The System Gave Me A Yandere Husband

Chapter 54: Jealous Duchess

Esme knew Vespera wasn’t a romantic rival yet was far more complicated. To Eveyr, Vespera wasn’t a woman, she was his most trusted weapon.

Vespera stood absolutely unapologetic and completely unfazed by Eveyr’s warning.

"I will treat her as Duchess when she actually bleeds for the north," Vespera said without any ounce of fear. "Until then, she is just the crown’s pawn sitting in our territory."

The system interface immediately popped up in her vision.

[SYSTEM ALERT: NEW FACTION DETECTED][Faction: The Northern Vanguard]

[Hostility Level: 90%]

This time Esme didn’t wait for Eveyr to speak. She took a step forward while smoothing her gown.

"I don’t bleed for titles, Commander," Esme said, meeting her gaze. "I bleed for results. And seeing as you are wearing battle armour to a diplomatic gala, I can safely assume the Emperor just handed us a very poor result. What did he say in the Sun Room?"

Vespera narrowed her eyes in surprise. She had expected Esme to weep, throw a tantrum, or hide behind Eveyr. But Esme was different from others.

"The Emperor is splitting the Vanguard," Eveyr replied. "He has officially ordered Vespera’s battalions to the eastern front to end a rebellion."

"It’s a death trap," Vespera replied immediately, her anger shifting from Esme to the Emperor. "Julian is trying to divide our forces so the northern border is left vulnerable. He wants to shrink our supply lines. And he’s doing it because she provoked him tonight," Vespera pointed her finger at Esme’s chest.

"You just had to play the arrogant queen on the stairs, didn’t you?" she snarled.

"Julian is dividing the forces because he is scared," Esme said with a calm smile, not giving any reaction to her. "If you leave for east, you will leave our iron supply lines exposed. You shouldn’t go."

"We don’t have a choice, little girl. It’s an Imperial Decree," Vespera sneered. "But I suppose a girl who spent her life picking out expensive dresses wouldn’t understand how military works. When the Emperor orders, we need to move or it is considered as treason."

"Wars are not just fought with swords, Commander," Esme replied with a smirk. "They are fought with mind. While you were polishing your armour, I bankrupted my own family and secured the Southern Iron Mines for the north. The Emperor cannot afford to move against us because I currently hold the deed of their most precious mines."

Vespera paused and glanced at Eveyr to verify her claim. Eveyr didn’t bother to answer but a proud smirk tugged at the corner of his lips which was enough for Vespera.

Still, Vespera didn’t back down. She took another step forward and closed the little space between her and Esme.

"You think you have him on a leash," Vespera whispered so that only Esme could hear her. "But don’t flatter yourself. He is just tolerating you because he knows you’re Julian’s spy. He believes in keeping his enemies close."

Esme had to bite her lips to stop herself from laughing out loud. Vespera was wrong but she presented this information as some brilliant military conclusion.

Only if she knew Eveyr had literally crossed dimensions to bring her into this world because of his obsession. Esme didn’t want to break Vespera’s delusion. It was better this way.

Before Esme could think of a lie to brush her off, Eveyr pulled Vespera and stepped between them.

"What are you talking about?" Eveyr asked.

Esme quickly grabbed Eveyr’s forearm to calm him.

"Nothing, Eveyr," Esme replied. "She just informed me of the harsh logistics of the eastern march."

Eveyr looked at both of them looking unconvinced. Vespera smirked and backed away.

"Just talking politics, Your Grace. Enjoy the gala."

With that, she walked away.

"Gala is over. We are leaving," Eveyr said, turning back to Esme.

The ride back to the Aldric Townhouse was claustrophobic for Esme. Vespera rode in the carriage with them as he wanted to discuss military strategy with Eveyr. And Eveyr had agreed.

Eveyr sat beside Esme, his hand resting securely on her knee while his thumb absentmindedly stroked the fabric of her gown. But despite his body being with her, his mind was elsewhere.

During the whole ride, he discussed the military logistics with Vespera. They spoke in code language, discussed troop movements, supply lines, terrain bottlenecks, and about their officers Esme had never heard of. Esme couldn’t understand most of the things they were talking about.

She sat in silence, staring out the frosted glass window of the carriage, feeling ignored. But occasionally, she turned slightly and saw how engaged he was while talking to Vespera. It was a side of him she had never seen before. He wasn’t obsessing over her, wasn’t watching her pulse. He was just engaged.

Suddenly, an uncomfortable sensation bloomed in her chest. It was different from the freezing, sharp pain of the system’s vitality drain. It was something else. A feeling she could not name.

What is this pain? The gala went well...so why this pain??

She quickly opened the system interface to check her vitals.

[ALERT: Host Jealousy Detected]

Note: The System feeds exclusively on the target’s jealousy, not the Host’s. Host emotions are irrelevant currency.

Esme read the text as her stomach churned.

I’m jealous?

The thought scared her more than death.

No way! Why would I be jealous? In fact...I’m relieved I can breathe in peace for few minutes without him feeling my pulse.

She took a deep breath and changed her expression to look like she was bored.

As the carriage finally stopped in the courtyard of the townhouse, Esme pushed the door open without waiting for the footman and stepped out first, ignoring Eveyr’s hand.

"I am retiring for the evening," Esme said while walking towards the entrance. "I will leave you two to your war games."

But before she could even complete five steps, Eveyr caught her wrist firmly. He spun her around and looked at her and instantly recognized her emotional withdrawal.

"Vespera will sleep in the estate barracks tonight," Eveyr said while looking into Esme’s eyes. "I am going to bed with you. The war strategy can wait until morning."

Vespera scoffed behind them, muttering something about Eveyr losing his mind, and stomped off towards the barracks.

But Esme didn’t hear her. The strange feeling instantly vanished the moment Eveyr chose her.

The system interface once again pinged in her vision.

[SYSTEM ALERT: Target Prioritization Detected]

[Target has rejected external faction for the host]

[Reward: +300 Points]

[Vitality: 95%]