My Husband was Switched - Chapter 30

T/N: This is a KKP-exclusive novel (last time I checked), so I plan to hide it from the front page of the website (starting next week; i’m mass updating next week). If you are following this story, you will need to search for the title in the search bar or find it in your bookmark list to see the latest updates. I hope you understand why I’m doing this ˙◠˙

The Emperor, who went to the opposite side of the North, furrowed his brows at the empty wasteland. 

 And the snow was falling so heavily that it was difficult to see even a foot ahead. 

 “What’s going on here? This isn’t a place where a divine beast would be.” 

 “I definitely felt the divine beast’s power here. But suddenly it vanished without a trace.” 

 “……How strange.” 

 The Emperor clicked his tongue. He needed to capture the divine beast quickly. It would be troublesome if it made a contract with someone else. 

 “You’ve confined Isabelle in the palace, right?” 

 “Yes, as you commanded.” 

 “Was there anything unusual in the North?” 

 The priest carefully recalled what he saw in the North. The garden was very well maintained. It seemed like the ecosystem was set up to the point where animals could live there. 

 “……They took in a leopard for treatment, but I couldn’t see it. It’s certain that they’re hiding something in the North.” 

 “So they still don’t pledge their full loyalty to me.” 

 The Emperor was enraged. 

 Those defiant blue eyes that looked at him kept bothering him. 

 “Keep a close watch on that Cedric. The energy in that forest was strange. Were there any trees with holy power?” 

 “At that time, we weren’t in a position to thoroughly search the forest.” 

 In the end, they had to send people back to the North. It would be better not to leave any doubts. 

 “Send people to the North immediately without anyone knowing.” 

 “Yes, I will obey your command.” 

 “Make sure the Grand Duke doesn’t find out. If you value your life.” 

 The priest nodded and disappeared immediately. 

 The Emperor was concerned about how Claire had changed after going to the North. What had changed his usually docile daughter? 

 “Such a temper.” 

 Isabelle was taking out her anger on him. Looking at the sky where the snow showed no signs of stopping, the Emperor mounted his horse and narrowed his eyes sharply. 

 “It will take time to return, so we must hurry.” 

 If she managed to escape again, they might not be able to find her next time. Isabelle wasn’t the type to stay quietly in the palace while he was away. 

 The Emperor immediately understood what she wanted when he saw her gaze at Cedric in the Grand Duke’s residence and her nonsensical talk. 

 If anything happened to Claire, Isabelle would certainly not miss that opportunity. 

 The Emperor quickly turned his horse’s reins toward the palace. 

 I ended up confined to bed without being able to move. 

 Blinking my eyes, I pleaded with Zeno for help. 

 “Zeno, I need to go to the forest……” 

 “Woowoowoo.” (No way. Master told me to watch you carefully.) 

 “But I’m your master.” 

 “Woof!” (When did you hand over my leash to someone else.) 

 Zeno turned his head away as if upset. I sat up in bed and gestured. 

 “But I’m worried after father’s visit. I’m concerned about the animals too.” 

 “Woof, woowoo.” (Well, it’s fine. I checked on them. Don’t worry and rest.) 

 “Still, there might be more trees with holy power……” 

 I was worried about Isabelle who was dragged away like that. She didn’t look like she would quietly do as father said. 

 “Woowoo.” (Actually, I know where there are more trees with holy power.) 

 “What? You should have told me earlier! Let’s go right now.” 

 “Kiiing.” (Ah, that crazy guy is going to make a fuss.) 

 “Can’t you sense where it is? If we find it quickly and come back, it’ll be fine. Then the North will be better too.” 

 “Kiing.” (Just this once.) 

 I nodded my head vigorously. 

 Zeno brought the leash in his mouth and dropped it to me. I put the leash around my neck and immediately got out of bed. 

 “Woowoowoowoo.” (Just find that and come back, that’s it.) 

 “Of course, naturally!” 

 How stuffy it had been just staying in the room. The moment I left the room with Zeno, I felt refreshed. I should have waited a bit longer to say anything. 

 He’s such a pushover. 

 I grumbled as I headed to the entrance with Zeno. 

 Fortunately, the butler and others were momentarily distracted. 

 “Ah, ah! Your Highness the Grand Duchess, you can’t!” 

 The butler who belatedly discovered me shouted. But I immediately grabbed the doorknob and opened it wide. 

 “I’ll be right back! To the forest! No, just to the garden at leaaaaaast! Urgh.” 

 I couldn’t breathe from the wind and snow violently hitting my face and body. 

Gasp, gasp.

 The butler and I hurriedly joined forces to close the door. My hair remained frozen after being blown by the wind. 

 I looked at the butler with my disheveled appearance. 

 He too was in a state of being hit by snow bombs all over his body because of me. Right away, maids came running to brush off the snow on my body and brought blankets to wrap around me. 

 “……Is, is she really crazy?” 

 “Kiing.” (I think so too.) 

 Isabelle must have finally gone mad. Using her ability like this? Does she not care what happens to herself anymore? 

 Zeno violently shook his body and shivered. 

 The Grand Duke’s residence, where the door had been briefly opened, was now hosting a white snow party. 

 “Wife? What is all this……” 

 My eyes met directly with Cedric’s as he looked down at the mess in the residence from the stairs. 

 “Are you alright? You must have been surprised, right? Hahaha. I didn’t know the snow would celebrate this intensely.” 

 ……What nonsense am I speaking right now. 

 “Hehe.” 

 At times like this, laughing was indeed the best solution. 

 ❖ ❖ ❖ 

 I warmed up in hot water and changed my clothes. Zeno also had his fur thoroughly washed, and now had a sullen expression as he dripped water. 

 Feeling sorry, I brought a towel and wiped his body. 

 “Kiing. King.” (Cold, Master.) 

 “I’ll dry you quickly. Come here.” 

 I wiped Zeno’s fur and removed the moisture. Zeno obediently let his body be handled by my hands. 

 “Kiiiiing.” (Warm.) 

 He wagged his tail gently while burrowing into my arms. I shook my head as if he was hopeless while drying his fur. 

 Just like a canine, his happily swaying tail was cute. Zeno looked at me drying him diligently and then suddenly shook his body. 

 “You’re splashing water everywhere. What are you doing shaking suddenly.” 

 It looked like I would have to change clothes again after just washing. Zeno nonchalantly plopped down and rested his chin on my lap. 

 It was already hard enough drying him with his large size and abundant fur, but now he’s causing more trouble. Water had splashed on the floor, creating more work. 

 “Why do you have so much fur? It won’t even dry properly.” 

 At my muttering, Zeno slowly blinked his eyes. 

 I turned my head to get a new towel. 

 “Come to think of it, wouldn’t this make it easier to dry?” 

 “Ah!” 

 Due to Zeno suddenly transforming into a man, I was startled and slapped his cheek. 

 “……That’s too much.” 

 “That’s because you suddenly–! Changing into a person and all!” 

 Moreover, he wasn’t even properly dressed. I turned my head away and held out the towel. 

 “Turn back into a wolf before others come! You must be really crazy.” 

 Why has he been becoming more rebellious lately? Zeno’s large hand grabbed mine. 

 “No. Who made me wet in the first place.” 

 BANG! 

 “……What kind of story am I supposed to make of this now, wife.” 

 “Gr-Grand Duke?” 

 We managed to avoid being caught earlier, but why at this timing that’s perfect for misunderstanding! I hurriedly waved my hands. 

 “Th-this is a mi-misunderstanding!” 

 Due to nervousness, my mouth wouldn’t open properly. Because of that, it seemed to cause another misunderstanding. 

 Cedric’s eyebrow twitched upward. He growled in a low voice as if grinding his molars. 

 “Did you say ‘misunderstanding’?” 

 “No, misunderstanding! Misunderstanding!” 

 Zeno raised the corner of his mouth and pulled me to his side. My eyes grew even wider than before. 

 At the hand grabbing my waist, I unconsciously slapped Zeno’s cheek again. 

 SLAP. 

 “……Zeno!” 

 That’s what you get for raising your bad hand! We can’t have misunderstandings here! I finally tried to get some fresh air, but we absolutely can’t have misunderstandings. 

 “How could Master, again……” 

 Zeno drooped his shoulders with a hurt expression. 

 ❖ ❖ ❖ 

 “Now, please explain. You seem to have a lot to tell me. Don’t you?” 

 I obediently nodded. 

 Sitting on the sofa, I nervously swallowed. This wasn’t even a three-way confrontation, but seeing the complicated situation and Cedric’s stern face made it hard to speak. 

 “So all of this is just a misunderstanding.” 

 “You can take it at face value.” 

 “Will you be quiet?” 

 I glared while stepping on Zeno’s foot. Just when I thought we put out one fire, he’s fanning the flames again. 

 Zeno pushed out his lips and pressed an ice pack to his cheek. 

 This has definitely gone wrong. 

 “First, about earlier, I really needed to go to the forest. Because I was in such a hurry……” 

 I honestly confessed. It was obvious that lies would only pile up if I kept hiding things from him. 

 Cedric glared at Zeno as if earlier matters weren’t important. Look at that tall height and robust build. And those confidently spread legs. 

 I tried nudging Zeno with my foot but he didn’t budge at all. 

 “Stop bothering the innocent wolf and speak. And your seating position seems incorrect.” 

 Cedric spoke quietly while looking at his side. 

 I jumped up from the sofa and sat down next to Cedric. Only then did his expression soften somewhat.