I Married the Mad Duke Who Killed My Husband - Chapter 89
“I like you. I love you, Asil.”
“Yes, I know. Now go. You’ll start crying again at this rate.”
“I love you so much…”
Cassion seemed no longer interested in hearing my response, only eager to express his own feelings.
We had been lying down resting, and I had just managed to calm him, but now his voice trembled slightly as he held me tightly, nuzzling his face against my shoulder. Fearing Cassion might cry again, I quickly pulled him up.
“Stop! Are you going to the meeting with bloodshot eyes?”
“I don’t want to go. Besides, my eyes are already red, so what does it matter?”
“There’s a difference between having red irises and having bloodshot eyes. Wouldn’t it be scary if they were all red?”
Cassion, who had been solely focused on clinging to me and expressing his feelings regardless of what I said, suddenly stiffened at my words and made a pitiful face. It seemed like he was trying hard not to cry.
“Is my face scary?”
To stop the tears completely here, I should probably answer that it is scary. But I didn’t want to lie to him after he had been worrying all day.
“To me, it’s just cute. A bit pitiful, maybe. But your subordinates might see it differently.”
“Who cares, as long as you look at me.”
“That’s nice, but…”
“I like you too, Asilia.”
We’re back to the refrain of “I like you.”
Cassion’s subordinates had tactfully cleared the area around the tent and even pushed back the meeting time, allowing us some time alone, but we’d need at least a brief tactical meeting before dawn breaks tomorrow.
Yet even in this urgent situation, I found myself amused by Cassion’s behavior, my lips twitching into a smile. I must be in pretty deep too.
“I’ll wait here quietly, so go ahead. It won’t take long, right?”
“But what if you’re in danger again? I don’t think I can endure that time twice, Asil.”
“Come on, this is your tent. And there are knights all around. I’ll just sit here holding a dagger, I promise.”
“Still…”
“This is the safest place in the world right now.”
Smooch.
Cassion must know this rationally. That even in a battlefield, there’s no place safer than here. But to Cassion, who was clinging to me like a puppy with separation anxiety, I gave a quick kiss, already accustomed to it.
“Don’t try to persuade me like this, Asil.”
“Your lips are curling up, you know?”
Cassion consciously tried to pull down his upturned lips, but his red eyes were sparkling as they looked at me, so it was ultimately a failure. Laughter burst out of me as I stood on my tiptoes, showering him with kisses and patting his back.
“Now it’s really over! Go on. I think your subordinates have waited long enough.”
“….”
“You know, I like people who do their job well.”
“I’ll go then. I’ll be back soon.”
Cassion reacted immediately, even though he must have known it was said on purpose. But his body didn’t seem to listen, as he kept turning to look at me while putting on his armor, and each time I pushed him away, overusing kisses.
Flutter.
“…Are there no other knights?”
“I’ll call them, sir.”
Finally ready and out of the tent, Cassion spoke to a subordinate who seemed to have been waiting nearby, sounding displeased.
He’s not the type to treat his subordinates coldly. Curious, I poked my head out, and Cassion hurriedly pushed my head back into the tent.
But I had already confirmed that the face of the ‘subordinate’ was the man I had expected.
“Asil! You promised not to come out.”
“Ah, yes, yes. I really won’t come out now. Why don’t you ask that person to come inside, and keep the other knights outside the tent? It would be safer that way.”
“…Invite him inside? That guy?”
How varied his expressions are. Now, with his eyes blazing, I could tell that Cassion already knew the man who had brought me here, and moreover, that he disliked him.
Not wanting to pry into why they were on bad terms, I just patted him and said.
“I’d like to be alone and comfortable too, but being alone in an enclosed space isn’t always safe. I think it would be better to have at least one person inside.”
“…That’s true.”
“I’m not fond of that person either, but at least we’re sure he’s not with the First Prince, and he’s a familiar face, so he might be better than unknown knights.”
“But that guy…”
“No? If there’s a better knight, we can change it.”
“…No, do as you wish, Asil. I’ll be back soon.”
Cassion seemed about to say something more but closed his mouth. What was that? I’m quite curious about this one.
But as I felt the knights gathering around the tent with their footsteps, I quickly retreated and sat on the bed, waving my hand. I bid farewell to Cassion with a gesture indicating I wouldn’t move from here at all, and he left with eyes full of lingering attachment.
“–inside—, Asil—absolutely—-”
Perhaps because the fabric was quite thick, I couldn’t hear the words perfectly even though they were spoken right outside. Thankfully, it seems Cassion’s crying wasn’t audible from outside.
I could hear Cassion’s voice, presumably giving orders as I had requested, and then the voices gradually faded away, likely heading towards the tent where the meeting would take place.
“Are you sleeping?”
“Oh, really.”
I was closing my eyes, listening to Cassion’s fading voice, when this man barged in and asked, shattering any sense of sentimentality. It was one of my rare emotional moments.
“Shouldn’t you at least make your presence known before entering?”
“I just cleared my throat and said I was coming in.”
“You should have done it louder.”
What? When did he say that? I didn’t notice.
“I’m a bit surprised. I didn’t expect you’d let me in.”
“I’m not one to hold grudges. You have to make choices appropriate to the situation, regardless of personal feelings.”
“Well… It’s not just you, but I’m surprised His Grace the Duke allowed me in as well.”
“Cassion? Why? Did you do something to greatly offend him?”
He’s not the type to be so petty. I immediately asked about what I had been curious about, but the response was a puzzled look.
“You didn’t know?”
“Know what? Would I be asking if I knew?”
“Do you know how many assassins His Grace has sent after me? Even for someone like me, it was quite challenging.”
“…Huh?”
Sending assassins? Did I hear that wrong?
“Unlike you, Duchess, it seems His Grace holds quite a grudge, but he seems to listen to you well. To let me in so easily. While you’re at it, could you tell him to stop the assassination attempts since I saved your life?”
“So, you’re saying… Cassion.”
Could it be?
“Are you saying he sent assassins after you because he found out you were behind the poison I ingested during lunch?”
“What else could it be?”
“No, I only told him to warn you and leave your neck alone.”
“If it were His Grace, he’d probably say he made a mistake while warning me after taking my head if you found out.”
No way. Did Cassion already know? And he’s been threatening this guy all along?
…How endearing!
“Oh my. My husband.”
“…Are you happy that my head nearly flew off several times?”
“You didn’t die, did you? So it seems he did stop at threats. More importantly, His Highness the Second Prince clearly said he would come and apologize in person if he knew who was behind it.”
“His Highness still doesn’t know I was behind that day’s incident.”
“Ah, I see.”
So, although I’m not sure how Cassion found out, he discovered the culprit on his own and threatened him, maintaining the debt owed by the Second Prince while also carrying out my revenge.
“That’s perfect.”
“Yes. From my perspective as well, you two make a perfect couple.”
“Don’t be sarcastic. I told you I don’t give second chances.”
“Didn’t I save your life?”
“You saved me by chance. Besides, you almost killed me once, so it doesn’t count. If you feel wronged, try saving me one more time.”
I snorted and poured myself some water from the side table. Of course, whether the man was thirsty or not was none of my concern.
“But now that Cassion is by my side, I won’t be in danger. You won’t have another chance.”
In other words, I’m not particularly grateful for being saved. That was simply what he should have done.
“…Come to think of it, you’re even worse than His Grace, Duchess.”
“I told you not to be sarcastic. Are you now being straightforward?”
I really don’t like this guy.
