NLBM CH 03

Chapter 3

Viscount Hetus.

A capable man who appeared out of nowhere one day.

Moving through the shadows and using any means necessary, he eventually became the leader of the underworld that controlled the back alleys.

He was a man shrouded in mystery, and because he repeatedly interfered with imperial affairs, he was the Empire’s number one target for surveillance.

That was why Cassian had to catch Viscount Hetus no matter what.

“What kind of man would sit still when his bride is in someone else’s hands? Especially a woman he supposedly loves.”

That was what Cassian said outwardly, but deep down he doubted whether Hetus truly loved Evelyn.

At the time, the two had only appeared to be deeply in love.

Cassian believed it was far more likely that some sort of deal had taken place between them.

“If it’s not this man, I’ll live alone for the rest of my life!”

Back when marriage talks with the emperor were ongoing, Evelyn suddenly brought in a man wearing a robe and declared she would marry him.

The shocking announcement threw society into chaos.

“Even if the young lady has no title of her own, how can a mere viscount be her match?”

“And while marriage talks with His Majesty are underway, she dares to name a viscount as her groom?”

She was neither neglected nor cast aside. She was a noble lady raised like a precious jewel in a ducal family.

And yet she rejected the position of future empress to become a viscount’s wife?

Imperial officials protested furiously at a situation that made no sense.

Many questioned the mismatched marriage, but Evelyn firmly pushed forward with it.

In the end, the conflict was settled when the Duke of Seldian personally appeared at a banquet.

“There is no parent who can defeat their child.”

The duke, appearing in public, said he had given in and approved his daughter’s marriage.

It was practically an act of deceiving the emperor, but the imperial family could not retaliate.

Headlines spread across the Empire.

“A Love That Transcends Class! Finally Accepted by All!”

“The Lady of Seldian Chooses True Love Over Power! A Tearful Love Story Revealed!”

“Who Is Viscount Hetus, the Man Who Captured the Lady’s Heart Over the Perfect Emperor?”

The entire Empire buzzed about the two of them.

Since many viewed Evelyn and Viscount Hetus positively, there was little room to openly oppose the marriage.

Some gossipmongers spread conspiracy theories, saying something suspicious was behind it, but the couple ignored them and set a wedding date.

Evelyn’s accident on the way to the ceremony created an unexpected turn of events, but thanks to that, Cassian gained an opportunity.

“No matter when it is, the right time will come.”

He only had to deceive Evelyn until that time arrived.

He just had to maintain this farce until then.

After all, he would never fall in love with her.

A faint smile appeared on his cold face.

Putting on a gentle mask, Cassian grabbed the doorknob and gave an order over his shoulder.

“Make sure the servants watch their tongues. We can’t let this slip.”

****

Three days had passed since I woke up after the accident.

My body hadn’t fully recovered, so moving around was difficult, but that was fine.

Cassian was always by my side, taking care of me attentively!

“Wife, it’s lunchtime.”

Cassian personally pushed in a trolley.

“Soup again today?”

“You still need soft food for now.”

He scooped up the steaming soup and gently blew on it before feeding me.

Thankfully, today’s was better than yesterday’s.

It had changed from watery broth to a smooth cream soup.

Well-cooked chicken blended nicely with finely chopped potatoes and onions.

There was a faint bitter taste, but it went down easily.

“I think that’s enough.”

“Half of it is still left.”

“This is plenty.”

I’m getting tired of this.

I want kimchi.

Or a spicy fish stew loaded with chili powder.

No, I want spicy rice porridge with seafood and kimchi.

I’m sick of eating chicken soup every day.

But of course, Cassian didn’t know that.

“…Even if it’s hard, could you please finish what’s in the bowl?”

“But…”

“I want you to recover quickly. For my sake… could you take just one more bite?”

When he lowered his lashes and pleaded so earnestly, my heart pounded.

I almost grabbed his collar and—

What am I thinking?!

My cheeks heated up.

“Fine, give it to me!”

“Yes, wife.”

When I opened my mouth, Cassian smiled brightly and fed me carefully, making sure not to spill a drop.

He even remembered to give me my medicine afterward.

“Do you remember anything?”

“No. Other than the fact that you’re my destiny.”

I winked as I handed him the empty medicine bottle.

His reaction was… strange.

“…I see.”

He covered his face with his hand and looked away.

He must be really shy.

“Is there anything you want to say to me?”

“Something I want to say?”

Come to think of it…

“What happened to the wedding? Do we have to hold it again?”

We had an accident on the way to the temple. Wouldn’t we need to reschedule?

“We just need to submit the paperwork. We’re already legally married.”

“But…”

“Wife, please set aside your worries and focus on recovering. Your health comes first.”

As if telling me not to worry, Cassian gently stroked my hand.

“If you’re curious about anything, feel free to ask.”

“How did we meet?”

“At a banquet. The moment we saw each other… we knew.”

“Oh my! So it was love at first sight?”

“Yes. It was.”

I thought it would be an arranged marriage, but it was a love match?

If only I remembered…

How far did we go?

From the way he answered, it sounded like we had been together for quite some time.

I casually slid my fingers between his, intertwining our hands.

Cassian flinched.

“It’s already been two hours. I should get going.”

He stood up quickly and pointed to the clock.

It was already four in the afternoon.

“You’ll come tomorrow too, right? Dear?”

“Of course. Please rest well.”

Smiling, Cassian called for a maid and carefully closed the door.

Mary, the maid, approached me and bowed politely.

“Du—, I mean, Duchess, what kind of tea would you like?”

“Mary, I think my husband is shy.”

“Pardon?”

Mary blinked at me, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“His ears are bright red.”

“Ah… um… I see.”

Her reaction seemed a bit awkward, but thinking about shy, kitten-like Cassian made my heart pound again.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

***

“I hope this ends soon.”

After leaving Evelyn’s room, Cassian loosened his cravat roughly as he walked down the corridor.

He thought she would be easy to deal with since she seemed defenseless, but she subtly initiated skinship by intertwining their fingers.

No matter that he was her husband, men and women should still keep some boundaries.

The way she seized every opening made her seem far more skilled than she appeared.

After briefly reviewing the situation in his mind, Cassian reached his destination and pushed the door open.

“I need a new truth serum.”

Matthew, the duke’s physician, who had been recording Evelyn’s medical notes in the infirmary, turned around in shock.

“Again? How many times are you going to try? There aren’t any new ones left.”

Matthew had been making new truth serums each time at Cassian’s order, but he firmly expressed that he couldn’t keep up with such unreasonable demands.

Cassian sat down in frustration.

Why doesn’t it work on her?

Is Matthew’s skill lacking?

That couldn’t be it.

Prisoners who took Matthew’s truth serum confessed everything and begged for their lives.

Just in case, Cassian had even purchased different kinds of truth serums through the guild.

“This one contains a hypnotic agent. Most criminals won’t be able to keep their mouths shut.”

“This truth serum works even on those under dark curses. It costs 1,500 crosh, but it has never failed.”

No matter which ones he tried, the result was the same.

He even mixed them into her soup and fed it to her himself.

“Do you remember anything?”

“No. Other than the fact that you’re my destiny.”

Every time he pressed her, Evelyn simply blinked her long lashes and winked.

She would twirl her green hair around her finger and act shy.

Come to think of it, her slender fingers looked bare…

Have I lost my mind? Thinking of giving jewelry to mere bait.

Cassian shook his head to clear his thoughts.

Fortunately, Matthew didn’t seem to notice and asked an important question.

“What about Viscount Hetus’ side?”