Translator: Nox

120 - Evil Husband (15th Anniversary Edition) Chapter 120

120

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Currently, Aspilia was experiencing a shortage. Aileen had devised and shared a method for mass production, but the demand exploded far beyond the maximum daily output, making it unavoidable.

Initially, only those interested in the Archduke Erzeht's family purchased Aspilia. They wanted the crest of the Grand Duke's family depicted on the medicine bottle label.

However, as the usefulness of Aspilia became increasingly known, even people who had no interest in the Grand Duke's family began to seek the medicine.

The initial fervent interest only grew day by day. Now, not only the capital but also the entire Traon Empire, and even foreign countries, were trying to purchase Aspilia.

As it became increasingly difficult to buy the medicine, the Archduke Erzeht's family prohibited the export of Aspilia. They announced that once the supply to their own citizens became smooth, they would begin formal exports, and they also prohibited purchases by foreigners.

The expansion of the production equipment that had been prepared in advance was also carried out sequentially. They were trying to catch up with the demand as quickly as possible, but for now, it was a medicine that could only be obtained by lining up in front of the pharmacy early in the morning...

'To spread rumors that I'm giving it away for free.'

Who on earth spread such nonsense? Even Aileen couldn't obtain that much medicine right now. She was inevitably put in a position to clarify the false rumors.

Aileen was more worried about the damage to the reputation of the Archduke Erzeht's family than the trouble she would have to endure. So, with a very worried face, she asked.

"By any chance... where did you hear such a thing?"

"I also heard the rumor yesterday when I went to see a play."

Baroness Contarini, upon learning of the absurd situation, was even more indignant than Aileen. She even told Aileen in detail how to respond.

"Originally, the higher the reputation, the more impious people gather. Don't worry too much about it. In times like these, draw a firm line, but don't be too actively responsive."

In principle, the source of the false rumor should have been identified and severely punished.

But the social world was a strange place. No matter how false the rumor, responding to it thoroughly with anger was considered an 'uncool' action.

The Grand Duchess was in a position to be embroiled in all sorts of scandals in the future. She couldn't respond to everything one by one, so it would be better to get used to it from now on.

Aileen carefully stored the coping methods that the Baroness had taught her in her head and then said.

"Thank you for letting me know, Baroness. If it weren't for you, I might have made a mistake. How should I repay you..."

She had learned that there was no one-sided relationship in the social world. As she had given great help, Aileen had to pay a reasonable price for this relationship to be maintained.

"You are already repaying me enough."

The Baroness smiled and gestured around. Following her gaze, Aileen could see people watching them with interest from a distance.

Since the two of them were talking intimately, it seemed to be only a matter of time before rumors spread that the relationship between the Baroness and the Grand Duchess was quite close.

Baroness Contarini gave a sly smile.

"I am a very vain person. That's why I hold big balls every time."

Aileen recalled what she had learned from Sonio. The Contarini baronial family, which owned a large merchant house, was one of the wealthiest families in the Empire, and the Baroness was known for her expertise in all kinds of luxury.

She had heard that she was the biggest customer for merchants until the Archduke Erzeht's family began to take an interest in luxury goods such as jewelry and women's clothing after welcoming the Grand Duchess.

"You don't have to doubt why I'm so friendly. The friendship that the Grand Duchess bestows upon me will satisfy my vanity more perfectly than anything else."

Baroness Contarini placed her hand on her chest, held the hem of her dress with the other, and slightly bent her knees.

"Please keep me close and use me."

She gave a fresh, polite greeting and smiled brightly.

"If you keep me by your side, I will never betray you."

---

Aileen repeatedly promised to attend Baroness Contarini's ball.

After parting with her, Aileen was about to go to the Grand Duke's camp but walked alone in the forest for a while. There were many people not far away, so it didn't feel secluded, but it wasn't bad for organizing her thoughts.

There were almost no foreign species of plants in the forest owned by the Imperial family. The forest, which had been protected as a habitat for native plants of the Traon Empire, had a particularly strong grass scent.

The scents of most of the Empire's plants had faded a lot as they mixed with foreign species, but this place had preserved its unique original form well. Aileen took a deep breath of the grass scent and suddenly thought it had been a long time.

She had been to the forest owned by the Imperial family several times when she was young. It was thanks to Cesare, who took her on picnics for Aileen, who liked plants. She remembered running around excitedly without knowing anything and explaining the plants in the forest to Cesare.

She was just happy because she didn't know anything at the time, but looking back now, it was a childish thing to do. She had wasted half a day of The Prince's precious time on a mere picnic.

Aileen looked at the deep greenery, recalling herself as a child and Cesare in his days as The Prince. Then, she turned her head at the sudden noise.

Several military vehicles were lined up and entering. The heavy, thick car door opened, and Cesare got out of the car. He stretched his long legs and got out of the car, tidying his clothes and looking around.

He briefly dismissed those who came to greet him and looked around, quickly finding Aileen. As soon as their eyes met, the words that a noblewoman had once said with a smile echoed in her ears.

"Wouldn't all the women in the capital have had a crush on him at least once?"

It was not a statement intended to arouse Aileen's jealousy at all. She said it as if it were a perfectly natural, universally acknowledged truth.

There was nothing wrong with the words. If you weren't swayed by that appearance, you would be no different from someone without emotions.

Even though she had seen him countless times, Aileen was once again captivated. She stared at him for a long time and then took a step. The soft dirt covered the bottom of her shoes.

She quickened her pace slightly and approached him. Cesare raised one eyebrow, surprised that Aileen was approaching him first.

As the Grand Duchess approached, the people surrounding Cesare quietly stepped aside and made way. Cesare's attention was focused solely on Aileen. They were eager to make way, thinking that they would not have a chance to talk until the Grand Duke spoke with the Grand Duchess.

Of course, there were also many who made way because they were curious about the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess. Gossipers wanted to see with their own eyes whether the rumors circulating in the capital's social circles, such as the Grand Duke cherishing the Grand Duchess so much, were true.

All sorts of eyes were focused on them, but what made Aileen's heart most anxious was the crimson eyes that were just quietly watching her.

The fact that he was waiting made her heart impatient. Aileen tried to quicken her pace even more, estimating the remaining distance, but she ended up tripping. Because she was not used to wearing pants, her body swayed completely.

Another noble man nearby reached out to catch Aileen. But before their hands could reach her, Cesare, who had already strode over, caught Aileen.

Aileen, who had overcome the crisis of almost falling flat on her face in front of everyone, looked up at Cesare with great relief. It was as if she was embraced by him, despite their recent awkwardness.

"Did you miss me that much?"

He threw a joke with a faint smile, but Aileen didn't know how to respond and acted like a broken machine. It was even more difficult to speak and act because everyone was watching.

After much deliberation, she simply offered her thanks and brought up what she had originally intended to say. She stretched up from his arms and brought her lips to Cesare's ear.

"Cesare, thank you for catching me. But there's something important I need to tell you..."

Before the whisper could end, Cesare immediately turned his head towards Aileen, almost kissing her. Aileen was surprised and quickly leaned her head back.

Then, suddenly, her vision was much higher. Cesare had picked Aileen up. He moved with Aileen in his arms.

Everyone stared in surprise, and Aileen blinked in confusion. Her long eyelashes fluttered repeatedly. Then, she quickly regained her senses and whispered in his ear again.

"W-where are you going?"

"Since my wife has something important to say."

Cesare glanced at Aileen and then immediately turned his gaze to the Grand Duke's camp.

"Shouldn't we be alone?"