A Change of Husband - Chapter 124

“We’re not lovers, Princess, but there is talk of an engagement with Count Proud’s daughter.”

That sentence kept repeating in her mind like a nightmare.
It upset her, made her angry, and drove her to the edge of madness.

“How could he? He should’ve known how I felt!”

Catherine knew very well what people were saying about her—how she followed Thomas around and openly showed her feelings for him.

“The princess is in love, isn’t she?”
“She likes Duke Camedici.”
“But aren’t they siblings?”
“So what? They’re not blood-related.”

Of course, she tried to focus only on the positive things people said.
Still, there were also whispers criticizing the idea that even if they weren’t related by blood, a brother and sister shouldn’t become a couple.
But Catherine acted honestly about her feelings, knowing no one else could live her life for her.

Thomas was the first and only person to make her heart flutter like that. That alone made her think it was worth it.

“But how could he…”

Tears burst from her eyes.

“How could he…”

If Thomas officially got engaged to Count Proud’s daughter, and the news spread, many people would be pleased.
Especially her parents, Esperad and Achille.

Even though they acted conservatively toward Catherine, it was actually those two who had shaped her more open-minded beliefs.
Catherine knew that before she was born, it was unheard of for a divorced woman to remarry, and even more so for a king to marry a divorced woman.
But they had done it—and proudly lived well together.

Some conservatives said breaking tradition would lead to the fall of the kingdom, but Astel was still peaceful and wealthy.
So Catherine never gave up her feelings for Thomas. In fact, she had never even considered doing so.

“Not lovers, huh…”

How could people get engaged without being in love? How could they plan to live together for life?

Catherine couldn’t understand it. And she didn’t want to.

“Princess, you must eat!”

Elena’s voice came from outside the door, but Catherine didn’t move under the blanket.

“You haven’t eaten all day! No matter how upset you are, you still have to eat…”

“Princess, please say something!”

Catherine ignored everything Elena said, lying completely still on the bed like a lifeless body.
Eventually, she heard Elena’s footsteps retreat, giving up.

Once the hallway was quiet again, Catherine finally closed her eyes.

“Hic…”

The tears she had been holding back slid silently down her cheeks.

People might have thought her love was just a childish crush because she followed Thomas around so carelessly, almost like a game.
Maybe even Thomas thought so.

But it wasn’t because she wanted him to think lightly of her feelings. She just didn’t want to pressure him.

Her feelings were deeper than anyone thought—far deeper than even she had realized.

After their father died in battle against barbarian raiders on their estate, Siena and Thomas had to flee their home in Artlinger and move to the capital.
Their sickly mother had no strength to protect Thomas, so she begged Esperad—her late husband’s closest friend—for help.

Even though Esperad had a bad reputation as the “Cursed Duke,” it must have been difficult for a royal like him to marry a widow.
But he showed them mercy and took both Siena and Thomas into the Camedici family.

When Esperad became king of Astel, Thomas naturally inherited the Camedici dukedom.

“I trust you will do well, Thomas.”
“I’m not worthy, Your Majesty. I don’t even have the right. This position is too much for me.”
“I was too busy with the kingdom to raise you properly, but I didn’t completely abandon your education. The vassals all say you’re fit to be the head of the family.”

He wasn’t related by blood, but Esperad was as warm and kind as a father.

“Thomas, I see my old friend in you. I trusted him with my life.”
“…”
“And I trust you just the same. You’ll do your part well—within the duchy, and in the harsh world of politics.”

Thomas made a vow to never disappoint Esperad, even if he let down everyone else.

But there was one moment that made his resolve waver—when Catherine looked at him with innocent eyes and followed him everywhere.

“I like you, Duke.”
“I like you too, Princess.”
“That’s not the kind of ‘like’ I mean.”
“Princess…”
“Do you really not know why I never call you ‘brother’?”

She had confessed her feelings many times.
Thomas purposely showed discomfort at her confessions. Noticing that, Catherine stopped pushing her feelings and simply tried to spend time with him.

Her efforts to avoid making him uncomfortable only made her more lovable. But Thomas tried to ignore the young princess’s crush.

Especially as she grew older, learned to shoot, joined discussion groups with noble sons, and even spoke up in important council meetings filled with powerful aristocrats—he could clearly see it.

“She’s a true heir.”

There had never been a queen in Astel’s history.
Still, Thomas had a strong feeling that Catherine would become the first.

She was brilliant. She understood complicated political and diplomatic issues, came up with groundbreaking ideas no one else thought of, and especially shone in matters of economics.

Even if she married a prince consort later, he would remain just that—a consort. He would never dare stand in her way as ruler of Astel.

It was obvious. She was only nineteen, but she was already clearly the heir.

“That’s why I must keep my distance.”

Even though he hadn’t taken Astel’s royal surname, many people still considered Thomas the son of Esperad and Achille—and thus, a legitimate royal.
Because they didn’t believe a woman could rule, they pinned their hopes on Thomas and tried to push him as heir.

He had turned them down, saying he had no right or desire. But if he stayed close to Catherine, someone might try to use him.
They might push for a marriage between him and Catherine, then slowly move the throne to him.

Esperad had given him a kindness he could never repay.
How could he ever dream of taking Catherine’s place?

That was why he had suddenly pushed for an engagement to Count Proud’s daughter.
He just hoped Catherine wouldn’t find out too soon and get hurt.

“Your Grace, it’s time.”

At the sound of the butler’s voice and a knock on the door, Thomas stood up and closed the documents in front of him.

Today was the day of the ball at the Proud family’s estate, and since Briana had invited him as her partner, he had to attend.

Catherine’s tears from the day before still haunted him, but Thomas steeled his heart.

It was just a crush. It couldn’t be that deep.

Soon, their feelings would fade, and they could really become like siblings.

“The carriage is ready.”
“Let’s go.”

Thomas walked out of his office.

He never really liked social gatherings.

Elena and even Asilie both expressed their hope that Catherine would attend social gatherings more often, but for a while, Catherine ignored that request, pretending not to notice it.

But Catherine eventually decided to attend the invitation from the Proud Earl’s family, though it was a bit late.
“Long time no see, Rihanna.”
It was because she wanted to put aside her prejudice and meet the Proud Earl’s daughter in person.
She thought it might be better if she accepted that maybe she could marry him.

Normally, when a noble lady hears rumors of an engagement, she would avoid meeting the person involved, but Catherine was definitely different in that regard.
“It’s an honor to see you again, Your Highness. Thank you for coming all this way.”
“No, Rihanna. I’ve been busy and haven’t met many people, but thanks to the event organized by the Proud Earl’s family, I’m able to see familiar faces without much effort.”
“You’re too kind.”
Many people believed that Catherine, who often focused on scholarly meetings with scholars rather than social gatherings, was mocking noble ladies who worked hard at their given duties. As a result, there were quite a few noble ladies who didn’t like Catherine.

Rihanna was one of them.
“Oh, have you heard? It seems that the princess and I might become family.”
Catherine, looking relaxed, suddenly got the urge to respond sharply. Maybe it was because she had never liked Rihanna to begin with.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’ve been in talks with the Duke of Camedici about an engagement.”
The rumor that Catherine liked Thomas was no secret.
In fact, that was partly why the engagement was hesitant, but when she met him in person a few times, it seemed Thomas didn’t care much about Catherine.

Though he showed some irritation at repeated questions about Catherine, he would still announce the engagement within a month if there were no major issues.
So Rihanna continued speaking with confidence.
“Well, if our engagement happens, it will clear up the nasty rumors between you two, so in the end, it will be a good thing, won’t it?”
“‘Nasty rumors,’ you say?”
“Yes, there’s a ridiculous rumor that the princess is in love with my fiancé. Even though we aren’t blood-related, we are siblings, and such dark and crude talk is shameful. I’ve always thought it’s nonsense.”
Rihanna smiled smugly, watching Catherine’s face gradually stiffen.
“The princess wouldn’t be someone who lacks discernment. You wouldn’t do something immoral or embarrassing. Hohoho.”

Rihanna, assuming Catherine had little experience in social circles, thought she wouldn’t handle the situation well.
She expected Catherine to deny the rumors, trembling with embarrassment, and then disappear. That’s what the Proud Earl’s daughter hoped for.
“I don’t think it’s immoral or embarrassing, but it seems you and I have different opinions, my lady.”
However, Catherine’s response was unexpected.
“Since the engagement isn’t confirmed yet, I don’t think it’s rude to mention it. As the rumors say, I am in love with the Duke of Camedici. But since we aren’t related by blood, I don’t think it’s a betrayal of morality.”

Rihanna’s face froze in surprise, but Catherine continued without concern.
“I’m a little shocked that my pure feelings for someone I respect have been seen as dark and crude by others. But since he still doesn’t have a definite fiancée, I haven’t given up on my feelings.”
“What?”
Seeing Rihanna’s face twist with displeasure, Catherine coldly glared at her and even asked,
“Are you upset, my lady?”
“I… I don’t understand what you mean, Your Highness…”
“If you’re upset, I think it’s only fair that I too feel upset since my feelings were judged by you. I’ll leave now. There’s no point in staying if it won’t make things better.”
In less than 30 minutes after entering the mansion, the princess was already returning to the palace. Since guests should stay for at least two hours, Catherine’s behavior would surely be seen as rude at the Proud Earl’s house.

Catherine had a unique personality, but she was always known for never acting inappropriately.
Now, Rihanna, feeling rushed, tried to stop her, but Catherine had already turned away.
“…Duke.”
When she turned, the first person she saw was Thomas.
Seeing his face almost made her burst into tears.
But Catherine, using all her strength, held back the tears and stared at him resentfully.
How could he choose someone like this as his fiancée?
Attending the Proud Earl’s ball was partly out of spite.
If he could be happier without her, she was willing to wish him happiness with the Proud Earl’s daughter, but she had never intended to make things uncomfortable for her by revealing her feelings like this.

“Good to see you again. I’ll be leaving now.”
Catherine coldly greeted him with a voice choked by tears and walked past him.
It felt so miserable, so unbearable, that she thought she might just give up completely.
If his hand hadn’t grabbed her wrist, Catherine would have never seen his face again, starting from today.

“Your Highness.”
The soft voice belonged to the one person she had longed for.
However, Catherine’s pride was too strong to show him her tear-streaked face.
“Let go of me.”
At her firm command, his hand instantly let go.
“Your Highness, I…”
“Do you think I’m a fool?”
Thomas couldn’t answer since he didn’t understand exactly what she meant.
“Do you think I’m some helpless fool who doesn’t realize what’s going on? Do you think I’m like a child, thinking about my future and getting upset over it?”
“I… don’t understand what you mean.”
“I know why you’ve been avoiding me. I know why you’re saying no and keeping your distance. But do you think I would chase after you without considering this?”
Catherine turned back, unable to hold back the resentment rising from deep within her, glaring at him.
Her composed face twisted with embarrassment, and that expression, too, shook her heart, making him seem even more despicable.
“I’ve liked you for so long. I never considered anyone else as my future husband. I thought, I thought the obstacles between us made it more meaningful and valuable. And I foolishly believed that you might like me to some extent, just because you were kind to me, because you were so considerate.”
She tried not to cry, but tears kept falling.
“But it was all just a misunderstanding…”
“Your Highness…”
“It was all me, thinking it was real, while you were just planning to get away from me.”

Catherine barely managed to hold back her tears and told him firmly,
“I have nothing more to say. I won’t see you again.”
Clenching her fist, she turned, thinking she would never see him again until her feelings were completely settled.
If he hadn’t grabbed her wrist, that would have been true.

“It wasn’t a misunderstanding.”
His large hand tightened around her wrist.
“I thought I had no choice but to push you away, thinking you were someone I couldn’t reach. I thought I couldn’t stand in your way…”
“Ha.”
His heavy sigh made her feel uneasy, unsure what it meant.
Only then did Thomas realize that what he had pushed away was his own chance. Desperately, he held her tight.
“I was foolish, but if you can still accept me, Your Highness…”
But he couldn’t finish his sentence.
Catherine suddenly grabbed his waist and hugged him tightly.
“…I’m sorry.”

Even that apology made her feel grateful, and she clung to him, sobbing.
“There was a way, why didn’t you ask, why didn’t you…?”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’m so sorry for being so inadequate.”
After calming her down in a lounge for a while, Catherine finally managed to control her emotions and stop crying.
Thomas, who had been waiting for her feelings to settle, carefully asked the question that had been bothering him.
“One thing, if I may ask.”
“What is it?”
“You said you had a way, what was that way?”

Catherine took out a handkerchief to wipe her face and began to speak.
“We… are now seeing each other.”
“Pardon?”
“A romantic relationship. We’re lovers now, right?”
Although the word felt awkward, Thomas nodded, trying to ignore the discomfort.
“If you’re alright with it, Your Highness…”
“Then I think it will be fine with my way.”
“Your way?”
Suddenly, Catherine pulled his neck toward her.
They had known each other for years, but this was the first time she’d acted like this, so Thomas stared at her in shock.
“Your Highness?”
“Sometimes, it doesn’t matter whether the chicken or the egg came first.”
“Eh? Ugh!”

It was two months later, on the day Esperad ascended the throne and ruled Astel for exactly 19 years, when Catherine revealed that she was pregnant and confessed to Esperad and Asilie shaking the royal family.

Support