threatened him once more, tears welled up in Lorang’s blue eyes.
The tears that formed due to the rough ride quickly scattered on the wooden floor, and his posture, sitting with his knees pulled up, would likely make most people want to comfort him. Of course, not me, but perhaps the majority of people might have felt that way.
For me, rather than the crouching Lorang…
“…”
I’m more concerned about Cassion riding the horse alone in front.
Not only is he the only one who can ride the horse quickly, but he’s also the only one who can fend off an attack if it happens.
Even though I anticipated this…
The past me who chose not to bring knights for the sake of speed, knowing that the danger to Cassion would increase, seemed too heartless now. I should have brought along one or two knights who could protect him.
“…Cassion.”
I called out to him softly, knowing he wouldn’t hear. Even though I knew my voice wouldn’t reach him due to the distance and the passing wind, looking at his back made his name well up in my throat.
And surprisingly, he turned back slightly as soon as my words fell.
“–, —-Asil—, Wh,—!”
“It’s nothing! Keep going!”
He shouted something with his eyebrows deeply furrowed, but I couldn’t hear. In this situation, him turning back at my call must have been a coincidence, right? I made an X sign with both hands to show that nothing was wrong, then waved.
He looked at me with a dubious face before turning his head back.
…Looking at it this way, he did show signs of liking me quite a bit. To the point where I wonder why I didn’t notice before.
“Was I too caught up…”
Was I too immersed in the role-play to notice? The couple act was more enjoyable than I thought. So I assumed all of his actions were just acting too. But looking back, there are noticeable changes from the initial Cassion. Could I have changed as well?
“Duchess, do you have any alcohol? I want to get drunk too… I’m so scared.”
Actually, I should have slept well for today’s schedule, but yesterday I barely slept. I’m not the type who can spread out and sleep soundly in such a melancholic atmosphere.
Unlike Cassion, who didn’t show it, I kept recalling last night’s conversation, making me feel uneasy. Lorang, who misheard my words, suddenly interrupted, breaking my train of thought. This is reality. I was momentarily carried away in my thoughts.
“We don’t have any. Just take deep breaths.”
***
“…”
It’s not just my imagination.
The scenery I saw earlier was clearly visible again. The carriage, which seemed to have taken a detour to avoid something, was gradually slowing down.
I changed my posture as I looked at Cassion’s back, which seemed to have changed its demeanor.
At the same time, feeling Cassion turn towards me and Lorang, I nodded to show that everything was fine. I kept my senses on high alert, rolling my eyes to survey the surroundings.
“Huh… Are we almost there already? We’re still in the forest, but the speed…”
“Shh.”
As the carriage’s speed now openly slowed down, I covered Lorang’s mouth and hid in the corner of the narrow, tarp-covered wagon.
It’s an ambush.
Even though we moved as quickly as we could, it seems it was difficult to completely break through their encirclement.
I tried to assess the situation by looking around, but to my untrained eyes, every slightly shaking leaf and even the wind seemed suspicious.
…No, maybe it’s not just suspicion. I pressed my lips tightly as I saw a clear silver glint between the leaves.
“Ca-can’t we just pass by quicklmmph.”
“I said be quiet!”
As soon as I took my hand off Lorang, his mouth opened again, so this time I covered it almost like I was hitting his muzzle. Who doesn’t know that?! Cassion could probably counter or escape most ambushes while on horseback.
But the fact that someone like him was slowing down and scanning the surroundings more carefully meant… there were too many of them.
In other words, it’s a situation we can’t escape by running.
“…”
“…”
As Cassion quietly dismounted and signaled with his eyes, I lowered the tarp that had been lifted for visibility, blocking our view.
Of course, it’s neither a metal carriage nor one with all sides closed, so the tarp would be cut away with a single sword strike, but at least it could prevent instant death by a surprise attack. However, with the view blocked, I felt my mouth go dry as I couldn’t see outside either.
“…Why don’t you come out already? We know you’re there anyway.”
The metallic ring of Cassion’s sword being drawn from its scabbard pierces the air. At the same time, the sound of trampled grass echoes from every direction.
So many tiny rustling sounds can be heard. The Empress’s plan to prevent Lorang from being taken to the capital must be proceeding without the Emperor’s knowledge, but are all these people her private soldiers?
“Hand over the man quietly.”
“Hic.”
At the sound of an unfamiliar voice, Lorang starts to hiccup and tremble violently. I earnestly implored him to be quiet before removing my hand, then crawled on the floor of the wagon, trying to peek outside through the tarp. I can see a bit of Cassion’s clothes.
“And if I hand him over? Will you let us go?”
Beyond the tarp, Cassion’s voice carries a disbelieving snort.
I reflexively reached out to touch his back, but fearing that a startled Cassion might show a weakness, I restrained myself. Suddenly, an arrow flew in, piercing the tarp and embedding itself in the wagon floor. Lorang’s tears burst forth at the sight of the arrow stuck near his feet.
“We can’t let you go, but we can send you off without pain!”
It seems that Cassion has been deflecting or cutting down the arrows flying straight at him, so only those coming from the sides have pierced through.
As the unfamiliar voice mocking us gains strength, the tarp flutters. The sound of clashing swords and screams can be heard from all around, indicating that the fight has begun.
“Wh…what should we do… Duchess… what…”
“…”
I can tell just by the sound. There were far more of them than expected. But Cassion’s battle cries didn’t leave the vicinity of the wagon, and the constant shaking of the tarp showed that he was unable to move away from this wagon while facing many opponents.
…In short, we were hindering the fight.
Gritting my teeth as I watched Cassion struggling through the arrow-torn tarp, I thought. We must have traveled for several hours from the lord’s village, so this must be close to the capital… Our destination is clear anyway. And what we need to protect.
“…Keep your body low and stay on the floor.”
“Huh? Where… Where are you going! Where are you going, Duchess!”
“Just shut up for once.”
If we’re a hindrance to the fight? Then we should disappear. Even if fighting alongside him would be a nuisance, at least we can try to escape.
