A Change of Husband - Chapter 105

“I’m honestly so shocked, I don’t even know what to say. How can someone act so shamelessly?”

Monica raised her voice, shrugging in disbelief.
Normally, she would have spoken to Asilie in a calm and composed tone, but she seemed too flustered to maintain her usual demeanor.

Noticing this, the Countess of Bonaparte gently held Monica’s arm and shook her head.

“Mother?”

“That’s enough. Let’s stop here. She’s the one who let things get to this point by failing to manage her own husband. There’s no benefit in engaging with her.”

The Countess of Bonaparte, whose expression had never faltered until now, turned away while fanning herself. The other noblewomen who were with her followed suit, joining in to criticize Asilie.

“Yes, ignoring her is best. Talking to someone who lacks common sense just gives you a headache.”

“Exactly.”

“Right. I think we should just pity her. She suddenly became a divorcee overnight, and now Lord Bonaparte is preparing to remarry a refined young lady from an esteemed family. How infuriating that must be for her! Hohoho.”

Their criticism was meant to provoke her, but Asilie stared back at them without the slightest reaction.
Her face, calm and serene as though she had reached enlightenment, irritated the Countess of Bonaparte more than anything.

“Anyway, don’t trouble yourselves with her. Nothing good comes from listening to the words of a woman whose life is already ruined.”

The noblewomen all burst into laughter at the Countess’s words.
Still, the Countess of Bonaparte felt no relief.

Asilie had caused serious damage to the Bonaparte family. Though it wasn’t publicly known, Joseph had become sexually impotent.
Of course, Asilie had also become branded a divorcee and would now live a miserable life in high society, subject to whispers and finger-pointing, which gave the Countess some consolation—but it still wasn’t enough.

With a displeased look, the Countess glanced back at Asilie and scanned her from head to toe.

“…A life isn’t ruined just because of a divorce.”

Right then, Asilie responded with a composed expression, as though she had been waiting for the moment.
There was no sign she was pretending to stay calm—her face truly showed no trace of hurt.

“Rather, I feel sorry for those who see marriage—a union that should be built on love—as a tool for other purposes, and then see the failure of such a marriage as the failure of a life.”

“How dare you—!”

“Still, your thoughts and actions are very consistent. In that regard, you do seem quite the ‘noblewoman,’ just as you like to claim.”

“Wha—”

Realizing that Asilie was mocking her, the Countess of Bonaparte glared at her furiously. But Asilie simply smiled sweetly and turned away with a final remark.

“You said continuing to speak would only lower the dignity of the ladies present, so I’ll be on my way. Though, I’m not sure whose dignity is actually being lowered… Take care, ladies.”

She could hear the gathered noblewomen, led by the Countess, cursing behind her. But Asilie no longer paid them any attention.
She knew this was enough.

Changing someone’s fixed mindset is incredibly difficult.
Asilie understood that ending an unhappy marriage shouldn’t be something condemned morally. But no matter how genuinely she tried to explain what was truly right, those women were unlikely to be persuaded.
They weren’t ready to accept her words—nor did they want to.

And Asilie had no reason to persuade them.
She knew there was one person who always supported her thoughts, values, and actions—even if others denied them. And that person was by her side now.

Just then, that very person—Esperad—entered the ballroom.

“His Majesty the King!”

At Benjamin’s announcement, all the nobles quickly knelt and bowed in respect.
Asilie also lowered herself among them, not as Esperad’s lover, but in greeting to the King of this nation.

“Everyone, rise.”

At the soft voice, Asilie felt her heart, which she had only just managed to calm down, truly ease into peace.
When she raised her head and finally faced him directly, she saw a man who truly suited the role of King.

Perhaps it was the memory of his coronation, which she had never seen to completion, that suddenly surfaced—her chest ached slightly.
Though she had returned to this world and could now see Esperad as the King, she hadn’t been able to face him properly, not as her lover.
This was the first time she was seeing him like this.

Her man was incredibly dashing.
The position of King of Astel was indeed meant for Esperad.

“A lot has happened this year. Of course, not all of it has been good. But tonight’s banquet is to celebrate the end of the year, so I hope everyone spends this time meaningfully and free of worries.”

With confident presence, Esperad addressed the crowd, then let out a small chuckle and added playfully:

“Let’s end the boring greetings here. Everyone, enjoy yourselves.”

His cheerful tone brought laughter from the progressive noble faction.
Some complaints could be heard in the back—accusing the king of lacking dignity or being frivolous—but Asilie didn’t let the harsh words about her beloved reach her ears. She quietly moved toward a corner… or at least tried to.

If only Esperad hadn’t approached her so publicly, she could have hidden herself away from everyone’s eyes.

“Lady Grandier.”

Now that her divorce from Joseph was officially finalized, Asilie was again considered part of the Grandier household.
Still, being called “Lady Grandier” after so long felt strangely unfamiliar.

What made it more surprising was that the person addressing her like this was none other than Esperad.

Asilie stared at him in shock, unable to say a word. Then he naturally extended his hand.

“May I have the honor of a dance with you?”

“……!”

Gasps spread among the nobles as they stared between the two in disbelief.
The King—this country’s King—was politely asking a divorced woman, who dared to show her face in society again, for a dance. It was something unimaginable.

Asilie aware of the atmosphere around them, looked at him with an unsure expression.
There was no reason to be ashamed of being a divorcee, but she had never expected Esperad to approach her so publicly like this.

“I…”

After much hesitation, she finally managed to say a word—but couldn’t finish the sentence.
To accept or refuse the invitation—neither choice seemed like it would lead to a particularly good outcome.

Noticing her hesitation, Esperad urged her gently.

“You’re making me wait too long.”

Even then, his voice was kind.
Asilie suddenly realized how much Esperad had changed during the years she had been away—years where he had always seemed like he would remain exactly the same.

He had never been one to pressure others. But now, he was using the social gaze around them to apply just enough pressure without causing discomfort—and only toward her.

Strangely enough, that made Asilie feel at ease.

Because he’s the one person I can fully trust.

During her absence, Esperad had endured countless experiences on his own.
He was now someone she could believe in without doubt, someone she no longer needed to test or question. It was okay to follow where he led.

“The honor is mine, Your Majesty.”

At her response, Esperad smiled brightly.
He couldn’t have shown such a positive attitude without confidence in himself.
Asilie took his hand and walked to the center of the ballroom.

She could feel the eyes of others on her, but the moment the music started, the two focused only on each other.

It was only natural—at this moment, they were everything to one another.

“You do remember that I’m officially a divorcee, right?”

Despite everything, she couldn’t help but express a worried thought.
As they got close enough for only the two of them to hear, Asilie whispered playfully.

“And what of it?”

“What do you mean, ‘what of it’? We need to be careful right now.”

“In the end, you’re the one who’ll be by my side. Whether quickly or slowly, everyone will find out eventually. It’s an unchanging future.”

“Even so…”

Hearing that kind of answer, she had nothing more to say.
No—maybe she had asked the question already knowing he would say that.
Feeling the shift in her position so clearly made her uneasy without realizing it. She just wanted to be reassured.
Whether or not he understood those feelings, Esperad filled the emptiness in her heart so perfectly and faithfully.
That alone completely eased her worries, even if only for a moment. Truly.

“Asilie.”
“Yes?”
“No matter where you stand right now, to me, you are always just Asilie.”

As it came time for the turn, Esperad supported her back with a firm arm and whispered close to her.
“You probably don’t know. Just how much I longed to dance with you once again. How much I prayed to be able to watch you grow older, year by year.”
“……”
“So, I want to focus only on you during this time.”
“I’m only afraid of losing my honor. That’s all.”
“A king who handles his duties properly doesn’t lose his honor over something like this, besides.”

As they momentarily drifted apart and came close again in the dance, Esperad spoke once more.
“You are someone who will uphold my honor, not bring it down.”

His words were completely opposite to the reality she was facing, but Asilie no longer tried to question if they were true.
She always had to carry complicated worries, but at least in this moment, she wanted to focus entirely on him, just like he said.
She simply wanted to fully enjoy the joy of holding this man’s hand and dancing with him again.
It truly made her happy. And yet, for some reason, she felt like tears were about to come.

“I love you.”

It wasn’t a quiet voice, but her confession faded in the noise of the loud music.
Still, it clearly reached the one person who needed to hear it, standing right in front of her.
Esperad gripped her hand tighter, but now it was time to part. The music that had given them this moment had come to an end.

“I’ll send someone later.”
“I’ll be waiting.”

Asilie gave a polite curtsy to Esperad, then turned away as if nothing had happened.
She could feel the shocked gazes piercing into her, but perhaps because of his words, she didn’t care at all.
She saw Esperad walking toward Cordelia, but didn’t look for long and soon left the banquet hall.

‘What on earth is going on?’

Cordelia couldn’t hide her outrage as she glared at Esperad dancing with Asilie.
She had assumed, of course, that he would ask her for the first dance. Her!
How could he possibly choose to dance first with a divorced woman—someone so low-born and incomparable to herself?
This might even be an insult to Cordelia.

‘No, that can’t be it. Or maybe…’

At the very least, a widow was better than a divorcee.
Maybe this was all part of Esperad’s larger plan—to show respect to the divorcee and justify marrying her.
‘Yes, that must be it.’

Or perhaps, by dancing with that woman, he was trying to win over the Grandier Ducal House she belonged to, and the moderate nobles. A political move.
It was a reasonable guess.
Even Cordelia, who wasn’t interested in politics, knew that Esperad didn’t have a good relationship with the conservative nobles. And the woman he danced with just now had once filed for divorce from the Count of Bonaparte, one of the leading conservative families.

As she barely managed to calm her heart, just as she had expected, Esperad finished dancing with Asilie and began walking toward her.
Only then did Cordelia feel her stiff lips relax just a little, tension and anger slowly melting.
It had been so long since anyone had asked her to dance that she had almost forgotten how to respond.
Trying to think of a graceful way to answer, she smiled and welcomed Esperad as he approached her.

“Former Queen.”

With his tall frame, broad shoulders, and dressed in a splendid tailcoat, Esperad looked truly dashing in her eyes.
He was completely different from Hort, who always looked weak and frail.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Cordelia tried hard to control her expression and answered with a shy look.

“I heard you put great effort into preparing the banquet.”
“Yes, yes.”
“You’ve worked hard. Well then.”

With just those few polite words, Esperad passed her by.

‘What…?’

For a moment, Cordelia couldn’t even process what had just happened.
Everything had gone so differently from what she expected, and Esperad had walked past her so quickly.
She just stared blankly at the spot where he had been standing, then belatedly turned around to look at him.

But by then, Esperad was already far away, deep in serious conversation with some nobles.

‘What is this…!’

Cordelia’s face turned pale with shame and humiliation.

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