My Favorite Smut Author Is My Husband! - Chapter 34
“If you don’t read my book, you won’t get a first edition of my new release.”
Before becoming Emperor, the Imperial Prince had orchestrated grand schemes to solidify his power. With Ashulin’s help, he successfully resolved the issues, so a fitting reward was due. However, he was already a man at the pinnacle of wealth, power, and honor.
What Ashulin wanted was simply time to spend with his beloved wife. Thus, he requested a vacation, which was immediately granted. But the blasted Imperial Prince delivered a parting blow at the last moment.
“The Duchess will be very disappointed. Won’t she?”
“…Your Highness.”
“Enjoy your vacation, read my book well, and have a happy time with your wife.”
The Imperial Prince relieved the stress accumulated from his recent endeavors by writing a new book and teasing Ashulin. Of course, judging by the murderous look boring into the back of his head, he realized that pushing things further might get him killed.
Pretending to wrap up the conversation to accommodate Ashulin’s vacation, the Imperial Prince opted for the safer route—fleeing the scene.
“The official release of the book is next month. The first editions will be out in a few days. If you send me a letter confirming you’ve read it, I’ll deliver the first edition to you right away.”
Normally, Ashulin would have responded honestly, saying he hadn’t read the book if he hadn’t. Before meeting the Duchess, he had been an endlessly straightforward and stoic man.
But the Imperial Prince, knowing Ashulin had changed to the point where he would now write a letter claiming to have read an unopened book for his wife’s sake, added a final condition before fleeing the room.
“The letter must come from the Duchess for it to count.”
*Bang.*
Even though he left an outsider alone in his office, the Imperial Prince was unconcerned. Knowing Ashulin’s temperament, he was certain that instead of rummaging through the office for leverage, Ashulin would sooner storm out and cut his throat.
“This time, you won’t be able to escape.”
Holding the Duchess hostage, so to speak, was a strategy that ensured victory before the game even began. Watching his office door remain firmly shut, the Imperial Prince grinned and strolled toward the garden.
It was a place he hadn’t used much before, but now that it was filled with blooming spring flowers, he realized it was a rather pleasant spot to catch his breath after the signing event with the Duchess.
“The Duchess sure gives me many gifts.”
Resolving to repay her properly one day, the Imperial Prince disappeared from the palace grounds. Meanwhile, Ashulin, filled with fury, had to steel himself like a statue just to resist acting on his murderous impulses.
—
“Ashulin, why do you look like that? Did you not get your vacation?”
“No, I did. The vacation was granted properly, my wife.”
“‘The vacation *was*,’ you say. So something else didn’t go well. What happened? Let me help you!”
Ashulin’s anger hadn’t subsided even by the time they returned to the estate. If it had just been about forcing him to read the book, he wouldn’t have been so enraged. But the Imperial Prince had used the “disappointed Duchess” to apply pressure.
For Ashulin, who couldn’t tolerate anyone involving Lily in such matters, his prolonged anger was entirely justified.
And yet, in front of his lovely wife, his expression inevitably softened. How could he keep a scowl on his face when she stood there, cutely raising her little fists to offer her help?
“It’s nothing serious, Lily. His Highness the Imperial Prince—or rather, ‘Author K’—said the first edition of his new book will be out soon, and that he’ll deliver it during my vacation.”
“A first edition of the new book?!”
As expected, Lily stomped her feet in delight. She seemed to be trying to restrain herself, but it appeared to be a habit of hers to stomp her feet whenever she got overly excited or happy. Well, it wasn’t just then—she couldn’t keep her feet still even when she was reaching her peak during their more intimate moments…
“But there’s a condition, right? Your expression isn’t exactly cheerful, Ashulin.”
“Ah.”
Unintentionally, Ashulin had let his thoughts wander to Lily at night, and he hurriedly cut off the licentious trail of his imagination, looking at her in embarrassment.
“There is a condition, but it’s nothing significant. The condition is that I must read K’s novel.”
“You’re going to read those books, Ashulin?”
For some reason, Lily’s face flushed red, and she looked as if she wanted to stomp her feet again, hesitating slightly. Seeing her expression, Ashulin tried to redirect his thoughts.
Setting aside his murderous intent toward the Imperial Prince, wasn’t this an opportunity to share a piece of daily life by reading the book she loved? Besides, she seemed pleased at the idea of him reading ‘K’s novels.
Thinking back, he even recalled telling her on their first night, “Since it’s something you like, I’ll give it a try!”
“Yes. If I read the book, you can write a letter to His Highness the Imperial Prince. He’ll send the new release immediately.”
“Me? Ashulin, you’re not the type to lie, so why would he insist on such a condition?”
Lily tilted her head in curiosity, and her gesture was as lovely as ever—but her reasoning was mistaken. While Ashulin was generally an honest man, he was capable of lying when necessary. The only exception to this rule was her.
