A Change of Husband - Chapter 112

A long, long time ago—so far in the past that he could barely remember it—she had spoken.

 

She had told him that she wanted him too.

 

At the time, those words had sounded like a kind of forgiveness, as if no matter what he did, she would understand. It had made him lose control.

 

Just like now.

 

“At times like this, really…”

 

She was the one who pushed him to his limit.

 

And yet, she was so attractive that he couldn’t push her away, nor even think of doing so.

 

Just being by her side, feeling her warmth and sharing shallow breaths—it was enough to feel blessed.

 

He couldn’t say anything more. He couldn’t hold back anymore either.

 

“Mmngh…”

 

That was why. Why he approached her more hastily than usual.

 

Startled by how suddenly close he was, Asilie flinched and squirmed, but it was only for a moment.

 

They had once shared everything—they were the closest friends and partners in her life. So finding that familiar connection again wasn’t difficult.

 

“Asilie…”

 

Was it because she was such a warm, gentle person that she could melt him in an instant?

 

He had told himself that he needed to be patient, to wait until she was ready.

 

But in the end, he couldn’t stop himself. He wrapped his arms tightly around her small shoulders. Even though they were already close, he wanted to be closer. He wanted to test the limits, to see how far the two of them could go together.

 

That was how he began to move.

 

“E-Esperad…”

 

Even her gasp, like a cry bursting from her lips in response to his bold movements, was beautiful.

 

Her flushed face, the lips that called his name, her hands that wandered from his arms to his shoulders—how could every part of her be so lovely?

 

“Does it… hurt?”

 

He asked, worried he might be hurting her too much.

 

He moved very slowly, holding back his desire, wanting to see more of her, to get even closer.

 

But Asilie already desperate, shook her head quickly and pleaded.

 

“It’s okay. Just… a little more…”

 

He could tell what the rest of her words were, just from her face.

 

That was why—why he didn’t wait to hear more. Why he moved rougher, and faster.

 

“Ah…”

 

At his sudden change, Asilie cried out, grabbing onto his strong arms.

 

He was too strong, too overwhelming, and he was coming at her so intensely, she felt like her body would break apart at any moment.

 

Of course her body got hotter the more intense things became—but why did something so natural feel so seductive now?

 

Afraid her eyes were showing too much desire, she shut them tightly. Esperad gently brushed over her closed eyes with his warm hand.

 

“Asilie Asilie…”

 

How could saying her name again make him so happy?

 

“Mm… Esperad…”

 

And hearing his name from her lips—how could that bring him such joy?

 

“Asilie…!”

 

The sound of her calling his name so desperately drove him mad.

 

Esperad couldn’t hold back even a little anymore. In the end, he gave all of himself to her.

 

“…Haa. I love you.”

 

It was a slightly late confession, but neither of them minded.

 

Asilie her body limp on top of his, wrapped her arms around his waist and shoulders and whispered.

 

“Me too. I love you too, Esperad…”

 

Her voice, barely audible and full of exhaustion, made Esperad kiss her cheek.

 

There was a salty taste from her sweat, but it didn’t taste unpleasant—it was sweet.

 

To him, she had always been a sweet person.

 

“Truly, you are…”

 

A beautiful and lovely person, unlike anyone else in the world.

 

He suddenly wondered—if they had remained an ordinary couple, maybe over time, he would’ve taken her for granted.

 

But because he had come back in time, because he had to endure so much to find her again, maybe that’s why he could truly feel how precious she was.

 

If so, maybe he should even thank fate for giving them this trial.

 

“Thank you, Asilie.”

 

At his sudden words, Asilie looked up at him.

 

“For staying alive.”

 

“……”

 

“If I hadn’t seen you again… I would’ve lost my mind. Thank you for staying alive, for enduring even when things were hard, for staying strong and walking your path—being you…”

 

“It was all because of you.”

 

As she thought back, tears threatened to fall again.

 

“When I realized I was back in this place… I just, I just wanted to die. I thought I’d never be the happy me who stood by your side again, and that made me so sad and angry. So…”

 

The time that passed like a dream felt so sorrowful.

 

She hadn’t even said “I love you” a few times. She hadn’t been able to truly support him.

 

Her lover must have been in unbearable pain after losing her, and she hadn’t been there for him. Losing each other like that was so tragic and unfair.

 

“But at the very least, I thought—I shouldn’t be ashamed when I see you again, even if it’s after I die.”

 

Her words were so similar to how Esperad had once lived, holding onto thoughts of her and pushing through the days. He looked at her, wide-eyed.

 

“I wanted to tell you. That I lived as hard as I could. That I tried my best. That even though I was once so helpless and foolish, I changed. I didn’t live foolishly again.”

 

“…You did amazing, Asilie. You worked so hard.”

 

“I think… that’s what I wanted to hear back then.”

 

Asilie smiled and kissed his lips.

 

Maybe because they had gone through such a long time and such great hardships, their official union, now just around the corner, felt all the more precious.

 

Even though the schedule after entering the palace had been exhausting, she hadn’t felt even a bit of discontent—probably because she was looking forward to what lay ahead.

 

“I love you. So, so much.”

 

Though they had said many things since reuniting, there was still so much left unsaid.

 

But for now, that one confession was enough.

 

Esperad silently pulled the blanket over her body.

 

His loving touch was so warm that Asilie was able to fall asleep peacefully, just like that.

 

 

This was practically a scam.

 

If she had known things would end up like this, she never would’ve handed over all that information to Esperad.

 

Now that the gap between her and the conservative nobles had widened, he would surely use the information Cordelia gave him—and when that happened, she wouldn’t even be able to ask for the conservatives’ protection.

 

Backed into a corner, her blood ran cold.

 

“How could this happen…”

 

At the royal palace ball, she had only found his arrogant attitude annoying. She had never imagined that a divorced woman like her could threaten her position.

 

Of course not. In Astel, a “divorced woman” was someone to be looked down upon.

 

No one would’ve thought the king would choose to marry someone everyone else avoided. So this hadn’t happened because she let her guard down too much.

 

“This is ridiculous. This can’t be happening!”

 

Cordelia screamed, throwing a flower vase off the table.

 

She needed to find a way to survive, but her mind had gone blank—no ideas came to her.

 

Rejoining the conservative nobles was no longer an option. But she couldn’t go back to Velkoz either.

 

After living in a free country like Astel, Cordelia couldn’t accept the idea of returning to the conservative ways of Velkoz.

 

“I should’ve gone to the temple instead. I should’ve!”

 

Traditionally, royal women who lost their husbands entered the royal temple, where they were protected and lived out their days.

 

But she hadn’t wanted such a confined life.

 

She still wanted to wear dazzling jewelry, dress in elegant gowns, and be surrounded by noblewomen who flattered her.

 

That was why she had reached for Esperad’s hand. That was why she wanted to be the amazing woman who had married the king—twice!

 

“Arghhh!”

 

Cordelia stormed out of the room, panting with anger after throwing every decoration inside.

 

Odette, who usually attended her, was nowhere to be seen—likely with Count Mirk—and the other maids had their heads lowered in fear, worried Cordelia might order them around.

 

Seeing their faces only made her mood worse.

 

“What are you doing just standing there? Clean it up. Now.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

She walked without a destination, but in truth, she had nowhere to go.

 

Eventually, she found herself in the palace garden. And there, of all people, she ran into someone she didn’t want to see.

 

“That woman…”

 

She was shameless.

 

Just because the king had proposed to her, that vulgar divorcée was already acting like she owned the palace. Cordelia clenched her fists at the sight.

 

She had to teach that brazen woman a lesson for humiliating her like this!

 

“Seems like someone’s nose is already in the air.”

 

Asilie turned her head at the unpleasant voice behind her.

 

She had come to the garden to get some fresh air after her law class. She didn’t expect to run into such an unwelcome guest.

 

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

 

“I’m talking about how you dared to ignore me and didn’t even greet me properly.”

 

“I only realized you were here when I heard your voice. I’m not a god, so greeting you before that would have been impossible.”

 

“How dare you talk back to me like that…!”

 

Cordelia looked truly offended, her fists clenched and her teeth gritted in fury.

 

But Asilie didn’t want a pointless argument, nor did she see a reason for one. So she simply bent her knees and bowed politely.

 

“Greetings, Former Queen.”

 

In truth, even this much was more than enough.

 

Asilie was officially the king’s fiancée, preparing for a royal wedding, so her status was already considered part of the royal family.

 

Once the wedding date was set, her rank would be equal to Cordelia’s.

 

But even though Cordelia knew this better than anyone, she gave a cold order once more.

 

“That greeting wasn’t proper. Very disrespectful.”

 

“Do it again. As someone who entered the royal family before you, I must teach you properly.”

 

Asilie stared at her without saying a word.

 

Looking at Cordelia’s flushed face glaring at her, Asilie suddenly questioned why she was even entertaining such a ridiculous demand.

 

There was no reason to.

 

Realizing that, Asilie answered more firmly than before.

 

“I’d rather not.”

 

“…What did you say?”

 

“I already have a teacher who instructs me in proper etiquette. If you feel I’m lacking, I’ll ask for additional training later.”

 

Cordelia’s face turned pale. She never expected to be refused so directly.

 

Then, realizing what had just happened, she shouted in outrage.

 

“Hah! Like I said, I entered the Astel royal family before you! So who exactly would correct your manners?”

 

“I understand what you’re trying to say… but there’s no need for the Former Queen to involve herself in such a troublesome matter.”

 

“Wh-what did you just…!”

 

“To add, you don’t even have the authority to do so.”

 

Now even this lowborn woman was treating her like a joke. Rage surged in Cordelia.

 

This couldn’t be happening.

 

She hadn’t stayed in the palace to suffer this kind of humiliation.

 

If she’d known she’d end up voiceless like this, she would have gone straight to the temple or sided with Count Mirk!

 

‘If I can’t have it, then neither can she…’

 

Cordelia stared at Asilie with a dangerous glint in her eye.

 

There was no one nearby, and a lake lay just in front of them. Maybe…

 

“There she is!”

 

Suddenly, a man’s voice made both Cordelia and Asilie turn their heads.

 

It was Edgar, a member of the royal knights, leading his men with a loud voice.

 

The rest of the heavily armed knights ran straight toward Cordelia.

 

“Wh-what is going on?”

 

Cordelia hadn’t done anything to Asilie, yet her heart raced with fear.

 

There was nothing she should be guilty about in this situation, but the fear wouldn’t go away.

 

‘No way…’

 

Cordelia looked at Edgar with frightened eyes. He spoke coldly.

 

“Cordelia Velkoz Astel, by order of His Majesty the King, you are under arrest for conspiracy to assassinate a royal family member.”

 

“What?!”

 

“You have the right to defend yourself and to appoint someone to speak on your behalf. That is all. Take her away!”

 

“This is nonsense! Wh-what are you saying?! How dare you arrest me! Aah!”

 

But the knights didn’t even bother responding. They grabbed her by the arms and dragged her off like she was a piece of luggage.

 

Asilie watched, stunned, feeling like she’d been caught in the middle of something unexpected. Then Edgar turned to her and spoke.

 

“My apologies if this sudden event startled you.”

 

“It’s all right. I’m fine. But why was she taken?”

 

“It’s simply His Majesty’s will, my lady.”

 

That one sentence explained everything.

 

Asilie nodded calmly, now feeling slightly more at ease. Edgar gave a respectful bow before stepping away.

 

Even after he left, Asilie remained in the garden for a while, collecting her thoughts.

 

She had a strange feeling that the end was finally near.

 

 

*
“News just came in that the Former Queen has been arrested and locked up.”

 

“It was bound to happen. She’s no longer needed as a cover, so she’s lost her usefulness. This is the easiest way to deal with her.”

 

“But… the charge is ‘conspiracy to assassinate a royal.’ And that royal is the late king.”

 

“So the current king must have learned more than we expected.”

 

“Maybe he knew all along and was waiting for the right moment. Either way, it doesn’t matter. We already turned against him.”

 

“I suppose you’re right…”

 

Count Mirk, who had been silently listening, took a sip of wine from his glass.

 

He no longer cared what Esperad did.

 

The only thing that mattered now was winning the war and claiming the throne. That was all.

 

A few years ago, he had been a fool.

 

Trapped by the ghost of a dead woman, he hadn’t used the obvious method—killing Esperad directly.

 

If not for that, the throne would already be his. But blinded by past fantasies, he had made a truly stupid decision.

 

“What a foolish choice.”

 

In the end, she was just a disgraceful and treacherous woman who had abandoned him for another man.

 

To punish her, he would take Esperad’s throne and carve a scar into that hateful face that looked just like Astron’s.

 

“When is the full attack scheduled?”

 

Count Mirk looked around at the nobles, speaking casually and without formality.

 

Ever since he declared war and stormed out of the assembly hall, the nobles had naturally begun treating him as their king.

 

“They’re still preparing the weapons. Once the numbers are matched, everything will be transported to the troops. It’s taking time, but everything should be ready in two or three days.”

 

“Good.”

 

“Will it be a surprise attack or a full-scale war…”

 

Count Mirk frowned.

 

A surprise attack was the obvious choice if they wanted to win.

 

The most frustrating thing was how these stubborn nobles, obsessed with honor, refused to accept the simplest way to victory.

 

Cutting off the long-winded speech of a noble who insisted they should declare war first and then go into battle, Count Mirk said firmly:

 

“A surprise attack. At dawn, two days from now.”