21 - My Husband is My Favorite, But I Think I'm Going to Get Divorced
Episode 21
Alexis, who had been grumbling about me being loose-lipped, quickly shut his mouth at the mention of the Crown Prince.
But only for a moment, as he spoke in a deflated voice, as if he had his own grievances.
"Do you think I said it on purpose? His Highness brought up the marriage proposal first and asked if you were behaving yourself."
"So you just blurted everything out when he asked?"
"What else could I do?"
"You should have known how to pretend you didn't know!"
I scolded him, but honestly, I couldn't completely misunderstand Alexis's position. After all, he was part of the Imperial Knights, so answering his superior, the Crown Prince, sincerely was basic.
At that moment, Alexis grumbled, unaware that I was trying to understand him.
"And why did she tell me not to say she's getting married? Does she think anyone would care?"
"Hey."
"Honestly, from His Highness's point of view, wouldn't it feel like a huge relief? If I were him, I'd feel so refreshed that I'd end the war even faster."
He was ready to confess my marriage news to the Crown Prince right away, if only he could.
"Do you really want to die by my hand?"
"Okay, okay, I got it!"
Only after my harsh warning did Alexis promise never to tell.
I felt relieved only after getting his promise several more times.
In fact, I thought he was a hundred times right that the Crown Prince would be happy if I got married, but I couldn't help but feel uneasy.
This was entirely because the Crown Prince's attitude was strange that day.
'It might be an overestimation of my own importance, but no matter how I think about it, the Crown Prince's eyes seemed a little crazy that day!'
Anyway, I had soothed Alexis's anger and got the answer I wanted, so I had accomplished all the purposes of my visit.
I got up from my seat, watching Alexis, who was smiling slyly while taking the handkerchief I gave him.
Then, Alexis, who had been ignoring me until just now, jumped up and opened the door for me.
Hmph. As I snorted and went outside, Alexis, standing in front of the door, smiled slyly and said.
"But anyway, this expedition ceremony is going to be quiet in the early morning, so no one will come to see you off, right? I'll use the handkerchief well?"
And before I could answer, he closed the door.
'How foolish.'
Does he think I don't know that?
I know too. I know that the Imperial Family is pretending not to, but they are conscious of the temple, so they are not holding a large-scale expedition ceremony and are just leaving in the early morning.
'I just gave him the handkerchief to wish him a safe trip.'
I shook my head and turned away.
\ \ *
Two days later, at dawn.
Alexis set off for the southern Aruhin Kingdom with the Crown Prince as planned.
And two days after that.
Euclid finally came to the capital for the wedding.
3. When the Villainess Met Her Favorite.
"This is the first time I've ridden in a Magic Carriage, but it's definitely fast and good."
The time it takes to travel from the Ludion Duchy in the north to the capital usually takes more than three or four days. If you take it easy, it can take even longer.
Delano, who was born a northerner who had almost no contact with the capital, was actually very scared of the unfamiliar carriage journey.
But contrary to his worries, he arrived in the capital in the blink of an eye, even though he took his time and took all the breaks and meal times in between.
It was all thanks to the Magic Carriage that House Basilian sent with him, telling him the wedding schedule.
Delano had been holding back for two days, not wanting to show off his northern bumpkin side, but in the end, he couldn't help but admire it.
Magic Carriage. It was a representative product sold by the Magic Tower along with Magic Stone, and it was an expensive item that could buy a decent mansion in the provinces.
Of course, it was a rare item that was not easily seen not only in the north but also in other regions, and it was also a luxury item that the nobles of the Imperial City, who stayed in the capital, would buy even if they had to take out a loan to be conscious of people's eyes.
Delano inwardly clicked his tongue and sneered, saying, "How can a carriage be equal to the price of a house?" But after seeing the real thing and actually enjoying the convenience, he seemed to understand why people spent so much money to buy it.
"If you can buy time with money, it might be cheaper."
"That's right."
Delano smiled and nodded at Euclid's words.
"I didn't expect Duke Basilian to be so considerate, so I'm grateful."
But he couldn't easily agree with the following words.
Delano opened his mouth with a sullen expression.
"It's not for nothing that they're the richest family in the Empire. They also sent a lot of Magic Stone. The price of that alone would be no joke..."
It sounded like admiration at first glance, but the way he trailed off had a subtly negative nuance.
Euclid, who had keenly noticed this, put down the file he was reviewing and stared at Delano quietly.
Delano, who was preemptively pricked, continued.
"The more I think about it, the more uneasy I feel. I wonder what kind of ulterior motive they have to give so much."
"Ulterior motive?"
Delano hit his chest as if frustrated by his innocent face with no suspicion.
"Have you already forgotten? They suddenly came to me and said they would open a branch in the north, and then they sent a marriage proposal as a condition. But suddenly, the dowry list has doubled more than promised, and the Magic Carriage too..."
Delano, who had lowered his voice without realizing it, thinking that there must be a hidden plot, said as if whispering.
"Why are they rushing the wedding so much?"
It was a combination of the only two founding meritorious families and Ducal Houses in the Empire.
Even if the Ludion Ducal Family, which lived almost without any presence in the north, was like that, how could House Basilian, the most powerful family in the Empire, rush the wedding like this?
"Moreover, they're holding the wedding at the temple when they should be sending out invitations and gathering people on a large scale."
"They might be deeply religious. They're probably the family that donates the most to the temple."
"That's true, but..."
"Since the timing coincides with the expedition, they might want to do it quietly."
"No, that also seems like a lucky excuse!"
A cold wind blew between the master and Vassals, who were talking back and forth like a spear and shield.
Euclid, who had completely put the documents aside, asked quietly.
"Delano. What do you want to say?"
"...Duke, don't you think it's a little strange that House Basilian is rushing the wedding like this, and that they're holding it so quietly as if they're afraid someone will find out?"
Delano asked back, swallowing his breath.
Of course, from his point of view, it was good for the Vassals and Duchy Territory people who would be shaken by knowing the identity of the woman who would become the Duchess, to have the wedding so secretly and quickly.
But why is a great family like House Basilian rushing so much, giving so much away?
"There must be a reason why they can't get married right away, or there must be a flaw..."
"Stop there."
The moment he was about to say what he had been holding in, Euclid cut off Delano's words firmly.
Delano paused and closed his mouth when he saw that the smile that always lingered on Euclid's lips had completely disappeared.
"I know that you're saying this because you're worried about me and the Ducal House. But the Princess and I have already promised to marry, and we'll be married tomorrow. So, no matter how good your intentions are, I don't want to hear any more."
Only then did Delano realize that he had crossed the line and lowered his head.
He thought he had accepted it the moment he signed the marriage proposal, but it seemed that he still hadn't accepted 'that Princess' as the Duchess of Ludion in the depths of his heart.
"I'm sorry. I made a mistake."
A deep sense of self-reproach washed over Delano's heart.
He was making unfounded slanderous remarks against the mistress of the Ludion Ducal Family, whom he would have to serve with all his loyalty tomorrow.
As he couldn't bring himself to raise his head, Euclid said as if comforting him.
"It's enough that you know now. But if you make any more rude remarks towards the Princess and House Basilian, I will consider it an insult to me."
"Yes. I will keep that in mind."
