How To Win My Husband Over

Episode 26: Dream

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"Are you busy today?"

"Well. What are you doing?"

"I'm going to… ahem, I'm going to write back to my friend."

"Who's your friend? Arien?"

Uh, how did you know? No, what's that petty tone?

Yes, I don't have any friends! The only person who plays with me is a six-year-old princess.…. Damn it.

"Actually, the princess sent me a letter……."

"If you don't have anything else to do, why don't you come to the temple at lunch?"

"Pardon…?"

"Faithful old priests seem to be eagerly looking forward to your visit. I just happen to be free then, so I can drop by."

I doubted my ears for a moment. What did you say, husband?

"Do you mind if I…?"

"You are the Holy Father's daughter. It is no wonder that the holy priests are anxious to make connections."

"But so……."

"If you're alone, there may be room for misunderstanding, but if you're with me, it doesn't matter."

That's right. If I went in and out of the temple by myself and made friends with the clergy and catch eyes that I was constantly communicating with the plate branded as the Pope's spy.

But it's a little different if I visit with Isaac. It's rather…….

What is he thinking? Why is he suggesting this all of a sudden?

Among Earendil's myriad priests, there must few who are part of my father and brother's spy network. There's no way Isaac didn't know that.

Does it mean to set an example?

A message that  Isaac is watching me, so don't even think about plotting something through me?

Or perhaps, don't look down on the North. Something like that? Or to test me?

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

"Really? Really?"

"…… Finish your meal."

Yes. Ugh, I feel like my stomach is going to explode.

* * *

I heard screams.

The cries of people in agony and terror were heard as vividly as the cry of the abyss, but the woman did not seem to be agitated in the slightest.

Although it was hard to see the finer detail because of the darkness, the woman leaning against the balcony, looking at the agonizing cries of the city being looted, looked bright and joyful as if waiting for her lover in peaceful summer night.

But slowly approaching behind her, the man was holding a blood-soaked sword instead of a bouquet.

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The appearance of the balcony and the surrounding scenery felt somehow familiar.

Is it a dream? Am I dreaming?

—You're here.

—…….

—I knew you were coming. It's worth getting all dressed up for.

The man didn't say anything. He just looked at the woman who stared at him with a smile.

Finally, the agonizing cries felt as savage and painful as that of the wounded beast.

—I gave up the expectation that I would hear an answer.

—…….

—What's the reason?

—Do I have to tell you that?

The woman waved her hands and smiled as if he was a fool.

It was a grotesque smile, a mixed of genuine smile and cry.

The man clenched his teeth.

—Stop making excuses saying that you couldn't help it. You could have made a different choice.

—Yes, I could have made a different choice. I could have confided in you, I could have betrayed my family. But this is my choice.

—Is it your choice to make me slaughter the priests? Were you sure that my blade would only avoid you?

—You still don't know? I'm not the type to fall for that kind of delusion.

—What…..

—You already know that. I thought you would have noticed it earlier.

—…….

His eyes widened like a pool of blood.

As if to warn or reject something.

Either way, she drew close to him with a grotesque smile.

—Isn't it strange that my older brother, who was rigid cunning man, decided to kill the Lady Omerta just because of their marriage talk?

—…….

—Hmm? Wouldn't it be better if he tried to break up the marriage, isn't that way too reckless and stupid?

—Stop….

—He only told me to make it a little bit difficult. Only to the point where it becomes a little more difficult to proceed with the marriage conversation. But I didn't do that. Do you understand what I mean?

—…….

—I'm the one who killed your sister. It's not my family, it's just me.

What terrible conversation is this?

During the long, heavy silence, I was nervous that the man might pierce the sword through her body.

But that didn't happen.

—Why……

—…….

—Why did you do that….

Contrary to expectations, the low-pitched voice was far from emotions such as anger and hate.

It was just disastrous. His voice was indescribably disastrous and miserable.

The woman's voice in reply was as cheerful as ever.

—Well, I don't know. Why did I do that? I didn't really hate your sister.

—You…

—Um, come to think of it, I guess I wanted you to come after me like this.

—…..Did you steal the Holy Grail too?

—Oh, I got caught. Well, who else here can try to steal it and get into your hands? Don't you think?

She added with a smile, and took out a bundle of paper like a scroll from the inside her bodice.

He was just looking at it silently.

—It's about canceling this marriage. I haven't signed it yet. So we are still a couple.

—…….

—For the last time, let me go as your wife. It's a little late, but as a wedding gift.

—Couple.

He laughed.

There was a twisted growl that I couldn't tell whether he was laughing or crying.

—All we've done is mistreated, misunderstand and gnaw at each other. In the end, you killed my family and I came to the point of killing your family, but you still call us a couple?

—You idiot, that's proof that we're a real couple.

In a teasing tone, she spread her arms as if pointing over the balcony. toward the burning city

—Look at this marvelous couple fight, wow, I've been dreaming every day about when this damn place will turn into a sea of blood, and you really made my wish come true in the blink of an eye? In return, I will present to you this sacred city. The next pope or whatever hegemony on the continent is all in your hands.

There was a silence.

Slowly stepping out of the heavy flowing silence, she gently reached out, grabbed the blade of a blood-soaked sword and aimed it close to her chest.

The man didn't budge. Didn't push her away or move her sword.

—ah… you drive me crazy until the end.

—…….

—Is it my fault for not giving you that much faith? Tell me, were you going to do this from the beginning?

—I'm sorry.

—…….

—I'm so sorry to have pushed you this far. Don't ever forgive me.

—I…

He paused and breathed heavily.

Hard, like it's painful every time he says a word.

—I could have done anything. Even if you didn't do all that, I…….

She smiled again.

Warm and bright like someone who heard a desperate love confession.

—There's no other way for me anyway. Even if you try to protect me, my family's enemies will try to retaliate against me. And I—I'll test you this way every time. No matter how hard you try, I won't trust you and will continue to do it. Look, I ended up killing your sister.

—Stop…

—God knows what else I'm going to do. I'll play with your mind, test your patience, and see that you'll never change no matter what I do, and I'll constantly do crazy things to get confirmation that you're on my side to the end of hell. You've seen how broken I am. It's best to end it like this……. So please don't hesitate.

* * *

"……by. Ruby?

"Ha!"

A gentle shake on the shoulder raised me up with a start.

As I tried to wake up to my half-asleep mind and rubbed my eyes hard with my hands, I could see Ellenia, who looked puzzled.

"Are you okay?"

"Oh… Yes, but here……."

"It's Ruby's bedroom."

Huh? Oh… That's right. I did. Look at me.

Maybe it was because I couldn't sleep all night, but I was so tired that I lied down for a while that I must have fallen asleep.

Phew, I slept deeply for a second. I think I even had a baffling dream…….

"I guess you didn't sleep well last night."

"Hahaha…."

How many people can lie down next to the monster and sleep well? By the way, what time is it?

"But now……."

"I heard you're going out for lunch. I think you need to get ready soon, are you okay?"

"It's okay. I was just a little tired, so I laid down for a while."

I can't just throw away the opportunity I've been waiting for for so long.

I don't know why my husband, who is consistently cold-hearted, made such an offer, but I'm just going to show him a consistent image. Trying to test me won't do you any good.

Ellenia, who sat looking at me with a dignified appearance, soon changed the subject.

"A letter has arrived from Romagna."

"Oh……."

"It was sent by Cardinal Valentino. I brought it because I thought it would be better to hand it to you."

"Thank you, Ellen."

It was a thoughtful act. Did she think someone might sneak a peek?

The whole family, as well as the vassals, monitors my mail. It was no wonder that, specially if it's from Cesare.

Phew, Cesare's letter makes me feel depressed even before I open it.

I'm worried about replying.

There may not be much content, but it was more difficult because it was not much.

He was a very difficult guy to swear by, so it was a problem even if it was too much.

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T/N: when we read the convo between the OG!ruby and Isaac we come to know that not only that she liked Ellenia but she actually framed Isaac by getting the holy grail and put it in his hands, because as soon as the holy grail gets into hands of someone else, a treason is started just like having large army than imperial family, joining hands with powerful leaders are considered to be the steps as treason and the imperial family have full authority to arrest the people.