Newlywed Life Begins with a Mistake - Chapter 3
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 3
Count Heteus.
A capable man who appeared one day without a sound.
Wandering through dark places and stopping at nothing, he eventually became the leader of the underworld that ruled the alleyways.
Though he was a figure shrouded in mystery, he was the number one target for surveillance as he repeatedly interfered with Imperial Court affairs.
That’s why Casian had to capture Count Heteus by any means necessary.
“What man would just stand by and watch when his bride is in someone else’s hands? Especially someone he loved so dearly.”
Though he said this outwardly, Casian still thought he couldn’t know whether Count Heteus truly loved Evelyn even now.
At the time, the two had only appeared to have the love of the century.
He considered it highly likely that some kind of deal had taken place.
[If not this person, I’ll live alone and die alone for the rest of my life!]
During the time when marriage talks with the Emperor were ongoing, Evelyn brought a man wearing a robe one day and suddenly announced their marriage.
The bombshell statement caused an uproar in society.
[Even if the Princess has no title, surely a Count isn’t suitable as the Princess’s marriage partner!]
[Moreover, to dare designate a Count as her marriage partner when marriage talks with His Majesty are ongoing?]
She wasn’t in a position to be abandoned or treated coldly, and a noble young lady raised as a precious jewel in a Ducal House was going to reject the position of future Empress to become a Count’s wife?
Palace officials foamed at the mouth in opposition to this completely incomprehensible situation.
Though many expressed doubts about this mismatched marriage, Evelyn stubbornly pushed forward with her marriage to the Count.
Eventually, this conflict was resolved when Duke Seldian appeared at a banquet.
[There’s no parent who can win against their child.]
Duke Seldian, who showed his face at an official gathering, said he threw up his hands and supported his daughter’s marriage.
Though it was an act that dared to deceive the Emperor, the Imperial Court couldn’t bring itself to retaliate.
【Love of the century that transcends class! Finally recognized by everyone!】
【Princess Seldian chose true love over power! Tearful love story revealed!】
【Who is Count Heteus who captivated the Princess, surpassing even the perfect His Majesty the Emperor?】
The entire empire was abuzz with the story of the two.
Since many viewed Evelyn and Count Heteus positively, there wasn’t enough room to raise objections.
Some gossips spread conspiracy theories saying there was something behind that marriage, but the two didn’t care and set a date.
Though a variable arose when Evelyn had an accident on the way to the wedding ceremony, Casian gained an opportunity thanks to it.
“I don’t know when it will be, but the time will come.”
He just needed to deceive Evelyn until the right moment came.
He just needed to maintain this farce until then.
After all, he would absolutely never love her.
A smile spread across his cold expression.
Casian, wearing his affectionate mask, grasped the door handle and turned around to give an order.
“Keep the servants’ mouths shut. Make sure we’re not discovered.”
* * *
Three days had passed since I woke up after the accident.
My body hadn’t fully recovered, so movement was inconvenient, but it was still okay.
Because I always had Casian by my side taking care of me thoughtfully!
“Madam, it’s lunchtime.”
Since it was mealtime, Casian personally pushed a trolley over.
“Soup again today?”
“You still need to eat soft foods for now.”
Casian scooped up the steaming hot soup with a spoon, blew on it, and put it in my mouth.
Fortunately, today was better than yesterday.
The watery thin soup from before had changed to a smooth cream soup.
Well-cooked chicken harmoniously blended with finely chopped potatoes and onions.
Though I felt a bitter taste for a moment, it still went down smoothly.
“I think this is enough.”
“But half of it is still left?”
“This much is sufficient.”
I’m getting tired of this after eating it continuously.
I want to eat kimchi.
Or spicy fish stew with lots of red pepper powder.
No, I want to eat spicy porridge with kimchi and seafood.
I’m getting sick of eating only chicken soup-like soup.
But Casian, who couldn’t know this, showed bewilderment and said sadly.
“…Even if it’s difficult, couldn’t you finish everything in the bowl?”
“But…”
“I hope Madam’s body recovers quickly. For my sake too… couldn’t you take one more spoonful?”
Seeing him earnestly plead while lowering his eyelashes forlornly made my heart pound.
I wanted to grab this man’s collar right now and…
‘What am I thinking right now!’
Covering my flushed cheeks, I immediately answered.
“Give it to me quickly!”
“Yes, Madam.”
When I opened my mouth, Casian smiled brightly and took the spoon.
As if he wouldn’t spill a single drop, he fed me the soup with delicate touches and didn’t forget to give me medicine afterward.
“Do you remember anything?”
“Nothing. Except that you are my destiny.”
I winked while handing over the empty medicine bottle, but Casian’s reaction was unusual.
“…I see.”
He was covering his face with his hand and avoiding my gaze.
He must be quite embarrassed.
“Don’t you have anything you want to say to me?”
“Something I want to say?”
Come to think of it….
“What happened to the wedding? Do we need to hold it again?”
Since we had a carriage accident on the way to the Temple, do we need to set a new date?
“We just need to submit the paperwork. We’re already a legally recognized couple.”
“But….”
“My lady, please put your worries aside and focus on recovery. Your health comes first.”
As if to say I didn’t need to worry anymore, Casian gently stroked my hand.
“If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, my lady.”
“How did we meet?”
“We met at a banquet. The moment we saw each other… we just knew.”
“Oh my! So it was love at first sight?”
“Yes. It happened at first sight.”
I thought it would be a political marriage, but was it a love marriage?
Ha, it would have been better if I had my memories.
‘How far did things progress between us?’
From his answers, it seems like we’ve been together for quite a while.
When I subtly overlapped our hands and slipped my fingers between his, Casian flinched.
“Two hours have already passed. I should head back now.”
Casian hastily stood up and pointed to the clock.
Before I knew it, the clock hands were pointing to 4 o’clock.
“You’ll come tomorrow too, right? Honey?”
“Of course. Please rest well.”
Casian smiled, called for a maid, then carefully closed the door.
The maid Mary approached me after I finished my meal and bowed politely.
“Your Grace…, no, Duchess, what kind of tea would you like….”
“Mary, I think my husband is quite shy.”
“Pardon?”
Mary blinked at me, making me chuckle softly.
“His ears were all red.”
“Ah… um… I see.”
Mary’s reaction seemed lukewarm, but thinking of Casian being shy like a baby kitten made my heart pound again.
“I wish tomorrow would come quickly.”
* * *
“I wish this would end quickly.”
After leaving Evelin’s room, Casian walked down the corridor roughly loosening his cravat.
He thought she’d be easy to handle since she was a defenseless woman, but her subtle attempts at skinship by interlocking fingers were annoyingly cunning.
No matter if he was her husband, men and women should maintain proper boundaries.
Seeing how she seized every opportunity to get closer, she was definitely a master at this.
Having finished his brief review, Casian reached his destination and roughly opened the door.
“I need a new truth serum.”
Matthew, the Hetus Ducal House’s physician who was writing Evelin’s medical records in the infirmary, was startled by the sudden request and turned around.
“Again? How many times are you going to try this? There are no more new truth serums.”
Matthew, who had been creating new truth serums at Casian’s command each time, firmly expressed that he could no longer handle such unreasonable demands.
At his friend’s reaction, Casian sat down in a chair with a troubled expression.
‘Why don’t they work on that woman?’
Is it because Matthew lacks skill?
[I’ll confess everything! The one who committed embezzlement is Count Ego!]
[Please spare me, Your Grace! I only did what Baron Willock, the mastermind, told me to do!]
But the prisoners who took Matthew’s truth serums confessed all their crimes in detail and begged for their lives.
Thinking other truth serums might work, he even purchased new ones through the Guild.
[This is a truth serum with hypnotic agents. With this, most criminals will have no choice but to talk.]
[This is a truth serum that makes even those cursed with evil magic confess the truth obediently. It costs 1500 kro, but it has never failed.]
Even when he purchased various truth serums made by the Merchant Guild, the results weren’t much different.
Thinking the amount might be insufficient, he even mixed it into soup and fed it to her personally.
[Do you remember anything?]
[No. Nothing except that you’re my destiny.]
Every time he interrogated her, Evelin would blink her eyelashes and wink with one eye.
She only showed a shy reaction, twirling her green hair around her finger.
Come to think of it, those slender fingers looked rather bare….
‘I must be insane. To think I considered giving jewelry to a mere bait.’
To shake off the distracting thoughts, Casian lightly shook his head. Fortunately, Matthew, who hadn’t noticed Casian’s condition, asked an important question.
“What about Count Heteus?”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————