A Change of Husband - Chapter 94

The smile on Duchess Grandier’s face faded.

She looked at Asilie with a questioning expression, as if to ask if she was serious. Then, after glancing around, she stepped a little closer to Asilie.

“Madam, what do you mean by that?”

“I’m being treated far too unfairly. To the point it feels like an insult to the Grandier family. That’s why I want to make a demand.”

“Of course, if you’re being treated unfairly, it must be corrected. But… are you sure about this?”

Duchess Grandier looked at Asilie with worried eyes.

She was still young enough to be considered inexperienced, and the Duchess was concerned that Asilie might be making a rash decision.

Astel was a very conservative country. The view of divorced women was especially harsh—more so among the nobility.

No one got divorced just because their husband cheated, was violent, or their in-laws treated them badly.

Attempted murder was usually the bare minimum reason considered acceptable for divorce.

“This will definitely affect your social life. You probably won’t be able to show your face in high society anymore. I know this might not be helpful, but… if you can, it’s best to endure it…”

“I understand what you’re worried about. But whatever I have to deal with after the divorce is also my choice. I’ll be fine. And I won’t bring any trouble or burden to the Grandier family.”

“Oh, madam, you don’t have to worry about being a burden. But still… you know what kind of treatment divorced women get in this country.”

The Duchess’s words were quite convincing.

But Asilie didn’t waver, because she knew how meaningless and pointless public opinion really was. And she wasn’t afraid of what was coming.

She wasn’t afraid—that’s why she had gone back to Joseph, the man who tried to kill her. No, the man who had actually killed her.

“I’ve already prepared myself for that, madam.”

“…If your mind is made up, then I won’t try to stop you. My husband and I will always support you, but I hope you’ll think carefully so that you won’t regret this later.”

“I’ll take your advice to heart. Thank you for your concern, madam.”

“No need to thank me. But… you’re not planning to announce the divorce on the last day of the banquet, are you?”

Duchess Grandier asked, but Asilie didn’t answer.

She had a rough plan in mind, but nothing was certain yet. Everything still had a fifty-fifty chance.

“I won’t do anything to harm the Grandier family.”

That was the only thing Asilie could say for sure right now.

Waiting was always hard.

It always had been, but today felt even longer for Isabella.

She stared at the dim moonlight for a while, then let out a frustrated sigh and pulled the curtains closed, blocking all the light from entering the room. At the same time, the door opened.

“Oh my, Lady Isabella. Why is it so dark in here?”

“I was just about to close the curtains and light the candles.”

“Really? Have you been waiting long?”

Normally, she would’ve answered casually, but today, Monica’s question about the long wait felt irritating.

Isabella clenched her fists to hold back her anger, then lit the candle and answered as calmly as she could.

“Longer than usual.”

“Oh dear, I’m sorry. As you know, there are so many people I have to greet and so many things I need to do. I’m not exactly a free person, am I? And soon, you’ll be the same.”

“…You think I’ll be like you soon?”

“Aren’t you still meeting with the viscount?”

“Yes, I’m still meeting Joseph, but… Madam, this isn’t what you promised!”

Isabella finally lost her composure and snapped at Monica. She knew her voice had gotten loud, but she didn’t care anymore.

When Joseph’s wife, Asilie had gone missing, Joseph and Monica had promised Isabella that they would make her the daughter-in-law of the Bonaparte family.

But Asilie had returned, and Isabella was still just the daughter of the Count of Bourbon—still unmarried at her age!

Of course, that wasn’t entirely Monica’s fault, but still…

“Don’t be in such a rush, Lady Isabella. Everything will go your way in the end.”

“How long do I have to wait?”

Isabella’s face twisted with frustration.

She had trusted Monica’s promise to make her part of the Bonaparte family. She had even sold her land deeds to help Monica pay off her debts to jewelers and dressmakers.

But now Monica acted like she’d never made such a promise, as if she’d gotten everything she needed from Isabella.

“There’s no way to set a fixed timeline when it comes to people’s affairs, Lady Isabella. And not long ago, there really were marriage talks with the Count of Bourbon. Do you think I was lying?”

“I’m sure you’re trying your best, but still…!”

Monica looked at the loud Isabella with eyes full of pity and contempt.

It was understandable that Isabella was anxious, being unmarried at her age. But Monica didn’t think that was her fault.

‘It’s not like I told her to have a child with another man and become infertile.’

Years ago, Isabella had gotten pregnant by a man she was having a secret affair with.

She went to her estate under the excuse of poor health and gave birth there. But during labor, she suffered from a high fever that left her infertile.

Because of that, the Count of Bourbon couldn’t marry her off Asilie. While all the other noble young ladies her age got married, Isabella remained alone.

Knowing this secret through their close friendship, Monica had made her a special offer. For a lady past marriage age, becoming a second wife wasn’t an insulting offer.

“Don’t worry, Lady Isabella.”

After listening to her for a while, Monica finally comforted her in a soft voice.

“We’ll be family soon, Lady Isabella. People will start calling you Lady Bonaparte.”

“When? It’s already been more than six months.”

“Marriage is a serious matter. It doesn’t get decided quickly. Even in formal marriages, including the engagement period, it usually takes a year.”

“I suppose that’s true…”

“Isabella, you haven’t forgotten our friendship, have you?”

At Monica’s question, Isabella could no longer complain.

Bringing up friendship made it sound like continuing to argue meant she wanted to end things between them.

Unable to answer right away, Isabella bit her lip and asked,

“Fine, Monica. But I can’t wait forever.”

“It’ll be handled soon. My mother-in-law doesn’t like that low-born woman either. She already considers you her daughter-in-law. Didn’t she take care of you at the banquet today?”

Isabella couldn’t deny that.

After the marriage talks started, the Countess Bonaparte had noticeably cared for her and treated her with affection at every social event.

“You must not rush, Lady Isabella. What’s more important is hiding your infertility until the wedding. You understand what I mean, right?”

“I’m making sure no one talks.”

“Then we’re doing well. I’ll bring good news soon, all right?”

“…All right.”

Satisfied with Isabella’s answer, Monica nodded and said goodbye before leaving the room.

But once her back was turned, Monica’s face went stiff and cold.

After the banquet began, Asilie’s tasks noticeably decreased.

It seemed that Countess Bonaparte, thinking that giving Asilie tasks would mean recognizing her as the Count’s daughter-in-law, did not call on her much.

In fact, she didn’t call on her at all.

It was likely because she was still angry about the humiliation she faced from Asilie on the first day of the banquet, but Asilie didn’t mind.

Thanks to that, she was able to invite Sophia to the Count’s house after a long time and spend some time with her.

“Are you aware that the town is buzzing about what happened on the first day of the banquet?”

“If you’re talking about that day…”

Asilie reflecting on the events, finally realized what Sophia was referring to.

In truth, what mattered more to her was that she had sent a message to Duke Grandier through the Duchess of Grandier, so she hadn’t really thought about the incident. However, other people likely saw it differently.

After returning to the Bonaparte household, she had often shown a defiant attitude toward the Countess in front of the family, but she had rarely done so in public. Moreover, there had been many people around her when the Countess, the host of the banquet, tried to greet the nobles. It was a setting that was bound to spread rumors.

“You wouldn’t believe how upset the progressive noblewomen are about the Countess being humiliated. What’s funny is that even conservative noblewomen are quietly gossiping about it. Especially Baroness Orian!”

“Baroness Orian? She was there too.”

“Exactly. In front of the Countess, she spoke ill of her, but later, she arrogantly went around mocking her. I heard that when she was young, Baroness Orian had suffered a lot from the Countess.”

“So, they weren’t friends.”

“Yeah?”

“Never mind, nothing.”

“Well… but what’s this?”

Sophia asked, looking at a button on the table.

With a slight smile on her face, Asilie replied,

“My maid dropped it. I was going to give it back to you when you come to clear the tea things later.”

“How thoughtful of you. She sounds like a clumsy maid.”

“Her work isn’t exactly neat, but… I actually need to ask you for something.”

“Something from me?”

Sophia widened her eyes. Asilie had always seemed to avoid asking others for help, so it was unusual for her to make a request.

“What’s going on?”

“Recently, the Countess and I have had more conflict, and now there are people watching me in the mansion. Because of that, it’s been hard to exchange letters with people I’m close to.”

“Goodness, that’s terrible! Shouldn’t we tell the Grandier family?”

“I can’t exactly complain about it…”

Sophia bit her lip at Asilie’s bitter smile.

In noble families, whether relations were good or bad, it was extremely rude to spy on someone, especially within the family.

Sophia knew Asilie was being mistreated, but this was going too far.

“That’s outrageous. How can they act so maliciously?”

“I’m fine. The hard part is not being able to send and receive letters. Everything is being watched.”

“Then should I deliver your letters for you?”

“It has to be delivered by tomorrow morning. So even if you can’t do it, you’ll have to send someone tonight.”

“That’s not a problem, but…”

“And it’s not a letter.”

At that, Sophia shrugged.

Whether it was a letter or an item, it didn’t matter to her.

“Then where should I deliver it?”

“To Lord Edgar Villian’s mansion.”

“Lord Edgar Villian?”

Sophia recognized the name but couldn’t quite place it.

As she frowned, trying to remember where she had heard it before and who the person was, it clicked.

“He’s the head of the royal knights now.”

“Oh!”

Sophia remembered overhearing unmarried young noblewomen talking about Lord Villian when they came to the shop to have dresses fitted.

Lord Edgar Villian was one of the most popular unmarried nobles these days. However, what was puzzling was why Asilie would be involved with him, someone who seemed unrelated to her.

Sophia hesitated about whether to ask her directly, but Asilie spoke first.

“I’m not sending this to Lord Edgar Villian.”

“Not Lord Villian? Then who…?”

Sophia stopped mid-sentence, her face turning surprised as she stared at Asilie.

Asilie also remained silent, locking eyes with her.

In fact, it would have been fine if Asilie had simply said she was sending the item to Lord Edgar Villian without offering any more details.

But Asilie didn’t want Sophia, who knew nothing, to unknowingly risk herself.

Of course, once Asilie brought this up, she was no longer completely safe, but she wanted to trust her own people.

If this gamble failed, she wouldn’t be safe anymore.

“Madam, surely…”

“This is something His Majesty the King must know.”

“It’s dangerous.”

“I know… but…”

“No, not me. You!”

Sophia was quick to catch on.

If there was something that needed to be secretly delivered to the King without the Bonaparte family knowing, it was most likely something from within the Bonaparte family.

Asilie was the one who would be in danger if anyone found out. Sophia was already on her way out of the mansion.

“I’m fine.”

“Madam!”

“I won’t ask you to take on all of this just because of our friendship. But if you’re a citizen of Astel and love this country, His Majesty the King must know.”

Sophia couldn’t find the words to reply, just looking at Asilie.

After a long pause, she finally spoke.

“I’ll help you.”

“Thank you.”

“But this isn’t because I’m a citizen of Astel or because I love this country. I’m doing this to repay the favor to you. So you must protect your own safety.”

Asilie nodded silently.

She looked down at the button lying on the table.

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