My Husband was Switched - Chapter 4

He hadn’t initially expected to marry Claire.

Cedric also thought he would marry Princess Isabelle. That was the condition the Emperor had set for him after winning the war.

It was an offer he couldn’t refuse: independence for the North and the necessary resources. The North, which was covered in snow year-round, needed more resources, and it was a crucial deal for those who trusted and followed him.

He hadn’t expected to marry the strange woman he encountered at the palace that day.

Thinking back, he chuckled. How could he not notice her following him so obviously? Even if it was out of curiosity, he couldn’t have missed her glaring at him with those intense eyes.

In fact, he had met Isabelle before.

The Emperor called her in his presence. With her golden hair and golden eyes, she was unmistakably the Emperor’s daughter. Everyone was busy praising her. They made a fuss about how her beautiful appearance made it hard to look away once you saw her.

‘She’s my daughter. The best bride in the Empire, coveted by everyone. She has special abilities that everyone desires. My proud daughter.’

‘Is that so.’

Cedric had replied indifferently. Instead, he kept thinking about the strange woman he had seen earlier. Her hair had a hint of purple, and her eyes were golden. He vividly remembered her flustered expression when she saw him.

‘I didn’t expect the Grand Duke to win.’

The Emperor’s eyes darkened then. He probably hoped for Cedric’s death. He wanted the vast territory but didn’t want to give up his beloved daughter. Cedric didn’t care whom he married. He just needed to receive what was promised to him.

‘I want the marriage to proceed quickly.’

At his words, tears welled up in Isabelle’s eyes. They shimmered as if they would fall any moment, and then a tear rolled down her cheek. Even so, she bit her lip without making a sound.

He knew she didn’t want to marry, but he hadn’t expected her to avoid it by pushing her sister forward. Cedric frowned, mulling over Claire’s words asking for a divorce.

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I was flustered.

Why was Cedric here instead of Kaven? He was standing next to the horse, looking at me.

‘Things were already awkward because of the divorce talk.’

When he was smiling kindly, who knew he would turn around and do this? I turned my head away with a sullen face.

“I didn’t expect Your Highness to come.”

“You seem disappointed that I came. Kaven had other work to do and couldn’t come.”

“…Then, I’ll come back another time.”

“You talked about divorce, yet now you speak as if you’ll stay in the North forever.”

“That’s because you won’t grant me a divorce.”

Cedric didn’t respond and approached me. Then he lifted me and placed me on the horse.

“I had to patrol the forest anyway. So, even if you don’t like me, bear with it today. Or you can ride the horse alone if you prefer.”

Sitting on the horse, I was surprised by the high vantage point and tightly gripped the reins. How could I ride a horse alone when I didn’t even know how to?

“…I can’t ride a horse.”

“If you can’t ride, how did you plan to follow? Don’t tell me you intended to ride with Kaven.”

He was right. If I couldn’t take a carriage, I planned to ask him to ride with me or at least hold the reins for me.

“Haa.”

Cedric sighed at my silence and then swiftly mounted the horse behind me. Feeling his firm chest against my back, I leaned forward and hugged the horse.

“It’s dangerous to stay like that.”

Cedric’s hand suddenly appeared from behind and pulled me upright. My vision spun as I straightened my tense upper body.

He held the reins, encasing me with his arms. I blinked and froze, feeling his breath on my neck. His warmth seeped into my back, making me tense up.

“Relax, unless you want to see the horse get agitated.”

“Hmh.”

Scared by his words, I tried to calm my breathing. As Cedric and I mounted the horse, knights began to follow us one by one.

“The forest is dangerous, so stay close to me. You seem curious, so I’m allowing you to come this time.”

I pouted at his words. Who asked him to come with me?

Cedric lightly kicked the horse’s side, and it started moving forward. Startled, I grabbed his hand holding the reins.

“S-Sorry!”

“Do you find touching me so repulsive? If not, I’ll hold you to keep you from falling.”

His strong arm slipped between my arm and side, wrapping around my waist to secure me. His warmth seeped into my back.

With every movement, his firm body pressed against my back, making me imagine things. I felt all my nerves focused on my back, and my hands started sweating.

After a while, as we rode deeper into the forest, the scenery unfolded before us.

The pristine snow-covered landscape made my mouth drop open. It was similar to what I had imagined the North to be, but indescribably beautiful.

‘It’s so pretty.’

What did Isabelle dislike so much about the North? The Grand Duke’s residence was warm, thanks to the magic stones. And the well-maintained garden?

I was busy marveling at the scenery as we rode. I watched the snow-covered trees and felt at peace in the quiet forest.

“Are there animals living in the forest?”

“Probably.”

“Have you never seen them?”

“Monsters appear, so I only come to the forest for subjugation.”

There was a reason I wanted to come to the forest. It was because of the tree that would fully awaken special abilities. It was a very important medium that came to mind when I was wondering what to do after coming to the North.

‘This is what makes Isabelle bind Cedric even more.’

If I could find it, wouldn’t it make conversations with him easier? Every deal needs a price.

“Monster subjugation…”

I chewed over his words and looked around. Fortunately, I didn’t sense any other presence.

“I finished the subjugation before you arrived, so you don’t need to worry.”

“I see. May I get off the horse to take a look around?”

Cedric stopped the horse and jumped down. Then he extended his hand to me.

“Hold on and come down.”

“…It’s too high.”

I didn’t want to say it, but the horse was higher than I expected. His blue eyes sparkled with an unusual light. Seeing that, I hurriedly grabbed his hand and tried to step down using the stirrup.

“Eek!”

But I missed my footing and ended up falling into his arms. All I could do was widen my eyes in surprise.

After I managed to get out of his embrace, I cleared my throat and looked away.

“T-Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Since you wanted to look around, I’ll guide you.”

I nodded.

The sound of snow crunching underfoot echoed quietly around us. While walking with him, I started looking for the tree with hawk-like eyes.

If I could find the tree with holy power, I might be able to get a divorce. I had to find it before we headed back, so I quickened my pace a bit.

I walked briskly, trying to find the glowing tree.

“Don’t stray too far. It’s starting to snow, and there are traps set to catch monsters, so be careful.”

Cedric spoke from behind, but I just nodded and moved a bit further in. I couldn’t leave without finding anything after coming all this way.

I was desperate. Just thinking about being abandoned by a cheating husband made my blood boil. Removing that element would give me peace of mind.

He approached me and asked,

“Are you looking for something?”

“Yes, something very important.”

“This is your first time in the North, isn’t it?”

“…That’s true, but there’s something I must find. Let’s call it a legend I happened to learn about.”

I awkwardly smiled and mumbled. Finally, I thought I saw a faintly glowing tree in the distance.

‘There it is!’

In my excitement, I started to run, but at the same time, I heard Cedric’s voice. In that instant, the ground beneath me gave way, and my vision went black.

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