A Change of Husband - Chapter 68

Maybe because it was such an important day, the coronation felt different from usual, even from early in the morning.

Esperad barely opened his heavy eyes at the light coming through the window and reached out beside him out of habit. He turned his head at the small warmth that held his hand.

“You’re already awake?”

To Esperad’s question, Asilie looked at him quietly and nodded without saying a word.

It seemed she had been up for quite some time already, sitting upright and looking down at him.

Her gaze was very warm. Maybe Asilie didn’t even realize how special her amber eyes had made this morning for him.

“Why did you wake up so early?”

“Because it’s the day of the coronation.”

“Are you nervous?”

“…Yes, a little.”

Even her hesitant answer sounded cute.

Esperad sat up quickly and pulled Asilie into his arms.

The way she wriggled in his arms was just too lovely.

A few days ago, Asilie had cried in his arms for some unknown reason, but the next day, she acted like nothing had happened. She also became very busy.

She said she wouldn’t be able to take care of the affairs of House Camedići anymore, so she needed to finish everything before the coronation. She busily went back and forth between the Medici mansion and the palace.

What was fortunate was that, unlike before when she would only focus on work, this time she made time to be with him even while being busy.

“I suddenly had a thought.”

“What kind of thought?”

“That today wouldn’t have come if it weren’t for you.”

“Ah…”

Asilie smiled without answering Esperad’s words.

“Asilie, the fact that we made it this far is entirely because of you. I swear, I will never forget that.”

“This is the place you were always meant to have.”

“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known that. Maybe I would’ve never known, not even until I died.”

“No, you would’ve known eventually.”

With a confident tone, he raised an eyebrow and asked:

“How do you know that?”

“Well…”

Seeing her hesitate, Esperad playfully touched the tip of her nose.

“You shouldn’t be so sure about things you don’t know, Asilie. Let’s get up. We need to get ready.”

He pressed his lips firmly against her lovely forehead like a stamp, then gently lifted her by the waist and set her next to him before getting out of bed.

Even while Esperad moved around a bit busily, Asilie sat on the bed and looked at him.

As he put on the shirt he had thrown aside the night before, he felt her gaze and turned his head.

Just as he expected, she was staring intently at his back.

“Asilie?”

“I was just watching.”

“…You’re acting strange today. Is something wrong?”

Asilie smiled and shook her head at Esperad’s question.

Even though it looked like her usual smile, something about it felt different.

Somehow, her expression and actions felt unfamiliar to him.

“Asilie, are you really okay?”

He felt like he was asking more questions than usual today.

When Esperad asked again, Asilie nodded this time and got up from the bed completely.

“I’m okay. I think… I just feel this way because it’s the coronation. Today, you really become the ruler of this country.”

Only after hearing that answer did Esperad feel relieved.

He, too, felt a mix of emotions about that part.

It had already been planned, but holding the coronation meant he was truly becoming the monarch of Astel.

Esperad made a decision.

He would correct all the wrongs until now and begin a new Astel.

There were many problems to fix in Astel. The issues of diplomacy and trade, which had been monopolized by conservative nobles, were among the most urgent.

Because Astel had long been ruled by a puppet king who couldn’t fulfill his role, there were many problems that needed solving.

Still, Esperad didn’t feel overwhelmed or anxious—partly because he was young, but more importantly because he had someone by his side who always gave him strength.

When he was about to fall, Asilie would surely support him. He knew that, so he wasn’t afraid at all.

“You will always be by my side.”

“…Yes.”

Hearing Asilie’s reply brought him peace of mind for some reason.

Maybe the reason he had been stalling even though he should’ve left the room to prepare was because he wanted to hear her answer.

Feeling oddly lighthearted, Esperad left the bedroom after saying he’d see her soon.

If it had been the middle of summer, it would’ve been unbearable to wear the long robe.

Luckily, it was autumn, and the cooler weather helped him endure the heavy and uncomfortable ceremonial outfit.

If he were to be attacked while wearing something like this, he wouldn’t be able to do anything.

Esperad chuckled at the silly thought that maybe the reason former kings kept such tight security on coronation day was because they couldn’t move well in these clothes.

It was strange and amusing that he had the room to think such things.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“Maybe.”

“As you said, we’ve tripled the security. We’ve placed snipers inside and out. Even if a war breaks out, we should be safe. Though it feels like overkill…”

Just like Edgar said, Esperad had mobilized not only the palace guards but also the forces of House Camedići to tighten the security inside and outside the coronation hall.

It might have been needless worry, but an uneasy feeling hadn’t left his chest.

He didn’t know exactly what he was worried about, but he wanted to be prepared for anything.

“It’s never bad to be cautious.”

“You’re absolutely right… Oh, and are you really going to let that witch attend?”

Esperad nodded silently at the question.

Last night, Agua Nale Roja suddenly asked to attend the coronation.

They were allies now, but she had once supported Count Mirk, so he still felt a bit uneasy.

However, since Asilie’s younger sister Lydia had been actively defending her, Esperad had no choice but to accept the request.

“You don’t seem happy about it.”

“She has strange powers. I’m worried she might do something bad. If she decides to act, even our security might not be enough.”

“It’ll be fine. She didn’t seem that foolish.”

“I hope so, too.”

Though Edgar’s tone was slightly bitter, Esperad didn’t reply and turned away.

When he reached the coronation hall, he smiled brightly as if he had never worn a stern expression. He saw Asilie waiting for him.

She was beautiful again today.

Her dress looked a bit loose from recent weight loss due to her poor health, but even that looked lovely in its own way.

Standing gracefully, she looked like a true queen.

The white dress she wore made her look like a pure and elegant lily.

“This necklace…”

It was the necklace he had given her as a wedding gift.

He had given her many jewels and ornaments whenever he thought of it, so whenever they went out, she wore something he had given her. But this necklace was more special.

“I’m standing in front of people today as your partner. Do I look pretty?”

At her question, Esperad quickly nodded.

“…You’re perfect, Asilie.”

“Not the answer you think I want. Am I really pretty?”

“If I can’t call you beautiful, then who else could I say that to?”

Asilie smiled gently at his words.

Esperad had always been grateful that she stayed by his side, but today, it felt like a miracle.

He was truly blessed.

“Esperad.”

“Yes.”

“Once you step into that hall, you’ll be officially recognized as the full ruler of this country.”

“That’s right.”

“Then no one will be able to take that back. Right?”

“That’s true.”

“…That’s a relief.”

She placed her right hand over her heart and closed her eyes as she spoke.

Esperad looked at her with concern, not knowing why her eyelids were trembling slightly.

“Remember how I once said… if I left somewhere first, you would come find me no matter what?”

“…Yes, you did. But why bring that up now…”

“Please prepare yourselves!”

Even before Esperad could finish his question, a servant announced loudly that it was time for their entrance.

Since this was the moment to declare himself as the true ruler of the nation in front of everyone, the coronation was extremely important.

However, Esperad couldn’t focus on the upcoming entrance.

Asilie’s meaningful words kept bothering him.

He had felt something strange since this morning, but what she had just said was too odd to ignore.

“Asilie, what on earth…?”

“We will now enter!”

Once again, he couldn’t finish speaking to Asilie.

The doors opened, and bright light poured down on them.

There was loud applause and cheering from the people, and the High Priest stood waiting to present him with the crown.

Nobles stood in order around the center of the hall, cheering and clapping, and close royal family members near the stage were also clapping.

Among them was Cordelia, now the former queen.

Even though Esperad had imagined this moment many times, it still felt unfamiliar.

He couldn’t stop thinking about Asilie, who stood beside him.

When the grand music stopped and silence fell, the High Priest recited a short prayer.

After that, as per the procedure, Esperad and Asilie knelt side by side.

“Esperad Camédici Astel, do you swear to rule the Kingdom of Astel with righteousness and serve the people…?”

The expected oath was spoken by the High Priest, but Esperad couldn’t concentrate.

He wanted to see what kind of expression Asilie had right now, what she looked like.

It hurt that he couldn’t turn to look at her.

Although he hadn’t lost his mind completely and was able to recite the oath and put on the crown in time, to him, wearing the crown didn’t matter at all right now.

“Asilie Camédici Astel, do you, as Queen of Astel…”

Just as the High Priest began Asilie’s oath, Cordelia, who was seated very close to the two, suddenly stood up and ran toward Esperad.

Because Cordelia was small and the High Priest was focused on asking Asilie the oath, Esperad didn’t notice the strange approach until she got very close.

At the same time, he noticed something shiny in her hand—it was a dagger.

“No…!”

People who realized the situation too late jumped up in shock.

He had to dodge. Normally, he could have avoided it.

But kneeling made his movements slow, and his clothes and crown were too heavy. Esperad couldn’t move efficiently.

Just as he raised his arms to protect himself at the very least—

“No!”

In a flash, Asilie stepped in front of Esperad.

And then she screamed.

“Agh…!”

The dagger in Cordelia’s hand stabbed deeply into Asilie’s stomach.

Blood started to soak the area around the wound.

“Asilie!”

Cordelia, realizing she had stabbed the wrong person, staggered back a step. Esperad quickly caught Asilie as she fell.

He tried to stop the bleeding somehow, but blood poured out endlessly.

The scene became chaotic, and people began shouting.

“Call the physician, now!”

“Seize that criminal!”

Although there was a commotion, Esperad couldn’t hear anything at that moment.

All he could hear was Asilie’s painful groaning.

“Agh, ah, Asilie…!”

Why her?

Why was it her?

He called her name.

Her amber eyes were still looking at him.

But he couldn’t feel at ease.

He could see with his own eyes that the vivid color was fading, that her gaze was losing focus.

“Asilie, Asilie… why…!”

Foolishly, he couldn’t speak properly.

He couldn’t form a complete sentence. He simply couldn’t.

It hadn’t been long since he promised to protect her, to be with her forever—so why? Why now?

The unfairness of it being Asilie, the pain of not being able to believe this was real, the horror of watching the woman he loved die—all mixed together and made his eyes burn.

She had taken the dagger meant for him, thrown her small body in front of his to protect him, and now she was dying.

And all of this—was real.

“Please, Asilie… the physician will come soon. You’ll be treated soon. Why… please…”

Words to comfort her,

And also to comfort himself.

He spoke without even realizing what he was saying.

He just wanted his voice to reach her, for her not to close her eyes.

He wanted her to keep looking at him with those amber eyes.

With that desperate hope, Esperad held her face with trembling hands.

The blood on his hands stained Asilie’s face.

Startled, he still couldn’t let her go. To wipe it away, Esperad rubbed his own face against her blood-stained one.

“I’m sorry, Asilie, Asilie…”

“Es… ugh…”

Asilie opened her mouth as if to say something, but because of the pain, she could only groan, unable to speak properly.

At her voice, Esperad quickly raised his head. Seeing her tear-filled face, he shook his head wildly.

“Stop, don’t speak. It’s okay. You can tell me later. So please…”

Then, a teardrop fell on her face.

It didn’t belong to Asilie. It was Esperad’s tear.

Ah, he was crying.

He knew how pathetic he must have looked, but he couldn’t stop crying.

Then, Asilie spoke.

“Don’t… cry… ugh… I’m just glad… to die as your wife…”

“You won’t die. You’ll be okay. Please don’t say that. Please…”

Normally, she would have stopped at such a desperate plea, but this time, she was firm.

“I’m just… happy… to die as your… woman… that’s… enough…”

“Asilie, no. No…”

“Ugh… please… meet someone else… someday…”

It felt like he’d been struck by a hammer. His mind went blank.

He couldn’t understand what she meant. Why was she saying this?

Esperad stared down at her in a daze.

“…What…?”

“I loved…”

Her words cut off, and her amber eyes slowly closed.

The small hand that had been clutching his wrist dropped helplessly.

Esperad knew what this kind of situation meant.

He knew. He understood. But he didn’t want to confirm it.

What happened exactly?

What was Asilie’s condition?

Was she still breathing?

He didn’t want to know.

But as if mocking him, someone said to him in a sorrowful voice,

“She has passed.”