Reincarnated As My Husband's Mistress-Chapter 48: [] The crime of murdering one’s own wife

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"All the way back to the Count's manor from the palace, I was quite nervous. I had ignored Noebian's urgent message to come to the Duke's residence right away. With the Count away, who would be able to stop Noebian at the manor? If he decided to take me to his chambers and force himself on me, would anyone be able to prevent it? Though considering Noebian's temperament and pride, I didn't think he would go so far as to forcefully take a woman against her will, but I couldn't be sure.

'Perhaps I should stay in the palace for a while.'

There were always guest rooms prepared for the maids in the Crown Princess's palace. I had thought I wouldn't have a need to use them since I was merely 'temporary,' but I could use them anytime if necessary. While I was pondering what to pack and whether to take Yona with me, the carriage stopped. An unexpected figure was reaching out towards the open carriage door.

"...Lord Roardnes?"

Seeing Roardnes standing in the warm afternoon sunlight, I felt like my breath had been knocked out of me. I didn't know why; it just was. Every time I saw Roardnes, I felt like I was caught between the 'An' of my childhood and the arrogant 'Second Prince' I had encountered until now.

"I came to the palace, but you didn't send me any message."

"Oh."

Had we planned to meet? I kept my mouth shut, pondering the question, and Roardnes held out his hand a little closer. His large hand, covered in a white glove, no longer felt strange to me.

"Your hands are really big."

"?"

Confused by my comment, Roardnes looked at his hand.

"...I think they're average."

"They're on the larger side. Everything about you."

As I took Roardnes's hand and got out of the carriage, a gruff voice suddenly cut in.

"Hello, Sir Neil."

"Neil. Don't exaggerate."

Neil, who seemed to have a lot to say, bowed slightly to Roardnes and then turned his gaze to me.

"Ah, Madam. Your skills are amazing. Of all the cookies I've eaten in recent years, they were the most delicious..."

Thwack!! Roardnes's long leg extended and kicked Neil's shin hard. Neil, suddenly bent over like a shrimp, started to cry, looking at me.

"This is how I live, Madam!"

"I ordered you to guard her for a while. Even though it's only temporary, it's chivalry to greet the person you're escorting, but you're talking nonsense, you crazy... You seem to be unwell. I'll apologize on his behalf."

I narrowed my eyes at Roardnes, choosing my words carefully to soften his harsh tone.

"...So, did you share the cookies I sent, or did Sir Neil eat them all?"

Suddenly, the surroundings were enveloped in silence. Both Roardnes and Neil were as silent as mutes at that moment."

***

"The cookies you said were the first you ever made are still in my drawer."

"Oh my god, you still have them? They must be spoiled by now!"

"I don't care."

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"You should care."

"I don't care. Whether it's rotten or dirty, I'll just eat it. Right now. If you want, we can go to the palace together and you can watch me eat it."

"Just throw it away. What if you get sick from eating it?"

"Sick? I've never had such a trivial illness."

Though he wasn't exactly angry, Roardnes was restless all the way to the café near the Count's manor. He glanced at me nervously, his face more rigid than mine, and made excuses. To summarize, this was the reason:

'The cookies reminded him of my death and made him miserable, and he was afraid that I would be sad if I ate the cookies that Blié had baked.'

"I'd be more upset if you threw the cookies away than if the cookies I made made you sick."

At the word 'upset,' Roardnes's face turned pale and then red repeatedly. Had he always reacted so strongly? His face, which had been as stoic and perfect as a carved statue, was changing several times a second, and I was so curious that I couldn't take my eyes off him.

"...I'll eat them anyway."

The carriage soon arrived in front of the café, and Roardnes jumped out and extended his hand to me again. This time, I didn't hesitate. The surroundings, which had been buzzing with noise since the arrival of the carriage with the imperial family's emblem, became a little louder.

"I'm healthy, so I won't get sick from eating something so delicious, but if you throw away your cookies, you'll be sad even if you don't show it."

"No, I..."

"You're like that, Adriene."

"!"

"You are, you know."

So fragile and kind. Even if you try to act nonchalant, you overthink things and get distressed. Following his low murmur, I looked up at him. A voice as sweet as tears flowed continuously from his thick Adam's apple. You're like that, Adriene.

"That's why I... I don't want you to be upset even a little."

It was just a small whisper, but it was a voice that shook my soul, so I could only stand still for a moment.

***

We deliberately sat in a place where people could easily see us. Roardnes seemed to be worried about me not crying even though he looked like he was about to, so he fidgeted with his hands but eventually took them back. I also took my eyes off his hands, which were following his, and held out an Elacon language book. Roardnes took the book silently and skimmed through it with a faint smile.

"Did you finish it all by yourself?"

"Yes. The day you got mad at me in front of Her Majesty Empress Retina's portrait.... We didn't contact each other after that day. So I studied a lot on my own."

"You haven't changed at all."

Roardnes frowned slightly as if remembering something and smiled. He seemed a little sorry.

"What do you mean?"

"No matter how bad the situation gets, you always try to move forward."

Closing the book, Roardnes gestured to Neil, who was standing a little distance away. Neil placed a book on the table. It was an book.

"I was going to start tutoring you in earnest, but it looks like I'll have to speed things up."

"Aren't you busy...? You don't have to force yourself."

"Even if I am busy, I'm going to do it. This is an excuse for me to be with you."

His words were so casual and decisive that I didn't have time to blush. Was Roardnes not embarrassed at all?

"Surely there's a reason why you've come to such a public place under the guise of studying?"

"...Yes."

"I'm ready to fully cooperate with whatever plan you have. As long as it makes you feel at ease."

Roardnes's eyes were fixed on me without wavering. With slightly trembling hands, I quietly opened my mouth.

"...I intend to get a promise from Noebian to make me a Grand Duchess."

"...What?"

Roardnes's face turned pale. It looked like all the blood had drained from his body in an instant.

"You mean you want to be a Grand Duchess?"

Roardnes clenched his fist and spoke. It was understandable if he was angry.

"You mean to use me to get Noebian to say such a thing, An."

"...."

Roardnes's eyes shook violently. I gently placed my hand on top of his clenched fist, which felt numb. Roardnes slowly moved his gaze to my hand.

"I intend to get your cooperation. And the Crown Princess's cooperation as well."

"I don't understand what you mean."

"Do you remember what I said before?"

Roardnes waited silently for me to continue.

"When I asked you how I could kill Noebian Trovica in the most cruel and miserable way."

"!"

"It was a mistake to ask you. Actually, I know how to make him die the most cruel and miserable death."

"If you tell me, I..."

"Only I can do it."

I took my hand off Roardnes and sat up straight. His gaze followed me relentlessly until I took my hand away and sat up straight.

"Noebian values his reputation above all else. Understand? He has accumulated countless achievements as the half-brother of His Majesty the Emperor, and he will never want to lose what he has gained by devoting his entire life."

My throat was so dry that I had to moisten my mouth with cold tea.

"That's why he has hidden his mistress so well, and he's still trying to hide her now. He doesn't want to leave even a single blemish on his reputation."

"...."

"Over the past two months, while interacting with Noebian, I've realized that he wants Blié much more than I thought."

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