My Husband was Switched - Chapter 20

“Contrary to rumors, it seems Your Highness the Grand Duke is quite sincere about your wife.”

“Isn’t she just so lovable?”

He smiled faintly as he tucked my hair behind my ear. Isabelle’s eyebrows twitched slightly before she hid her expression with her fan.

“Oh my, you’re quite the romantic.”

She fanned herself gently but showed no intention of leaving. Her gaze remained fixed on Cedric.

“I was supposed to be your wife, you know. I didn’t realize you were such a fine man back then. If I could go back, I wouldn’t refuse the Grand Duke.”

Back then?

That meant this wasn’t their first meeting. In the novel, it was said they fell in love at first sight…….

“What a pity.”

The soft, lilting laughter that tickled my ear sent shivers down my spine.

It was clear Isabelle was not in a good mood.

Having been sold off to a king, she had nothing to lose. And seeing Cedric in person, she was undoubtedly regretting her past decisions.

‘She’s definitely regretting it after seeing Cedric.’

I looked at Isabelle while still holding onto Cedric’s neck.

Clutching her collar tightly, she seemed to be hiding her anger, just like when something was taken from her.

So is this how it’s going to end?

My chest stung, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Thinking things had changed from the original story, I opened my heart, only to have it taken away now.

‘I hate it, I absolutely can’t lose him.’

Without realizing it, I pulled Cedric’s neck closer and half-closed my eyes. The sound of swallowing dryly felt strangely loud.

Meeting my gaze, Isabelle gave a deeper smile than before and greeted me.

“Sister, I’m here.”

She was smiling at me with an incredibly kind voice, but her eyes were frozen.

“Aren’t you going to welcome your sister?”

She tilted her head slightly and asked me.

Isabelle, with her golden hair swaying, stood with her hands behind her back, not taking her eyes off Cedric and me.

❖ ❖ ❖

I asked Cedric for his understanding and arranged some time alone with her.

Facing Isabelle unexpectedly made my heart pound. Isabelle’s gaze, which was fixed on Cedric, was unusual.

Her face, staring intently at me, was full of confidence. Pressing my temples with my hand to alleviate the throbbing headache, I asked.

“What were you thinking?”

She hadn’t even sent a letter. She hadn’t replied either.

Well, given her guilt, that made sense, but to come all the way here out of curiosity about Cedric and me now.

Still, since she caused this, she must have had some thoughts.

Maybe she pushed him onto me because she really disliked Cedric. Or perhaps she had someone else in her heart.

“It was a mistake.”

“You don’t think that answer is enough, do you?”

It was too calculated to be a mistake, and she had time to reconsider but didn’t. For some reason, my lower abdomen ached.

‘Is it because of stress…….’

Isabelle maintained her leisurely demeanor. Her golden hair created an illusion of a bright light in the green garden covered by white snow.

“As expected, you’re smart, sister. Yes, it wasn’t a mistake.”

“You didn’t find His Highness the Grand Duke satisfactory back then. You didn’t think he was suitable as a marriage partner, did you?”

She widened her eyes at my words and clapped her hands.

“I won’t deny it. I thought you suited the Grand Duke, sister. Both of you are halves.”

How can a person be so shameless?

As expected, Isabelle and I had this kind of relationship. A thin, breakable connection that moved according to need.

Is she thinking of trying something with Cedric now?

“You regret it, don’t you?”

“Why would I come all the way to the North if I didn’t? Do I look like I have time to waste?”

“You do seem idle. Coming all this way to waste effort on unnecessary things.”

She had already seen how well Cedric treated me. What good would her regret do?

Moreover, he was handsome. Not to mention, his body? He was the perfect husband.

“You must be envious. You threw away your luck.”

“Well, I don’t think I’ve thrown it away…… I feel like I still have a chance.”

I chuckled at Isabelle’s words.

Her confidence was unshaken. And I wasn’t entirely without anxiety either.

“His Highness the Grand Duke’s gaze towards me seemed quite passionate.”

Isabelle smiled faintly and took a sip of tea.

“I didn’t realize he was such a fine man. His black hair, which I thought was unimpressive, stood out against the white snow.”

“So, what are you trying to say?”

“I’m going to take back what’s mine.”

Her dazzling golden dress reflected the sunlight beautifully.

I wasn’t surprised because I expected this attitude. I disliked Isabelle’s attitude of discarding and reclaiming things as needed.

Wasn’t she treating Cedric like an object?

“You didn’t seem too thrilled about this marriage either. Why not call it off now?”

“I have no intention of doing that.”

I suggested it then, but she refused. Besides, Cedric and I were opening our hearts to each other. Isabelle was the one intruding on our budding feelings.

Her brows naturally furrowed.

If she went back, she would have to marry the King of Narancas, so she must be desperate too.

“So? You know what I have, don’t you?”

As Isabelle muttered, raindrops suddenly fell from the sky. Only on me.

Her power was to control the weather. Wind, sun, snow, rain—anything she wanted.

In the North, where it only snowed, Isabelle’s power was crucial.

Only those within the Imperial family knew about her power, so it was natural that Cedric didn’t know. If he had known, he might have tried to marry Isabelle somehow.

“Wouldn’t I be more needed in the snowy North?”

“……Ha.”

Drip, drip.

Water flowed down my wet hair. I brushed my hair back, looking like a drenched rat.

I clenched my fist.

If she comes at me like this, I’ll have to respond in kind. I wasn’t kind enough to just take it.

So I discreetly called the birds. Hawks and other birds passed by in the sky.

“Eek! What is this?”

“You should be careful. There are a lot of birds flying around in the North.”

It looked like white snow had fallen on her head.

“Why, why only me!”

“You should have been kinder.”

Isabelle stood up abruptly and glared at me.

“Oh dear, you should go wash up. Bird droppings don’t smell, but they look quite dirty.”

“……Ha.”

She seemed quite angry, so it would be best to leave quickly.

I also stood up and faced Isabelle. She bit her lip and muttered.

“You must be quite happy, sister, to stand up to me.”

“You must hate that I’m happy.”

“Isn’t that why I sent you here? It wasn’t to see you like this.”

I told her to marry him. I persuaded her several times, saying he might be different from the rumors.

Isabelle brought this outcome upon herself.

“Are you going to keep doing this?”

“Ha…….”

I raised my hand and called a maid.

Seeing my state, the maid hurriedly ran over and examined me.

“Oh my! Your Highness the Grand Duchess, what happened? What if you catch a cold……!”

“I’m fine. Could you guide Princess Isabelle to the bathroom?”

“Oh, my…….”

The maid covered her mouth, seeing Isabelle covered in bird droppings. Isabelle pulled out a handkerchief, tears streaming down her face like chicken droppings.

“I wanted to look pretty since it’s been a while since I saw you, sister…… But suddenly, the birds flew over.”

The maid shuddered at the word ‘birds.’ I raised my index finger to my lips and winked.

“I’ll guide you quickly. Your Highness the Grand Duchess, I’ll prepare warm water.”

“Thank you.”

The maid hesitated to leave, looking at me repeatedly. When she was a bit away, I raised my voice slightly.

“Oh, Isabelle. It’s not yours anymore. It’s mine. You seemed confused.”

After all, I had to correct any misunderstandings.

Isabelle, clutching her dress tightly, followed the maid into the mansion.