I Think My Husband is a Murderer

The dry and cool dressing room was large enough for several people to change clothes. Dresses of all kinds were hanging on hangers, and there was a rattling sound every time the servants brought something for me to wear. I walked across the polished marble floor and stood in front of the mirror. The servants selected all kinds of dresses and brought them to Marilyn. I looked at the dresses with her in turns, and without delay she chose three. And she pointed them at me one by one.

 

“You have brown hair and fair and clear skin, so yellow shades work well for you. However, since you will be practicing dancing, a calm cream color would be fine.”

 

“Please do that.”

 

“I would like a dress like this today.”

 

From what I could see, the one she chose was the best. Afterwards, Marilyn checked my posture and aristocratic manners. Still, as if it wasn’t the worst, his expression didn’t harden or push me like he did a little while ago.

 

“How did your father use noble manners?”

 

“Well. Sometimes, some people are just born with it. I guess you were that kind of person.”

 

Marilyn answered indifferently. It seems like there really are people like that sometimes. She then taught me the waltz steps again.

 

“The greeting is perfect. The problem is the outdated steps. Let’s practice together.”

 

Although she was strict, she was a good teacher.

 

“Your feet should always be on the floor when not moving. Weight should be distributed evenly on both legs. When dancing, keep your shoulders back and your chest straight. Keep your head straight and keep your shoulders about one foot apart when moving.”

 

It wasn’t difficult because I had to pay attention to my posture and change my steps, but I quickly got the hang of it. I seemed to be a pretty good student, as Marilyn said that I followed along well with her. As the class ended, she glanced at her watch.

 

“…It’s time for the master to come soon. I heard that they eat their meals together after dancing and talking.”

 

The voice was somewhat trembling.

 

* * *

 

“…You have grown up.”

 

These were the first words that Marilyn said to Duke Schultz.

 

“What?”

 

Duke Schultz laughed. It seemed like a habitual laugh, but it was closer to arsenic than that. Marilyn seemed like a different person. The sharp and strict look she had when dealing with me was nowhere to be seen. Somehow she seemed to be at a loss for him.

 

“I’m sorry for not being able to greet you first. She looks a lot like my late madam.”

 

“Stop. I don’t think that’s what I want to say here.”

 

Duke Schultz’s face turned cold as he cut off Marilyn’s words. The atmosphere calmed down in an instant. Even I felt creepy.

 

“The reason I called you was purely for the sake of the person who will become my wife.”

 

“…”

 

“If anything, don’t expect anything.”

 

Her blue eyes stared at her, then she moved to me.

 

“Miss Prim.”

 

I consciously straightened my back.

 

“Ah. Miss Prim… You have good basics, so I think you can learn anything quickly.”

 

“Okay. Just leave now.”

 

It was an insensitive voice. Without being able to erase her sad face, Marilyn bowed deeply and left her hall.

 

‘Was there anything to hurt feelings between the two of you…?’

 

As I stared at the closed door, a large shadow appeared in front of me. I turned my head and looked up at Duke Schultz. Before I knew it, my face had completely erased all emotions. It seems a little soft.

 

“Did you finish practice well?”

 

It was a kind voice that matched her face. Duke Schulz bowed his waist and extended his hand to me. After bending his knees he clasped his hands together.

 

“Yes, Marilyn taught me well. Am I okay now?”

 

“There is no other way.”

 

Duke Schultz smiled monotonously and lightly wrapped his other hand around my waist.

 

“Excuse me.”

 

His upper body was in close contact with his. It was a street where you could literally feel your breath. I gasped at the sudden contact. It felt different from dancing with my father and dancing with Marilyn. Than you think… 

 

‘I’m embarrassed.’

 

Especially because there was no music. The sound of the hem of the dress rubbing against Duke Schultz’s leg, the sound of shoe feet moving across the floor, and even the sound of each other’s breathing were all clear. My face heated up. Cold sweat continued to form on my clasped palms and forehead. If you look straight ahead, you can see his chest covered with a thin shirt, and if you raise his head, your eyes meet his bright blue eyes. Looking down was also incorrect. But you can’t look over your shoulder either. I didn’t know what to do, so I just rolled my eyes. Even because my shoes were a little too big, I kept slipping and my steps were a mess. It wasn’t like this when I danced with Marilyn! I was dragged by him like a wooden doll and could barely follow his steps. Duke Schultz, on the other hand, was skillful and natural. How funny would I look?

 

“Sorry. I was nervous…”

 

“It’s okay. You’ll get used to it.”

 

“…I hope so.”

 

Fortunately, as he said, it was around the time I started getting used to dancing.

 

“Have you thought about your title?”

 

Duke Schultz asked me.

 

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was so distracted that I didn’t even think about it.”

 

We talked for a while about how to address each other. A title that was not too ticklish, but made you feel close to each other. After going through several candidates, we reached an agreement to call the other person by their first name or ‘you’. Johannes told me to call him whatever I wanted, but because of the vast difference in status, I almost thought I would use the title “you.” When it’s just the two of us, call him Duke.

 

“Wait for a moment.”

 

After practicing the waltz for the last time, Johannes caught me as I was going back to my room.

 

“Would you like to take a walk? I have something to say and I don’t want to say it here.”

 

* * *

 

“Do you have any dating experience?”

 

It was a random question. Now, if I told him that I had dating experience, would he kick me out? I stopped walking alongside Johannes. If I was right, this was absurd. But of course, I had no dating experience, so I answered straight away.

 

“I don’t have.”

 

Contrary to my expectations of relief, I got the opposite reaction. Johannes narrowed his eyes.

 

“It’s difficult.”

 

He muttered as if he was talking to himself.

 

“…Why are you asking that?”

 

“Do you have someone else you love? I’m sorry for asking now, but I’d like you to give me an answer.”

 

I couldn’t understand the point of the question, so I looked at him blankly, and Johannes raised his eyebrows. He seemed hesitant about how to say it. When I looked frustrated, he spoke reluctantly.

 

“After marriage, we have to share one room. It’s the Schultz family’s custom, so if we share separate rooms, there may be backlash.”

 

“Okay. That’s okay.”

 

“…This means that we must look like lovers who are passionately in love. Of course nothing will happen.”

 

“I know.”

 

I nodded indifferently.

 

“Sometimes you may need to kiss. Because you have to look like a pretty worthy lover. It could be this banquet, or it could be a wedding.”

 

That’s all he was saying, that’s why he took so much time off? This time, I answered with a calm expression.

 

“Yes, I am confident about that.”

 

“You’re not trying to guess what’s going on.”

 

“I know. It’s about touching lips. I didn’t accept the marriage proposal without being prepared for it.”

 

Duke Schultz’s expression became strange. Even when I heard it, it was a fairly determined voice. Of course, there was nothing romantic about the first kiss. There was only one question I had about that violent act. Why do you rub your lips against someone else’s? This was completely incomprehensible to me, who had hated kissing ever since I was young. However, if I had to do it, he could do it as much as he wanted. It’s just an action.

 

“If you are asking because the Duke has a lover, I will respect his privacy. I won’t mind which lady you meet.”

 

I continued speaking with his eyes showing that there was nothing to hesitate about.

 

“I don’t know if I have the authority to do that.”

 

The rumor about Johannes Schulz was famous even among the common people. There are so many women who want to marry him. Of course, I didn’t know what it’s like now that there’s so much embezzlement going on. Anyway, it is said that it is a dream of women to the extent that it makes no sense to say that they have never had a lover. So maybe he met both this woman and that woman. While I was thinking about his rumor, Johannes closed the distance between me and him.

 

“Miss Prim.”

 

The voice sounded a bit like a sigh. A low voice continued from a nearby street.

 

“It looks like you’re mistaken about me.”

 

Although he was hit on the spot, he tried to calm his expression. He added.

 

“I’m sorry that the beginning wasn’t similar to that of other couples.”

 

Then he gently grabbed my chin and lifted it so that I could look him in the eyes. When my gaze met his dark blue eyes, my breath involuntarily stopped.

 

“But I plan to be a decent husband. There will be nothing to worry about.”

 

The voice was dry, but the meaning behind it was extremely kind. Perhaps because of the close distance, nothing was still said, so I finally nodded. Johannes tilted his head. It seemed like he thought he had my permission.

 

“I think this is enough.”

 

His breath completely covered his lips. I said, trying not to look stiff.

 

“Yes, I think this will be enough. Can I close my eyes?”

 

And I closed my eyes tightly. I felt the distance gradually getting closer. I was a little embarrassed because I had never been this close to someone before, but I tried to keep my expression calm. All I had to do was be patient. As I held my breath with that thought in mind, the future became brighter. Johannes moved away from his lips, almost within touching distance. My mind was fully prepared.

 

“…Why don’t you do this?”

 

I asked with a dry expression, feeling a little lost. Then, his blue eyes, which seemed to never show his emotions throughout his life, seemed to tremble slightly. Soon, an indifferent voice was heard.

 

“I think this is enough practice.”

 

I didn’t understand. He was going to do it anyway, so what difference does it make whether you do it now or later? It would be better to practice in advance to reduce the risk of embarrassment.

 

“A passionate lover giving her first kiss at her wedding. That’s nonsense. If it doesn’t look natural, it will be obvious that it’s all just an act.”

 

Still, Johannes didn’t move, so I spoke sternly.

 

“You really can just do it. Because I don’t attach any meaning to it.”

 

‘Now, hurry.’ I clung closer to him. Then Johannes’ forehead narrowed faintly. He thought for a moment and then lifted my chin again.

 

“Okay, then.”

 

Something warm and soft covered my lips. It happened in an instant. I froze. I was embarrassed when I danced the waltz, so why didn’t I know that kissing was even better? A belated realization came. It’s not that I hate kissing. It was embarrassing. The first kiss on a winter night that can’t be overflowing. What I remember clearly in my now white memory is that I did not hate Johannes Schultz.

 

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Translator Note: