I’m In Trouble Because My Husband Is So Cute - Chapter 16

Perhaps they were trying to create a division between the ill-mannered duke and his successor, pushing the only Viscount’s Lady as the Heir Apparent companion instead of the princess.

But, she was rather acting as a buffer among the two.

‘So, because of me, the relationship between the Duke and Zachary is at least better…’

Are they trying to shake the Duke in this way…?

From the outside, at least, it was true that the bad parent-child relationship seemed to have gotten stronger. Hence, it was not a pleasant fact for the Imperial Family.

“So, you want me to show my sincerity to the Imperial Family?”

Tak.

Zachary put down the tableware aloud.

The Duke nodded his head without blinking an eye.

“Yes. It will be easier for you to succeed to the title later.”

At least, the Duke was now showing an attitude of acknowledging that Zachary was succeeding the title. It was a great development, and Iellie smiled slightly in spite of her dissatisfaction.

However, Zachary asks coldly.

“It is the right of the Hessenweitz to succeed to the title. Since when did we start paying attention to the Imperial Family?”

“Of course, the Duchy is a family that can regain the throne at any time.”

After answering that, he picked up a glass of water.

The Duke, with his lips wet, said in a sullen tone. “But, those who have people to protect have to take care of themselves sometimes.”

“…..”

Hearing that, his expression hardened at those words.

‘…People to protect.’ He reflexively glanced at Iellie. She also understood the Duke’s words.

The Viscount’s lady, an outsider, does not fit in with the Duke family. Though because of her, the Duke’s relationship was strengthened.

Iellie pulled her lips and pondered.

‘I would have wanted to be a stumbling block for Zachary and the Duke, but it turned out to be the other way around…’

The perspective of the Emperor looking at her is clear—Zachary cherishes her. That cherishes sometimes become someone’s weakness. So, the Duke’s words are that in order to keep the Imperial Family from finding fault with her, they must curry favor with the imperial family.

Her chest is tingling as if it was pricked with needles.

“That word must also be referring to me.”

She calmly spoke her words.

Still, it was true that the Duke showed a fairly better attitude compared to before. In the past, she would not have been allowed to intervene in a conversation like this.

“It’s good to understand the situation quickly.”

“…I’m sorry.”

She opened her mouth in a hoarse voice.

Zachary turned to Iellie and he shook his head swiftly.

“What’s wrong? It’s not your fault.”

“Still…”

“Zachary is right. It’s not your fault.”

Rarely, the Duke affirmed Zachary’s words.

Iellie felt a sharp pain like a shard that flew around. For the mighty Duchy of Hessenweitz, she was unnecessary. Marrying Zachary for the first time was like being pushed away by the needs of the Imperial Family.

Zachary then opened his mouth again.

“Anyway, if the Imperial Family directly mentions it, the barbarians must be cleaned up.”
“…Zachary.”

It was difficult for her to raise her head. She had never hated herself this much. Zachary has been engaged in countless subjugations until now, although Iellie did not know that she would be the reason she pushed him into subjugationS.

“Len, raise your head.”

“Regardless, because of me—”

She couldn’t finish her words and chewed her lips. Her heart is heavy as if she swallowed a stone.

“Iellie, don’t you think your self-consciousness is too strong?”

Seeing so, the Duke finally opened his mouth coldly.

As Iellie lowered her gaze, Zachary gazed at the Duke.

“Only because of a girl like you, they are asking to send the heir of the family directly to subjugate the barbarians?”

He continued in a cheerful, light voice, before tilting his head at an angle.

The Duke added his words as if singing.

“The Imperial Family is always wary of Hessenweitz, and they are afraid that the North will be called for power. One of the things they are most wary of is the peaceful succession of the title in the Duchy.”

“Father…”

“Because if the two men have to bite each other somehow, the Imperial Family will have more room to intervene.”

The Duke leaned back leisurely in his chair.

While his cool eyes looked at Iellie, he smiled coldly. “It’s just that the barbarian problem was also combined into that. The impact your problem has had is very minimal.”

His tone was arrogant and his eyes were cold, but the words themselves wrapped around Iellie.

Even as he narrowed his eyebrows slightly, Zachary realized that he had to agree with the Duke’s words here and now.

He hurriedly said, “Father is right.”

“….”

“So, don’t put a burden on your heart.”

She nodded her head slightly, though that didn’t mean she was completely convinced. Iellie was a smart girl, so she actually understood it.

Zachary swallowed a sigh that was about to burst.

For the dessert, the chocolate eclair with caramel that she had been waiting for was served. Usually, she would normally have emptied the dessert neatly, yet this time Iellie only stared at the plate without touching it. Because of that, his guilt deepened.

That evening, after she ate and drank, Iellie went out for a walk.

Since her head was complicated, she thought that with a bit of cold air, it would make things a little easier.

Mary handed her her shawl.

“Miss, take a shawl.”

“No, it’s fine.”

She would walk a bit anyway, and she also wanted to feel the cold air directly, so Iellie shook her head and walked out.

Mary swallowed a sigh.

Normally, she would have forced her to wear her shawl. However, now that she seemed very unhappy, it was difficult for her to speak carelessly just by looking at the atmosphere.

“The weather is quite chilly…”

‘What is she going to do if she catches a cold?’ The maid narrowed her brow.

After a while, Zachary came to her room. Although Iellie was absent, and there was only Mary fidgeting with the shawl.

“Mary. Where’s Iellie?”

“She just went out to the garden.”

“What time is it now?”

Zachary wrinkled his handsome eyebrows. He seems to be feeling down. Seeing that, Mary swallowed a sigh. Even if the Heir Apparent had become more amiable than before, it was only for his wife.

Originally, he was a cold and dry person, and the only person who could make him laugh was Iellie.

“…Is it possible that she didn’t even wear a shawl?”

“Yes. She said she wanted to get some cold air.”

Mary didn’t know what to do as she trembled on the spot. Zachary, who briefly clicked his tongue, picked up the shawl.

“I’ll bring it to her, so you can go, Mary.”

“Thank you, Young Master.”

Mary, who was relieved, handed the shawl to him and the soft feel of the shawl around his palm.

‘Why was she feeling unnecessarily depressed?’

Zachary took his worries away and stepped forward.

***

Inside the navy blue night sky, there were stars shining like gold flies.

Iellie moved her steps with a complicated mind. The cold air was still at a comfortable level. It would be great if she didn’t have a heavy heart.

She breathed out loudly.

Sigh. Cold air rushes through her lungs.

“Zachary…”

Iellie tried to call out her husband’s name in a small way.

When they first met, she remembered the boy who stood alone like a lost child—a little boy who had been hurting for a long time and sharpening his blade… Lovely, just like a little brother.

“…Even if I can’t help you, at least, I didn’t want you to suffer because of me.”

They didn’t get married because they recognized each other as the opposite gender.

A relationship close to an arranged marriage that began without even knowing each other’s faces. Still, he was cute when you were young. She wanted to help. Iellie wanted to be a strength for him. But, what is this…?

“I’m of no help to Zachary.”

She then let out a long sigh.

Haa—

‘What’s the use of digging in the ground now?’

She shook her head as she struggled to shake off the gloomy mood. As Iellie turned around, she heard a strange noise.

Chirp. Tweet, chirp.

‘Huh? What is this sound?’

Iellie tilted her head. It was a small sound that you wouldn’t even hear if you didn’t listen carefully. After walking around for a while, she suddenly looked down at her feet.

“…Are you a bird?”

She squatted on the floor with a bewildered face. Under the bright moonlight, a little bird without feathers was struggling on the floor.

When she lifted her head, she could see a small nest inside a branch of fallen leaves. Seeing so, she hastily put her hands together and raised the bird.

Although she was a little perplexed.

“Are there any young birds in late autumn like this…?”

She had heard that there were birds that only live in the north. It is said that the young are born in the fall when food is plentiful, and after they are grown, they go down to the south.

Iellie narrowed her brow and stared up at the tree.

“…Well, I think I can climb it if it’s that high?”

She had no one to help, anyway. Gardeners usually cleared the garden early in the morning, so no one was in the garden. Besides, it’s quicker for her to eventually climb up the tree and lift the bird up.

‘I’ll be back soon!’

After casually rationalizing, she quickly got up and grinned mischievously.

“Wait a bit, I’ll put you safely in the nest.”

Iellie, who rolled up the hem of her dress, clings directly to the tree. She had her legs in stockings clearly exposed, but she wondered what to do if someone was watching.

And so, she quickly climbed up the tree.

“Heave-ho~”

She carefully stepped over the branches. The strong branches supported her light weight with ease. Then, she approached the bird nest and carefully put the young bird in.

“Be careful not to fall next time.”

She smirked.

The mother bird that flew in, began to bear the young.

Iellie glanced around with her legs hanging. The higher the visibility, the further the scenery was revealed.

“The Duchy of Hessenweitz…”

She muttered softly.

The city that stretches far beyond the garden is well-maintained.

The city that stayed in the twilight of gold and scarlet and indigo blue at the end was dazzlingly beautiful.

“Zachary…”
A child who looked like a younger brother. She soon became very close with him—The boy who used to laugh shyly is now a young man and has become a perfect Heir Apparent capable of doing anything on his own. Maybe she was a stumbling block to him now.

“Le, Len?!”

It was then that a terrified voice called her name.

Surprised, she looked down. When he came out of the garden, he dropped her shawl and looked up at her with a white face.

“Oh, Zachary. When did you come?”

“Just now… No, is that important now? It’s dangerous, how the hell are you up there!”

Zachary, who reflexively gave an answer, raised his voice while wrinkling his brow. Looking at him, Iellie smiled and moved between branches.

She then asks carefully, with her head sticking out.

“Oh, okay. I’ll go down. Can I go down now?”

“No, stay there. I’ll pick you up!”

Shaking his head, he quickly opened his mouth. However, as Iellie did not want to be scolded by him anymore, her actions were quicker, and that action caused her mistakes. As she staggered from the branches, she lost her balance.

“…Oh!”

A short shrill scream rang out. Her staggering balance broke, and she fell helplessly to the floor.

“Len!”

Iellie closed her eyes tightly. Fortunately, it’s not a tall tree, so she doesn’t think she’ll be seriously hurt.

“….?”

But, there was no pain at all.

Confused, she gently opened her tightly closed eyes and was stunned for a moment.

His tight arms were wrapped around her.

At that, Zachary, who was staring at her, raised his voice.