A Change of Husband - Chapter 103

While Esperad was scanning through some documents, his attendants busily finished his grooming, and after Benjamin checked his overall attire, he informed him.

 

“Everything is ready, Your Majesty.”

 

At those words, Esperad tore his gaze away from the documents and turned his attention to Benjamin.

 

“How much time is left?”

 

“About five minutes.”

 

“Make sure to leave on time.”

 

Normally, he would have left immediately, but since today’s meeting was about an important matter, he needed to fully prepare for it.

 

After skimming through the documents and reviewing the letter from the King of Austin, Esperad stood up.

 

Not long after, when he entered the meeting room, all conversation stopped, and the nobles stood up to pay their respects.

 

“Please sit.”

 

Esperad gave a short reply and took his seat at the head of the long table.

 

Once he sat down, the standing nobles also took their seats.

 

Though there were no formal rules, it was an unspoken custom that no one would speak until the king did, so the meeting room was very quiet.

 

“I believe everyone is familiar with the agenda for today.”

 

Finally, Esperad spoke, looking around at the nobles.

 

“I would like to skip the formalities and hear your opinions.”

 

In the silence, Count Bonaparte spoke sharply.

 

“You are referring to the arms trade with Austin, Your Majesty?”

 

Though he had never had children of his own, Esperad could Asilie imagine how much animosity Count Bonaparte must feel toward the man who had harmed his son.

 

However, Esperad didn’t seem to care, nodding in response.

 

“Correct. The King of Austin has sent his goodwill, but it is also important to gather opinions from within. I ask you all once again—what do you think of this?”

 

The first to show support were the progressive nobles, who had shared political ideals with Esperad before he ascended to the throne.

 

“I believe it is the right course of action.”

 

“Breaking away from the old ways and starting relations with a new nation is necessary, especially to help the suffering people caused by the ongoing economic crisis.”

 

Normally, at this point, the conservative nobles would have presented opposing views, attacking both Esperad and the progressives. But today, they were surprisingly quiet.

 

It was Count Mirk who spoke next, after the progressives and a few neutral nobles had expressed their agreement and were proposing new directions.

 

“If we first establish sufficient institutional measures and carefully review the process before seeing results, starting a new relationship with Austin wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

 

It was a rather unexpected statement.

 

Esperad had anticipated resistance this time, but it seemed the situation was taking a turn for the better. Though he was happy, he felt uneasy as their motivations weren’t clear.

 

Still, he couldn’t afford to pass up an opportunity, so he nodded.

 

“If that is your opinion, we will proceed as planned. The related legislation should be finalized once the official envoys arrive. And there is another proposal that has come in…”

 

“Before that, may I make a suggestion, Your Majesty?”

 

Interrupting the king’s words was a highly unusual action.

 

“…Count Gariburn?”

 

Esperad knew Albert was intentionally being rude to make a point to the conservative nobles, but he still acted surprised.

 

“I apologize for my rudeness, Your Majesty, but there is something I must address. Please forgive me.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“It seems you are carefully considering relations with Austin, but Astel’s primary ally is Velkoz. It is our most important ally, and I believe we should not neglect it.”

 

At this, Joseph’s representative, Geoffrey, quickly added his voice.

 

“I agree, Your Majesty. Isn’t Queen Cordelia also being neglected for too long?”

 

This was something Esperad had already discussed with Albert beforehand.

 

However, seeing Geoffrey support Albert’s opinion only made Esperad’s anger rise.

 

Esperad suppressed his emotions and replied in his usual tone.

 

“I’m not sure what you want.”

 

“How about marrying Queen Cordelia?”

 

Count Bellucci asked the question, and Count Proud responded in a tone of disbelief.

 

“While bringing in a new queen is certainly important, shouldn’t we be cautious considering the queen just passed away recently?”

 

“That’s exactly why I’m suggesting Queen Cordelia. She has already been vetted as a suitable candidate.”

 

“I agree. By not holding a large queen selection ceremony, we can maintain good relations with Velkoz.”

 

“How can you suggest selecting a woman who was already married to the late king? That’s…!”

 

It was when Prince Gariburn shook his head in disbelief that the room fell silent.

 

It was Esperad who silenced everyone.

 

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea.”

 

“But Your Majesty!”

 

“During the late king’s illness, there was a void in the government, and many troubles followed. It’s important to quickly stabilize the palace by welcoming a wise person who can take charge of internal matters.”

 

The progressive nobles, who had lost their words, looked at Esperad. They understood his reasoning, but still, the idea of Cordelia, the late king’s wife, was something they felt uneasy about.

 

“I believe there is a problem, Your Majesty.”

 

Finally, Duke Grandier spoke.

 

“As I understand it, Queen Cordelia does not meet the requirement of being ‘unmarried and pure’ for marrying into the royal family, so she doesn’t fulfill the criteria.”

 

“Times are changing, and old rules should change as well.”

 

At Geoffrey’s words, Duke Grandier looked at him in disbelief.

 

However, seeing the conservative nobles agreeing with him, Duke Grandier could say no more.

 

As the discussion about legal amendments began, Esperad decided to bring the matter to a close.

 

“If that is your opinion, it would be better to resume discussions about her after the legal amendments are made.”

 

“Your Majesty, there are many old laws that need attention.”

 

Count Mirk, smiling faintly, stepped forward.

 

“While amending this law, how about also considering revisions to other outdated laws that have hindered the government?”

 

It would be wise to address other outdated laws while resolving the issue concerning Cordelia, especially those laws that had been obstacles to their progress.

 

The conservative nobles, having understood Mirk’s intentions, seemed pleased.

 

“I agree. It would be better to make revisions to the laws rather than waste resources on a royal marriage ceremony…”

 

But Esperad cut him off decisively.

 

“If you consider this law amendment a waste of resources, I won’t force you to accept her as queen.”

 

The conservative nobles immediately fell silent.

 

While they might be able to address the outdated laws and make progress, since Esperad had clearly shown he was not willing to back down, they couldn’t risk pushing things too far.

 

Count Bellucci smiled reassuringly and spoke.

 

“No, Your Majesty. Right now, securing a queen to stabilize the country is the most important matter, wouldn’t you agree?”

 

“I agree, and I’m especially glad we are finally in agreement after a long time.”

 

Esperad replied in a dry, emotionless voice. After asking Benjamin to check the time, he stood up.

 

“We’ll take a short break, and afterward, we’ll decide on the key principles of the trade with Austin.”

 

 

“Don’t you think this design would be good for the ball tonight?”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Sofia handed several dresses to Asilie but Asilie wasn’t particularly interested in choosing a dress. Sofia knew that better than anyone, but today, she couldn’t let it go.

 

“I think it’s better to dress more lavishly. The mourning period has ended, and more noblewomen are appearing in bright, colorful dresses.”

 

Normally, Sofia recommended elegant designs made from soft, subtle-colored fabrics that weren’t too flashy. However, today, the dresses she was showing to Asilie were mostly revealing and made from bright, vibrant fabrics.

 

Asilie understood why Sofia was acting differently today. It was probably because Sofia knew that Asilie, as the ex-wife, would have to attend a social gathering. Sofia was worried that Asilie might feel uncomfortable and was paying extra attention to her.

 

Although Asilie appreciated the thought, she replied, “There’s no need to push it. The dress that suits me best is the one that fits me, and I don’t need to care about what others think.”

 

“I admire your boldness. But sometimes, being aware of others’ views can help you handle things more confidently.”

 

“Being aware of others’ views…?” Asilie seemed to disagree, but Sofia continued.

 

“It’s necessary. In fact, people are secretly criticizing the Bonaparte family for their shameless behavior, not caring about public opinion.”

 

“The Bonaparte family did something?”

 

Since the kidnapping incident caused by Joseph, Asilie had purposely shut out anything related to the Bonaparte family and didn’t know anything about them.

 

“You haven’t heard? They’re pushing for a marriage with the Bourbon family.”

 

Asilie silently nodded. Before the divorce, Asilie had pushed Joseph to consider why the marriage between the Bourbon family and the Bonaparte family was being pushed at the same time, hoping to cause a rift between Joseph and Geoffrey. Seeing that it was moving forward as planned, Asilie felt that Joseph was truly oblivious. Though she had hoped for some internal conflict between them, there was no need to worry about it anymore.

 

“I see.”

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

 

“In fact, there are many rumors about the Bourbon family’s daughter too. There are suspicions about her actions while she was on a supposed health break.”

 

Before, Asilie might have been curious, but now, she didn’t care at all and shook her head.

 

“There’s no reason for me to care. It doesn’t matter.”

 

“I see. By the way, Shop Sofia has decided not to sell dresses to that family anymore.”

 

“That family?”

 

“Bonaparte and Bourbon families, of course, and also other noble families that fail to recognize the problem with their shameless behavior. We think it’s too much of a waste to sell dresses to people who can’t even tell right from wrong.”

 

Asilie felt a bit surprised. She knew Sofia cared for her, but Sofia was also a businesswoman, and Asilie didn’t want Sofia to lose out.

 

“I appreciate it, but are you sure you’re okay with this?”

 

“Recently, Sofia’s dresses have shone not just because of the fabric, but because of the elegance of the women wearing them. But if the words and actions of a person are so shameful that even I, who haven’t learned properly, can’t accept them, then it’s natural that we cannot sell to them.”

 

Asilie remembered why she had liked Sofia not just for her skills but for her strong convictions, and she smiled. Still, she couldn’t help but worry.

 

“I just hope you don’t make any enemies.”

 

“In life, especially when it comes to matters of belief, it’s almost inevitable to make enemies. It’s hard sometimes, but I try to accept it. Ho ho ho. Ah! I think this design is better for you.”

 

Sofia smiled and began arranging the red dress she had picked for Asilie finally seeming satisfied. As the head of Shop Sofia, Sofia was very busy, so Asilie called for a servant to help with the arrangement before leaving the parlor. She knew that if she stayed, Sofia would continue to focus on her.

 

As Asilie walked down the hallway, she filled her mind with various thoughts. The most troubling was the information Jonathan had shared with her. She hesitated, feeling it wasn’t safe to send a letter, and if she passed it on to Duke Grandier, he wouldn’t understand their relationship and would find it odd.

 

The conclusion was that she would need to meet him at the palace ball to discuss things…

 

‘The rebellion probably isn’t ready yet, but I can’t shake the feeling of unease.’

 

Asilie sighed deeply and looked up. Lost in thought, she had arrived in front of her bedroom. She pulled open the door and stepped inside, immediately sensing that the atmosphere was different from usual. She looked around, tense, and then noticed the shadow in front of the curtains.

 

“…Esperad?”

 

“I knew it was wrong, but…”

 

As soon as she saw him, she knew. Seeing Esperad turn toward her, a smile unconsciously appeared on her face, but with worry, she spoke in a concerned tone.

 

“How did you get in here…?”

 

“I couldn’t stand not seeing you.”