I Married the Mad Duke Who Killed My Husband - Chapter 94

“Is… the coffin coming behind us? Isn’t that dangerous?”

“That’s why I placed it in the middle. There probably aren’t any remnants, but I don’t want to create any more trouble.”

In the end, I rode with Cassion. Leading the knights at the front as they returned to the imperial palace, I glanced back. Lorang, who looked less dazed than yesterday but still gloomy, caught her eye first.

“….”

“Don’t worry too much, Asil.”

It was partly my fault that Lorang was taken hostage and witnessed the First Prince’s suicide up close.

While I don’t regret escaping alone, given the urgency of the situation, I did feel sorry and concerned. After glancing at him a few times, Cassion whispered softly.

“…Still, we should take better care of him. I’m the one who dragged him into this, and I think I was too indifferent just because he seemed a bit slow-witted.”

“It’s just hardship that came from his own choices. You don’t need to feel sorry, Asil, but if you’re concerned, I’ll compensate him.”

“If there’s compensation to be made, I should do it. Why should you shoulder that?”

“Because we’re married.”

“….”

Was it my imagination that Cassion’s confident reply had a hidden meaning?

“A couple’s affairs aren’t individual matters. Right?”

“Well…”

Judging by his expression as I glanced up and the nuance of his words, I could sense he was trying to cement our contract marriage as a real one.

Come to think of it, I haven’t been able to answer because events keep piling up one after another.

I turned back slightly once more. This time, not towards Lorang, but towards the man who had guided me to Cassion’s tent.

“By the way, Cassion, there’s something you didn’t tell me.”

“Hm?”

“Shouldn’t ‘married couples’ have no secrets?”

“I…? What didn’t I tell you?”

Oh? Though I didn’t intentionally aim for it, people with many things to hide tend to roll their eyes and retrace their steps when such questions come up.

But Cassion’s expression showed he truly didn’t know what he might have hidden, apart from attacking that man.

Well, it was the Second Prince who promised to tell me about the mastermind’s identity once he found out, not Cassion.

“That man. The one who poisoned me.”

“Ah…!”

“You glared at him so fiercely yesterday, but you’ve already forgotten? He asked me to beg you to stop the assassination attempts since he brought me to you.”

“What?! That bastard…”

“Hey, talk to me first!”

“…Sorry.”

The man who had been following us well flinched at Cassion’s demeanor, which looked like he might throw his sword at any moment.

He silently mouthed “help me” with his hands clasped in a plea to me, but since I had already told everything, it only fueled Cassion’s anger.

“Are you upset because I didn’t keep my promise? I didn’t intend to hide it or not keep it. As soon as I found out that bastard was the culprit, I… No, these are all excuses. I’m sorry, Asil. You told me not to touch him.”

“Is that what you think? I only told you to ‘warn’ him and not touch him.”

Cassion looked at me with drooping eyebrows, still unable to discern whether my words were scolding or forgiving him. Is this a face attack following the chest attack from earlier?

Smooch.

“You did well. And thank you. As long as he’s alive, that’s a warning, isn’t it? You essentially kept your promise to only warn him.”

Given Cassion’s large build and the cloak he wore, I figured I’d be almost hidden from behind, so I acted a bit boldly.

An attack must be met with an attack. I’ll counter with a beauty attack plus a kiss! From atop the horse, which I’m now almost unafraid of, I turned my body as much as possible and planted a loud kiss on his jaw.

After smiling at him, surprised by the sudden turn of events, I turned back to face forward.

And calmly, gazing towards the still unseen imperial palace, I said.

“I like you. I love you, Cassion.”

“…!”

“My answer is as you expected. How could I not love someone like you?”

“Asilia.”

“I know this is a serious time, but I can’t hold back anymore.”

Besides, has there been any time that wasn’t serious since I made the contract with Cassion? They say life is a series of events, but aren’t too many things happening at once?

“It’s too precious time to keep making excuses.”

After this is done, after that is done. I’ve been postponing it until now. Why should timing matter when two adults have mutual feelings?

Besides, just because we’re bringing the First Prince’s body to the imperial palace and meeting the Emperor doesn’t mean everything will be over.

“I like you, Cassion. Let’s become a real couple.”

I don’t want to keep Cassion waiting any longer, either. I turned slightly to look at him after making my proposal to seal the deal, and immediately noticed his bright red neck.

“…Is this appropriate on horseback, Asilia?”

Like me earlier, Cassion spoke through gritted teeth while staring straight ahead, his face and neck flushed red. I couldn’t help but laugh, seeing the tension in his already strong jawline.

“You should be grateful you’re at the front. If others saw you, they’d tease you about being red as a radish. How did someone like you get such fierce rumors?”

“I really can’t take it anymore, Asilia, so stop.”

“What can’t you take?”

“Everything. Anything. Damn it. Right now… I can’t control myself! I want to turn this horse around and go anywhere with you. I want to hold you tight and kiss you, so stop provoking me. Don’t speak, don’t move.”

Oh my. Next, he’ll tell me not to breathe? Still, seeing Cassion’s reaction, which was better than expected, I couldn’t stop my own lips from spreading into a wide smile.

Wanting to feel him more, I relaxed my straight posture and leaned back into his embrace, feeling him stiffen.

“Asilia! Please.”

“What did I do? By the way, should we go get rings fitted when we have time? You wanted to get wedding rings, right?”

“…Alright.”

Though I deliberately leaned back, I changed the subject casually, and Cassion took the bait. I had to suppress my laughter to avoid being heard by the people behind us.

No matter what, I can’t burst out laughing in front when Lorang is depressed and the soldiers are immersed in their unsettling victory. People might spread rumors about the Duchess being a psychopath. Or that both husband and wife are bloodthirsty?

“The rings should be as noticeable as possible. So others can see… Ah, of course, we’ll get whatever you want.”

But I wasn’t the only one whose mind had wandered – Cassion was already imagining ring designs like he was in the store.

Since he doesn’t dislike shopping, it would be nice to go on dates visiting various stores.

“We could have them custom made… Hm?”

“What is it?”

“Asil.”

Cassion, who had been seriously contemplating, slowed the horse’s pace as if he’d noticed something. While holding me, he raised one hand, and several knights from behind came forward in support.

“Ah.”

I tensed up, thinking it might be an attack, but the person who appeared moments later was carrying a small flag with the imperial crest. Had they come to assess the situation?

Or was it an enemy disguised as an imperial messenger? Maybe I’m overthinking it.

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s an urgent letter from His Highness the Second Prince! He said only Your Grace should read it!”

Cassion, seemingly sharing my suspicions, remained alert while examining the messenger’s attire and face, then had another knight retrieve the sealed letter.

“Your Grace.”

Of all people, the man who had poisoned me stepped forward to receive the letter. Well, maybe it’s natural since he originally belonged to the Second Prince. He passed the letter to Cassion while glancing at me, then stepped forward slightly to act as guard.

“….”

With a small rustling sound, Cassion opened the letter, and since I wasn’t supposed to see it, I tried to scoot my hips away from him as much as possible.

However, while reading the letter, Cassion’s hand mysteriously caught my waist, causing my attempt to fail and leaving me to awkwardly stare at the distant mountains.

Meanwhile, after checking the letter, Cassion handed it back to the man in front, and the man crumpled it and… swallowed it?!

Wait, did he really just swallow it?

“We’ll increase our return speed.”

Though I knew such methods existed, I was shocked to witness the man gulp down a not-so-small piece of paper right before my eyes. During my surprise, Cassion’s hand tightened around my waist.

“The Empress has disappeared.”

And atop the horse now galloping fast enough to feel the wind, Cassion whispered very quietly in my ear.

…Thanks for telling me, but wasn’t that supposed to be secret? That man even swallowed the paper.