Hiding My Identity From My Husband - Chapter 26

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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 26

What exactly am I doing right now?
“Hmm. You’ve accumulated quite a bit of fatigue.”
Thanks to everyone’s insistence, I’m currently undergoing an examination with the Physician.
“Given this level of exhaustion, you must have been under considerable stress, yet you didn’t notice it?”
I laughed softly at his words.
“Is there anyone who gets through life without stress? Surely everyone lives this way.”
At that, the Physician’s brow furrowed.
“There are limits to such things. In your condition, you must have struggled to fall asleep, had difficulty breathing, experienced stomach pain, and suffered from headaches — yet you say you’re fine?”
This household physician is remarkably perceptive.
“And you claim you’re all right?”
I gave a slight shrug.
“It’s always been this way, so I didn’t think much of it. I’m truly fine.”
……
The Physician didn’t respond.
Instead, he looked back and forth between Everlyn, Agatha, and the figure behind him.
Their expressions were somewhat melancholic as they gazed at me…….
There was something unsettling in that look. I turned my head away.
“I’ll prescribe you medication for headaches and digestive complaints, as well as something to help you sleep. Above all, remember that proper rest is the most important thing.”
“Ah… yes. Thank you.”
In truth, I already have drawers overflowing with such medicines.
But if I refused now, they’d scold me for not accepting help.
So I simply agreed to take them.
“Furthermore, you must develop proper awareness of your own condition, Charel Cortney.”
The Physician’s eyes gleamed above his spectacles as he fixed me with his gaze.
“Take time to observe your body’s state objectively.”
How exactly does one do that?
Uncertain though I was, I nodded anyway. Failing to do so would surely earn another scolding.
“Then I shall take my leave. I’ll send the prescription separately so you can have the medicines prepared.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Everlyn answered on my behalf. After seeing the Physician out, he strode back toward me.
“You drank poisoned wine?”
If looks could kill, they’d look exactly like this.
I felt a chill at Everlyn’s fierce gaze — something I’d never seen from him before. My eyes darted nervously.
“If you were so eager to drink poison, you should have said so earlier. I would have poured it into your glass myself.”
He smiled mirthlessly, looking down at me.
“We nearly had to read your eulogy here today, didn’t we?”
“Ha, ha ha. Anyway, the important thing is that I’m fine, right?”
“The important thing is that you drank poison without a shred of sense. When, exactly, can I expect you to exercise rational judgment?”
Hmm.
Everlyn’s eyes seemed to have rolled back.
Otherwise, with Agatha and Everlyn standing right behind him, he’d never be this sharp-tongued.
Thinking his reproach was perhaps a bit excessive, I leaned in and whispered so only he could hear.
“You know I’m fine.”
“So you deliberately drank poison?”
“It wasn’t intentional. It just… happened.”
“Really, you’re……!”
“There are people behind us, people!”
Shush!
As I brought my index finger to my lips, Everlyn’s expression crumpled further.
But he didn’t continue speaking.
He seemed to understand that debating with me here would lead nowhere.
I exhaled a long sigh and turned to Agatha and Everlyn behind him.
“Taking the Countess’s glass was a mistake. But thankfully, the important thing is that she was kept safe because of it…….”
“How can you say such a thing!”
At that, Agatha cried out.
“Miss Charel nearly died. It was truly a dangerous situation!”
I’m still catching flak for it.
I clicked my tongue and scratched the back of my head.
“Ah, no. The point is, I’m perfectly fine, and the Countess is safe as well.”
“That doesn’t matter! Just because the outcome was good doesn’t mean the process was all right!”
But honestly, I’m fine.
Poison doesn’t work on me anyway.
I’ve built up a tolerance since childhood by ingesting small amounts of it gradually!
Not knowing what to do, I looked toward Everlyn, but he ignored my obvious plea for help.
This bastard.
That was when it happened.
The door opened and someone entered.
A middle-aged man with graying hair swept back neatly, wearing a monocle.
“Father!”
Rockwood himself.
I scrambled to my feet. It wouldn’t be proper to remain seated when the Earl arrived.
“How is Mother? Is she all right?”
“Don’t worry. She’s simply resting after becoming a bit exhausted.”
The Earl reassured Agatha, then his gaze shifted to me. His golden eyes gleamed as they fixed upon me. I felt an unexpected tension.
“But first, Miss Charel Cortney.”
“Ah, yes.”
I clasped my hands together politely and replied.
“I am Rockwood. I should have introduced myself earlier, and I apologize for the delay.”
The Earl extended his hand and spoke. I took it, shaking my head.
“Not at all. Of course, caring for your wife comes first.”
The Earl withdrew his hand with an expressionless face. He took half a step back and bowed slightly.
“Also, I thank you for saving my wife’s life.”
“No! Please, don’t!”
I was startled and waved both hands in protest.
In any case, my station was that of a provincial girl from the borderlands.
Yet here I was, receiving a bow from the Earl of Rockwood, a Founding Merit Family……?
It was unthinkable.
I hurried to add more words.
“It was a matter of coincidence. Please don’t offer such excessive thanks.”
But the Earl was resolute.
He lifted his head slightly and spoke in a measured, dignified tone.
“No. Even greater gratitude would not be enough. My wife lives because of you, Miss Charel, and the poisoner was caught thanks to Lord Everlyn.”
Of course. I knew that once Everlyn stepped in, the Sommelier would be captured.
I gave him a subtle thumbs-up, and Everlyn let out a hollow laugh as if to say I was ridiculous.
“I shall never forget this grace. No—I must never forget it.”
The Earl continued.
“The symbol of Rockwood is stone. Just as its essence does not change no matter how much time passes, I shall never forget your aid and trust.”
Wasn’t he being rather excessive with his gratitude?
“I hope you will become our eternal friend, Miss Charel Cortney.”
Not rather—he was being far more excessive than that.
“Please do not refuse future recompense.”
……
I looked toward Everlyn once more, but he was now completely ignoring my gaze.
Ha ha. What a wretch.
“Th… thank you.”
So I forced a smile and bowed respectfully to the Earl.

And the next day.

[Intrigue Unfolded at the Gala—A Beautiful and Talented ‘Hero’ Saved the Countess of Rockwood!]

The previous day’s events were splashed across the front page of the newspaper.
Oh. Please.

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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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