A Change of Husband - Chapter 77

He had believed that Asilie was alive. He had truly, desperately believed it.

But at the same time, it seemed he had also prepared himself emotionally to protect his heart.

His heart was pounding wildly with overwhelming relief.

“…Haa, so she was alive. She really was alive.”

“So then, shall I proceed as you previously ordered…?”

Benjamin asked carefully, but Esperad didn’t respond.

His mind was far too tangled to say anything.

He had expected that things would not be the same as before.

Unlike the world they once lived in, this world had changed too much.

First of all, unlike in the past where Asilie died six years ago, in this timeline, she was alive.

Siena, who had died as Thomas’s wife, had instead died here wearing a tiara as the queen of this country.

Even Thomas, who had remained by her side as a close friend until the moment she closed her eyes, was now dead in this world.

Since so many little details were different, it was difficult to act carelessly. He had to be cautious.

He was afraid that acting rashly might ruin something important.

Even a small mistake might once again lead to losing her.

“We have to be extremely careful, Benjamin. Plant people in the Bonaparte Count’s household to watch every move of Asilie Bonaparte. Check for anything unusual in her daily life or health, and protect her weekly. If there are any serious issues, report them immediately regardless of schedule.”

“There’s already someone planted there, so it shouldn’t be difficult. Is that all?”

“…Also, make sure she’s safe.”

“Is she an important woman?”

What Benjamin meant was whether she played a key role in defeating Count Mirk, but even knowing that, Esperad nodded.

Either way, she was an important woman to him. That was the undeniable truth.

“She’s an important woman.”

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

After Benjamin bowed and left, Esperad closed his eyes.

Everything was still complicated.

What confused him more than anything else was a sudden thought that had come to him.

The thought that Asilie might not remember him.

He had believed that everything would be resolved the moment he met her again. He had hoped to fully enjoy the joy of their reunion. But what if Asilie had lost the memories they shared?

It wasn’t an impossible scenario.

“Please don’t regret it. And endure it. Hold on.”

“What do you mean…?”

“It’ll be a world that’s familiar yet unfamiliar. Also, the Your Majesty in that world might have a different past from you. If you can accept that…”

Lydia’s last words still echoed clearly in his mind.

She told him not to regret, but to endure and hold on.

She said it would be a world he knows but also a strange one.

She said that the Esperad in this world might not be the same Esperad he had always been.

Lydia had been right.

This was a world he knew, but not one that matched exactly with the life he had lived.

Especially after retracing the past in detail, he realized that from seven years ago—after he had met Asilie—until now, things were completely different.

Perhaps it was the difference caused by whether or not “Asilie” existed in his life.

There had been so many changes. And since no one in this world shared the memories he had, it wasn’t impossible that Asilie wouldn’t either.

Of course, it was still okay. If he could just meet her again, if he could see her lovely smile while she was alive once more—

Being able to see Asilie at age twenty-five, something he hadn’t before, might be an incredible joy he could never trade for anything.

If not for this chance, he might never have known her at that age.

But unlike before, now his presence might be a burden to her. The fact that he couldn’t even recall the cherished and beautiful memories they had together made him feel sad.

He met familiar people, but at times, it felt like he was left alone in a strange world.

Maybe it was the price he had to pay for gaining a chance that others never would.

“Asilie.”

Even though a lot of time had passed, saying her name still made him feel like she might turn around and smile at him right away.

That’s why he had consciously stopped calling her name for a while.

Even someone strong like him couldn’t bear the pain of loss over and over again.

But now, at least, she was within reach.

That alone was fortunate. No—he should be grateful for it.

He even wanted to thank the god he had turned his back on since losing her.

“I’ll never lose you again.”

He no longer wanted to spend time in regret.

Esperad made up his mind once again—to act for her sake, and this time, to protect her completely.

Every time Asilie went downstairs for dinner, she always felt a sense of fear.

It was normal for her to be scolded at the table for her foolish behavior, criticized, and laughed at by the family.

Sometimes, when dinner ended without anyone finding fault, she even felt confused.

As she walked down the familiar stairs, Asilie realized that her steps had become more confident than before.

Back then, she had always shrunk herself, trying not to make any sound in case someone in the family noticed her and picked on her for something.

She had even been criticized for looking too timid and unworthy of a noble.

“I’m sorry I’m late.”

When she arrived at the hall for dinner, she greeted the members of the Bonaparte family. As she raised her head, the first person she locked eyes with was Joseph.

His arrogant expression turned pale the moment he saw Asilie.

‘Of course it did.’

He had killed a woman carrying his own child.

Even if he were a beast, it would be strange if he felt nothing.

Joseph, face pale, glanced around nervously and eventually looked away.

So Asilie spoke first.

“Have you been well?”

All the family members sitting at the table looked at her in shock, unable to hide their surprise.

It was something that had never happened before. That she would dare speak to Joseph first.

Asilie had always watched his mood, afraid of upsetting him. He would only speak to her on days he felt good, and even then, what he said was never kind.

That had been the normal.

So the members of the Bonaparte family seemed to think she had completely lost her mind.

“Uh, um…”

“I’m sorry. You must have been worried. If Duke Grandier hadn’t found me, I probably would never have seen you again. After I woke up, I felt really dizzy.”

Joseph’s expression twisted even more strangely at her words.

Asilie, who had been looking at him calmly, soon smiled softly and continued.

“But I’m really glad I could return safely even after being attacked by a beast.”

At Asilie’s words, Count Bonaparte’s eyes lit up as he asked,

“Do you remember everything that happened before?”

“No, I think I’ve lost all my memories of that day. To be honest… I don’t even know why I, who always stayed inside the mansion, went outside that day.”

“You don’t remember suggesting an outing at all?”

“An outing? Who said anything about an outing?”

When Asilie asked that, the faces of the people sitting around noticeably brightened.

It was quite amusing to see how relieved they looked just because she couldn’t remember that day.

Even though they had seen her face and spoken with her for years, not one of them had truly grieved or mourned when news of her disappearance spread.

“Never mind. Sit down now.”

“Yes, Father.”

Asilie answered politely and soon sat next to Joseph without hesitation.

His face stiffened again, but she didn’t care at all.

And so, the meal began.

“I heard there was trouble as soon as you returned.”

As usual, they began their own conversation while intentionally excluding her.

Asilie had hoped that today might be different since she had returned after a long time, but during a short pause, Countess Bonaparte turned to Asilie with a cold voice.

“You caused a commotion right after coming back, saying you wanted to change rooms and such.”

“I’m sorry, Mother. I tried to stop my sister-in-law, but she was so determined that I couldn’t do anything.”

“You gave her advice, and she ignored it? My goodness, how could she!”

Normally, Joseph would’ve added something by now, but he still said nothing.

Seeing that none of the men had any intention of supporting Asilie, Countess Bonaparte exaggeratedly shook her body and scolded her.

“Even if she’s the second daughter-in-law, she debuted in society much earlier than you and is older than you too! How could she ignore your sincere advice and act on her own? She’s so arrogant and rude!”

“Mother, please don’t get too worked up over something like this. I’m worried it might affect your health. I’m fine. Maybe she feels inferior because of her background, so I should be understanding.”

Honestly, it wasn’t anything new.

People ignoring Asilie, criticizing her, and treating her like a low-class woman—this happened all the time, like a daily routine.

The criticism might have been harsher today because of the influence of the head maid, who had served Countess Bonaparte for a long time, and because Monica still held a grudge.

In the past, Asilie would have put down her utensils, bit her lip, and lowered her head, trying to hold back tears.

But now, she calmly continued eating.

Countess Bonaparte let out a dry laugh, unable to believe what she was seeing.

“Are you ignoring me right now?”

“Oh.”

At the sharp question, Asilie finally looked at her.

“I didn’t know you were speaking to me. You were talking to my sister-in-law, so I thought you were speaking to her and wasn’t listening.”

It was the first time Countess Bonaparte had ever been ignored like this, and her face turned red with anger.

“Why would I say anything to her, who’s doing perfectly well—”

“Because I interfered in changing my room. I thought you were teaching your subordinate what kind of behavior was proper.”

“What?”

“Duke Grandier was very worried about me. He asked to be informed from time to time about how I was doing. Anyway, after staying at the duke’s residence and then coming to the count’s residence, I saw my room and… I was really shocked.”

“What was so shocking?”

When Countess Bonaparte asked sharply, Asilie replied calmly.

“It was strange and surprising to see that I had been using such an old and shabby room—one that even a maid wouldn’t use at the duke’s residence.”

Countess Bonaparte’s face twisted terribly at that answer, and even the other family members looked at Asilie in shock.

But Asilie continued speaking calmly, as if she were in a completely different place.

“My husband is the heir to the count’s family, so I, as his wife, can’t use a room like that. It would harm his dignity—and more than that, the dignity of the Bonaparte family.”

It seemed no one had anything to say.

Even Count Bonaparte stared at Asilie with a dazed expression.

She could feel all the confused stares on her, but she simply smiled.

“Oh, and the Duchess of Grandier asked to invite me often. But if she found out I had been living in such a room, it wouldn’t be a good situation. I just didn’t want my modest lifestyle to cause any problems, Mother.”

“Are you finished talking?”

Countess Bonaparte asked, her voice shaking with fury.

Asilie nodded.

“Yes, Mother.”

“Ha!”

“The dignity of the Bonaparte family was preserved, and I no longer have to stay in such a terrible place, so I think this turned out well for everyone.”

“I think my sister-in-law has gone mad. Really…”

Monica muttered without realizing it, shocked by Asilie’s confident answer.

Asilie heard it too—it was loud enough—but she didn’t get angry. Instead, she kindly replied.

“I don’t know if I’m in my right mind either, Sister-in-law. People who almost die usually aren’t completely okay, right? Maybe we should understand it like that.”

“How arrogant you are!”

Countess Bonaparte couldn’t hold back her anger and shouted.

Her piercing voice echoed through the hall, and everyone froze, putting down their utensils and holding their breath.

Asilie knew exactly what people expected from her in this situation.

“I don’t know what I did that upset you so much, but…”

But she didn’t do what they expected.

Because she didn’t want to.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can apologize, Mother. Nobles don’t bow their heads unless they truly believe they’re wrong.”

“What, what did you just say…?”

“You’ve been very concerned about my un-noble behavior until now, so I’m trying to change that. For the sake of your son, the heir of the family.”

Asilie turned to look at Joseph and forced down the overwhelming disgust rising inside her, managing to smile.

She could see Joseph’s face twisting grotesquely, but she didn’t care what he was feeling.

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