A Change of Husband - Chapter 93

At the royal palace banquet, Cordelia had been deeply offended because Esperad hadn’t spent much time with her.
As a matter of courtesy, he should have at least asked her for a dance, since she was the former queen.
But that day, Esperad only danced once—with the elderly countess of the Rupield family, whose birthday it was—as a gesture of congratulations. After that, he sat down and didn’t dance with anyone else.

Of course, since the country was still in mourning at the time, it would’ve been inappropriate for Esperad to enjoy the banquet by dancing with many people. But Cordelia didn’t consider that.

Still disappointed by that day, Cordelia dressed up as if she were going to a flower festival and waited for Esperad in the drawing room.

‘Still, the fact that he sent a servant to schedule an appointment instead of just ignoring it completely might mean he doesn’t totally dislike me.’

Actually, whether or not he liked her didn’t matter much to Cordelia.
What mattered was whether Esperad considered her useful.

‘Velkoz is still Astel’s greatest ally, after all. There’s no need to worry too much.’

Just as she was calming herself, the door opened and Esperad walked in.
Cordelia quickly stood up.

“You’re here, Your Majesty.”
“Please, stay seated.”
“Oh no, how could I dare do that?”

Esperad tried to stop her, but she smiled brightly, walked over, and greeted him with proper formality before sitting down again.

“I assumed you’d be very busy. It’s still early in your reign, and since the late king was absent for so long, you must have a lot to take care of.”
“Thank you for your concern, but it’s nothing unmanageable.”
“Oh my, I must’ve been overly worried and underestimated Your Majesty.”

Cordelia joked playfully, but Esperad only forced a slight smile and said nothing.
Feeling uneasy at his cold response, Cordelia cautiously spoke again.

“You said last time that we should have a more honest conversation, right?”
“I did.”
“I’ve been thinking a lot. About what kind of sincerity Your Majesty expects from me.”

Esperad gave a small nod, as if to tell her to continue.
That attitude somehow felt arrogant and irritated her, but Cordelia forced herself to ignore it and kept smiling as she went on.

“Perhaps Your Majesty has already noticed… but I’m a woman with many secrets. When someone tries to uncover them, I get scared and anxious.”
“……”
“So, if Your Majesty could be more specific about what you want me to say…”

Esperad suddenly stood up.
Surprised by his sudden movement, Cordelia looked up at him, speechless.

“Your Majesty?”
“I asked for sincerity during our last meeting. But it seems you’re still not ready.”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“I don’t enjoy wasting time on mysterious conversations with someone who hides too much. I should take my leave. It’s a shame.”

Cordelia’s face turned pale at his cold tone.
She had never imagined this would happen—especially after he went so far as to set a specific time to meet her.
Still, just because Esperad was being harsh, she couldn’t panic and spill everything she knew.

‘What do I do?’

From Esperad’s firm attitude, it felt like he already knew something.
But since she didn’t know exactly what he knew, she couldn’t just speak carelessly.
Was he testing her, already knowing everything?

If he was judging her usefulness, that made it even more unpleasant—but even so, Cordelia couldn’t afford to push Esperad away.
It wasn’t him who would lose something; it was her.

Esperad could Asilie find someone to replace her, but to Cordelia, he was everything.

“W-wait! Please, wait a moment!”

Esperad turned around at her desperate voice, almost as if he had expected it.
But even the polite smile he had worn earlier was completely gone.
That alone told Cordelia her situation had worsened since the moment he entered the room—and she noticed it right away.

This was the first time she’d ever felt such pressure. Her hands were shaking, and her heart was pounding, but she tried her best to stay calm as she opened her mouth.

“Alright. If that’s what Your Majesty wants, I have no choice.”

That’s what she said, but truthfully, she had no idea where to begin.
She was already too cornered to think clearly.

“If… if I gave Your Majesty proof that Count Mirk had the late king’s life in his hands, would you accept me as your queen?”
“That’s it?”
“Pardon?”
“That can’t be the only proof you have. Didn’t you associate with Count Mirk for nearly ten years?”
“H-how did you…”

Cordelia’s face turned white.
She had suspected that Esperad might have noticed she and Count Mirk had spent a lot of time together,
but she had never imagined he’d know when the relationship started.

She couldn’t tell how much he knew, which only made her more panicked.

“You should think carefully. The reward you receive will depend on how useful you prove to be.”
“The reward I receive?”
“Perhaps the reward is exactly what the former queen truly wants.”

Esperad’s answer was vague, but to Cordelia, it sounded like a promise that he would make her queen.

Her face, which had been filled with despair, suddenly lit up with hope.

Maybe—maybe she wouldn’t have to return to Velkoz.
Maybe she could stay in Astel and even rise to the center of power!

‘Breaking ties with Count Mirk was the best decision I ever made!’

Cordelia barely managed to hide the grin rising to her ears as she looked at Esperad.

“Alright. I’ll tell you everything. And I’ll hand over everything I have.
Since Your Majesty is asking me so clearly.”

Only then did Esperad sit back down in front of her.

The thought that she might soon be able to hold Astel in the palm of her hand,
combined with the pressure that everything depended on this very moment, left Cordelia in a swirl of excitement and tension.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and began to speak.

It was a banquet held by none other than the Count Bonaparte family, and since it was to celebrate Count Bonaparte’s birthday, the event was extremely grand and lavish.
Normally, when noble families held banquets, they lasted for about a day, or two at most. But the banquet planned by Countess Bonaparte was set to last for three full days.
At the Bonaparte household, this wasn’t anything unusual. At the very least, Count Bonaparte’s birthday was always celebrated in such a fashion.

“You look beautiful today.”
At Sophia’s words, Asilie smiled.
No matter how many hair and makeup experts Salon Sophia employed, and no matter how often they were sent out on location when needed, it was very rare for the owner, Sophia herself, to come in person.
Asilie found it a little funny that she had grown used to something so unusual.
Maybe she was still clinging too much to the happy memories of a parallel world. Even though she tried so hard to move on.

“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t look this good. Thank you.”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Asilie spoke softly and, after checking the mirror one last time, stood up completely.
Technically, her husband Joseph should have come to escort her, but Asilie knew he wouldn’t go out of his way to show such kindness to someone he saw as little more than a “lowborn.”
At a formal palace banquet, Joseph might have made an effort to appear polite. But at an event like this, there was no point expecting anything from him.
No matter how fancy her dress or how beautifully she was done up, the moment she entered the banquet hall without a man escorting her, she would start being ridiculed.

“It’s fine.”
But truly, Asilie was fine. She knew now that her happiness no longer depended on such trivial things.
With her mind prepared, Asilie walked toward the ballroom at the Bonaparte estate—a place she had helped the countess prepare and checked more than ten times.

“Oh my.”
“She came alone, huh.”
“Well, it can’t be helped. I wouldn’t want to be with her either.”
“Right? Who could blame him?”
“Maybe… Countess Bourbon?”
“Oh dear, hohohoho!”

As expected, the noble ladies gathered in the hall began mocking Asilie the moment she entered.
Every word of their ridicule reached her ears, but Asilie ignored them and walked straight toward Countess Bonaparte.
Countess Bonaparte, who had been talking with other ladies, frowned with displeasure as soon as she saw Asilie.

“You’re late.”
“I couldn’t show up looking half-prepared after you and I worked so hard on this banquet, Mother.”
“Even so, being late is inexcusable. You’re so lazy. It’s unbearable!”
Though the words were full of spite, Asilie remained expressionless and said nothing.
Countess Bonaparte felt extremely annoyed at Asilie’s attitude—ignoring things she didn’t want to hear.

“I suppose it depends on the daughter-in-law’s background, doesn’t it?”
“Pardon?”
“You seem quite uncomfortable. You appear to get along very well with your second daughter-in-law, after all.”
At the other noblewoman’s comment, Countess Bonaparte finally realized what was being implied and eagerly nodded.

“Well, there’s bound to be a difference. I always try not to make distinctions, but as you know, circumstances can’t be ignored.”
“I imagine that’s true. You’ve had a hard time, Countess Bonaparte!”
“Oh no, Baroness Orian. I appreciate your understanding.”

Judging someone’s background to their face was extremely rude by common standards.
But neither Countess Bonaparte nor Baroness Orian, who was belittling Asilie right next to her, seemed to think it mattered.

“I’m glad you’ve found a friend who understands you, Mother. I used to wonder if you had any at all.”
“…What?”
“People become friends with others who are like them. I just forgot that many people like you would be here today. I’m sorry, Mother.”

Her voice was gentle, but her words were full of thorns.
Realizing this, Countess Bonaparte’s face turned cold. The same went for Baroness Orian.

“How dare you speak to Countess Bonaparte like that? Unbelievable! I doubt Lady Bellucci would have ever said something like that!”
“You wouldn’t treat my sister-in-law the way you treat me either. There’s always a reason behind every outcome.”
“You—you…!”

Countess Bonaparte was deeply embarrassed to be treated like this by her daughter-in-law in front of others.

“Well then, I hope you enjoy the banquet you worked so hard to prepare, Mother.”
As she faltered, pointing her finger without being able to reply, Asilie greeted her with that same smooth smile and turned away.
She could hear the conservative noblewomen mocking her again, but Asilie paid them no attention as she passed by. She was looking for someone.

Just because the banquet was held by the Bonaparte family didn’t mean only conservatives were invited.
Because of that, Asilie had also sent an invitation to the Grandier duchy.

Looking around, it didn’t take long for Asilie to spot the Duchess of Grandier chatting with neutral noblewomen nearby.

“Your Grace, you’ve arrived.”
At Asilie’s greeting, the Duchess of Grandier, who had been deep in conversation, turned her head and smiled brightly.

“Oh, Lady. I received the invitation well. Thank you for inviting me.”
“And His Grace?”
“He’s over there. Oh, should we go greet him?”
At her question, Asilie smiled and shook her head.

“No, it’s okay today. Actually, I wanted to ask you something privately.”
“Me?”
“Yes, I was wondering if you’ll be attending the final day of the banquet.”
“I don’t have any plans yet, but why do you ask?”

The Duke and Duchess of Grandier were known to have a very good relationship.
The duchess was also known for being quiet and careful, earning her a good reputation in society.
Still, Asilie hesitated for a moment—it was a delicate topic. But the Duchess of Grandier was someone she could trust.

At the very least, she wasn’t the type to act rashly after all the favors Asilie had shown her.

“I hope both of you can come that day. I’m asking as a favor.”
“…Hmm, it must be important?”
At the quiet question, Asilie slowly nodded.

“Yes. I think I might be asking for a divorce soon.”

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