Chapter 10.1 – I Have Something To Ask
Shuden’s words were a blinding revelation. The backyard area burst into a greater uproar than before.
“Oh my God, did you just hear what His Excellency said?”
“He clearly said she was his wife. Right?”
“Then is that Lady Marchioness Garth?”
A disturbance stirred from all directions. Valia swore that this was the first time she experienced a situation like this. She knew she had to give a reply, but she found that her tongue was numb. However, even in the middle of all this confusion, she didn’t feel anxious. It might have been from the sense of security she drew from Shuden’s hand, as her own was finely trembling. She managed to quickly regain her composure. Cassia couldn’t do the same.
“That’s ridiculous! I know for sure that His Excellency is unmarried…!” she cried out.
Shuden responded nonchalantly. “The news seems to be delayed.”
The nobles looked among themselves. What did he mean by delayed? Not long ago at the imperial banquet, he was still single. There was no other unmarried noble who was as famous as he was. He was so desired that he drew the attention of the Empire’s ladies and nobles, as well as the princesses of other kingdoms.
But then to get married in the span of a few days? What’s more, his wife seemed to be the daughter of a small kingdom’s knight that Cassia just looked down on?
‘That’s ridiculous!’
Cassia reached the point where she wildly wondered if she was dreaming. Shuden’s bride, the woman who would be named Marchioness Garth, was dressed in plain clothes. She had no hair accessories and the dress she wore was not embellished, but rather plain. That woman that did not even have a single jewel on her—and she was Marchioness Garth? It was because of this bare outfit that Cassia looked down on Valia. Of course, Cassia wasn’t stupid enough to say this out loud.
To stir up the situation even further, Marquis looked at the cuff links and spoke. “Should I put it on myself?” he said, as if it were obvious that the cuff links were obviously Valia’s.
If Cassia continued to persist here, it would only be a loss for her. She had been tugging on the cuff links with all her strength, but now she couldn’t even move a muscle. Her mind spinning with confusion, shame, and humiliation, she was forced to let the cuff links go.
“I’ll concede. Marchioness,” Cassia yielded. “So how about…how about putting it on for your husband personally? There are many princesses and ladies watching with anticipation.”
Cassia was still the Third Princess of the Hilden Kingdom. Having reigned as a royalty in society since childhood, she was able to skillfully use the ‘Noble’s Way of Speech’. On the outside, it was elegant and pure, but if one were to inspect on it a little deeper, a hidden malice would be revealed.
Cassia spoke while deliberately pointing at Valia. The fact that Marquis Garth got married in the span of a few days meant that the same was true for this woman. Since Valia didn’t reveal her status as Marchioness Garth from the get-go, it meant that she hadn’t adjusted to her status yet.
‘She’s certainly a fearful little fledgling. That’s a given, since she’s just a daughter of a small kingdom’s knight.’
That was why Cassia deliberately put Valia on the spot with many people present. The moment Valia realized that all the ladies’ eyes were focused on her, her actions would become awkward and even her breathing would become labored. Because Marquis Garth was standing next to Valia, Cassia couldn’t openly mock or insult her, but seeing the lowly woman become as stiff as a beetle was satisfaction enough. If one were to sense even a little fear from Valia, rumors were spread that she was unfit to be Marchioness Garth.
However, the situation did not fall in line with Cassia’s expectations.
Valia smiled as if she was unfazed. “Thank you for caring, Princess.”
It wasn’t supposed to be like this in Cassia’s mind.
Valia turned to face Shuden. “Will it be okay for me to put the cufflinks on for you?”
“Anytime.”
Valia’s cheeks turned a little red, but that wasn’t a blemish against her. Moreover, Marquis Garth, with his enviable reputation and appearance, extended his right arm as if it was the obvious thing to do. It was a scene that any lady would dream of, and gasps of awe escaped the onlooker’s mouths.
In the meantime, Valia carefully attached the cufflinks. This wasn’t a difficult task, save for the strange feeling she had every time her fingertips brushed against his hands. She finished attaching the cufflinks and was about to pull away her hands, when Shuden clasped them.
“How about taking a walk, Wife?”
She wasn’t used to being called ‘wife’ by him, even though it sounded pleasant to her ears, but that was a separate issue. Everyone’s attention was still focused on them. Valia met his red eyes and smiled back.
“Okay.”
Valia paused for a second when she saw Cassia’s trembling lips. She knew from past experience what Cassia was aiming for when she put her in the spotlight. Despite the princess’ polite tone, a thousand invisible knives lay hidden in her words. Fortunately, no harm came to Valia and she could have just let it go, but Shuden’s red eyes were looking at her strangely—as if waiting for something more. Feeling a little adventurous, Valia carefully spoke.
“…Shu.”
Shuden’s red eyes shifted slightly. Valia was able to sense the slight smirk. Thank God. She didn’t know what she would’ve done if he felt offended. She smiled, too, as she became more relaxed.
Another uproar rose up in the people in the backyard. The ‘Shu’ that Valia just murmured could only be the nickname of Marquis Garth, no matter who heard it. Who could give a nickname to the Marquis Garth?