A Change of Husband - Chapter 12

The butler Benjamin, who had guarded the Medici Mansion for over ten years, was found dead.

 

It had been less than five hours since the Duke and Duchess of Camedici had suffered their second attack.

 

Benjamin wasn’t the only one found dead. The assassin they barely managed to capture last night was also found in prison, foaming at the mouth.

 

“The cleanup was far too tidy. It’s creepy.”

 

“…That means the attack had more than one goal. If they left the butler alive, he might’ve exposed them. So they killed him while they had the chance.”

 

Esperad’s face stiffened.

 

The pain of being betrayed by someone he trusted could not be brushed off.

 

It was also Benjamin who had brought the tea laced with a paralyzing poison into the bedroom.

 

Fortunately, neither of them drank the tea and avoided the danger, but had they drunk it that night, Asilie might not be alive now.

 

“I don’t think he meant to hurt you. The assassins only targeted me, and the poison in the tea wasn’t deadly.”

 

“I can’t believe it. Why would he do such a thing…?”

 

“I didn’t think he was the type either. Even the section for immediate family in Lady Marce’s report was blank. But… there was something I missed.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“He had no direct family, but he had a sister. I found out she works for the Count of Mirk.”

 

Asilie was nearly certain now that Count Mirk was behind all of this.

 

She knew that Esperad would gain succession rights to the throne a few years later.

 

She didn’t know exactly what triggered it, but since it happened after his marriage to a widow, it was clearly related to their marriage.

 

If Count Mirk knew that, it made sense he would try to interfere with Esperad’s every move.

 

Without Esperad in the way, the count, who was of closer royal blood, would have a higher chance of inheriting the throne when the king died.

 

“There’s no solid proof, of course, but I don’t think it’s something we can ignore.”

 

Esperad’s mind grew more tangled.

 

Count Mirk had been acting strangely enough to draw attention recently.

 

But he couldn’t figure out what the count stood to gain from such a vile scheme, which made it all the more confusing.

 

“Either way, we’ll have to be more careful about security. If Benjamin was already turned, who knows where else they might’ve planted someone. And they’re not afraid to use extreme measures…”

 

“This won’t be an easy game until we know who’s really behind it.”

 

“Exactly. If they can kill their own ally so Asilie, it means they have no mercy for anyone.”

 

At Esperad’s words, Asilie nodded and stood up.

 

“I’ll get going now, Esperad.”

 

“Already?”

 

“They’ve already killed Benjamin, who was our strongest card in the Medici Mansion. Even if there are more spies left, they won’t be able to do much. It’s mostly handled now. It’s time for me to do my part.”

 

“And your part is…?”

 

“I’m the lady of this house, remember?”

 

At her words, he nodded before he even realized it.

 

She gave a gentle smile, turned, and walked out. Esperad stood there dazed, watching her go.

 

Asilie always surprised him.

 

It was hard to believe that someone who sometimes looked so innocent and naive could be so confident and assertive.

 

Even today—despite being attacked just this morning—she stayed calm, analyzed everything, and went to do what needed to be done.

 

He didn’t know where that strength came from.

 

Esperad kept staring in the direction she had left, unable to look away until the knights searching Benjamin’s room came to report.

 

Returning to the past with her memories intact gave Asilie a great advantage over everyone else.

 

As the new Duchess of Camedici, it was time to take her first steps, and she decided to fully use the information she had.

 

Bringing Sophia, an apprentice designer from the famous dress shop The Marriage, into the duchy was part of that first step.

 

“You called for me, madam?”

 

Sophia spoke up, gathering her courage, though her nervous face gave her away.

 

Sophia, who was turning thirty this year, had worked at The Marriage for fifteen years, since she lost her parents at age fifteen.

 

But after becoming an apprentice ten years ago, she had remained stuck in the same position.

 

Top designers usually got scouted by noble families, but for some reason, Lady Marriage never promoted Sophia.

 

Sophia had tried to protest once.

 

But Lady Marriage scolded her, saying her terrible dresses were only bought by ignorant nobles and that Sophia should be grateful she even let her sell them at all.

 

And yet, today, the Camedici duchy had specifically summoned her—a completely unknown designer.

 

She didn’t know what was going on, but being called to a noble house usually meant a big opportunity, so Sophia was half out of her mind.

 

But on the way there, she had another thought—it might not be a good thing.

 

Lady Marriage always said that country nobles bought her dresses without knowing better.

 

What if the Duchess of Camedici, who came from a fallen noble family in the countryside, had been one of those fooled customers?

 

What if she found out who made the dress and now wanted revenge?

 

Among all her guesses, that seemed the most likely.

 

“Are you Sophia?”

 

The Duchess of Camedici asked again, confirming her name. Sophia felt like her heart had stopped.

 

“…Yes, madam.”

 

Asilie looked closely at her face.

 

She looked much shabbier than the glimpse Asilie had seen in her past life.

 

Back then, Sophia had been a famous designer and owner of her own shop.

 

Even though her dresses were expensive, people rushed to buy them. Everyone wanted one.

 

Monica, Asilie’s sister-in-law, had several of Sophia’s dresses and often showed them off, so Asilie remembered her clearly.

 

“I’d like to give you a job.”

 

“…Pardon? You mean me?”

 

“I had the chance to wear one of your dresses by accident, and I really liked it.”

 

Back then, stories about Sophia’s struggles and how she succeeded became well-known. So Asilie had a rough idea of her background.

 

The owner of The Marriage, Lady Marriage, sold Sophia’s designs under her own name at outrageous prices.

 

When Sophia found out, she left and started designing on her own. One of her dresses ended up being worn by the queen by chance, and that’s how her fame exploded.

 

With enough savings, Sophia opened a full-service beauty salon called “Shop” that offered hair and makeup too. After that, everyone in Astel knew her name.

 

After deciding to attend a social event, the first thing Asilie thought of was that shop.

 

“Is this… really true?”

 

“It is. I want you to work for the duchy. Can you do that?”

 

“W-what?!”

 

Sophia couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

 

It was a dream come true—something she had never dared to imagine.

 

She hadn’t even proven herself yet; she was still just an apprentice.

 

Remaining one for fifteen years usually meant she had no talent or sense for dress design.

 

But now she was being offered a position as the duchy’s personal designer?

 

Maybe the Duchess had made a mistake.

 

It was a thrilling offer, but she couldn’t lie to a noble. Sophia wasn’t that brave.

 

“…I’m sorry, madam, but there must be a mistake.”

 

“Mistake?”

 

“I’m just an unknown apprentice designer. Your offer is too much for someone like me. I’m not qualified to be a duchy’s personal designer…”

 

Even as she said that, Sophia wanted to punch herself in the mouth.

 

How could she turn down such an amazing opportunity? Wouldn’t it be better to just lie and take the job?

 

As she struggled with her thoughts, the Duchess asked coldly,

 

“Are you doubting the duchy’s intelligence network?”

 

Sophia’s face turned pale. She must’ve offended the Duchess.

 

“No, that’s not it…”

 

“How much did The Marriage pay you?”

 

“…Three gold a month.”

 

Asilie frowned.

 

Three gold was enough for a modest life as a commoner, but Sophia’s dresses sold for over 300 gold each in her past life.

 

Even when Lady Marriage sold them under her own name, she charged about 30 gold per dress.

 

Three gold a month? That was exploitation.

 

“I’ll offer you a three-month contract with a monthly wage of 30 gold. That’s 90 gold total.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“You’ll live here in the mansion. I’ll assign a maid to help you.”

 

Now Sophia was just stunned.

 

She wondered if this was a dream born from her desire for success. But when she stepped on her own foot under the dress, the pain was real.

 

“I’ll raise your salary each time we renew the contract—as much as you want.”

 

“…What?”

 

“All dress-making costs will be covered by the duchy. If you need money, ask Lady Marce, the head maid. Room and board are included, but if you’re uncomfortable living here, we’ll provide a carriage for commuting.”

 

“…What?”

 

Sophia realized she’d said “what” several times already, but she couldn’t help it.

 

It was all so unbelievable.

 

Maybe the Duchess was playing with her? But her face was too serious for that.

 

“There will be a royal banquet soon, and I need the perfect dress. I want you to make it for me. There’s not much time.”

 

But Asilie didn’t want to pressure her anymore.

 

Sophia had been treated like she was nothing, so it would take time for her to accept this sudden change—just like Asilie had after returning to the past.

 

“…I’ll do it.”

 

But Sophia answered much sooner than expected.

 

Asilie looked at her in surprise for the first time.

 

Just a moment ago, she had been full of doubt and disbelief. But now, her eyes shone with determination.

 

“I’ll give everything I have so I don’t disappoint you. I’ll finish things at my old place and move into the mansion tomorrow.”

 

But instead of settling personal affairs, Sophia used her three-month advance pay to buy fabrics and tools for dressmaking.

 

Then, in just one week, without any help, she created a beautiful dress.

 

She even designed a matching tailcoat for Esperad to wear with Asilie, saying they’d look good as a couple.

 

Today, at their first appearance at a royal ball, Asilie and Esperad wore the matching outfits Sophia had made.

 

Asilie thought maybe Joseph Bonaparte approached her so quickly because of Sophia’s dress.

 

“Nice to meet you, Duchess of Camedici. Do you know who I am?”

 

At his smooth greeting, Asilie felt goosebumps.

 

She nearly gagged on the spot but managed to hold it in and forced a smile.

 

“I… I’m not sure.”

 

“I’m Joseph of the Bonaparte family. You don’t know me?”

 

“Oh, the young master of the Bonaparte family. I’m sorry. I only attended one social event in the capital before I was married, so I didn’t have a chance to learn everyone’s face.”

 

“To think someone could be so ignorant as to not recognize me—now I understand your foolish choice.”

 

His words were insulting, but his smile was sickeningly sweet.

 

If she hadn’t known what kind of person he really was, she might’ve thought she misheard him.

 

But Asilie knew Joseph’s true nature well.

 

“If you had married Geoffrey, at least you’d be treated with respect. But you chose the cursed duke, and now you’ve doomed yourself. How tragic.”

 

Now she understood why this devil had approached her.

 

He was offended. She had turned down the conservative and powerful Bonaparte family and chosen the progressive Duke of Camedici instead.

 

“…That is a shame.”

 

“Haha, what do you mean?”

 

“It’s a shame someone too stupid to understand what’s happening right in front of him is the heir of a noble house. The Bonaparte family’s future looks very dark.”

 

Joseph’s face froze at her sharp remark.

 

“What?”

 

Still, it seemed he wasn’t completely indifferent to other people watching. He lowered his voice as he asked.

 

But his voice was full of seething anger.

 

Before returning to the past, whenever Joseph got angry for no reason, she used to tremble in fear and tried to please him. It was all useless, though.

 

But now, Asilie didn’t need to do that anymore.

 

No—if anything, she wanted to provoke him even more.

 

“I was just saying something silly. Why? Did something hit a nerve?”

 

“You stupid country girl…!”

 

Joseph hissed through clenched teeth, trying to intimidate her, but she didn’t care at all.

 

Even when she had faced threats to her life twice after returning, or when she saw a corpse for the first time, she hadn’t been that shaken.

 

In fact, Asilie had even experienced what it was like to lose her life.

 

She couldn’t be sure, but maybe it was because Joseph had killed her that she was able to return to the past.

 

After going through all of that, a verbal threat wasn’t scary. If anything, it felt pathetic.

 

Asilie gave a faint laugh.

 

Her calm expression made Joseph’s face twist even more.

 

“Looks like we’re done talking. This day, this moment is too precious to waste on a meaningless conversation with you, so I’ll take my leave.”

 

Just as Asilie politely turned to leave, Joseph suddenly grabbed her wrist roughly.

 

Forced to turn back, she had to face his violent face directly.

 

His dull blue eyes were filled with a dangerous murderous glare.

 

“You dare look down on me…!”

 

Smack!

 

Joseph didn’t get to finish his sentence.

 

Asilie’s palm landed sharply across his cheek.

 

Majestic music filled the banquet hall, but the sharp sound of the slap cut through it like a blade.

 

It was hard to believe such a sound had echoed through the royal palace’s ballroom. Curious, the nobles turned their heads to see what had happened.

 

Asilie could feel the stares pouring onto her and Joseph. And she knew—being slapped in front of everyone, he was about to explode.

 

She knew him well. After all, she had lived with him for seven years.

 

This lowly man had no self-esteem, but he was full of pride. He didn’t act honorably, but he cared about appearances.

 

He was never someone who could act with patience.

 

On the outside, he looked proper, but inside, he was no different from a beast who had lost his mind.

 

“You crazy bitch…!”