If You Wish For A Married Couple’s Duties - Episode 109

A warrior that defended one of Bashal’s chieftains was a member of the group that attacked the imperial princess.

It was a serious issue that could lead to diplomatic problems between the two nations.

“I was too complacent.”

Dooha frowned as she thought about her older brother.

She’d thought that he was pathetic but wasn’t stupid.

How did he think of doing such a ridiculous thing against the Empire?

Even when his own sister had come to the empire for the sake of peace between the two countries.

She recalled Nihir, who was driven out by the duke.

“You wretched lass, let’s see how long you can do as you please.”

If this was what he’d meant that day, she wouldn’t have let him go just like that.

Tears pooled in Dooha’s eyes.

It was because of a belated regret.

“Madam.”

“This time, neither I nor you can resolve this.”

If it was revealed that Bashal’s chieftain was behind the attempt on the princess’s life, his younger sister, Dooha, wouldn’t be safe either.

Rather, she’d obviously be under suspicion of helping her family with her position as a duchess.

In that case, it would be difficult for the Duke of Esbaden to avoid punishment for failing to prevent his spouse’s collusion.

“Leonhart, I’d rather that you abandon me first.”

“…What?”

Leonhart frowned, shocked by Dooha’s unexpected words.

“Go to the Emperor and tell him that I’d confessed to the crimes that Brother had committed. Say that you were wholly unaware about it. Then, there wouldn’t be any harm to the Esbaden duchy…”

Flick—

“Ah!”

Dooha shrieked and held her forehead.

It was because the duke flicked her forehead with his fingers.

“Does it look like I’m joking right now! Why are you suddenly playing tricks on me!”

“That’s what I want to say.”

Leonhart spoke.

“Are you asking me for a divorce just for that reason? Are you trying to make me a shameless person that sells out my wife in order to prolong my existence?”

“But!”

“And who says we can’t overcome this?”

“The evidence is clear! I don’t want to lie. Who’d be responsible if you have to suffer an even greater anger?”

“You know, evidence that’s visible doesn’t necessarily represent the truth.”

The duke spoke to the speechless Dooha quietly.

“The facts and the truth are completely different things, my wife.”

The facts were a visible phenomenon, while the truth was the cause and effect behind said facts.

“Even if those that attacked Her Highness were Bashalian warriors, did they really move in accordance to the Bashal kingdom’s will?”

“That’s…”

“Bashal comprises a federation of five tribes. If they’d planned to sneak into imperial land and carry out the plan of assassinating the imperial princess, approval from the five chieftains should be seeked in advance.”

Dooha’s widened eyes as she listened to Leonhart.

“You should be clearer about Bashal’s situation. Are the remaining chieftains people that would participate in this reckless operation?”

“…No. If they were such people, they wouldn’t have declared an alliance with the Empire in the first place.”

In particular, the chieftain of the tribe of earth, who was elected as the first king, wasn’t someone that would approve of the reckless and immoral assassination of an imperial princess.

“Yes, that’s it.”

“…You’re right.”

The gloominess gradually dissipated from Dooha’s face.

Now, her eyes were as clear as a cloudless sky.

“Then, who do you think is the one behind this?”

“Without the help of someone that’s aware of the internal situation, the imperial hunting ground’s security can’t ever be breached.”

“Are you saying that someone had helped Brother do such a thing?”

“Perhaps they were using your older brother.”

Leonhart stared into space with chilly eyes.

It’s evident that someone amongst the imperial family had a hand in the assassination of the imperial princess.

Perhaps that’s the mastermind behind this incident.

“It doesn’t matter if your older brother was the only one behind this. Even if that’s the case, I won’t abandon you.”

“Don’t say that. Don’t you have an obligation to protect the Esbaden family?”

“…Yes, I have a duty as the Duke.”

It was the sole duty that Leonhart had to devote his entire life to.

However, he now had one more obligation that was just as important as that duty.

“But I have an obligation that takes precedence over that.”

“What’s that?”

“Duties as a married couple.”

Those blue eyes that shone even in the dark reflected Dooha completely.

The sole woman in his short lifetime.

“That’s why I’m never going to let you go.”

Leonhart grinned.

“I’ve signed a marriage pledge, so don’t even think otherwise. All you have to do is keep that in mind.”

[We will fulfil our responsibilities and duties as a couple, till each other’s hair grows white, till death separates us]

When Dooha remembered the last sentence written in their marriage pledge, she finally burst into laughter.

“Why are you laughing? Do I look like I’m joking?”

“No, just because.”

It’s because she liked it.

Dooha didn’t bother to voice the words that followed.

Before she knew it, she returned back to her usual appearance as an awe-inspiring Duchess.

“Then what should we do from now onwards? The evidence can be hidden for now, but there’s no way you can continue deceiving the Emperor.”

“Don’t worry, before His Majesty’s patience runs out, we’ll catch the mastermind behind this.”

“Do you have any good ideas?”

“I do have an idea.”

Leonhart pondered for a while before suddenly saying something foolish-sounding.

“Did you say that your father was ill?”

“Yes, but it isn’t anything too worrying. He always had this chronic disease…”

“It’s rather worrying that I couldn’t even greet my in-laws’ family even after becoming their son-in-law. You haven’t been to Bashal since getting married either.”

Dooha looked at the Duke incredulously.

“Don’t tell me, you……”

Her thick and neat eyebrows rose upwards instantly.

“You’re going to Bashal?”

* * *

Three days have passed since the incident at the hunting contest.

Guests arrived at the first princess’s palace, where any and all guests were refused ever since that day’s accident.

It was none other than the Duke and Duchess of Esbaden.

As they stood in front of the princess, Dooha scanned the princess’s mood nervously.

There’s no way that the princess, who was sensitive to gazes, was unaware of the fact.

Julia laughed quietly, her eyes remained fixed on the documents.

“Madam, why are you so nervous? Did you commit a crime?”

Instantly, the air in the drawing room of the princess’s palace became as cold as ice.

At least that’s what Dooha felt.

“You’re being too mischievous, Your Highness.”

“Haha, I was just joking.”

Julia chuckled at the duke’s words.

It seemed like Dooha was the only one that couldn’t grasp the situation.

“I heard that you’re going to Bashal?”

“Your Highness also knows about that?”

“Of course, I’ve already heard sufficiently from the Duke. I was the one that recommended the Duke to His Majesty as the best person to search the hunting grounds in the first place.”

“What?”

Dooha’s eyes widened.

She turned her head towards the duke, who was standing next to her like a statue.

Leonhart looked forward deliberately and pretended to be unaware of her gaze.

‘Seriously, this man! Why didn’t he tell me beforehand?’

Dooha gritted her teeth while recalling what had happened this morning.

She’d spent all night thinking about what to say to the emperor in order to  successfully escape the imperial castle.

But Leonhart suddenly announced that he was going to the princess’s palace to report about the trip to Bashal that he was making.

Dooha couldn’t help but feel astonished.

It was because she couldn’t even imagine how the princess would react when she finds out that the people that tried to kill her were Bashalians.

‘If things went south, I’d ask for her forgiveness and repay this debt to her.’

The way she kept hypothesising the worst case scenario and changing the things she’d say to get out of it was like a fool.

Dooha stared at the Duke silently.

“What were you worried about? Were you afraid that I’ll suspect you just because you’re a Bashalian?”

Julia raised her head and shot her a mischievous smile.

“I didn’t know that you’d think of me as such a narrow-minded person.”

“Your Highness, it’s not that……!”

The flustered Dooha racked her brains in an attempt to come up with an excuse.

But instead of urging her to apologise, Julia asked a question.

“Duchess, do you know what charge I hate the most?”

She went on without waiting for Dooha to answer.

“It’s the guilt-by-association system. I have a half-brother that’s no different from a wild beast, but it would’ve been rather unfair if I were to be punished for his sin, right?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need for you to feel apologetic.”

Julia shrugged.

“I heard that your older brother might be involved in this. But I don’t think your older brother was the mastermind behind this.”

A sharp gleam entered the princess’s eyes.

“As the Duke had told me, it’s impossible for them to enter the hunting grounds without any assistance from anyone on the inside. However, I do know of one person that can profess to do such a thing.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Who do you think I’m talking about?”

Dooha fell into thought with a frown.

Someone that wanted to get rid of the first princess more than anyone else.

Someone that had already done something audacious while avoiding the emperor’s eyes.

And someone that especially stood out on the day of the hunting contest.

The fourth prince, Justin.

‘It’s odd now that I think about it. Why did Justin pick a fight with the princess, of all things? What would he gain from provoking her? He eventually fell off the horse, stopped further hunting and left the grounds…’

Left the grounds? Could it be?

Dooha looked straight at the princess with widened eyes.

Julia smiled with satisfaction at the Duchess’ response.