My Husband was Switched - Chapter 15

“W-wait a moment! Warm up your bodies first, yes, warm up your bodies! Your Highness, please play with Zeno in the garden for a bit!”

“Woof!” (Are you crazy? Why would I play with this guy?)

Okay, Zeno, you’re having fun? Got it.

Ignoring Zeno’s desperate cry, I hurriedly ran towards the mansion.

“Claire, if you fall…”

Before Cedric could finish his sentence, I almost tumbled to the ground.

“Tweet tweet.” (You almost fell.)

Thanks to the many birds flying towards me to support me, I didn’t fall.

I stood up, relieved, and balanced myself.

‘Wow… they say words have power.’

I turned my head and waved at Cedric to show I was okay.

Everyone looked at me with startled faces.

I had to fulfill my duties first, so this would be resolved later… right?

Turning my body again, I quickly walked towards the Grand Duke’s residence.

Reaching the mansion, I flung open the door and called out to the butler looking at me.

“Butler!”

“…Your Highness the Grand Duchess?”

“Prepare to welcome the knights immediately!”

“R-right now?”

“Yes, right now. They’ve already arrived.”

The startled staff began to move busily. I rolled up my sleeves and took a deep breath.

“We need a lot of hands to prepare quickly…”

“Yes?”

“Organize what needs to be prepared and let me know.”

Vahalla nodded immediately and disappeared.

Not long after, I was looking at the list the butler brought, racking my brain.

“The knights are warming their bodies in hot water.”

“What about the kitchen?”

“They should be able to prepare in time.”

“Then leave the rest to me.”

“…All of this?”

I nodded at the butler’s words. He might think I planned to do it alone, but I wasn’t that reckless.

He tilted his head and turned to help others.

“Alright, it’s time to repay the favor.”

At my words, animals started to appear one by one.

“Squeak!” (I can help too.)

“Hmm… it’s better for you to rest.”

Otherwise, the people in the mansion might get startled. I sent the deer, who insisted on helping, back to the garden.

Then I began preparing for the banquet with the animals.

“Tie this over there.”

The rabbit, with the string in its mouth, hopped towards the bear. The bear took the string and tied it to a pole to decorate.

Birds brought flowers and placed them on the table. At this rate, we could hold the welcome ceremony as soon as the knights finished their baths.

❖ ❖ ❖

The knights looked around the lavishly decorated banquet hall with bewildered expressions.

“All this, already?”

Cedric also seemed surprised. It would have been impossible without the animals’ help.

But I still felt it wasn’t enough.

Despite the preparations, I kept noticing things that were lacking.

I glanced at the knights with a slightly anxious expression.

Their faces remained unchanged, but those eating the food looked comfortable.

‘Phew, thank goodness.’

At least I could properly welcome the tired knights, and that was enough.

“I didn’t expect such a grand welcome.”

Sir Aiden said, looking at me. Aiden was the leader of the first division of the Grand Duke’s knights. He was also one of the people I needed to impress, as he led Cedric’s side on the battlefield.

“I hurriedly prepared, so there might be many shortcomings, but I’m glad to meet everyone.”

I answered with a smile. The knights who fought alongside Cedric all had stern expressions.

“Everyone was curious about you.”

“Really?”

It was natural. Except for Cedric, the other knights were on the battlefield, and he had returned to the grand ducal residence to marry me in secret.

But soon after, he had to return to the battlefield. It was likely because of me.

‘At least there’s no hostility.’

A small relief amidst the misfortune.

Cedric paid no attention to the knights and only looked at me. I nudged him with my foot, but it was useless.

“I’m glad to see you two getting along well.”

He nodded at Sir Aiden’s words. The other knights, noticing this, began to speak one by one.

“Did Your Highness the Grand Duchess prepare all this?”

“It’s my first time, so there are many shortcomings.”

“Not at all. We don’t know how to thank you for such a warm welcome.”

I waved my hand at the knights’ words.

“No, please rest comfortably today.”

“But may I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

I shrugged. Then a knight cautiously pointed behind me and asked,

“…What is that wolf?”

“Oh, that’s the one I’m taming these days.”

“Did His Highness like animals?”

Cedric glanced at Zeno and smirked. Seeing this, Zeno stood up, growling as if ready to pounce.

“It’s a wolf I was taking care of, but since it’s fierce, His Highness decided to train it.”

At my words, Cedric’s eyebrow twitched.

“By the way, have you heard the news?”

Sir Kaven cautiously brought up the topic, as if he had just remembered something. The banquet hall fell silent.

“They say a divine beast has escaped.”

“……”

“Pfft!”

Cedric closed his mouth, and I spat out my drink in surprise. A startled maid approached, but I narrowed my eyes at her, signaling I was okay as I wiped my mouth with a napkin.

‘So it really escaped from the imperial palace?’

I glanced at Zeno, who was pretending to be oblivious, wagging his tail.

“Yes, it seems the imperial palace is in chaos.”

I awkwardly laughed and focused on the knight’s words. Although I was anxious inside, I couldn’t show it.

So that’s why my father suddenly decided to come to the North? Did he find out something?

My head throbbed.

‘I thought it was too much of a coincidence that such a great fortune came to me.’

I clenched my fist under the table.

The Emperor’s visit to the Grand Duke’s residence was definitely related to the divine beast. But I couldn’t let him take it away.

“Wife?”

Sensing my anxiety, Cedric looked at me, his expression concerned. He seemed to realize that Zeno was the divine beast that had escaped from the imperial palace.

His large, warm hand reached under the table and held my trembling hand.

“I’m fine. Can you tell me more? I’m curious about the divine beast.”

Since my abilities hadn’t manifested, I had no chance to encounter the imperial family’s divine beast.

If I had known where Zeno came from, I wouldn’t have foolishly let him contract with me. If he really escaped from the imperial palace, I should have been more cautious.

No, I didn’t even know we had contracted! I was tricked by Zeno.

“How many divine beasts were there?”

“Four. As far as I know, there were four. The Emperor captured the rest.”

I couldn’t tell if Zeno had escaped the Emperor’s grasp or why he had fled.

“It seems we’ll be busy from now on.”

“We’ll have to be satisfied with today’s reunion.”

At Cedric’s words, the knights straightened their postures. Once the Emperor arrived next week, everything would change.

Zeno approached me and rubbed against my leg.

“Hiing.” (Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.)

“…I hope so too.”

I just had to hope our contract wouldn’t be discovered.

“For now, everyone enjoy! What could possibly happen?”

I smiled brightly and reassured the knights.

Only I would face trouble, so there was no need for others to worry.

‘Just when I was starting to get attached…’

It was clear nothing would change. I felt pathetic for having unknowingly hoped.

❖ ❖ ❖

Late at night, I quietly slipped out of bed. Cedric said he would be late tonight, talking with the knights.

“Zeno, are you serious?”

“Woof.” (You didn’t ask.)

“Are you really saying that now…!”

“Woof!” (How was I supposed to know you were a princess?)

“…That’s true.”

He said he was drawn by my power, so it was natural he didn’t know. But contracting without permission was Zeno’s fault.

Once contracted, it couldn’t be undone. What was he thinking when he contracted with me?

“I couldn’t believe it… So, what’s this about escaping from the imperial palace?”

“Woof.” (Exactly what it sounds like.)

“…The Emperor is coming here next week.”

“Grrr.” (That old man has good stamina.)

Judging by his hostility, he must have gone through something.

“Don’t worry. I won’t send you back.”

“Hing. Hiing.” (I never said I’d leave your side. Besides, we’re contracted.)

Zeno rubbed his face against me, whining for attention.

But the Emperor could sense the divine beast’s power. That meant… I had to evacuate all the animals in the garden.

I couldn’t let their sanctuary be destroyed by his hands.

“Zeno, we have work to do. Our nights are going to get longer.”

“Woof.” (You’re planning to use me again.)

I couldn’t tell Cedric, so Zeno and I had to work diligently.

There were six days left until the Emperor’s arrival at the Grand Duke’s residence.

In that time, I had to hide anything that could reveal my abilities. That was only possible if Isabelle didn’t come along.