I Married the Mad Duke Who Killed My Husband - Chapter 65
“A few minor injuries don’t matter, so don’t hesitate and just run.”
There’s nowhere to run or hide. A straight road leading to the capital. Even if a war god came instead of a war hero, it would be impossible to pass through without injury.
“You don’t need to try to block everything perfectly. It will only slow us down.”
At my words, Cassion, who had been glaring at the enemies, bit his lip. He knows it too.
In moments like this, the best method is just Cassion’s specialty – a frontal breakthrough. The downside is that minor injuries are unavoidable.
But believing that he would block the major attacks, I hugged Lorang protectively and curved my body as much as possible.
“Let’s go!”
I suddenly wondered what expression Cassion would have as he looked at me, ready to break through this place, but before I could turn around, Leonina started running.
Despite her large size, Leonina’s terrifying speed made the enemies at the front flinch.
“A-attack! Attack!”
The path ahead cleared due to the enemies hesitating, overwhelmed by the speed and size. After that, Cassion’s ghostly swordsmanship followed.
Hearing the clanging sounds so close, I wanted to close my eyes like Lorang, but I resisted and surveyed the surroundings.
“…!”
At that moment, with a chilling pain, a sword grazed near my ankle. Thinking that Cassion wouldn’t notice if I didn’t make a sound since it was lower down, I gritted my teeth and looked down. Fortunately, the sword didn’t seem to have reached Leonina.
Before we knew it, we had quickly advanced to the center of the enemy lines.
“Fools! Do you think you can escape?!”
“These bastards are openly speaking informally now.”
“This will be your grave… Argh!”
The one who had been shouting desperately from the very back, commanding with his mouth, suddenly screamed. Cassion, who only had one weapon, couldn’t have thrown his sword, could he?
“That’s right, this is your grave!”
“…!”
“Huh!!”
Even Cassion, who had been swinging his sword frantically, hesitated. Raising my head in confusion, I saw familiar faces behind the enemies.
“Cassion, Cassion! It’s your knights!”
“…Indeed.”
“How did they know to come? We’re saved now!”
The enemies were thrown into disarray by the sudden attack from behind by the Duke’s knights. As I rejoiced at the sight, Cassion, who had also let out a sigh of relief, tightly gripped the reins.
Quickly bending my body as he was about to run again in this opening.
Whoosh-
“Asilia…! Are you hurt?!”
“I’m fine, so keep running!”
Chillingly, an arrow grazed over my head just as I bent down. My heart nearly jumped out, but I pretended to be fine and urged Cassion on, while pressing down on Lorang, who was starting to hiccup.
“Catch them! Don’t bother with those guys, catch the Duke!”
The enemies tried to regroup after belatedly assessing the situation, but it was too late. We had already almost broken through the enemy lines, and at the edge of our vision, we could see the gate leading into the capital along with bewildered guards…
“…Huh?”
“Protect His Grace the Duke and the Duchess!”
Imperial knights came into view. I was startled by the group in black uniforms trying to protect us and lead us into the capital. Was it a trap?
“It’s alright, Asil. They’re the 2nd Prince’s knights.”
As I shrank back, wondering if the enemy’s allies had arrived, Cassion, noticing my reaction, informed me of their identity.
How did His Highness know… Ah, Cassion sent a messenger saying he’d return after securing Lorang.
“This way, come this way! The path is clear!”
Behind us, we could hear the sounds of intense fighting and enraged shouts trying to chase us, but we had entered the capital.
Just a bit further and we’d reach the capital’s commercial district, but I thought it might be too conspicuous to run there. Just then, the knight who seemed to be the highest-ranking among the Prince’s knights led us to a side street.
“I know the way. Please cover our rear.”
“Don’t worry!”
Even though we’ve entered the capital, arrows are still persistently flying from far away. Of course, they fall short, not even reaching us who have already gone deep inside.
As Cassion gives the order, I see even the knight who was guiding us salute and join the battle.
“Do you know the way? Is it a shortcut to the Duke’s residence?”
“Would I not know the way to my own home?”
“They said they cleared the path, so there shouldn’t be merchants or other people, right? Still, I’ll cover my face just in case.”
It’s not the time to deal with rumors like the Duke and Duchess returning from their honeymoon looking like a mess.
There were no more attacks pursuing us, but I curled up again to hide my face. However, Cassion suddenly straightened his upper body, causing me to sit up in a daze.
“Don’t do that, wear this on your head instead.”
Cassion, who had already taken off his outer garment, draped it over my head. Then he pulled me closer into his arms.
“The clothes are in tatters.”
“…Does it smell? I’m sorry, but please bear with it for a bit, Asil.”
“I probably smell too, so that’s not it… I’m worried that your body might be as battered as your clothes.”
This is sincere. The clothes he gave me to cover my face were so full of holes that I suddenly realized how dangerous the situation must have been for Cassion, who had blocked all attacks for us while moving.
“When we get back, I’m going to inspect you from head to toe.”
“That’s my line. It’s better not to think about hiding anything, Asil.”
“Um, I’m a bit injured too. The wound from the arrow grazing me has been hurting for a while. Could you look at mine too? There’s a doctor at the Duke’s residence, right?”
“There’s a very capable doctor.”
But since there’s only one doctor, I’ll have him examine Cassion first, then me, and finally Lorang. That’s the right order considering the severity of injuries anyway.
“We’re here! It’s the Duke’s residence!”
Indeed, taking the shortcut, we quickly saw the Duke’s residence. Although it was the back of the mansion rather than the entrance, I could recognize it immediately.
I excitedly patted Cassion’s chest and stomped my feet. However, Cassion seemed heavy-hearted even as he felt relieved.
“…I have nothing to say.”
“Pardon?”
“I left saying I could protect you on my own, but as soon as we return, I have to show you to a doctor, just as she said then.”
“Ah.”
Only then did I remember the unspoken tension between Cassion and the chief physician on the day we left the Duke’s residence.
…Considering how that person already lives with her liver exposed, it’s a bit concerning to think how smug she’ll be about this. I should take Cassion’s side at least.
“Don’t blame yourself. You protected us well.”
“…You say that because you don’t know what you look like right now, Asil.”
“As long as all limbs are attached and we’re alive, it’s fine! Honestly, even a god of war couldn’t have returned without a scratch in our situation.”
“Then I should have been something beyond a god of war.”
“Stop with the nonsense and self-blame and let’s go in. Ah, there are people coming out.”
I thought all the Duke’s knights had participated in the earlier battle, but it seems some key personnel remained at the mansion. Well, I guess that’s natural.
“Your Grace! My Lady!”
Macey, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, called out to us with a strong voice. I smiled and waved at them as they approached.
“It’s good that you’ve returned safely… oh… my…”
“……”
“Th-thank… goodness…”
“…Enough. Take good care of this horse and call for the doctor.”
But despite my killer smile, the expressions of those who came to greet us gradually hardened. When I lowered Cassion’s outer garment, they even started to stutter.
“My Lady, half of your face is still black.”
As I tilted my head in confusion, Lorang, who had gotten off the horse and was looking around the Duke’s residence, came close and whispered.
…Right, my face is now swollen and bruised like a bun. I hope Pia doesn’t see me.
“Welcome back. Judging by your appearance, it seems you’ve been through a lot.”
Just as I was hoping Pia wouldn’t come until I could at least cover my face with some gauze or something, an unexpected figure appeared, opening the door of the Duke’s residence.
“Your Highness the Prince!”
He was too powerful and welcomed a person to say, “Who are you to act like the owner of our house?”
But Cassion seemed to have already anticipated this and merely gave a casual greeting.
“Given the importance of the matter, I wanted to talk as soon as you arrived… but treatment comes first. Please, come in.”
“We can talk while getting treated, can’t we!”
Is there a need to separate those? Thinking we should quickly introduce Lorang, I shouted energetically, but the 2nd Prince, who looked me over from head to toe, showed a troubled smile.
“My Lady. I don’t want to die yet.”
What are you saying? Has the Duke’s residence been attacked too?
Sweetsango24
The prince knows how scary Cassion could be 😆