Translator: Nox

119 - The Evil Husband (15th Anniversary Edition) Chapter 119

119

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They were knights who had been watching Aileen and Cesare for a long time. There was no way they wouldn't notice the changes in the two of them.

Aileen, already nervous, felt even more withdrawn as she sensed the atmosphere becoming strange because of her.

'This won't do...'

It was the first time in a while that everyone had gathered together. They should be enjoying themselves, but she didn't want to make them feel uneasy.

However, she didn't know what to do to improve the atmosphere. Cesare only looked down at Aileen without saying anything, which made it even worse.

After much deliberation, Aileen decided to speak to Cesare first.

"Um, your hunting clothes."

She had been thinking about saying this since earlier. But unlike her intention to add all sorts of flowery words, what came out of her mouth was a bland and childish compliment.

"You look very handsome."

Every time this happened, Aileen wished she had studied poetry instead of pharmacy. She felt like pinching her own mouth for uttering such a poor compliment.

Cesare didn't open his mouth for a while after Aileen finished speaking. He just stared intently before asking back.

"That's all?"

"Pardon?"

"After seeing me for the first time in days, that's all you have to say, Aileen?"

"Ah..."

As Aileen became even more flustered, Cesare briefly raised his eyebrows and then lowered them.

"Let's be on our way."

While he was instructing Sonio, the knights quickly pulled Aileen aside. Diego whispered in a very low voice.

"Your Grace is not angry."

Michele also stuck close to Aileen and whispered earnestly.

"Yes! Absolutely not. He just wants to hear something right now."

She wanted to ask what that was, but she didn't get a chance to ask. Cesare, having finished his conversation with Sonio, immediately led Aileen away.

"Let's get going."

Aileen, with her hand held by Cesare, followed him and boarded the car. She was very nervous that he might ask something more, but Cesare didn't say anything.

He only checked documents while traveling in the car together. The car, which had been speeding towards the forest, slowed down at some point and soon stopped. Cesare, putting away the documents he was reading, said.

"Go ahead. I'll be there soon."

She wanted to ask where he was going, but she felt like she shouldn't ask. As Aileen was only moving her lips, he suddenly said.

"You shouldn't get too angry."

Angry? Would she ever have a reason to be angry with him? On the contrary, Aileen had been worried until just now that he might be angry with her. Aileen carefully said with a bewildered look.

"I'm not... angry..."

"Not yet, anyway."

He was saying something she didn't know again. Aileen clenched her hands on her lap to hide her frustrated feelings.

Still, it wasn't polite to leave without making eye contact or saying goodbye. After keeping her eyes on her hands for a while, she finally looked up at Cesare.

"...!"

Their lips lightly touched. Aileen made a silly sound, "Oh," at the kiss that landed with a 'pop'.

"Ah, my bad."

As if it was a mistake, Cesare said nonchalantly.

"I thought you wanted me to kiss you."

Then he got out of the car. Left alone, Aileen blankly stared before her face flushed hotly.

She wondered why he said she would get angry, but she didn't have time to delve into that question. Cesare's kiss pushed away all other thoughts.

Aileen rubbed her lips with the back of her hand. Her mind was filled with Cesare. She even wondered if he had kissed her so that she wouldn't think too much about it.

Until the car stopped again, Aileen had to try hard to calm her burning face.

---

The forest where the Hunting Festival was held was already crowded with many people. Flags embroidered with the emblems of the imperial family and each noble family fluttered heavily on the endless rows of tents.

Dozens of purebred horses, each worth a castle, and trained hunting dogs stood proudly. Hawks flapping their large wings were also seen everywhere.

Although there were plenty of animals, their unique smell was not felt. This was because the forest was filled with the scent of fresh grass and a rich fragrance. It was the scent emitted by the piled-up incense trees and various kinds of flowers for the ceremony.

Aileen looked around with curious eyes. She was about to head to the Grand Duke's tent with a soldier's escort. From the moment the Grand Duke's car was seen in the distance, noble ladies who had been eagerly waiting surrounded Aileen.

Today was the day they were determined to build a friendship with the Archduchess of Erzeht. However, the ladies who were approaching fiercely all hesitated. The noble ladies' eyes widened at the sight of Aileen in her hunting clothes. Reading their surprised gazes, Aileen shrank back and clenched her hands tightly.

As soon as she realized that she was dressed differently from everyone else, her confidence plummeted. Aileen tried to appear confident and belatedly exchanged greetings with the noble ladies who were flocking to her.

Then she finally met a familiar face. It was Baroness Contarini, who had been invited to Aileen's Tea Party. Aileen had promised to attend the ball that she would host after the Hunting Festival.

"Baroness!"

Aileen unintentionally showed how very glad she was to see her. Baroness Contarini seemed a little embarrassed by the enthusiastic greeting, but soon wore a very smug expression.

"You've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you."

She pushed aside the people blocking her way and approached Aileen. She smiled triumphantly and flaunted her special friendship with the Grand Duchess in front of the noble ladies.

"I've been looking forward to the Hunting Festival ever since the Tea Party."

Baroness Contarini blatantly boasted about their close relationship and also added compliments to Aileen.

"You look like a fairy being here in the forest today."

It seemed like she was trying to defend Aileen, who was dressed differently from everyone else. When Aileen replied with a slightly dispirited voice that she was grateful, Baroness Contarini slightly narrowed her eyes.

"If it's not too much to ask, may I show the Archduchess of Erzeht the Contarini's tent?"

It was a suggestion she made after realizing that Aileen was feeling burdened by being surrounded by people. Aileen gladly accepted the helping hand she offered.

Aileen, having escaped from the noble ladies, walked side by side with Baroness Contarini. Then, she opened her mouth in a place where there were fewer people.

"Thank you, Baroness."

"You're welcome. By the way, your hunting clothes suit you very well. How did you think of wearing hunting clothes? You're really amazing."

"Ah..."

As a dark cloud loomed over Aileen's face, Baroness Contarini hurriedly waved her hand.

"I'm definitely not saying it in a bad way! It's just that they suit you so well. I guarantee you, soon the ladies of the empire will be overflowing with hunting clothes."

It was a little reassuring that she said that much. Aileen replied with a heart full of gratitude.

"I'm glad you don't think it's strange. I was actually very worried. I felt like I stood out too much wearing hunting clothes by myself. I prepared all the clothes to wear during the Hunting Festival as hunting clothes, so I can't change into anything else..."

Aileen, chattering, clasped her hands tightly in front of her chest and looked up at the Baroness.

"But I feel more confident because you said that. It's all thanks to you."

It was a sincere expression of gratitude. Seeing her eyes full of emotion, Baroness Contarini bit her lip tightly. She muttered with a look as if she wanted to hug her right away.

"The Archduchess is really... How can you be so..."

Aileen was embarrassed by the intense gaze that was piercing through her. She felt that her gaze was similar to the gaze that the knights showed when they thought she was cute. But that could never be the case.

'Have I become too arrogant?'

She seemed to be interpreting other people's actions too favorably because the people of the Grand Duke's family cherished her. Aileen took some time to reflect on herself.

Baroness Contarini cleared her throat slightly and praised Aileen even more.

"These days, the Archduchess is leading the fashion in the empire, isn't she? Everyone is trying to follow her somehow. And what about Aspilia!"

She suddenly brought her face close to Aileen's. Then, she flashed her eyes even more intensely than before.

"Not only around me, but the whole empire is in an uproar because of Aspilia. Even those who bought it to follow the latest trends are surprised by the effectiveness of the medicine. Don't you know about this situation?"

"Oh, I did see stories about it in magazines... But I thought they wrote it favorably because it's the Erzeht Grand Ducal Family..."

"There's no way the magazines would do that! Those vicious people pounce like hyenas if there's anything to pick at. In fact, until the Archduchess revealed her face at the wedding, all sorts of ominous articles were overflowing!"

"Oh, I didn't know... I started reading magazines after becoming the Grand Duchess..."

"Really? Then what did you read?"

"Mainly academic journals and academic books."

As she answered hesitantly, Baroness Contarini gracefully touched her forehead with her hand. However, she soon waved her hand.

"No, no. You must have created Aspilia because you worked so hard on your studies."

Baroness Contarini skillfully changed the subject to another direction.

"I heard that Aspilia was given out for free at the pharmacy. Are you planning to distribute Aspilia at this Hunting Festival as well?"

"Pardon? Aspilia?"

However, Aileen was startled by the new story she brought up. The Baroness also became serious at Aileen's unusual reaction.

"It's been a widespread story among the noble ladies since yesterday..."

It was completely unplanned. If there was such a plan, Sonio or someone else would have told Aileen.

Someone had spread a false rumor.