For the Lady's Wise Regression - Chapter 36

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 36
Vanessa watched Ian in silence as he focused intently on his meal before her.
She’d spent the entire night recalling her past-life memories and finished the Axis Classification before changing clothes and falling asleep briefly—or so she’d thought.
‘I didn’t realize morning had come so quickly.’
Because she’d fallen asleep without properly washing, her appearance was likely rather disheveled.
Of course, Ian merely glanced at her with indifference and continued his mechanical cycle of lifting food to his mouth, chewing, and swallowing.
At least he was eating something.
Throughout their dates he’d only ever touched desserts, so she’d assumed sweets were his staple diet.
In any case, while she wore something close to pajamas, Ian was dressed impeccably in a shirt and vest, with his tie fastened perfectly straight and his hair neatly pinned up.
Was he planning to go somewhere this early?
Seeing Ian groomed to what seemed like an excessive degree only made her own appearance look all the more unkempt.
‘I should have changed clothes before coming down.’
A wave of self-conscious embarrassment washed over her, but Ian remained focused solely on his food.
‘It doesn’t matter. He’s not looking at me anyway.’
He didn’t seem to care how she looked.
Since that single glance when she’d entered the Dining Room, his attention had remained fixed on his plate.
“Um… sorry for the late greeting. Did you sleep well?”
He nodded.
Ian bobbed his head in affirmation a beat too slowly, still refusing to meet her gaze.
Had he become more distant since the wedding than before it? Or was that just her imagination?
She’d thought he’d at least respond, but apparently he wouldn’t even look at her while doing so.
Had his rejection of the honeymoon hit him that hard?
Though she didn’t think he was the type to sulk or be shocked over something so trivial.
Hmm.
Vanessa, lost in thought, glanced at Ian again.
‘Well, it does deviate from the original plan somewhat.’
She wound the pasta before her around her fork, took a bite, and swallowed, then dabbed at her lips with the napkin draped over the table.
“Ian.”
“Speak.”
“About that honeymoon you mentioned before. At that time…”
“There’s no need to worry about it. Even if we went, it would likely be somewhere you wouldn’t remember visiting.”
His tone was distinctly different from his usual manner.
He really was sulking.
Vanessa’s lips parted slightly.
“… As you said, this is a contract. So there’s no need for a honeymoon.”
Could he at least relax his expression while saying things like that?
Even from dozens of meters away, one would think the furrow between his brows would be visible.
Vanessa watched Ian, who didn’t even spare her a glance, then let out a small sigh.
“The Northern Region—what do you think?”
She’d planned to go alone and quietly return, but it seemed unavoidable.
Looking at him like that, she had a strong premonition that if she didn’t at least offer to invite him out of courtesy, he’d truly fall into a proper sulk. Not that she understood why he was upset in the first place.
So for Vanessa, it was a declaration made after considerable resolve.
“… The Northern Region?”
The gaze she’d struggled to catch all along shot straight toward her in an instant.
Vanessa swallowed hard as she caught a glimmer of anticipation flickering in his eyes.
‘If I’d gone alone, he really would have sulked, wouldn’t he?’
Even his previously curt tone now carried an undertone of quiet hope.
This was strange.
Why did Ian look like someone who’d just been asked on a date by the object of their unrequited affection?
No matter how unpredictable he was, was this really something to be that pleased about?
Wait—did he like traveling?
Though when they were on the Traika, he only seemed interested in rowing.
“Are you planning to go hiking or something?”
At his follow-up question, Vanessa laughed awkwardly, her face growing warm.
“The Northern Region is famous for hot springs, after all. I heard they have a Shared Hot Spring Bath too…”
“I don’t like it.”
“What?”
“… If you want to go to a hot spring, I can accompany you, but I won’t share a bath with you.”
What is he saying? I don’t want to either.
Vanessa’s face crumpled immediately.
I have no desire whatsoever to see the size of the lower regions with my own eyes, though I’ve only heard rumors.
……Well, a little curious, perhaps? But not particularly. I’d rather not, if I’m being honest.
“Who said anything about going in together?”
“……Then why mention a shared hot spring bath at all…….”
“You misunderstood what I said. I only mentioned it exists.”
“To my ears, it sounded like you were proposing we go in together.”
“Why are you blaming me for what you heard wrong?”
“I’m not blaming you, it’s just……!”
Wait—was that her raising her voice?
I offered a careful suggestion and now she’s making me want to take it back.
Just as Vanessa’s face was beginning to contort with fury,
“……My apologies. I was startled and spoke too loudly.”
I’ll accept the swift apology this once.
Vanessa’s expression, which had been twisting in irritation, smoothed out at once.
“Are you going, at any rate?”
“……As long as we’re not bathing together in the hot spring.”
“That’s a refusal on my end too.”
……
“In any case, I’d prefer we depart as quickly as possible. When would suit you?”
“……A week from now should work.”
A week from now? What was happening then?
Vanessa, who had been thinking, sighed softly.
The day the Eastern Empire Delegation’s representative is decided.
If that’s the case, then so be it.
“Agreed, then.”
Vanessa finished speaking and started to rise from her seat, then sighed quietly.
“Ah, that’s right. You have nothing particular scheduled today, do you?”
“Nothing in particular.”
“Then I’ll be going out for a bit.”
“Where to? Do you have an appointment?”
Ian’s lips sealed shut like a clam before he could think better of the question.
His face went blank with regret.
At the sight, Vanessa tilted her head in puzzlement.
“Do I really have to account for every little thing I do?”
“……Then I’ll see that an escort is arranged for you.”
“No, I prefer to be alone. Don’t worry. I’ll abide by the terms.”
“Terms?”
“Lunch together, dinner apart—wasn’t that what we agreed?”
……
“I’ll leave first, then? The contract conditions didn’t specify that we had to rise at the same time.”
With only “Thank you for the meal,” she left the dining room first.
***
Ian’s gaze followed Vanessa’s retreating figure.
“……Tsk.”
Ian untied his necktie with irritation and ran a hand back through his carefully arranged hair.
‘I let my guard down.’
I never expected her to appear in the dining room dressed like that.
Once Vanessa had completely vanished from sight, Ian at last looked down at the empty plate before him.
At that moment, Gayen emerged from the back of the dining room toweling his hands, his eyes widening in surprise.
“What’s the occasion? You’ve finished everything.”
Gayen glanced around the space.
“Has the sun risen in the west?”
“Bring me tea next time.”
It would be better to sit across from Vanessa reading ancient texts or reviewing documents.
The moment I let my guard slip, my eyes lift of their own accord, and I haven’t tasted a thing I’ve eaten while fighting to keep them in check.
“Where’s Karn?”
“He went to the Northern Region to harvest Calming Herbs. He likely won’t return until tonight at the earliest.”
“Have him sent to the Study when he returns.”
Ian rose from his seat and, without thinking, drew in a deep breath.
“……Damn it.”
Ian’s face flushed crimson as though he’d just caught himself in a blunder, the curse tumbling from his lips.
He reached into the inner pocket of his vest for a cigar, then stopped short, his fist clenching instead.
“…Bring the pill formula I mentioned before as well.”
“I thought you said it’s less effective than smoking directly?”
“…”
Ian, his necktie already loose and hanging from his hand, wasn’t satisfied with that either—he undid a few buttons at his collar.
“I don’t want to be mistaken for a chain-smoker.”
Gayen regarded him with an exasperated look.
“Why not just be honest about it? I’m meeting her for the first time, but she seems like the type who’d understand.”
“Be honest?”
Ha. Ian let out a brittle laugh.
“How? Say that I’m losing my mind the moment I catch her scent? That I’m begging her to stay away?”
A mistake. Gayen swallowed hard.
“If she really does drift away because of that…”
The moment Gayen caught sight of Ian’s eyes gleaming like honed steel, he bowed his head quickly.
“I spoke out of turn. Once Karn returns, I’ll send him to you.”
“…”
“And…”
Gayen lifted his head slightly, swallowed dryly at the sight of Ian’s still-flushed face.
“…I believe I’ve found a lead regarding the curse.”
Ian’s jaw tightened at those words.
“Was there a sorcerer who survived?”
“I can’t say for certain. According to them, they only saw something with similar characteristics.”
“…”
“But… do we really need to find them? So much time has passed, and there’s no guarantee they’d know how to break it anyway. Besides… they’d hardly be disposed toward Luscliffe.”
Gayen faltered as he spoke, watching Ian’s expression.
“Perhaps instead you and the lady…”
“Gayen.”
Ian’s golden eyes blazed with a fierce, cutting light.
“I thought you’d understand better than anyone why this is a curse. Was I wrong?”
“Which is precisely why—”
“Enough. My decision is made.”
Gayen exhaled heavily, watching Ian’s departing back as he rose from his seat without waiting to hear more.
“…I only wish she’d keep him by her side for the rest of their lives.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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