A Change of Husband - Chapter 109

“My name is Rosetta Marce. I will be serving Lady Grandier from today. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

 

Madam Marce looked at least ten years older than the last time Asilie had seen her—back in the parallel world, right before she died.

 

Asilie thought that perhaps all the misfortunes Esperad had suffered in this world had affected Madam Marce as well.

 

She was a woman known for her deep loyalty to her master.

 

“I’m Asilie of the Grandier family. I look forward to working with you, Madam.”

 

At Asilie’s greeting, Madam Marce’s expression hardened a little.

 

She replied in a stiff yet respectful tone.

 

“Please lower your speech. I am your maid, and you will soon become the mother of this nation.”

 

“But I’m still Asilie of the Grandier family. I want to treat you with the respect that befits the head maid in charge of the royal palace. At least until my status becomes clear.”

 

Lady Grandier, whose origins were unclear and who had no apparent connection to the Grandier duchy—Esperad’s sudden decision to make such a woman, who had even recently divorced, the queen had seemed like a mistake even to Madam Marce, who had always trusted and followed him.

 

But after seeing Asilie in person, she understood why Esperad had made that decision.

 

The atmosphere around her was different from that of any other noble lady or highborn woman of her age.

 

Even aside from her respectful attitude that made people feel comfortable, Asilie was someone who naturally drew goodwill. Her deep amber eyes were especially striking.

 

“…Understood. Starting tomorrow, we will begin lessons on royal etiquette and duties you must learn as the queen-to-be, including preparations for the royal wedding. Please come this way.”

 

After listening to Madam Marce explain the schedule—what time each day, and what kind of training she would receive—Asilie was finally able to have some time to herself.

 

“Please rest well. If you need anything, just call.”

 

“Yes. I’ll see you again this evening.”

 

After saying goodbye to Madam Marce, Asilie lay down on the bed as soon as she heard the door close. So many things had happened that day that she hadn’t realized how tired she was.

 

That morning, she had taken a walk and had some conversation with the Duchess of Grandier, then had tea time after lunch, only to be surprised by the sudden arrival of the royal knights—though she didn’t show it.

 

After that, she accepted an unexpected marriage proposal and ended up entering the palace.

 

Now that she was alone, it finally hit her—everything that had happened today was going to change her future.

 

“What’s going to happen now?”

 

After experiencing death because of Josef, everything that had happened to Asilie since then was so extraordinary that no ordinary person could even imagine it.

 

Yet, even after going through all of that, at this moment, she still felt a vague unease about what might come next. Would her presence really help Esperad… or not?

 

Knock knock.

 

A knock on the door pulled Asilie out of her thoughts.

 

She could have simply answered, but instead she quietly got up from the bed and tiptoed to the door, opening it without warning.

 

“Esperad?”

 

She needed to see with her own eyes that it was the person she had been longing to see.

 

“Asilie.”

 

Just as she expected, it was Esperad.

 

Even though she had spent some time in the palace in the past, the period between her entry and her death during the coronation had been very short.

 

Maybe that’s why—even though she was familiar with the place—everything still felt unfamiliar and made her tense. But the moment she saw Esperad’s face, she felt calm again.

 

Asilie naturally leaned into him, resting her head on his chest.

 

Back then and now, Asilie had never been the type to initiate physical affection, so this was unfamiliar. But Esperad gently stroked her hair and offered a kind apology.

 

“I heard you were very surprised. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you in advance.”

 

“I really was surprised. There was no warning at all…”

 

“I was afraid that if I told you before everything was certain, something might go wrong and disappoint you… so I didn’t say anything.”

 

“Even if things didn’t work out, I wouldn’t have been disappointed. I would’ve known how hard you tried, even without you saying it.”

 

His warm embrace and gentle voice brought peace to her heart.

 

Asilie stayed in his arms for a while, then finally loosened her hold and looked up at his face.

 

“By the way…”

 

It hadn’t been that long since they had last seen each other at the palace banquet.

 

“I missed you. So much.”

 

She really did.

 

After realizing that the man she loved so dearly was nearby, she had missed him every single day—it was amazing she had managed to endure the time apart.

 

In the past, she wouldn’t have been able to say something like that, but now she wanted to express even the smallest feelings honestly. So she added,

 

“Really, really a lot.”

 

Even just standing there like a doll with no expression, she would’ve been lovely.

 

But hearing such words from those beautiful lips made her even more lovable.

 

Even though it was a face he had longed to see, he couldn’t help but hold her close—it wasn’t his lack of patience. It was simply that his woman made him that way.

 

Esperad, who had been holding Asilie and enjoying the pleasant scent of her thick hair, finally let her go when he realized he had held her for too long.

 

“I missed you too.”

 

“…What?”

 

“I missed you too. I even wished you’d appear in my dreams, but not once did you come.”

 

Back then and even now.

 

When he couldn’t see her, especially during that time when there was no promise of ever seeing her again—even though it wasn’t her fault—he couldn’t help but feel resentful.

 

Asilie understanding what he meant, gently took his large hand.

 

“Well, now you can see me in person.”

 

It hadn’t been long since they realized they could now share the same time and space.

 

Maybe that’s why even ordinary moments like this felt so deeply emotional.

 

Looking down at Asilie who was trying to comfort him with her small hand, Esperad gently put his arm around her shoulders and led her to a seat at the table.

 

“Anyway, tell me what happened. Is it really okay for me to be here in the palace?”

 

“Legally and procedurally, there are no problems.”

 

“Did you consult with the nobles?”

 

“To be precise, there was enough consultation for the law regarding remarriage to pass.”

 

“…You used the former queen, didn’t you?”

 

Even though Esperad had mentioned he would use Cordelia, she hadn’t expected it to be like this, so it came as a shock.

 

Esperad calmly nodded at her question.

 

“I did. Since she can still testify about what Count Mirk did, she’s still useful.”

 

“There’s going to be a lot of backlash about your proposal to me. From the former queen and the conservatives.”

 

“The former queen has no power. And the conservatives… weren’t they already preparing for rebellion? Even if I followed their wishes now, conflict with them would’ve been inevitable.”

 

Ever since Jonathan told him about their plans, Esperad had known he would have to clash with the conservatives eventually.

 

Still, Asilie hadn’t expected that time to come so soon, and she couldn’t be as calm as Esperad.

 

She asked again to be sure.

 

“Are you prepared to face physical conflict with them?”

 

“If necessary, yes.”

 

“Esperad, since they invested in building weapons factories, they’re closely connected with arms dealers. It’s not the same as before.”

 

“I know. But thanks to you moving the Duke of Grandier, Jonathan now has all the equipment he needs to manufacture weapons. It’s tight, but we should be ready within a week.”

 

“What if they attack before that?”

 

“Well…”

 

He was momentarily speechless.

 

Esperad didn’t think the conservatives would raise an army just because he refused to marry their preferred queen. But since he couldn’t see the future, he was careful not to speak too confidently.

 

Once the weapons were ready, he planned to expose the conservatives’ corruption through Albert and other informants as a reason to eliminate them—but just as he had discovered their rebellion, the conservatives might also learn that Esperad was preparing for them.

 

He was trying to stay hopeful and consider all the possibilities, but he couldn’t rule out the chance that the conservatives would finish their preparations first and strike.

 

“To be honest… I’ve already made some arrangements, just in case.”

 

“…What? You did?”

 

“…Thanks to Jonathan, I learned in advance about the conservatives’ plan for rebellion. While I was staying at the Bonaparte estate, it was so obvious where their money was flowing that I could predict how they’d act. That’s why I used Jonathan.”

 

“How exactly did you use Jonathan?”

 

“He’s an expert on guns, but he also knows everything about ‘weapons factories.’”

 

Asilie looked up at him with a confident expression.

 

 

The next day, everyone heard the news: even before the council meeting ended, Esperad had sent Sir Villian to the Grandier family to propose to Asilie Grandier.

 

The ones hit hardest by this were the conservatives.

 

“He’s crazy…”

 

“I can’t believe the king would make such a reckless move! Damn it!”

 

“How are we supposed to interpret this?”

 

“He’s clearly been playing us! He must have planned to mess with us from the start!”

 

The conservative nobles, who had gathered at the Bonaparte estate before the council meeting, began speaking in angry voices.

 

“Maybe he’s making a statement—trying to break with tradition. To think he proposed to a divorced woman, and not just any woman, but one who divorced the heir of a leading conservative family!”

 

“Couldn’t it just be that he fell in love with her?”

 

“The king’s not some naive boy who’d lose his head over love.”

 

“This is all just speculation, but one thing’s for sure—the king deliberately made a fool of us!”

 

“Any word from Count Mirk? I heard he wouldn’t be attending today’s meeting either…”

 

“Nothing. Haa!”

 

Geoffrey, who had been quietly listening to the nobles, raised an eyebrow and fell into thought.

 

‘There wasn’t enough time for the king and that woman to develop real feelings. It’s more likely she sold our family’s secrets in exchange for a promise to become queen.’

 

But even with the secret ledgers of the Bonaparte family—a leading conservative house—that wasn’t enough to secure a queen’s position.

 

‘Maybe she had been leaking information even before that. Or maybe she stole more without us noticing.’

 

If Asilie remembered Joseph trying to kill her—and killing her child—and then acted while they were caught off guard…

 

The thought that Asilie may have done far more than they realized sent chills down his spine.

 

Instead of arguing pointlessly with other nobles, it was more urgent to find out exactly what had gone missing.

 

First, he had to question the attendants who likely knew Asilie’s movements.

 

“I’ll step out for a moment.”

 

Geoffrey quietly excused himself and left the room.

 

He had little time before the council meeting, so it was more efficient to have Monica look into things while he went to the palace.

 

He called over a passing servant to ask about her whereabouts.

 

“Where is Monica?”

 

“She’s gone out, sir.”

 

“Where to?”

 

“She had an appointment with some ladies at a dress shop…”

 

“On a day like this?”

 

At the servant’s reply, Geoffrey’s face twisted in frustration.

 

He was truly stunned that, even after hearing the rumors about Asilie Monica had gone out for a pointless social gathering.

 

“Hah. She’s really no help at all.”

 

Meanwhile, unaware that her husband was looking for her, Monica was already in a carriage heading to meet the other ladies.

 

Of course, she had already heard the news about Asilie.

 

‘How did that woman even get a proposal?’

 

She planned to talk about it with the other noblewomen and trash Asilie but even so, Monica couldn’t stop thinking about her.

 

She felt deeply offended by Asilie.

 

Maybe she had already made a deal with the king when she stole the ledgers. But even so, it was hard to understand the king.

 

Proposing to a divorced woman—it should be a disgrace, something to be ashamed of!

 

“We’ve arrived, madam.”

 

Just as she was thinking that Esperad didn’t deserve to be king, the coachman spoke, and Monica quickly fixed her clothes and stepped out of the carriage.

 

The meeting place for the conservative noblewomen was a newly opened shop. Like Shop Sophia, it offered everything from makeup to dresses in one place, and even had spacious rooms for enjoying tea time.

 

Normally, Monica would’ve known about such a place first. But because Asilie had once mentioned, even casually, that Monica hadn’t paid off some small debts, Monica had been too embarrassed to ask around for new places.

 

That’s why this was her first time here.

 

“Ahem.”

 

Feeling oddly embarrassed, Monica tried to act calm and walked forward confidently.

 

“What brings you here today?”

 

“Countess Bourbon should have submitted the guest list in advance. Don’t you recognize me?”

 

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry. We have to check the list name by name… May I ask which family you’re from?”

 

It was strange not to recognize someone as famous as her—especially someone working the entrance of such a high-end shop.

 

It was a new place, so some small mistakes were understandable. Still, Monica, feeling annoyed, frowned and replied stiffly.

 

“I’m from the Bonaparte family.”

 

“Are you Lady Monica, by any chance?”

 

“I am. So what?”

 

Monica expected to be let in immediately, but the employee awkwardly hesitated and glanced at her nervously.

 

Annoyed at being kept waiting, Monica scowled and pressed the woman.

 

“What are you waiting for? Show me in!”

 

“I-I’m very sorry… but you are not allowed to enter today, madam.”

 

“What?”

 

“M-madam, you’re banned from entering any dress shops in the capital until you repay all your outstanding debts.”

 

Even Monica, who rarely raised her voice, shouted at this unbelievable statement.

 

“W-what did you just say?! That’s absurd!”

 

“I’m very sorry, madam. If you wish to enter, please settle your debts. Have a nice day.”

 

As if following instructions, the employee gave a polite bow and disappeared inside, shutting the door.

 

It was a clear rejection. For the first time in her life, Monica was humiliated in public, her face flushing red.

 

“How dare they! How dare…!”

 

Without realizing it, Monica clutched the back of her neck.

 

This had to be a dream. It had to be. Otherwise, she couldn’t make sense of such a ridiculous situation.

 

But no matter how hard she tried to wake up, everything felt real. People kept staring at her as she glared at the door, her face twisted in fury. Worst of all, the cold weather made her body start to shiver.

 

Eventually, Monica accepted the situation and looked around for the coachman to return home.

 

Only after a long while did she remember she had told him he could go rest until she called for him.

 

‘This can’t be happening!’

 

Tears welled up in her eyes as the situation kept getting worse.

 

‘This is insane!’

 

But unfortunately, this was reality.