I Married the Mad Duke Who Killed My Husband - Chapter 98

“It’s quite grand for something prepared so quickly.”

I whispered quietly to Cassion during the applause following the Second Prince’s speech, who was now the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony happened so quickly that it was scheduled for the very next day after our custom-made rings arrived.

Or rather, should I say the rings came late since we put so much thought into ordering them?

“I’m glad we could wear the rings to this ceremony. I thought we wouldn’t make the deadline since the investiture came earlier than expected.”

“If that had happened, that jeweler’s head wouldn’t be properly attached to his neck.”

As I giggled softly at Cassion’s mischievous joke, a few nobles who were eavesdropping on our conversation – curious about us as the war heroes and contributors to recent events – jumped back with a “heek!”

Whether they did that or not, unlike usual, I deliberately covered my mouth with my ring-adorned hand instead of laughing freely.

“We really made the right choice with that color.”

Cassion smiled proudly as he looked between my face and the ring.

Indeed.

The rings… ended up being pink diamonds after all. The 15-carat purple-pink diamond sparkled in all directions depending on its cut, more brilliant than most royal jewels.

Of course, no matter how brilliant, it couldn’t overshadow my beauty.

“It suits you well, too.”

Actually, aside from my desire to clearly mark Cassion as my man, I thought it might look a bit funny at first glance.

When the shop owner, who was sweating from our dissatisfaction with countless jewels and designs, showed us this mineral that had been up for auction…our eyes lit up.

Why did we immediately buy this mineral that no one had purchased due to its exorbitant price, despite its unique shade and rare size?

Because it suited Cassion perfectly.

“Until I saw the actual mineral, I never thought this color would suit you so well. As expected of my husband. You pull off anything.”

“My wife. Not as well as you do.”

“Am I invisible now?”

A familiar voice interrupted our honeymoon-like atmosphere.

“How do you two become more newlywed-like as time passes?”

Still, we couldn’t ignore the Crown Prince himself at his own investiture ceremony. We greeted him just formally enough to avoid criticism, then immediately clung to each other again, making him click his tongue.

“Your companions over there seem to want to approach. They waited but ended up leaving.”

Following the Crown Prince’s gaze, I could see Jenin and Lorang. Jenin was handling the crowd gathered in anticipation of the next horse race, drawn by her beauty and vigor, plus our patronage. Lorang, despite being the protagonist of what should have been a major scandal, was dealing with ladies attracted to his unfaded beauty.

“Well, they all seem to be managing fine on their own.”

Hearing my words, Cassion quickly added while looking at the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness seems to no longer need our help either.”

“Are you telling me to get lost, Cassion?”

“I’m saying you’ve become that confident.”

Though Cassion’s words and expression were colder than directly telling him to leave, well, I agreed. We wanted to be alone after all.

“What’s the point of gathering all these people if I can’t even receive congratulations from a friend?”

“……”

“Fine. I’ll just deliver the message and go, so please drop that creepy smile.”

The Crown Prince, making a genuinely disgusted face at Cassion, lowered his voice. Though being in the banquet hall, many ears would still hear, but perhaps that level of conversation was acceptable.

“His Majesty will soon commend your contributions. A letter will be sent to your duchy.”

“Yes.”

“…Is that all? It’s commendation from the Emperor.”

“I hope it’s a duchy far from the capital. We’d like to live quietly together, away from all the bustle.”

I smiled brightly and continued speaking in place of Cassion, who had closed his mouth as if he had nothing more to say. Again, covering my smiling mouth with my ring-adorned hand.

“You two are exactly alike.”

“Thank you for the praise. And congratulations again on your investiture.”

I congratulated him while looking directly into the Crown Prince’s eyes. The Emperor’s commendation was one thing, but shouldn’t there be something separate for the extensive support he received as Cassion’s friend?

Whether he understood my look or not, the Crown Prince nodded reluctantly and disappeared into the crowd of nobles who were waiting for their chance to speak with him.

“Asil. Should I get us something to drink?”

“Yes. Today, even champagne with a higher alcohol content sounds good.”

Usually, Cassion wouldn’t easily leave my side, but the ring’s power was remarkable. Perhaps the mark of ‘This person is mine!’ gave him some security too, as he squeezed my hand once more before quickly heading off to get champagne, leaving me alone at last.

Like the Crown Prince, Lorang, and Jenin, I could feel gazes from all around from those wanting to speak with me, but when I openly showed my fatigue while moving to become a wallflower, they all just sent regretful looks my way.

“My lady, it’s been a while.”

“…Oh my, indeed it has, Young Lord Romenel.”

But not everyone can read the atmosphere. Among them are always fools who can’t read the mood.

This second son of Count Romenel had been sent to a province bordering the vassal state after our scheme, but why did he return even more tactless?

Didn’t I even embarrass him at the previous banquet by saying he wasn’t my type?

“Don’t look at me that way, my lady. I’ve changed much after frequent battles in the borderlands.”

“Ah, yes…”

You think you can compare to my Cassion?

“I was too rash and unable to read the atmosphere before.”

You still can’t read it, though.

“A woman like you… I didn’t realize I needed to approach more discreetly. Would you accept my apology?”

He’s being quite discreet with his nonsense. Thinking it might make him look cool, he whispered while artificially lowering his voice – the second son of Count Romenel nearly made me sigh.

Some people really don’t change even after many events and time passing.

“……”

I slowly extended my hand. Interpreting this as accepting his apology, the man’s eyes sparkled as he bent down to kiss my hand.

THWACK!

“Ugh!”

“Oh my, how clumsy of me.”

But that hand wore my wedding ring – my weapon.

I patiently watched until his face came close, then suddenly raised my hand. Thanks to lifting it high like a heavenward high-five, the second son of Count Romenel’s jaw met the solid 15-carat diamond, making his head snap back.

“Oh my, are you alright?”

And Cassion, who had appeared out of nowhere, blocked people’s view with his broad back while gripping the shoulder of the man who nearly fell backward hard enough to crush it.

“Know that there won’t be a next time for fools who can’t understand warnings.”

After delivering this final warning to the second son of Count Romenel, who couldn’t even scream, Cassion released him like throwing away trash. Finally seeming to understand the message, or perhaps not, he ran away, clutching his jaw with tears in his eyes.

You never know. That fool might try approaching again. Next time, I’ll crack his skull instead of his jaw.

“Asilia. The symbol seems a bit weak.”

“It works well enough, usually. There are just some exceptionally stupid people.”

“Should we add something more?”

I can feel Cassion’s gaze examining every inch of my body as he hands me the champagne. His eyes sweep over my neck where a necklace could go, my wrists where bracelets could sit, and that gaze starts to take on a subtle heat. I smile, hand my empty glass to a server, and pull his hand.

“Shall we dance one song before heading back?”

Maybe it’s the quick drink, or maybe it’s his heated gaze, but I’m feeling a bit excited. Cassion, unable to refuse my touch, enters the hall while cautiously looking around.

The music was neither slow nor fast, but lovely and lively. Though we couldn’t press close together, it was quite a pleasant tune.

“Ahaha.”

“Asil? Did I do something wrong?”

When I laughed softly while watching Cassion escort me perfectly through the dance, he immediately looked concerned, as if he’d made a mistake. That made me laugh even more.

“I was just remembering our first dance. Back then, neither of us could dance at all, so we practiced all night, but now here we are critiquing whether the music is good or not. It’s somehow funny.”

As our dancing skills improved, so did the time we spent together. The fact that such a small thing made me laugh suggested the alcohol was taking effect.

“Back then… No, I always thought you belonged to someone else.”

“Me? Why?”

“I thought you were someone who didn’t match with me.”

Yet Cassion didn’t look insecure saying these words. Like his once-clumsy dancing skills, he now knew better than to be insecure and uncertain.

“I’m yours.”

Though it didn’t suit the dance’s ending, I fell into his embrace with a smile.

“And of course, you’re mine too.”