A Change of Husband - Chapter 65

It had been three days since the state funeral of the late King Hort.

Since it wasn’t good for the throne to remain empty for long, the coronation was scheduled for three days later.

Now that the coronation date had been set, Asilie could no longer stay outside the palace.

She was going to be Astel’s queen and had to take her place beside the king.

At the time Asilie entered the palace with Lydia, Esperad was busy having a meeting with the nobles who would soon become his vassals.

When Asilie heard this, the first thing she decided to do wasn’t to look around her new quarters.

After changing out of her travel dress, Asilie went straight to the room where the former queen, Cordelia, was staying.

Though Cordelia was younger than her, Asilie needed to hear how she had been managing affairs inside the palace and offer her condolences for King Hort’s death.

Asilie felt sorry for Cordelia.

Hort had fallen ill not long after Cordelia came to the palace, and even before she reached full adulthood, she had become a widow.

Cordelia might even have to return to Velkoz.

Asilie didn’t know what kind of culture Velkoz had or what its people were like, but most countries weren’t kind to widows. Cordelia probably wouldn’t be treated well.

Knowing this made Asilie pity her even more.

When she arrived near Cordelia’s bedroom, her maids were already outside, waiting to greet the new queen.

“Where is Her Majesty?”

“She’s waiting inside, Duchess.”

The titles hadn’t officially changed yet.

Asilie felt the maid had put odd emphasis on the word “Duchess,” but she tried not to dwell on it and stepped inside.

Cordelia was waiting, her face openly showing her sorrow.

“It’s an honor to meet Your Majesty,” Asilie said.

“Welcome, Duchess. I heard you were coming and have been waiting.”

Seeing Cordelia’s swollen face, Asilie looked at her with sympathy.

Though it was a political marriage, and Hort had been ill often, she’d heard they hadn’t spent much time together. Still, it seemed the young couple had been close.

Not expecting Cordelia to be in such poor condition, Asilie cautiously sat across from her.

“Thank you for welcoming me so kindly, Your Majesty. You must be deeply saddened… I don’t know how to comfort you…”

“I’m all right. He’d been ill for so long, I was somewhat prepared,” Cordelia replied.

Asilie nodded but suddenly felt something strange.

Now that she thought about it, the only people who could have seen Hort in the palace were Count Mirk and Cordelia.

Then… had she seen Hort, nearly a corpse, and never once found it suspicious?

“…I see.”

But Cordelia had just lost her husband and was deep in grief.

To question her now would be rude—and Asilie didn’t want to do that.

If anything strange was going on, it would come to light later. For now, what she needed to offer was sincere comfort.

“I should’ve come to see you sooner, Your Majesty, but I couldn’t. I regret that. I hope you recover soon.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Duchess. With such warmth, I think I’ll recover quickly.”

“Not at all.”

Cordelia gave a small smile in response.

The expression looked a little odd, but given the circumstances, Asilie didn’t think much of it.

Soon after, the maid who had emphasized “Duchess” earlier entered the room carrying refreshments.

“Odette, the sugar?”

“I’ve placed it in the jar next to the teapot, Your Majesty,” replied Lady Avent politely.

“All right.”

Cordelia scooped some sugar from the jar and stirred it into her teacup.

Asilie watched the movement absentmindedly but suddenly felt something was off.

It was definitely a white powder—but its color seemed slightly different from regular sugar.

She felt like she’d seen it before.

‘What is that?’

But she couldn’t be sure. And it was hard to speak up without solid proof.

Sometimes people called their medicine “sugar” when they didn’t want to reveal they were taking anything.

Not wanting to stare at Cordelia’s teacup any longer, Asilie picked up her own.

She had tried to ignore the feeling, but just holding the cup made her arm throb with pain.

The air had grown familiar—heavy, like being submerged in water from the start.

But the unexpected pain always reminded her.

Reminded her that she didn’t belong in this world.

Maybe this was fairness.

Others lived ordinary lives, but Asilie could foresee what would happen.

There was nothing you could take from the world without paying a price.

So Asilie often told herself she was just paying that price now.

She tried not to show her trembling arm as she brought the cup to her lips.

Then she noticed Cordelia resting her hand on her stomach.

‘What’s that?’

Usually, when drinking tea, women held their cup with both hands, or placed one hand on their lap.

Resting it on the stomach like Cordelia did was unusual.

It could’ve been a coincidence, but to Asilie, it looked strange.

“You must have come here with a kind heart to comfort me and to ask about managing things inside the palace,” Cordelia said.

Her words pulled Asilie out of her thoughts, and she looked at her.

“Of course I’d be grateful for your help, but given the situation, I don’t want to burden Your Majesty.”

“No, Duchess. This is something we must handle properly. I’ll send you the documents tomorrow or the day after through Lady Avent. I also received things from the Queen Dowager.”

“Oh, I see. Thank you. Things must be chaotic for you, so I truly appreciate your help.”

Cordelia gave the same forced smile she had earlier.

Asilie began to wonder if her presence was making Cordelia uncomfortable.

“Then I’ll take my leave, Your Majesty,” she said, bowing politely.

Cordelia nodded.

“Take care. And… congratulations.”

“…Pardon?”

As Asilie was just about to leave, she turned her head in surprise at Cordelia’s continued greeting.

Cordelia’s face, shaded by Asilie’s body, looked very dark. Maybe that’s why Asilie felt a bit creeped out.

‘What in the world…’

She couldn’t even ask what Cordelia meant when she saw her pale face.

Without saying another word, Asilie left her bedroom.

Once she confirmed that Asilie had disappeared, Cordelia got up from her seat and staggered over to the bed.

Maybe it was because of her pregnancy, but even smelling tea without taking medicine made her feel sick and exhausted.

It seemed like Asilie had noticed something strange, but even if she had realized it wasn’t sugar, she would’ve just brushed it off.

How could a woman who had never been pregnant know that the powder was medicine to suppress morning sickness and not sugar?

“Odette.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Did you check where he went?”

“Yes. I heard he changed rooms last night because of some incident.”

“Incident? What kind of incident?”

“I’m not sure of the reason, but I heard he hurt his hand and moved rooms to get treated.”

“I see…”

Cordelia frowned and nodded, lost in thought.

After all it took to get pregnant, she couldn’t let the throne be taken away like this.

Besides, the idea of a woman of unknown origin becoming queen after her was unbearably shameful.

“I have to go see him.”

“I’ll make arrangements to contact him.”

“All right.”

Cordelia lay back down on the bed, her lips twisting as she recalled Asilie’s shocked face when she congratulated her.

She could never forgive the Duke and Duchess of Medici, who had ruined everything that was in progress.

Asilie felt extremely tired, but she still couldn’t fully trust the palace people to be on Esperad’s side.

Her whole body ached as she finally arrived at her bedroom and opened the door.

As soon as she walked in, Esperad, who had returned from a meeting and was waiting for her, jumped up and came over.

“Asilie!”

It had only been a little over a week since he last saw her.

But because her health had been poor the last time, he hadn’t been able to stop worrying.

It was a relief to see with his own eyes that she looked fine, but according to Lady Marce, Asilie’s condition wasn’t great.

Even if Asilie tried to hide it, she couldn’t fool Lady Marce’s eyes.

Esperad hugged her tightly. The warmth that always felt the same brought him a little peace of mind.

He always felt this way — the only time he could truly relax was when he was with her.

He tried not to stay too stiff, but since he always had to be careful with his words and actions in the palace, he couldn’t feel at ease even for a moment.

But the moment he saw Asilie, it was as if everything was okay, as if by magic.

“I missed you.”

He had so much to say, but only one sentence came out.

Still, that was enough.

“I missed you too.”

“How much?”

“So much.”

At Asilie’s answer, Esperad hugged her tighter and kissed her smooth forehead.

Esperad had never known what it was like to miss someone before.

But Asilie was the first to make him understand that feeling.

He was only able to endure the separation because he knew they’d meet again soon, but still, he didn’t want to be apart from her ever again.

He didn’t want to go through this experience a second time.

“I thought you should rest, but I heard you were working even at the Medici mansion.”

“Did Lady Marce tell you everything? I told her not to pass it on to you…”

“She and I both worry about you.”

At that, Asilie smiled.

“Should I feel happy about that?”

“I’d be glad if you did. But even if you don’t, I can’t force you.”

“Of course I’m happy…”

Asilie couldn’t finish her sentence.

Esperad suddenly cupped her chin and kissed her.

In truth, he had always missed these soft, moist, and sweet lips.

Even before she entered the palace, there were times when he was too busy to see her often, but at least he could fall asleep holding her in his arms. He could kiss her morning and night, and share their breath.

But once they were suddenly separated in this unfamiliar place, he missed her even more.

Even though he knew they’d meet again soon.

Her lips tasted sweeter than ever.

The act of sucking her soft, full lips, and pressing deep into her mouth, tasting its unique sweet and tangy scent, made him feel joy and excitement.

“Esperad…”

As tired and worn out as she was, Asilie didn’t want to push him away.

Maybe it was because she longed for him just as desperately.

Asilie wrapped her arms around his neck and called his name, and Esperad lifted her in his arms and laid her down on the bed.

“Hnngh…”

His lips brushed her ear.

The soft, wet sound tingled in her ears, making her feel a strange kind of embarrassment that was hard to explain.

Love with Esperad was always like this. Familiar, yet always new. Always embarrassing.

Maybe that’s why it felt even better. That’s why it brought more happiness. And maybe that’s why, when it ended, she always felt completely full inside.

While Asilie was unbuttoning his shirt, Esperad greedily kissed her white, slender neck and slowly moved lower.

The hot touch of his tongue on her skin was overwhelmingly stimulating.

Whenever Esperad wanted her this badly, Asilie felt like she was the one who gave him energy, and while that made her happy, it also made her feel something indescribably strange.

It was strange.

Strange in a way she couldn’t even describe properly — so strange that her own lack of words felt frustrating.

“Asilie.”

“…Yes.”

Before she knew it, Esperad was fully on top of her, looking down with dangerous eyes.

They had only kissed and touched just a little more deeply, yet the atmosphere had already turned so heated and stimulating. She didn’t understand how.

Even after she answered, Esperad said nothing. He simply stared down at her before softly whispering.

“Do you want this too?”

“…What?”

“If you want me the way I want you, say it. Tell me that you want me too.”

She could Asilie say it.

She could even say something more daring, something more direct.

But… if she did that, Esperad definitely wouldn’t let her go.

The air was so hot it felt like it could burn her throat — it was dangerous.

But even so, Asilie couldn’t keep it to herself.

“I want you too, Esperad.”

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