My Husband was Switched - Chapter 24

Thud.

His steps, which were about to leave through the open door, suddenly halted. Claire was standing in front of him, having woken up at some point.

Her eyes naturally shifted to Isabelle, who was standing behind him in a slip.

Claire walked lightly, without making a sound, and stood in front of Cedric.

Then, she reached out, grabbed his collar, and pulled him down towards her. This caused Isabelle’s hand, which had been holding his collar, to fall away.

Cedric’s eyes briefly showed a hint of confusion at the close distance.

“I was worried when I woke up and you weren’t there.”

Claire’s voice held no trace of anger. Her gentle and soft tone made Cedric swallow dryly.

“Well, I was surprised too. His Highness the Grand Duke suddenly came to my room at dawn. Alone, without even a maid.”

Isabelle lied effortlessly. It was a situation that anyone would easily misunderstand.

“I came because something unusual happened in the North.”

Cedric immediately countered. He couldn’t understand what Isabelle was thinking, spouting such nonsensical stories. He frowned and stood next to Claire.

‘What should I do if she misunderstands?’

He hated the situation itself. He was horrified that he had caused it and worried that Claire might get hurt.

However, contrary to Cedric’s concerns, Claire blinked with a completely calm expression. She seemed to have expected this.

“Is that so? That’s strange. I just met a maid. In the future, if you have something to discuss, don’t send others away. It’s easy for bad rumors to start when a man and a woman are alone in a room.”

Claire approached Isabelle, who was wearing a thin slip, and adjusted her clothes.

“You’ll catch a cold if you dress like this in the North.”

Smiling sweetly, she gripped Isabelle’s slender shoulder tightly. Claire then turned and nonchalantly walked over to Cedric, taking his hand.

She shamelessly lowered one shoulder of her dress and spoke boldly.

“Oh my, my clothes slipped.”

Seeing her fair skin, Cedric immediately picked Claire up. Unlike his cold gaze towards Isabelle, his eyes were filled with burning passion and desire.

❖ ❖ ❖

Back in the room, Cedric carefully placed me on the bed.

I glared at Cedric with half-open eyes. I was so shocked by the earlier situation.

But I realized it was Isabelle’s scheme and didn’t fall for the provocation. That didn’t mean I wasn’t jealous.

“Your Highness the Grand Duke, don’t ever go to Isabelle’s room again.”

I knew everything, but Cedric didn’t know much about her. As long as she stayed here, incidents would continue to happen.

There might even be misunderstandings.

“I will never go again.”

I placed my hands on my hips and glared at him. I couldn’t help but smile as Cedric knelt and looked up at me.

His black hair swayed. He gently rested his head on my knee and blinked slowly. He reached out, placed my hand on his head, and guided it to stroke his hair.

‘……This cunning man.’

Where did he learn to do such cute things?

He hugged my waist with a gloomy expression and closed his eyes.

“I won’t do it again, so please don’t be angry. I don’t want to be divorced over a misunderstanding.”

I knew that too.

If I didn’t know anything, I would have doubted and been disappointed in him, but I handled the situation well because I understood what was happening.

I slowly stroked his hair and sighed. His hand, which had been holding my waist, slowly moved to my back.

“What can I do to make you feel better? Just tell me anything.”

Cedric looked up at me from his low position with a smile. His eyes, which had calmed earlier, seemed to reignite.

His hand, which moved slowly up my spine, sent chills down my back. He knew exactly where I was sensitive and moved his hand sensually and deliberately.

Flinch.

I stopped stroking his hair. Every action he took made me hyper-aware, and my mouth went dry.

Even though I was stern with Isabelle, I couldn’t be harsh with Cedric. With such a handsome face! With a shirt that looked like it would burst from anger…… and those eyes looking up at me.

“I can’t tell where the acting ends.”

I mumbled, covering my face with both hands. I didn’t want to misinterpret his actions and get hurt. I was the one who suggested deceiving Isabelle first, but I was getting more scared.

“Wife.”

His low voice changed the atmosphere in the room instantly. Cedric took a deep breath, turned his head, and closed the distance to my neck. Every breath he took made me shiver.

“Wife, you pushed me away, so I played along. I have never not been sincere. If the princess hadn’t been there earlier, I would have embraced you right then. Do you think I’m a beast for that?”

I was so shocked by his words that my eyes widened. My bewildered face was exposed in his hands.

Our gazes met in the air, doubling the tension.

Cedric leaned in closer until we were almost touching.

I could feel the primal instinct in his blue eyes.

“……You’re not a beast.”

“Wife, may I kiss you?”

His gentle voice made me nod in disbelief. He carefully reached out and cupped my cheek.

With warm hands, I felt the soft touch of his lips. My eyes closed involuntarily, and my trembling breaths were evident. He overlapped our lips, then gently licked my lower lip.

My heart pounded so hard that I couldn’t even open my eyes properly, clutching the blanket tightly. It was just a kiss, but it felt like my heart would burst.

❖ ❖ ❖

I ended up staying awake all night.

‘I can’t get the kiss out of my head.’

No matter how much I shook my head, Cedric’s face appeared before me.

“Get a grip!”

Slap!

I slapped my cheek hard and held my stinging face as I got out of bed.

I couldn’t stay dazed like this. I had things to do. If it hailed, the village would be in chaos.

I immediately opened the window and whistled.

“Hwit.”

“Tweet tweet.” (Did you call me?)

“You look fine.”

I was relieved.

I worried about what to do if there was no response…… The bird that flew over didn’t seem injured.

“Tweet tweet!” (It was chaotic because of the sudden hail.)

“Did Zeno protect you?”

“Tweet!” (Yes! Zeno is very strong.)

The bird excitedly turned its head and hopped around.

I gently stroked the bird’s head and sighed in relief.

“If anything happens, let me know. But it’s better not to come here for a while. There’s a dangerous person around.”

“Tweet, tweet tweet!” (The forest is too cold! I want to come to the garden soon.)

“Alright. I’ll get rid of her quickly.”

The bird seemed pleased with my words and flew straight to the forest.

I closed the window and sat down on the floor in relief. I didn’t know what she might do next if I didn’t act quickly.

‘Cedric will be busy for a while.’

He would have a lot to deal with because of Isabelle’s actions.

I immediately pulled the bell rope.

“Did you call?”

“What is Isabelle doing?”

“She said she’s going to look around the forest in the morning.”

“……The forest?”

I jumped up.

The forest? Why suddenly there? Wasn’t causing hail enough for her? She must have more schemes.

“Where is Sir Kaven?”

“He seems to be handling urgent matters with His Highness since morning.”

“Then what about Dame Alita?”

“She should be outside.”

“Call Dame Alita!”

As soon as I finished dressing, I left the room. It seemed like peace would return to the grand ducal residence only after she left.

“I’ll ask His Highness.”

“There’s no need. I’m just worried because Isabelle went to the forest. I’ll explain when I return.”

“But…….”

Rien hesitated for a moment but then nodded.

“She went alone, so I’m worried. There might be monsters.”

Dame Alita, who had rushed over at my call, listened to the situation and said.

“There could indeed be a problem.”

I immediately mounted a horse with Dame Alita.

‘I have to stop her before she does something.’

Isabelle was desperate enough to do anything right now.

She was being sold to an old king, so she wouldn’t care about anything.

We rode madly towards the forest.

“There are many animals in the forest. I’m worried she might harm them.”

“We should hurry.”

Dame Alita nodded in understanding.

The horse quickly stopped in front of the forest.

It seemed Isabelle also moved on horseback, as there were clear hoofprints in the snow, almost as if guiding us.

‘If we follow these tracks, we’ll find Isabelle.’

We immediately followed the tracks.

Before long, we entered the deep forest. Soon, I saw Isabelle smiling brightly at me.

She looked like she had been expecting me, sitting on her horse and watching me.

Her head held high and an arrogant smile.

A sense of unease washed over me.