My Husband was Switched - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

“I don’t understand why you’re curious about that.”

“It’s strange that Isabelle, who should know everything about the divine beast, claimed it was a divine beast just by looking at the panther.”

“I was just mistaken! Do you think I really wouldn’t know about the existence of the divine beast?”

She retorted with wide eyes.

“Yes, I emphasized to Isabelle that a ‘black’ divine beast had disappeared to avoid any confusion.”

Father nodded, supporting Isabelle’s words.

Something still felt off.

‘Did he not tell her everything in case she might be sent to another country? It would be problematic if she defected.’

That seemed more plausible.

I didn’t ask further. It was clear Isabelle didn’t know about the divine beast, so there was no need to delve into that part.

“I heard Isabelle is going to another country.”

“Yes, it’s a very good thing.”

Father looked pleased. Isabelle glanced at me and then stared intently at the sight of Cedric and my hands intertwined, before turning to Father.

“Father, may I stay here until I leave for that place?”

“Why should I trust you when you ran away without a word?”

“That’s because…… I wanted to get advice from my sister who married first. Besides, I heard the divine beast ran away, so I wanted to help.”

Isabelle fidgeted with her hands and put on a pitiful expression. Father clicked his tongue, looking displeased.

“You two didn’t have a bad relationship, but I didn’t expect you to follow her so well. Grand Duke, are you okay with this?”

“I believe it’s not appropriate for her to stay here.”

Cedric firmly declined.

“Why?”

“It would be like giving people gossip fodder if someone who is soon going to another country stays at the grand ducal residence, where marriage talks had been circulating. What will you do if it tarnishes the imperial family’s reputation?”

“That makes sense too.”

Father stroked his chin and stared intently at Cedric and me.

“Once the divine beast is found, Isabelle will return to the palace with me.”

“F-Father!”

Isabelle immediately stood up. Her face turned pale as she shook her head vigorously.

“Before getting married, I just want to stay in a comfortable place for a little while! Can’t you at least allow that?”

I also sided with Cedric and Father, putting on a regretful expression.

“Isabelle, I’d like to help you, but…… it will only lead to bad rumors. So, go back to the palace with Father.”

Her gaze briefly shifted to the window. Her clenched fist slowly opened, and she smiled enigmatically.

“Fine, I’ll do that.”

Isabelle’s sudden compliance felt suspicious.

❖ ❖ ❖

I immediately went to my room and started writing down the plan on a note.

Go to the farthest place in the North right now and reveal your holy power. Then come back here immediately. You’re supposed to be on the opposite side of the North.

Something about her gaze seemed off. She had to be driven out immediately. With Father here, Isabelle’s confidence must have increased compared to before.

I was in a disadvantageous position since I couldn’t reveal my abilities. If I were caught, I would be dragged to the palace without a doubt.

The ability to communicate with the divine beast was rare. Since it had never appeared before, if Father found out, he would keep me in the imperial family.

I had no intention of going back now.

‘I will never go back.’

I immediately opened the window.

Hwit.

A bird flew in at my whistle.

“Tweet! Tweet!” (It’s troublesome if you keep calling me.)

The bird’s grumbling as soon as it arrived was cute.

Even though it would still do everything I asked.

I composed my expression and clasped my hands together with an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry. It’s urgent. Please deliver this to Zeno.”

“Tweet tweet.” (You won’t call me again, right?)

“This is really the last time for today!”

I nodded vigorously. Finally, the bird seemed satisfied, tweeting as it hopped onto the windowsill.

“Thank you.”

The bird turned its head left and right, then quickly flew out of the window and disappeared. I immediately pulled the bell cord.

“Where is Isabelle?”

“She is in the Grand Duke’s office.”

“……Really?”

I couldn’t hide my expression. Did she not get the message even after I said it? She must believe that this would change things.

I wanted to applaud Isabelle’s persistence.

“Where is His Majesty?”

“I believe he is with her.”

“I must go to the Grand Duke’s office immediately.”

“N-Now?”

Rien’s surprised face made me harden my expression even more. I didn’t like how she acted as if there was a reason I shouldn’t go.

“Lead the way immediately.”

My gaze turned sharp. This couldn’t be solved with words. I had to make sure they couldn’t dare to meddle.

Hooh.

I exhaled and opened my eyes wide. I walked confidently toward Cedric and Isabelle in the office.

❖ ❖ ❖

Standing in front of the office, I spoke to the maid without hesitation.

“Announce my presence.”

Knock, knock, knock.

“Your Highness. The Grand Duchess is here.”

I immediately opened the door. Isabelle was sitting with her legs crossed, staring intently at Cedric. Judging by the expressions on Father’s and Cedric’s faces, they seemed to have been having a serious conversation.

‘Without me, of course.’

Father must have used his abilities on Cedric. There was a lot he could extract from him.

Fortunately, if I had shared all my plans with Cedric in advance, it would have already been discovered.

To break up this uncomfortable combination, I had to do something.

First, I had to make Cedric mine so they couldn’t entertain any foolish thoughts. Honestly, I didn’t want to go this far, but I needed some time for my plan to work.

And I had to make sure Isabelle could never lay a finger on Cedric.

I took a deep breath and entered the room.

“You’re all gathered here without me. Why so secretive?”

I slowly ran my hand over the sofa and smiled. Sitting next to Cedric, I stared intently at Isabelle.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Father frowned, probably because he had been using his abilities. Cedric seemed to be slowly regaining his senses from a slight daze.

I gently held and released his hand to check his condition.

‘Good, I’m not too late.’

If I had been any later, who knows what they might have said to him.

I pretended not to know and asked Father.

“I want to ask the same thing. Father, what could be so important that the three of you are discussing it without me, the hostess?”

Isabelle frowned, displeased with my interruption.

“You wouldn’t understand even if we told you. We’re being considerate.”

I chuckled softly. They must have been discussing things I shouldn’t hear. The quiet and affectionate grand ducal residence was now creaking because of Isabelle.

“I saw something outside the window.”

“……What did you see?”

Isabelle smiled brightly and crossed her arms. Judging by her confident posture, she must have found something.

“The divine beast. I saw it with my own eyes.”

She tilted her head and raised the corners of her mouth. Could she have seen Zeno heading to the forest?

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“What if you’re wrong?”

Cedric gently held my hand. He seemed a bit uneasy. But I didn’t falter. I patted his hand reassuringly and smiled.

I pressed Isabelle with an even more confident expression.

“What if what you saw isn’t the divine beast? You insisted it was the divine beast last time, too. How can we trust you this time? Isn’t that right, Father?”

Father remained silent for a moment.

‘Just a little more time.’

At least until the maid arrives.

“……That’s not entirely wrong.”

“If you keep dragging this out at the Grand Duke’s residence, it will be seen unfavorably by other countries. You wouldn’t want that, right, Father?”

I kept pushing.

Isabelle’s face contorted in frustration. Desperate, she hurriedly brought up the main point.

“Father, I’ve thought about it, and I don’t think it’s right for someone with abilities like mine to go. Don’t you agree? If I go and tell the truth, it will be troublesome for you.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“We’ve switched once before, so why not do it again?”

I was shocked by Isabelle’s words.

Was she openly suggesting changing the bride?

Moreover, her gaze at Cedric made it clear what she wanted.

“Anyway, the fact that the Grand Duke and my sister are married isn’t widely known. Since they haven’t had a proper wedding, who would criticize them for remarrying shortly after a divorce?”