I’m In Trouble Because My Husband Is So Cute - Chapter 56

Chapter 56

About a week left until the jousting contest. Until then, Iellie was skeptical as to whether she would be able to make a proper move for it. She, at least, had a reasonably objective view of her own embroidery skills.

‘…What should I do?’

Iellie shook her head deeply. Even though Zachary said it was okay, it was still a matter of her pride.

‘How am I supposed to make it… I can’t even get a feel for the embroidery design?’

The lady’s handkerchief handed at the jousting event was meant to pray for victory. The lady makes her own handkerchief and gives it to the knight, and how beautiful the handkerchief would become a strange battle for pride…

‘I’ve never lost a battle for pride…’

In addition, the knight who received the handkerchief wraps the handkerchief around his wrist throughout the jousting event. By doing so, they prove that they are representing the Lady.

Iellie narrowed her brows a lot.

‘That’s… It means that Zachary will wound the handkerchief I made.’

Because of Zachary’s character, instead of hiding the handkerchief she’s made, he would be proud of it. That meant that her miserable skills would be exposed to the public…

With that thought, she gripped her head and let out a groan.

“Ah, I’ll die…”

“Len?”

Zachary called her.

Startled, she raised her head. She must have been alone before.

“What, when did you come?”

“Since before?”

It seemed that he had been waiting for her to notice him…? Iellie narrowed her brow and spoke to him.

“Then, why didn’t you call me?

“That’s because you’re thinking with a serious face.”

Saying that, Zachary stared at her. With an unknowing face, he asked her a question.

“Is something wrong?”

“…Just.”

Gazing at that innocent face, she couldn’t say that she was worried about not being able to make a handkerchief for him properly. Iellie turned her head with a sullen face. Honestly, it was all because of him.

“Is it because of the handkerchief?”

At that moment, as he glanced down at the pieces of fabric and embroidery threads scattered on the table, he quickly noticed.

“….”

“Is that right?”

“….”

Iellie fell into a fierce silence.

Meanwhile, Zachary chuckled. He tenderly comforted her, “Because you don’t have to worry about it that much.”

“It’s a handkerchief for you, how can you not pay attention?”

At that, she pouted and looked up at him.

“More than that, the date of the opera is tomorrow. You know, right?”

“Yes, I know.”

Zachary turned his gaze with a sullen face. ‘Do I have to attend the opera?’ It had that meaning.

“Your face says you wanted to skip it, no matter what.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Honestly, you are still thinking about it, right?”

“….”

He was stabbed on the spot. It hurt a bit, so he closed his lips tightly and just shook his head.

“Zachary. You’ve already offended the Emperor by participating in the jousting contest.”

“However…”

Zachary was furious and tried to refute.

‘Do you mean I had to keep watching until the Emperor took your handkerchief?!’ As those eyes carry that meaning, Iellie spoke casually.

“Of course, I’m glad I’m not giving the Emperor a handkerchief either.”

“….”

“Though you’ve come to the imperial capital, so there’s no need to get into an uncomfortable confrontation with the Imperial Family.”

While she gently soothed Zachary, she could see his expression slowly softening. At that, she smiled brightly.

“So, let’s be patient this time, okay?”

“…I will try.”

“Yes, our Zachary. What a good child.”

Iellie smiled and patted his hair.

Zachary, who felt her touch, slowly closes his eyes. No matter how, he looked like a large dog that listened well. She felt happy.

*** 

The Fortuna Opera House was one of the most famous landmarks in the Imperial Capital. It had famous opera singers and was known for its luxurious interior. To have to visit such a place at the Emperor’s invitation meant a lot. He swallowed a sigh that was about to burst.

Without that, it would have been much more enjoyable.

“I’m sorry, Len. I didn’t want you to be in such an uncomfortable place.”

“What are you talking about? I am your wife.”

At Zachary’s guilty voice, Iellie narrowed her eyes. He stared at her intently before continuing, “…Are you really okay?”

“Of course. It’s not your fault. Why are you apologizing?”

Having said that, she made a sullen face.

Holding her chin, Zachary pulled her cheeks.

“Aww.”

“It’s not your fault, it’s an apology to me.”

With a chuckle, she removed his hand and gazed at Zachary, and then she opened her mouth rather playfully.

“More than that, an apology should be made by the Emperor, who created such an uncomfortable place, isn’t it?”

“Len.”

“Of course, if His Majesty had had the guts to apologize, he wouldn’t have created such a place in the first place,” Iellie said firmly.

The light green gaze staring at the invitation directly sent by the Emperor was cold.

‘I don’t know what His Majesty is thinking.’

As she fluttered her invitation, she narrowed her brow. No matter how much she thought about it, the Emperor is nothing but suspicious.

‘Honestly, I can’t say that the Duke and the Imperial Family have a good relationship, even with empty words, so why?’

In addition, the Emperor’s eyes she met at the coronation looked bad. The gaze focused on her as if she was a delicious prey. Gently suppressing her displeasure, she thought about the event she had to attend.

‘Besides, even the composition of the invitation is useless. From watching the opera, to jousting matches, to a ball…’

Was this home shopping? Was it a special three-piece set for $29.99? Anyone who saw it would think that the two families had the best relationship in the world! Seeing how he was not going to leave them alone for a moment, Iellie was a little choked.

“…Len?”

“Oh, sorry. I was thinking of something for a second.”

When he called her, she hurriedly shook her head.

On the other hand, Zachary felt guilty. If she hadn’t married him, she wouldn’t have had to worry about that.

“I think we arrived…”

Then, she glanced out the window and opened her mouth. Before she knew it, she had arrived at the Opera House. Up close, the majesty of the Opera House was considerable.

Zachary got off the carriage first and held out his hand.

“Len, take my hand.”

“Ah, thank you.”

He naturally escorted Iellie.

As she got off the carriage, she recognized Zachary’s beauty all over again. The ladies around them were glancing at him.

‘Well, I was pretty good for getting married.’

Iellie thought so proudly. He was usually cool, too, but today’s Zachary was the best. Well combed silver hair, a high-quality suit cut to fit the body well. His toned body looked as elegant as a silver leopard.

‘Looking at him like this, it’s worth decorating.’

With a happy face, she began to climb the long stairs of the opera house. Seeing her like that, he asked casually.

“Len, do I have anything on my face?”

“Nothing. Why?”

Looking at him with a puzzled expression, Zachary, a little embarrassed, scratched his cheek and replied.

“That’s because you keep looking at me…”

“What? Obviously, it’s because you’re so handsome.”

“….”

Zachary’s face turned red at the nonchalant reply. Fortunately or unfortunately, she hadn’t seen him.

“More than that, thanks to Zachary, I get to see places like this.”

“Oh, do you like this place?”

“Of course. It’s the most famous opera house in the Empire, and I’ve been wanting to visit it at least once.”

In fact, as a low-ranking noblewoman, she never had a chance to visit such an expensive place. Zachary smiled brightly.

“This is the only advantage of His Majesty’s invitation.”

“It is, but… It would have been better if you and I had come alone.”

Iellie, who made eye contact with him, answered as if she was mad. Meanwhile, Zachary had to struggle for a long time to calm his pounding heart. Perhaps, she did not know that he had no interest in the opera house at all.

“More than that, Zachary, isn’t it uncomfortable? We might run into the Imperial Family today.”

At that moment, she glanced up at him.

Zachary asked, unable to hide his red cheeks at her question.

“Are you worried about me now?”

“Obviously. What’s wrong with the wife worrying about her husband?”

As she nodded her head, he smiled broadly. Although the word ‘husband-and-wife’ she spoke of seemed to be more focused on ‘family’ rather than ‘lover’, nevertheless, the warmth was conveyed.

“Thank you, Len.”

“You can’t be discouraged by the Emperor, okay?”

As he chuckled, he nodded his head. He loved her for always being by his side.

“Len. The happiest thing in my life is meeting you.”

Zachary, who gazed at her quietly, whispered in a sweet voice. It was a tone of mixed emotions, “So never… I will never lose you to anyone.”

“What? Sorry, I didn’t hear you well. What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

His voice was so soft that she couldn’t hear the words. However, he spoke again louder and grabbed Iellie’s hand as she tilted her head.

“Let’s go inside.”

“Oh, yes.”

What did he say…?

Iellie tilted her head and followed him into the Opera House.

As she climbed the long stairs and entered the splendidly decorated opera house, the scenery unfolding before her was like another world.

The first thing that caught her eye was the gorgeous chandelier. A light that twinkled like the Milky Way poured down over her head. The pillars made of pure white marble and the winding stairs were all beautiful.

“Wow… Oh my God, it’s so pretty here.”

The reputation of being the best opera house in the empire was not a lie. She secretly raised a slight exclamation.

“Zachary, did you see that chandelier earlier? It’s very shiny.”

“Yeah, I saw it. It was beautiful.”

Zachary nodded his head.

While she was admiring the surrounding scenery, she suddenly found a large poster of an opera hanging on the wall. The poster depicts a cruel-looking silver dragon, a brave knight, and a delicate fairy.

“…Wait a minute. What is this?”

In an instant, her face hardened. Standing in front of the poster, she read the opera title aloud.

“‘The Cursed Silver Dragon and the Knight of Justice’?”

Silver Dragon was the progenitor of the Hesenwitz family. If so, then the ‘Knight of Justice’ obviously referred to Sir Lippenberg, the progenitor of the Imperial Family.

The purpose of this opera, which was based on the myth of the founding of the nation, seemed clear. To raise the Imperial Family and lower the Duchy. Did he send an invitation to insult Zachary in this way…?

“Well, it’s an opera performed every year on a direct commission from the Imperial Family.”

Hearing Zachary’s calm reply, she became even more angry. This was clearly an insult to the Duchy. Even considering the fact that she was Zachary’s wife, she found it difficult to let go.

‘No, is Zachary a saint? Why is he not mad? The Imperial Family is so rude!’

Iellie bit her lip.

Sharp, pale green eyes stared intently at the poster.

“Is this the only thing that brought the best singers from the best opera house in the Empire?”

She, without realizing it, raised her voice. Of course, she understood that the purpose of this opera was to paint the Imperial Family’s face with gold. However, it was such a blatant expression. This was more than childish, it was rude!

“Don’t be too angry because I’m fine.”

“You’re fine? How could it be fine to receive such an insult…!”

As she was getting angry, she gazed at him and suddenly stopped. She called to him in a subdued voice.

“Zachary.”