A Change of Husband - Chapter 9

“I have shown the Duke to the drawing room, Master. I told him that it may take some time as you were already meeting someone else.”

 

“Well done. Make sure to prepare the refreshments with extra care.”

 

“Yes, Master.”

 

Count Mirk ended the conversation with the butler and awkwardly excused himself.

 

“I think we’ll have to end our meeting here today.”

 

“I should get going too. I have another appointment.”

 

“Then send my regards to the Count, Young Lord.”

 

“Of course, Your Excellency.”

 

Joseph smiled and held out his hand for a handshake, and Count Mirk briefly took it before letting go.

 

Only after he completely left the office did Count Mirk frown.

 

‘Arrogant fool.’

 

Count Bonaparte had raised his successor terribly wrong.

 

How dare he offer a handshake? That stupid boy clearly had no idea where he stood among the conservative nobles.

 

Compared to him, Geoffrey, the second son of Count Bonaparte whom he met earlier, was much better.

 

Though he had a sly side, he knew how to read the room and express his opinions at the right time.

 

He was definitely someone with potential. Maybe he’d even push that idiot aside and reclaim the title.

 

If Count Bonaparte couldn’t let go of his attachment to his firstborn, his family would lose their influence.

 

There were already rumors that, although he had been given tasks here and there as the supposed successor, he had failed at every one of them.

 

He only had a good-looking face that made him popular with women, but most older nobles knew he was all show and no substance.

 

Count Mirk glared at the door Joseph had exited through with a displeased look, then finally remembered Esperad was waiting for him. He stood and left the room.

 

“It’s been a while since you visited like this, brother.”

 

When he opened the drawing room door, Esperad stood up to greet him.

 

“It’s also been a while since we met outside of official business. What brings you here so suddenly?”

 

“We don’t meet often, but we’re cousins by blood. I thought I should tell you that I got married.”

 

“…Yes, I heard you had your wedding at the temple yesterday. It was quite sudden. And to think it’s been less than a month since Count Gariburn’s daughter passed away.”

 

It had only been about three weeks since Count Gariburn’s daughter died mysteriously in Petro Roget. Maybe even less.

 

Of course, an engagement is just a promise with no legal effect, but to get married before the mourning period had ended was morally improper.

 

“I’m sorry about Count Gariburn’s daughter. But I met a good woman, and I couldn’t wait.”

 

“I heard she was in marriage talks with the Bonaparte family.”

 

“It wasn’t confirmed. There’s no problem.”

 

“If you put it like that, then I suppose there’s no problem.”

 

At his pointed words, Esperad gave a small smile and shook his head.

 

“There are already enough headaches without worrying about small problems. By the way, there’s something I want to ask you, brother.”

 

“Me?”

 

“I heard that exactly 26 days ago, His Majesty the King collapsed and lost consciousness. Why hasn’t there been any word about it?”

 

Count Mirk’s face hardened.

 

As the King’s uncle, he had helped govern in place of his sickly nephew.

 

King Hort of Astel had been weak since birth and constantly suffered from minor illnesses as he grew up.

 

Because of this, many believed he wouldn’t become king. But King Brium III died without leaving another son.

 

So Hort had no choice but to take the throne.

 

But he needed more time lying in bed than sitting on the throne.

 

His condition only worsened over time.

 

Then, not long ago, without warning, King Hort suddenly collapsed while walking in the garden.

 

Count Mirk immediately called the royal physician, but even the doctor who had cared for the King for years couldn’t find the cause.

 

The King hadn’t been poisoned, nor did he have any known illness.

 

His body was fine. Only his consciousness was gone.

 

Faced with this strange situation, Count Mirk ordered the court doctors to stay silent and announced that the King’s health had worsened and he wouldn’t be handling state affairs for a while.

 

It wasn’t unusual, so he thought the progressive nobles wouldn’t notice… but now—

 

“I kept quiet because I feared it would cause chaos in the government.”

 

“If it goes on too long, the truth will cause even more chaos once it comes out.”

 

“How dare you say such disrespectful things? His Majesty will surely recover!”

 

“For the sake of this country, we must prepare for the worst. And we must do so with those who have the authority to decide on this matter.”

 

Count Mirk’s face showed distress.

 

After a long silence, he asked sharply,

 

“Who else knows about this?”

 

“If someone did, would you take action?”

 

At Esperad’s question, Count Mirk realized it was a foolish thing to ask and adjusted his posture.

 

“The reason I’m telling you that I know is because we need a proper plan. A plan that puts this country first—without political beliefs or interests. So…”

 

Esperad leaned forward from where he sat.

 

“Please focus on solving this crisis that could threaten Astel, and leave personal gain out of it.”

 

“Ha! Are you doubting my loyalty? How dare you give me such a ridiculous lecture…!”

 

“It’s just advice, brother.”

 

He looked Count Mirk in the eye and said calmly.

 

“Seeing how loyal you are, it seems my worries were unnecessary.”

 

“You…”

 

“Since we’re on the same page, I don’t think we need to talk much more. I’ll be leaving now, brother.”

 

Count Mirk, clearly angry, didn’t see him out, but Esperad didn’t care and got into the carriage.

 

This visit hadn’t been very rational.

 

But he couldn’t help it.

 

Just last night, he had almost lost his bride, not even a week after he promised to protect her.

 

Though he had stayed calm on the outside, his heart was boiling with rage toward the unknown enemy.

 

That morning, everything Asilie noticed at the scene was already something Esperad had guessed.

 

And since he was the master of the Camédici family and had lived in the Medici mansion for twenty years, he could understand much more from the same clues than she could.

 

“It’s nothing more than a simple suspicion……”

 

Esperad’s father and Count Mirk became independent from the royal palace around the same time, upon reaching adulthood.

 

Back then, they had brought most of their attendants from the palace, and because of that, many of the attendants serving in each mansion were connected to one another.

 

Furthermore, since Count Mirk had been close friends with the former Duke of Camédici, he often visited the Medici Mansion. As a result, there were quite a few attendants in the Medici Mansion whom he personally knew.

 

Esperad had never suspected Count Mirk until now. There had been no reason for him to do something like this.

 

But after last night’s incident, and the news that the king had lost consciousness, suspicion immediately pointed toward Count Mirk.

 

Even though his fiancée had been dying off long before Hort collapsed.

 

“We’ve arrived, sir.”

 

At the coachman’s words, Esperad checked outside through the small window of the carriage.

 

It was the Medici Mansion.

 

Though it was no longer a safe place, he still felt a strange sense of relief upon returning to what he considered home, and stepped into the mansion.

 

“You’ve returned, sir.”

 

As soon as the door opened, Madame Marce, who had been waiting, greeted him.

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

“There is something important I must tell you.”

 

Judging by the complicated look on Madame Marce’s face, it seemed there was much to hear.

 

Without saying much more, Esperad headed for his office. The sound of weary footsteps followed behind him.

 

“Were you on your way back from seeing Asilie?”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

“Then I suppose what you want to say has something to do with her.”

 

He suddenly recalled that today was the day Asilie was to begin her training to fulfill the role of the lady of House Camédici.

 

However, after what had happened in the early morning, it was hard to believe she could properly focus on any training.

 

“Was the training not carried out properly?”

 

“My lady refused.”

 

“I suppose it would’ve been hard for her to focus. She’ll need time.”

 

“That’s not it…”

 

Madame Marce lowered her eyes and stopped speaking.

 

She seemed unsure whether or not she should continue.

 

“Speak freely. I’ll wait.”

 

“No, sir. I’ll speak right away. My lady has said that until the traitor conspiring with dangerous forces within the mansion is found and dealt with, she will give up all the rights she holds as the lady of the house and will not fulfill any duties either.”

 

“Hmmm…”

 

“I understand that, after what she experienced, it’s difficult for her to trust the attendants of the Medici Mansion. But as you know, sir…”

 

“That’s enough.”

 

Esperad interrupted her.

 

Madame Marce was one of the attendants who had served the Medici Mansion across generations.

 

Her mother had also been the head maid of the mansion, and Madame Marce, not wanting to benefit from her mother’s efforts, had started from the bottom as a simple maid and worked her way up.

 

She felt genuine joy in being someone who was needed in this household and in showing her loyalty to Esperad.

 

That was why someone like Madame Marce, who was never emotional, was now appealing to him in such a hurt and vulnerable way.

 

“I think I understand what you’re trying to say.”

 

“Please, sir, persuade my lady. How could she suspect those who have lived and suffered like family as traitors?”

 

“Unfortunately, Rosetta, not everyone is like you.”

 

Esperad spoke with a difficult expression.

 

“I have never once doubted you. But now that there is clear evidence of a traitor, and Asilie’s life is at stake, I cannot gamble on the loyalty of attendants whose hearts I cannot confirm.”

 

“Sir…”

 

As Madame Marce spoke with a sorrowful voice, Esperad sighed and continued.

 

“You’re overlooking something.”

 

“……”

 

“Asilie is not only leading the affairs of the family and serving as my closest aide—she is now the face of House Camédici. Most importantly, she is my partner.”

 

At those words, Madame Marce’s eyes widened in realization.

 

“Nothing can take priority over her. So what you must do is your utmost to fulfill the requests of the lady of this house.”

 

“…Understood. I let my hurt feelings cloud my judgment and said something foolish. I apologize, sir.”

 

“Sometimes, it’s good to see this side of you too. Makes us all a little more human.”

 

“Thank you, sir. I’ll take my leave. If you ever need me, please call on me.”

 

After Madame Marce bowed and left, Esperad finally sat back comfortably in his chair.

 

From the moment Asilie had calmly examined the crime scene this morning and voiced her thoughts despite the horror she must have felt, he had realized she was no ordinary woman.

 

That alone was impressive, but the fact that she had confidently voiced her opinion to someone like Madame Marce—who had worked in the mansion for years and was trusted by all—was downright admirable.

 

She truly was unlike any noblewoman he had ever met.

 

Esperad began to think that perhaps she really might be able to uncover the true identity of the enemy threatening them.

 

Asilie didn’t think Madame Marce would obediently carry out her orders, even if she had seemed to accept them.

 

She had been managing the affairs of the Medici Mansion for a long time as the head maid.

 

She surely had pride, and since Asilie had yet to learn anything, it was natural she wouldn’t feel inclined to follow her command.

 

So Asilie didn’t really expect the list of attendants she had asked for to arrive that afternoon.

 

“Hmmm…”

 

Of course, because Madame Marce was someone Esperad trusted deeply, she wouldn’t disappoint him for long.

 

That much had been calculated, but Asilie couldn’t just sit back and wait while Madame Marce sorted through her thoughts.

 

So she returned to the bedroom where the assassin had broken in, wondering if there was something she might have missed.

 

“Oh! My lady!”

 

The attendants tidying the room were startled and stood up as soon as they saw her.

 

“I didn’t mean to disturb you. Please continue what you were doing.”

 

“Why would you enter such an ominous room? We fear it may affect you negatively.”

 

“You don’t need to worry about me. I came to inspect something.”

 

Asilie turned away, making it clear she didn’t want to continue the conversation.

 

The attendants were flustered by her behavior, so different from the usual timid noblewomen, but since they couldn’t just stand around doing nothing in her presence, they reluctantly resumed cleaning the scene.

 

At that moment, Asilie noticed a tray one of the attendants was carrying out.

 

It was the teapot with tea that Madame Marce had prepared to calm her nerves last night, along with the untouched teacup.

 

So they were only just cleaning that up now, she thought idly—but then she suddenly realized something and shouted:

 

“Wait!”

 

All the attendants froze at the sound of her voice.

 

Feeling slightly embarrassed by all the eyes on her, Asilie quickly approached the attendant holding the tray.

 

“Come with me for a moment.”

 

“Pardon? Y-yes, my lady.”

 

With the attendant in tow, Asilie hurried out of the room and into a quiet corridor.

 

After walking for a while, she suddenly turned around, startling the attendant, who took a step back.

 

“Were you just about to throw that away?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“That tray.”

 

“Oh… yes, I was. I left it in the corner while cleaning up the blood and thought I might forget about it if I left it there too long…”

 

“Give it to me.”

 

“Pardon? This, ma’am?”

 

The attendant looked confused by her sudden request.

 

Asilie also felt a bit awkward at his baffled expression, but she didn’t withdraw her outstretched hand. Eventually, the hesitant attendant handed over the tray.

 

“This is a secret, just between you and me.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“You’re not to tell anyone I took this tray.”

 

She didn’t expect the secret to be perfectly kept, but she felt she had to say something.

 

“…As you command, my lady.”

 

Having successfully secured the tray from the attendant, Asilie returned to her room.

 

“Hmmm…”

 

She glanced around and spotted a cabinet where she had left some personal items and ornaments. She quickly placed the teapot and teacup inside.

 

Once the cabinet door was closed, the unused teacup looked like a simple decoration, and the teapot hidden in the bottom corner was barely visible.

 

As Asilie double-checked that the items were well-hidden, she suddenly heard a knock.

 

Knock knock.

 

“May I come in?”

 

She felt a bit flustered at hearing Esperad’s voice.

 

In the place she had grown up, she hadn’t even had a private room. At the Bonaparte estate, even the maids would enter without knocking, so this kind of courtesy felt unfamiliar.

 

Especially in the shared bedroom of a married couple. Yet he had knocked.

 

Situations like this, so different from anything she had experienced before, often left Asilie feeling confused.

 

“Asilie?”

 

“Oh, sorry!”

 

Hearing her name, she realized she had kept him waiting and quickly opened the door.

 

Esperad’s figure came into view.

 

“Hmm, what is that…?”