My Husband was Switched - Chapter 14
“What is all this…?”
Cedric had a somewhat shocked expression. It was an unfamiliar scene, so his reaction wasn’t surprising.
I hid my hands behind my back and waved them quickly.
‘Go back to your places.’
The animals around me scattered and started to act nonchalant.
But if they were going to act, they should do it properly.
“…It seems their eating habits have changed after receiving treatment.”
“Pardon?”
I turned my head slightly and saw the spectacle.
‘Why is the leopard eating grass!’
I waved my hands again, and only then did the animals hurriedly return to their habitats.
“It’s their first time seeing a person approach. They must have been startled.”
“…Is that so? You seem to have become quite friendly with the animals.”
Cedric tilted his head.
“Well, that’s something I’d like to say to Your Highness. You seem to have become quite friendly with Zeno in the meantime.”
“Rather than friendly, it’s more like taming.”
I doubt he can be tamed.
And how long has it been since they met?
I took out a handkerchief and wiped Cedric’s sweat. How much did he run to sweat this much?
He paused for a moment but then quietly accepted my touch. He didn’t seem to care about Zeno growling next to him.
“Grr.” (Don’t you have hands? Wipe it yourself.)
“Whatever he’s saying, it seems he needs to be taught not to bare his teeth at people.”
He grabbed Zeno’s mouth with his hand.
Watching Cedric and Zeno bicker, I shook my head.
‘They seem to be getting along. It looks like he won’t blabber.’
I sat down next to Zeno and Cedric, who were leaning against a tree and catching their breath.
The sunlight was lazily shining, and the garden was full of grass thanks to the magic stones. It seemed Cedric was the only one who found all this awkward.
“It seems you’ve changed the Grand Duke’s residence a lot while I was away.”
“So, do you not like it?”
“How could that be? I’m glad you’ve made friends.”
I once again realized his strong will not to divorce me.
He looked up at the sky. Following his gaze, I saw clouds drifting in the blue sky.
“Woof.” (So dramatic.)
Zeno sat next to me, feeling my touch.
He always spoke harshly, but his actions were cute.
I reluctantly petted Zeno’s neck. As I slowly stroked his fluffy fur, Zeno closed his eyes and tried to sleep.
After enjoying the moment for a while, I glanced at Cedric.
He seemed to be deep in thought.
“Is something wrong?”
“The Emperor is visiting in a week.”
“…My father?”
His unexpected words snapped me to attention.
It seemed my hope for events to unfold differently from the original story was just my wishful thinking.
The Emperor’s visit likely meant Isabelle would come too. Cedric seemed to think otherwise, but I knew Isabelle better than anyone.
She would be curious about my situation, having married in her place.
‘She hasn’t sent a single letter.’
Neither had I, but for a reason. I thought it wasn’t good to inform her of the situation.
Isabelle might feel guilty about her actions. Well, more curious than guilty, I suppose.
Could she face Cedric?
She might be curious, but witnessing the results of her actions could be frightening.
People often don’t want something until someone else has it. Seeing Cedric might intensify those feelings.
Isabelle and I were on good terms, but I wasn’t foolish enough to be deceived by a shallow relationship.
“We can’t refuse, can we?”
“…Why not? He’s your father, isn’t he?”
Cedric looked a bit surprised.
‘He must think I love my father even though I’m an illegitimate child.’
But that was Cedric’s misunderstanding. The Emperor was eager to get rid of me.
He might be disappointed if he learned how I was treated. There’s no need to expose each other’s painful parts, right?
“Not all family relationships are affectionate.”
I replied with a bitter smile. My father tried to marry me off to a strange old fat man. He didn’t know that, so he said such things.
“What about Isabelle?”
“The princess? She won’t be coming.”
I felt somewhat relieved by Cedric’s words, but the unease lingered.
“We need to prepare to welcome them.”
“A guest, huh. It will be the first time a shabby guest visits the esteemed Grand Duke’s residence.”
“…Doesn’t it feel different?”
“Does it? I think I spoke clearly.”
Well, I agreed with him. Why was my father suddenly doing something he never did?
“We need to prepare thoroughly so there’s nothing to criticize.”
He’s such a transparent old man.
He would want to see how I, who took Isabelle’s place, was living. The Emperor valued Cedric’s abilities. He wanted to use him as a watchdog, but since we had a secret marriage, that plan was thwarted. He might say something ridiculous to me.
“Is he coming under the pretext of rewarding you for your achievements on the battlefield?”
Cedric pondered for a moment and then nodded.
“…That’s right.”
I turned my head sharply and stared at Cedric.
“Wasn’t it hard for you?”
“I never thought it was hard.”
His indifferent tone pained me. How many times had he repeated this to be so nonchalant about risking his life on the battlefield?
Sensing my gaze, he turned his head towards me and met my eyes.
He reached out and gently caressed my cheek, his warmth melting my heart.
Though Cedric had cold, frosty blue eyes, his gaze towards me was warm.
With a faint smile, he said,
“It was hard not being able to be with you for long before going to the battlefield. I was worried you might run away.”
Hmm. At times like this, I can’t tell if he’s serious or not.
His smile made it seem like a joke…
“Your Highness is different from what I’ve heard. Gossip really can’t be trusted.”
Just like the novel I read.
“Before the uninvited guests arrive next week, how about we spend some time together?”
“I looked around the estate, and it’s well maintained.”
“Is that so?”
“I’d like to visit the forest again. There might be something else besides the trees imbued with holy power.”
Cedric listened to my words and laughed quietly. When he went to war, I often walked around the estate and talked with the people at the Grand Duke’s residence about the North.
“This time, I’ll watch out for traps.”
“Whether there are traps or not, stay close to me. There might not be any monsters, but your unpredictable actions make me uneasy.”
“I promise.”
I extended my hand and smiled brightly.
Cedric looked at my outstretched hand. I grabbed his hand and hooked our pinkies together.
“Is that good? Then how about we go now? Recently, animals have been getting hurt a lot, and it’s strange.”
I hoped the animals wouldn’t get hurt anymore. It would be troublesome if he found out about my powers.
And didn’t he say the Emperor was coming next week? Communicating with divine beasts was a rare ability. If it was discovered, I might be dragged to the imperial palace and forced to work like a dog.
‘I absolutely hate that.’
“Woof.” (What are you worried about?)
Zeno glanced at me and shook himself. I thought he was asleep, but apparently not.
‘Such a sly one.’
I heard stories about divine beasts. They were said to be full of dignity and possessed such strong power that one couldn’t even look at them.
Just facing them would make one’s heart swell.
Recalling the stories, I looked at Zeno again.
“Hmm… rumors are often exaggerated.”
“Grr.” (What’s with that look?)
“It’s nothing.”
As I petted Zeno’s neck, he tilted his head back, seemingly enjoying it despite growling.
“You always seem to be looking somewhere else when you’re with me.”
Cedric grabbed my chin and made me look at him.
“Why do I feel like you’re talking to that guy instead of me, your husband?”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
“You seem to communicate well with animals.”
He glanced around.
It wasn’t surprising. The animals kept a little distance but didn’t leave my side.
“They seem to follow me well after I treated them. Didn’t you bring them to keep me company?”
“The number of animals has increased significantly since we first brought them.”
I feigned ignorance and changed the subject.
“Animals seem to like me a lot. So, when are we going to the forest?”
I asked with bright eyes. I needed to know the schedule to give Alita and others a heads-up.
“We’re going tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
Cedric nodded. Then he stood up and looked at the snow-covered field.
Figures began to appear in the distance.
“They’re late.”
“Late? We haven’t even finished preparing to welcome them!”
I jumped up and opened my mouth wide.
I was already at risk of being disliked for becoming the Grand Duchess instead of Isabelle!
Unable to do anything, I stamped my feet as the knights approached.
‘Why are they walking so fast?’
Eventually, they stood before me.
“You’ve returned safely.”
Thud.
They placed their hands on their chests and bowed their heads in salute. Then they all looked at me.
I stepped back and stared at them.
With expressionless faces, a chilly air swirled around us.
“Greetings to the Grand Duchess.”
Thud.
They greeted me without changing their expressions.
…Are they really welcoming me?
Translator
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