A Change of Husband - Chapter 121

Because of her pregnancy before the state wedding, not only Esperad and Asilie but everyone in the palace was in a state of emergency.
Especially the palace staff—they even took turns standing by in the room next to Asilie’s to stay close in case anything happened.
Though it was true that stability in the early stages of pregnancy was important, Asilie found the whole situation burdensome and exhausting.

“I think I can still go for a walk…”
“Then please wait until lunchtime. I should be able to finish urgent matters by then and make time to walk with you.”
“I can walk alone.”
“That’s a bit…”

Asilie let out a deep sigh at Esperad’s overly anxious expression, like someone watching a child near water.
“If I had known it would be like this, I would’ve kept the pregnancy to myself.”
“If I had found out later, I might have been angry that you kept something so important to yourself.”
“Esperad.”
“Asilie I’m holding back a lot. When I think about how you were kidnapped while pregnant, drugged, and stabbed with that bastard’s sword…”

Realizing he had just used such harsh words in front of a pregnant woman, Esperad stopped talking and shut his mouth.
Still, facts were facts.
Every time he thought of Count Mirk kidnapping Asilie while she was pregnant and stabbing her in the back, Esperad felt like his blood was boiling.
Thankfully, the court physician said there didn’t seem to be any issues with the fetus. But even so, if he could go back to that day, he wouldn’t have let Count Mirk die so Asilie.

“Sigh… In any case, I hope you don’t think I’m being overprotective.”
“I understand. But if I ask Lydia, I’m sure she’d agree to take a walk with me.”
“I heard your sister-in-law is busy preparing for the state wedding. Now that I think of it, maybe that’s why she offered to prepare it in your place.”
Asilie nodded at Esperad’s guess.
“Looks like it.”

Lydia had realized Asilie was pregnant when she got injured protecting her.
So, Lydia must have known that even after Asilie woke up, she wouldn’t be able to prepare properly for the wedding.
Now Asilie could understand why Lydia had volunteered to do something so far from her usual interests.

“She probably just wanted to help one last time before leaving.”
“So she told you she’s leaving too.”
“Yes.”
“Are you going to be okay?”

Esperad’s question brought a rush of complicated thoughts.
But Asilie soon calmed herself and nodded.
“I can’t force Lydia to stay.”
“Edgar already seems very troubled about her leaving.”
“In the last world, wasn’t Sir Villian Lydia’s partner…?”

Parallel worlds don’t always follow the same path.
Even so, the fact that Edgar—who had been Lydia’s partner in the other world—couldn’t be with her this time felt strange.
Maybe it was because she sensed Lydia felt differently toward Edgar than she did toward others.

“Whatever happens between them, I just want Lydia to be happy. She doesn’t seem unhappy now, but I know the past must have been hard…”

After Asilie was adopted into the Grandier family and left for the capital, Lydia stayed behind in Pembis.
Asilie didn’t know what path Lydia had walked or how she became a mage who extended Holt’s life, but it couldn’t have been easy.
That’s why she wished for Lydia’s happiness even more.

“In the last world, after you died, your sister-in-law hardly showed herself. I could count on one hand how many times I saw her until the day I died.”
“She said being around people too much was exhausting… Oh, also.”

A question had come to Asilie recently, and now was the time to ask.
“There’s something I want to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Queen Dowager Cordelia—what happened to her? Was she sent back to Velkoz?”
“She…”

About a week after they started officially investigating Count Mirk’s estate, the team found a secret passage to the underground.
At the end of that passage, they discovered a hidden prison, and there they found Cordelia’s body.
She had gone missing and was found dead—apparently forgotten in the chaos after Count Mirk’s death and left to starve.
The investigators concluded she died from not eating or drinking.

But Esperad didn’t want to share such a grim truth with pregnant Asilie.
“She seems to have escaped to Velkoz.”

Esperad wasn’t good at lying, and his voice was slightly off, but Asilie didn’t notice and nodded.
“I see. Maybe it’s for the best. She’s a foreign princess, so punishing her would have caused diplomatic problems anyway.”
“Even if she hadn’t escaped, there wouldn’t have been any issues. Astel’s closest ally now is Austin.”
“Austin?”
“Astel has already started exporting weapons to Austin. The war with the conservative nobles ended quickly, so we had a surplus of weapons and started earlier than expected.”

Asilie knew they had plans to export weapons, but so much had changed while she was unconscious that she was surprised.
“Jonathan must be very busy.”
“He already is. He’s been to Austin twice.”

Brightening at the news, Asilie began asking Esperad questions about Jonathan and the business.
Esperad answered each question patiently while watching her expression carefully.

I should give it to her soon…

Inside his jacket pocket, the ring he still hadn’t given her remained untouched for days.
Esperad frowned slightly, thinking how hard it was to find the right moment.

“Still, it’s a relief your belly hasn’t started showing yet. Your measurements went up just a little, but it actually makes you look healthier since you were too thin before.”
Sophia kept talking while working busily with her hands.
She was trying to ease Asilie’s expression, which looked tense—probably from the upcoming state wedding.
But Asilie’s silence wasn’t because of nerves.

How can someone torment you all night before your wedding…?

Thanks to Esperad not letting her go the night before, Asilie was now completely exhausted.

“Anyway, you’ll be the most radiant bride today.”
“……”
“Are… are you okay?”
“Ah… ah.”

Finally snapping out of it, Asilie nodded.
“I’m fine, of course.”
“You’re not too nervous, are you? Do you feel unwell anywhere?”
“No, I’m fine too.”
“Then… is it because your pregnancy was found out? But the wedding was already planned, and you were engaged…”

At Sophia’s concern, Asilie realized she was misunderstanding.
Astel was still a conservative place, and a pregnancy before marriage was frowned upon.
But Asilie had never hesitated to get engaged to Esperad, even as a divorced woman—considered the lowest status. And Esperad publicly announced their marriage, so public opinion didn’t matter at all.
Besides, with no current heir, Asilie’s pregnancy was a blessing that would help stabilize the kingdom and strengthen royal power. There was no reason to worry.

“It’s not that. I’m just tired.”
“Oh…”

Sleepiness was a common symptom in early pregnancy.
Sophia nodded, completely unaware that Esperad hadn’t let Asilie sleep a wink the night before.

“It’ll all be over soon, so don’t worry too much. I heard they simplified the procedures even more because you’re pregnant.”
“That’s probably true, but still…”

Title: A Change of Husband – The End

As Asilie felt Sophia gently place the veil over her head, she closed her eyes.
After hearing the soft rustle of the veil brushing against the dress, she opened her eyes to see a veil studded with glittering gems hanging in front of her.

“Everyone will be speechless with awe.”
Sophia already seemed deeply moved by how Asilie looked.
And no wonder—Asilie was truly beautiful today.

The warm ivory dress, with a hint of beige, was a dazzling creation, made with care and attention, stitch by stitch, just for Asilie. And she wore it perfectly.
Her elegantly tied-up blonde hair sparkled with gemstone pins placed at different angles, catching the light with every movement. The look was so unique and charming that it captivated everyone’s gaze.

To Sophia, Asilie’s appearance today was not just a masterpiece—it was also her final way of returning the kindness Asilie had once shown her.
But more than anything, what made her beautiful was the happiness clearly visible on her face, even though she was tired.

“I truly believe only good things will come from now on. You’re such a beautiful bride. There’s no way you won’t be happy.”
“…Thank you.”
Asilie smiled at Sophia’s heartfelt blessing.

“It’s only right. Oh, I’ll go check on the bouquet.”
“Go ahead.”

Normally, Asilie might have been suspicious about Sophia leaving the room to check something that should’ve already been prepared, along with the other assistants following her out.
But she hadn’t slept a wink the night before, so she was simply grateful for the brief quiet in the room—just enough to close her eyes for a moment.

“Ahem, ahem.”
Suddenly, she heard someone clearing their throat behind her.
Startled, Asilie turned around.

“Esperad?”
She had suspected, but thought it couldn’t be. After all, it was an unspoken rule that the groom shouldn’t see the bride before the wedding.
But Esperad had indeed entered the room. Asilie looked at him, confused.

“…Why are you here?”
“I have something to say.”
“To me? What is it?”

Without hesitation, Esperad walked up to her and knelt down on one knee, gently taking her left hand in both of his.

“I’ve never formally, properly proposed to you. So…”
“Ah…”

Their first wedding had been a contract marriage, meant to uncover a mystery. Though he had sent a written proposal this time, he never got the chance to actually say the words himself.
He had wanted to propose before the royal wedding ceremony began, but for some reason, he kept failing every time.

Even earlier that morning, he had secretly placed the ring by her bedside, but somehow couldn’t bring himself to propose—as if under a spell.
Afraid he might go through with the royal wedding without a real proposal, he ended up asking Sophia for help and sneaked into the bride’s waiting room.

“Honestly, I doubted our reunion.”
His proposal began with a sincere confession.

“I thought you died, and that we’d never meet again. Life became hopeless. Every day was painful. Still, I couldn’t let go of hope completely, so I kept dragging myself forward…
Losing you was agony. Time didn’t help me get used to it, and it never dulled the pain.
The hole you left in my heart only grew bigger with each passing day.

Even so, I thought I had lost you forever.
And yet, I still looked forward to the day I would die, thinking I might see you again.
But deep down, I feared that all my hope had been for nothing—that maybe even in death, I wouldn’t see you again.”

He tried to hide it, but to him, the most terrifying thing wasn’t dying—it was the possibility that he might not meet Asilie even after death.

“But in the end, we met again. I found you. And you found me too.”
Though they had taken a long, winding path,
“Now, having you completely by my side fills me with a peace and happiness I can’t even begin to describe.”

I must not cry—if I do, my makeup will be ruined.
Asilie kept trying to hold back her tears, but Esperad’s words made her eyes slowly fill with warmth.

“I can’t express this feeling with words. So I’ll show you every day, by walking the same path with you, sharing every moment we’re given.”

“……”

“I’ll show you what the love I feel for you truly is, how deep it goes, and how much happiness it brings me. Every bit of it. All of it.”

“Ha… Esperad…”
Unable to hold it in any longer, Asilie began to cry. Esperad tightened his grip on her hand.

“So, will you marry me?”
He took out a ring from his pocket.

It was a smooth band adorned with tiny diamonds—an engagement ring as elegant and beautiful as the wedding bands they had chosen together.
But Asilie didn’t even get a good look at the ring. She couldn’t give a proper answer either. All she could do was nod.

Holding back the sobs rising in her throat was already pushing her to her limit.

“I love you.”
“Sniff… huuuh…”

Esperad slipped the ring onto the fourth finger of her left hand and stood up.

He didn’t want to spoil the emotional moment, but the royal wedding ceremony would start very soon.

“I should call Sophia back. If I wait too long, she’ll scold me for ruining the bride’s makeup.”

And he was absolutely right.

“Oh my gosh! I knew this would happen!”
Sophia rushed back in and quickly began fixing her makeup.

Thankfully, because Asilie had tried so hard to hold back her tears, the damage wasn’t too bad.
But with so little time left, she had to head straight to the wedding hall as soon as the touch-up was done.

“Really, you make me sweat all the way to the royal wedding…”
Asilie gave Sophia an apologetic smile.

“Congratulations once again. …Your Majesty, the Queen.”

As if those words were a signal, the doors opened, and grand music filled the hall.

The tension that she hadn’t felt until now suddenly returned, making her body stiff. But Asilie did her best not to stumble as she walked down the aisle.

One step,
And the miserable past that had dragged her down faded away.

One step,
And the many enemies she had fought and the dangers she had faced grew distant.

One step,
And she remembered the trust and love she and Esperad had built together. Her heart filled once more.

One step,
And the peaceful future full of happiness drew nearer.

One step,
And in that not-so-distant future, she saw herself standing with Esperad—and the child they would one day have.

She couldn’t say for sure that every step they’d take together after this would be filled with only happiness.
But no matter what hardships or trials came their way, if she was with Esperad, she could overcome anything.

He was the man she chose—the man who had spent so much time and effort to return to her and only her.
She had no doubt: he was her fated husband.

“Asilie.”
She reached out and took his hand.
The warmth she felt melted away the tension in her body.

In that moment, she was certain: they would be happy.
Because they believed in each other, loved each other, and would face every moment together from now on—
Nothing but happiness could lie ahead.

“Esperad.”
She felt his gaze as she softly called his name.

Turning slightly to face him, she looked directly into those blue eyes she had thought were beautiful from the very beginning, and finally said what she hadn’t managed to say during his proposal.

“I love you.”

That was enough.
As long as she could hold his hand for the rest of her life—
As long as they could be together—
As long as they could always be close enough to reach out and touch—

That alone was enough.
Knowing that, Asilie whispered her precious confession meant only for him, then walked forward with renewed strength.

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