Chapter 3 - This isn't what "marriage first, love later" was supposed to mean, is it?
Chapter 3 – This isn’t what “marriage first, love later” was supposed to mean, is it?
After that, Rachel was isolated.
Since this part was flowing according to the original story, it didn’t particularly affect me, so it didn’t matter.Just in case Rubellian tried to take it out on Rachel and make her hate me, I did the only thing I could—maximized my beauty and pulled the cute card.
Like: “Here, ah—”
Rubellian, who had been looking at documents, blinked. The moment Rubellian, eyeing me suspiciously after I barged into his study with just an apple and a knife, started to frown, I hurriedly handed him a slice.
“Here, Your Grace. Please try it.”
At my brightly smiling face, Rubellian put down the pen in his hand.
“Is something wrong?”
Of course there is. Would I do such things without reason? But I hid my scheming smile and said:
“No. Just please try it.”
“Did you spit in it?”
For a moment, the corners of my eyes trembled. No, is this man serious? In dramas, when pretty older sisters do this, men just melt with those dreamy eyes. What’s with that look, like he’s staring at some wild omnivore?
Still, I held firm and didn’t waver in the slightest.
“Just, it’s delicious so please try it.”
“You eat it first.”
“……”
“Why?”
“Geez, really! I said I’m not doing anything! What kind of husband is this suspicious during the honeymoon? When your wife cutely peels apples, you should at least pretend to be charmed! Unbelievable!”
“Now you seem somewhat normal.”
Rubellian nodded as if relieved and lowered his head to look at the documents again.
At that, I pouted and flopped down on the sofa.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Promise you’ll do it.”
“I’ll do it.”
Wow, is it okay to just agree like that? I blinked for a moment. Now that he’s said this, I somehow want to ask for something else. I pondered for a moment just in case, then opened my mouth.
“Can I call you by your name?”
“Call me.”
“Can I call you by a nickname?”
“Call… huh? A nickname?”
As I continued asking, delighted by Rubellian’s ready agreement, he looked up, having almost answered without thinking.
Looking at his face, I smiled shyly and answered:
“Ruby.”
“No.”
“Tch.”
I knew he’d say no. I pouted.
“Then I have one more favor.”
“Go ahead.”
“About Rachel. I heard she went to prison—do you have to torment her?”
I gazed at his narrowed brow, then smiled brightly. Suddenly asking him not to torment a girl I’d only met a few days ago—he must be bewildered.
“Can’t you just treat her well?”
“……The demon who will bring ruin to the empire?”
“Don’t say it like that.”
I made a sad face. She’s still the female lead, so it’s a bit sad when you put it like that. I pouted and said:
“Would you like being called that?”
“Well, I don’t particularly care about reputation.”
Right, that was a bad example. I forgot for a moment that he was the mastermind. I chose my words carefully and asked:
“Then would you like it if I were called that?”
“……”
Rubellian was silent. Staring at his face, I realized this example was wrong too. It’s not like he likes me, so using me as an example is strange.
Ah, really. Why does this guy have so little attachment to life?
Thinking of someone fairly close to Rubellian, I thought of his mother and shook my head. No, that won’t do—you don’t carelessly touch parents. Still, he’d probably care about blood relatives, right?
“Then what if your daughter—”
“……!”
“What if our daughter and son were called demons who would bring ruin to the empire like that?”
Actually, I didn’t think he’d be particularly moved by these words.Why would someone without children be moved by something like that?
But contrary to my expectations, his face became so serious that I was momentarily surprised.
“……?”
Rubellian let out a long sigh, then whispered quietly:
“So, is there some reason?”
He’s giving me an opening now, right? A sign that he’ll listen to me? I rolled my eyes around, then nodded. And I gave what I thought was the most reasonable reason.
“She’s pretty.”
“……”
“……”
“……”
At the silence that soon arrived, I smiled brightly, and Rubellian let out a deep sigh with an extremely solemn face.
And soon he spoke like a parent soothing a child:
“Don’t play with Lilith anymore from now on.”
“……?”
“You’re only learning useless things.”
At his serious face, I deliberately whined petulantly:
“Why bring up Lilith? I just said I like her because I like her!”
“Really?”
“I’m telling you so. I had a feeling. Ah, this big sister is my soulmate!”
“She’s not a big sister, she’s the same age as you.”
“It’s fine, any pretty girl crushes automatically makes them a big sister.”
Does age matter? If you’re gorgeous and strong, you’re a big sister. She’s just in her “confused protagonist” phase,but just wait until she awakens her power. She’ll sweep everyone away, right?
Of course, Rubellian didn’t seem to understand my words and shook his head, then slowly continued:
“Her punishment is the imperial family’s responsibility.”
“The imperial family doesn’t matter. Just stay still. Promise, okay? Don’t make any strange suggestions either.”
Anyway, the Crown Prince will fall in love with her.Whatever else happened, I had no intention of interfering with the main couple’s love story.
……Well, let’s say confessing to the Crown Prince was that. So I’m reflecting a lot and being punished now!
Anyway, as long as I don’t touch Rachel, that’s all. Then I’ll live too!
……I can live, right?
Though I briefly had such doubts, I had no choice but to eliminate the danger factors I knew of first.
Rubellian’s gaze fixed on me. It was quite a serious and strange look. He stared at me intently, seeming to think about something, then opened his mouth.
“But, Evangeline.”
“Yes?”
“That…… matter.”
“What?”
“……The wedding night.”
“Ah, the first night.”
I blinked. Come to think of it, we haven’t had our first night yet, right? On the wedding night, I collapsed from drinking and it didn’t happen, and on the second night, I fell asleep first so it didn’t happen…… I feel a bit sorry about this?
No, but Rubellian doesn’t seem particularly eager to do it either? I shrugged.
“Why are you suddenly asking about that? What, did the family bring up talk of an heir?”
That would be a bit troublesome. I don’t want to get pregnant or anything when I don’t even know how the original story will end.
“……That’s not it. Just…… do you want to have children?”
Do I want to have children? No, not particularly.
“No.”
Children should only be had by prepared people. Especially since Rubellian and I aren’t in a relationship where we could harmoniously form a family.
But why is Rubellian’s face darkening so much at my answer? Did the family really send down some pressure?
Eventually, silence settled in the room. I stared blankly at the apple in my hand, then looked at Rubellian again.
“But are you really not going to eat the apple?”
At my random words, Rubellian’s quiet gaze turned to me. He probably knew I was avoiding the topic, but he played along anyway, walking over and sinking his teeth into the apple.
Watching him, I smiled brightly. He’s definitely quite a decent man.
Then, while eating the apple, Rubellian looked at me and said seriously:
“Come to think of it, I heard that vassals from the territory will be coming up in a few months.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, so we should start keeping the promises we made before marriage, shouldn’t we?”
“What promises?”
What promises were there between us two? Thinking so, I looked at him, and he pressed down on my head.
“Greeting guests in a clean appearance.”
“……”
“And hosting tea time as the mistress.”
Wait a minute. The latter is fine, but is the former really such a big deal to need special attention? Since we’re married now, it’s time to clear up any misunderstandings.
“Rubellian, I actually have something to confess.”
“What?”
“Actually, I…… am clean.”
With an utterly determined face, I spoke seriously, and Rubellian chuckled at me.
“Yes, your teeth do seem clean.”
What on earth did I do?
Should I just give up? Wouldn’t it be easier if I just gave up? But why are my eyes tearing up……
“What’s wrong?”
At my silence, Rubellian asked seriously.
You don’t understand why you’re asking? Even if I’m not especially praised for being neat elsewhere, I’m definitely not someone to be complimented on white teeth. No, it’s not that my teeth aren’t white…
“Listen, Rubellian. Let’s talk seriously.”
“Alright.”
“Did I not wash my face after getting married? Huh? You saw me wash twice every morning and evening—once with soap, once with rose water.”
“That’s right.”
“Did I not wash my hair? I wash it daily, you know. That day, I’d washed it the night before and again that evening. You know? But there was no curling iron. Ah, this is driving me crazy. You don’t know what a curling iron is either.”
“Well……”
“What do you mean ‘well’! You saw me wash my hair yesterday and today too! And that morning I was doing a face pack—how could I not wash my face! Have you ever seen someone do a face pack without washing their face?”
Ah, right. This person obviously couldn’t have seen it. He doesn’t even know what a face pack is.
Ah, but why am I explaining all this? This is almost like a press conference, isn’t it?
But whatever, what’s unfair is unfair. My acting that day was realistic. Of course, I know my acting could sweep from the Academy Award for Best Actress to Venice and Cannes, but still, this is too much.
I pouted and stared at Rubellian. But somehow, unlike my serious face, Rubellian was looking at me with a subtly smiling face.
That look was somewhat annoying, so I scowled.
Ah, really!
“I’m clean!”
“Let’s say you are.”
“No, it’s not ‘let’s say’!”
In the end, unable to assert my innocence, I sighed.
“Fine, whatever, think what you want. Geez, I don’t know anymore.”
I grumbled and crossed my arms. Then, remembering something, my eyes sparkled.
“But Rubellian. Was my acting that realistic?”
“Acting?”
“Yes. That thing in the garden then—it was actually acting. Actually, because of that, before going out I scrubbed my hands squeaky clean with disinfectant, and went in and washed my hands three more times with soap.”
“……”
“I must have acted really well that day, right? Tell me, how was my acting? It was really disgusting to watch, wasn’t it?”
“……”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Suddenly meeting eyes with Rubellian, who was staring at me seriously, I was momentarily flustered. Why is he looking at me like this? As I tilted my head, Rubellian’s low baritone asked me:
“So now, you want me to evaluate your acting?”
I nodded. He must have been surprised that it was acting, right? I’ve never taken an acting class in my life. Still, I think it was quite vivid acting.
Rubellian seemed to be thinking quite seriously. I looked at him with expectant eyes.
“Eve.”
“……?”
“No matter what, evaluating something that doesn’t exist seems a bit difficult.”
……What?
I narrowed my brow. My head gets what he’s saying, but my feelings don’t seem to quite catch on?
“So, you’re saying my acting skills don’t exist at all…?”
“Mmm…… it seems like time’s up. Let’s go eat lunch.”
I naturally got up from the sofa, following Rubellian who took my hand and stood up.
No, but the more I think about it, the stranger I feel. I opened my mouth while following Rubellian out:
“So what about my acting?”
“It was just okay.”
“Just okay won’t do? It should be excellent?”
“……”
“No, if it was terrible acting, why did you just sit there? That doesn’t make sense.”
“What exactly do you want? For me to admit that you’re dirty? Or to admit that you acted well?”
At Rubellian’s words, I tilted my head. What is this? This sudden sense of defeat washing over me? I eventually kept my mouth shut, promising to try again next time.
Following him into the dining room like that, I smiled brightly seeing the table set with a magnificent feast. Indeed, mealtime is the happiest time.
I spread my napkin and picked up my fork. First, I need to eat as quietly as possible to recover my image.
As I thought that, I happened to be eating salad with my fork.
“Your Grace! Something terrible has happened!”
“Cough, cough.”
I wiped my mouth with my napkin while looking at the person who had interrupted my mealtime.
“What’s the matter?”
“Well……”
Lilith looked at my face and chose her words carefully. Wondering if it was something a bit awkward to say in my presence, I tilted my head for a moment, when Lilith looked back and forth between Rubellian and me, then spoke slowly:
“A summons has come down from the imperial palace.”
At Lilith’s words, I could feel Rubellian’s face stiffen slightly. And rightfully so, since the relationship between Rubellian and the imperial family was particularly strained to begin with.
But imperial summons weren’t a daily occurrence, and there was no reason for Lilith to be so nervous?
Thinking that, I blinked, and Lilith continued speaking:
“Sent by Her Majesty the Empress…… an invitation to a secret gathering—no, an invitation.”
I jumped up from my seat in shock and blinked. Why is the Empress calling me at this point? Why? What do I have that’s so appealing?
Turning my head slightly, I could see Rubellian’s completely hardened face. He was staring at me with a frozen expression, thinking something that made him look rather frightening.
“Why?”
“I don’t really know either……”
Even Lilith, who usually looked at me with a grin, was looking at me with somewhat anxious eyes.
Eventually, I opened my mouth after completely wiping my mouth with the napkin.
“Fine. I’ll go. When is it?”
“Madam, it’s a summons from Her Majesty the Empress……”
“If I don’t go, it’s defying an imperial order, right? Then wouldn’t that be bad for the Florence ducal house?”
And I had expected this. I had openly clashed with the Colica ducal house and even once proposed to their precious son, so it was only natural they’d be interested now that I’d married into the Florence ducal house.
But at my words, Rubellian said coldly:
“No. There’s no need to go.”
Before I could be surprised by his unexpected answer, he continued:
“There’s no need to see the Empress separately. I’ll reject this order.”
“But Your Grace, then the Colica ducal house will……!”
“I’ll handle that part on my end, so you don’t need to worry about it.”
Interrupting Lilith, Rubellian fixed his gaze on me. His bright red eyes inspired a strange sense of trust, and I found myself looking at him anew.
Honestly, even I’d feel a little uneasy if someone I knew said they were going to meet the Empress. The Empress must be quite vicious.
On the first day Florence’s duchess was raped by the Emperor, she stormed into the palace where the duchess was staying and had severely beaten her. It was illogical and incomprehensible.
From her point of view, it may have been about protecting her livelihood, but that didn’t justify harming Florence’s duchess.
The most outrageous part was that the Emperor, with the Colica ducal house backing the Empress, never disciplined her.
This damn Emperor—look closely and this human is the biggest mastermind. From the male and female leads’ perspective, Rubellian is the mastermind, but objectively speaking, the Emperor was the worst villain.
“It’s fine, I’ll go.”
“No, there’s no need—”
“If I could refuse without any consequences, I wouldn’t go. But that’s not the case, is it?”
If I refuse now, will the Empress really let it go? And will the Colica ducal house truly stay silent?
The answer was obvious.
I smiled at him, who watched me with concern, and said:
“I’ll go battle fiercely and come back. Now, pick—would you rather it be a heart attack or a stroke? The former is instant, the latter slow.”
Either way, I can end it quite elegantly.
Unlike my cheerful laughter, Rubellian’s expression was clearly displeased. After a moment, he nodded at my words and granted permission, adding that I must take Lilith with me.
At that, I gave a sly smile.
“Ah, and I’m not careless, either.”
With that said, let me ask one favor.
* * *
Carol0103
Amo esta novela y a la protagonista