My Villainous Husband

18

No matter how vast the Actilus Empire was, there was no end to the speed at which rumors spread. Although it wasn’t an official announcement, the story about the hunt was already spread throughout the aristocratic society.

The date was the summer solstice.

The place was a newly created hunting ground.

The preys were the Jacques’ mother and son, and the hunters were the Emperor, Empress, and Sylvia Jacques.

If the news spread like this, it’d be great…

However, the fact that I (embarrassingly) collapsed while walking around the gym and received the Emperor’s nursing care, and the Emperor waited for me for two hours today. Even the fact that he then trained me for an hour by demonstrating superhuman patience… In addition, I received a bow from the Emperor in the process…

There was nothing the Capital’s aristocrats didn’t know.

I gave strength to my eyes and stared at the maids one by one. Their sources of information must be these women.

‘Haa…’

I was going to scold them for being so light-mouthed, but…

It wasn’t right for me to be angry because the Empress’ maids were also meant for that. They hid the bad internal affairs though secretly bragged about the stories of the Emperor and his wife that looked good. Because of that, the act itself strengthened my position little by little.

If it was conventional wisdom, should they not deserve to be commended?

While it was a little burdensome for the social world to focus on me, whose ultimate goal was to escape the Actilus Empire. Still, at least for now, I needed to give the impression that I was on good terms with the Emperor to prevent the appearance of the second esteemed mother of Marquis Jacques.

There was no need to shy away from the image of being carried on the Emperor’s back. Of course, once I get that image, I’d have to be more careful than I am now.

“Everyone, please be careful.”

I lightly scolded the maids.

To be honest, I’m on the dull side so I may not have realized it when the rumors spread. However, now, I couldn’t help but acknowledge it… It was because there were mountains of gifts that arrived in my bedroom.

“It’s likely that Your Majesty will continue to receive as much as this for several days.”

Duchess Nerma smiled kindly before continuing.

“Because it takes several days for the word to reach the provinces.”

“Hahaha.“

I forced a laugh.

Let’s not create discomfort. I’m a princess, so this amount of gifts was nothing.

Jewelry was the most common gift. After all, they couldn’t send shoes and dresses without knowing my size. The rarest thing was magical artifacts. Upon opening the enclosed card, I saw that it had been sent by the Duke of Nerma.

Meanwhile,  the Duchess of Nerma laughed as if she knew nothing.

Ohuu—

‘…She’s a fox.’

The contents of the cards that were splendidly decorated to imprint the name of the family on me were one-of-a-kind.

‘We’re looking forward to the hunt.’

I’m going crazy.

They shouldn’t count on it. Was my skill not spread through rumors? Even after Raniero left the gym, my muscles drooped just from exercising alone. How much could I improve in a month?