Chapter – 03
Marquis Hetus.
One day, seemingly out of nowhere, a skilled and cunning man appeared.
He had wandered through dark places, using any means necessary, until he finally became the ruler of the underworld back alleys.
He was a mysterious figure, yet constantly meddled with the affairs of the royal family, making him the number one target for surveillance.
That was why Casian had to catch Marquis Hetus, one way or another.
“If the bride is in someone else’s hands, no man would just stand by. She was someone he truly loved.”
On the surface, he said this, but Casian still wondered whether Hetus truly loved Evelyn. Back then, it only looked like a grand, legendary romance. He suspected there must have been some kind of deal behind it.
“If it isnāt him, Iāll spend my whole life alone!”
During the time when marriage negotiations with the emperor were ongoing, Evelyn suddenly brought a man dressed in robes and announced her marriage outright.
The explosive announcement caused an uproar.
“Even if the princess has no title, isnāt a marquis an unsuitable match for her?”
“Moreover, how dare she name a marquis as her marriage partner while negotiations with His Majesty are ongoing?”
It was not a position of being abandoned or looked down upon, and yet, a noblewoman raised in a wealthy dukeās family chose to reject the future empressās position and become a marquisās wife?
No one could comprehend it. Palace officials protested vehemently.
Many expressed doubts about the unequal match, but Evelyn firmly pushed forward with the marriage to the marquis.
Eventually, the Selridian Duke, about to pass his title to his son, intervened at a banquet and ended the dispute.
“No parent can overcome their child.”
At the official event, the Selridian Duke said he had no choice but to agree to his daughterās marriage. Evelyn had dared to defy the emperor, but the royal family could not retaliate.
<An epic love that transcended social rank! Finally recognized by everyone!>
<Choosing true love over power, Princess Selridian! A heartwarming love story revealed!>
<Who is the Marquis Hetus who captured the princess, surpassing even the perfect Emperor?>
The entire empire buzzed with talk of the couple.
Since many looked positively on Evelyn and Marquis Hetus, there was little room for opposition. Some gossips speculated about hidden motives, but the couple paid them no mind and set the wedding date.
On the way to the ceremony, Evelyn suffered an accident, creating a variableābut it gave Casian an opportunity.
“The right time will come, sooner or later.”
He only needed to deceive Evelyn until the proper time. He would maintain this farce for now. After all, he would never truly love her.
With a cold expression, a smile appeared on Casianās face as he grasped the door handle, turned around, and commanded:
“Make sure the servants keep their mouths shut. No one must find out.”
Three days had passed since she awoke from the accident.
Her body was not fully recovered, so movement was difficult, but it was manageable. She was fortunate to have Casian carefully looking after her at all times.
“Madam, itās lunchtime.”
Casian brought a trolley with the meal himself.
“Soup again today?”
“You still need soft foods for now.”
Casian blew on the steaming soup and fed her with a spoon. Thankfully, today was better than yesterday. The watery soup had been replaced with a smooth cream soup. Tender chicken mixed with finely chopped potatoes and onions blended harmoniously.
There was a hint of bitterness, but it went down smoothly.
“This should be enough.”
“Thereās still half left.”
“This is plenty.”
After eating the same food for so long, she started craving something else. Kimchi. Or a spicy stew with chili powder. Or maybe a spicy porridge with seafood. Eating only chicken soup was making her feel queasy.
But Casian, unaware of her desires, looked troubled and said softly:
“ā¦Could you finish whatās in the bowl, even if itās difficult?”
“Butā¦”
“It would be wonderful if you recovered quickly. For my sakeā¦ could you have just one more spoonful?”
Seeing him bow his eyelashes in earnest, she felt her heart thudding. She almost reached out to grab his collarā¦
“What am I thinking!”
Flushing, she quickly answered:
“Just give it to me!”
“Yes, madam.”
She opened her mouth, and Casian smiled brightly, feeding her with utmost care. He didnāt forget to administer her medicine afterward.
“Do you remember anything?”
“No. Except that you are my destiny.”
He handed her the emptied medicine bottle and winked, but Casianās reaction was unusual.
“ā¦I see.”
He covered his face and avoided her gaze, seemingly very embarrassed.
“Do you have anything you want to say to me?”
“Something to say?”
Then she rememberedā¦
“What happened to the wedding? Should we set another date?”
Since there was an accident on the way to the temple, did they need to reschedule?
“Just submit the paperwork. Weāre already officially married.”
“Butā¦”
“Madam, please put your worries aside and focus on recovery. Health comes first.”
Casian gently stroked her hand, reassuring her that there was no need for concern.
“If youāre curious about anything, feel free to ask.”
“How did we meet?”
“At a banquet. The moment we saw each otherā¦ we just knew.”
“Oh! So it was love at first sight?”
“Yes. Thatās how it happened.”
She had thought it was an arranged marriage, but it seemed to be love. Had she remembered, it would have been even better.
“How far along are we?”
From the way he answered, they had been together quite a while. She casually intertwined her fingers with his. Casian flinched slightly.
“Two hours have already passed. I should be going.”
He hurriedly stood and pointed to the clock. It was already 4 oāclock.
“Youāll come again tomorrow, right, dear?”
“Of course. Rest well.”
Smiling, Casian called a maid and carefully closed the door.
The maid, Mary, approached after finishing her meal, bowing politely.
“Madamā¦ what tea would you likeā¦?”
“Mary, my husband seems shy.”
“Pardon?”
Mary blinked at her, and she laughed softly.
“His cheeks are all red.”
“Ohā¦ umā¦ I see.”
Mary looked uneasy, but imagining a shy Casian like a little kitten made her heart race again.
“I hope tomorrow comes quickly.”
“I hope this ends soon.”
Casian left Evelynās room, roughly loosening his cravat as he walked down the corridor.
He had thought sheād be defenseless and easy to handle, but she cleverly tried to interlock hands and make small advances.
Even as a husband, the differences between men and women remained.
Seeing her exploit any opening so skillfully, he realized she was a formidable opponent.
After a brief review, Casian reached his destination and slammed the door open.
“I need a new truth serum.”
Matthew, the chief physician of the Hetus Marquis household, who was preparing Evelynās medical records, was startled by the sudden request.
“Again? How many times are you going to try? Thereās no more new serum.”
Matthew had been creating new serums at Casianās command repeatedly and strongly objected, saying he could no longer manage.
Casian looked helpless at his friendās response.
Why is it useless against that woman?
Was it Matthewās lack of skill?
“I will confess everything! The one who embezzled is Marquis Ego!”
“Please spare me, Marquis! I only did as Baron Willock commanded!”
However, prisoners who had taken Matthewās serum had confessed their crimes thoroughly and begged for mercy.
Thinking perhaps a different serum might work, Casian bought more through the guild, even mixing it into soup, but nothing changed.
“Do you remember anything?”
“No. Except that you are my destiny.”
Each time he interrogated her, Evelyn only blinked her eyelashes, winking shyly, twisting a strand of her green hair around her finger.
Her slender fingers looked even emptierā¦
Insane. I actually thought of giving a jewel to a mere bait.
Shaking his head to clear the thought, Casian noticed Matthew didnāt realize his condition and asked an important question.
“How is Marquis Hetusās side?”
