Hiding My Identity From My Husband - Chapter 28

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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 28

The broad Lake glimmered like jewels beneath the sunlight, its surface perfectly still.
A gentle breeze passed by, caressing the water with a feather’s touch.
Each time the Rowboat stirred, the water parted softly, and the reflected sunlight danced in shimmering silver ripples.
I rested my hand against the edge of the Rowboat and tilted my head back, letting the warm sun enfold my face.
“This is nice.”
I murmured without thinking.
I’d never liked following Mardi’s suggestions, but I had to admit—listening to him this time had been the right call.
The outing was pleasant, and more than that, it was peaceful.
“A long-overdue rest, wouldn’t you say?”
Mardi had drifted over to my side, his voice gentle.
With the sun at his back, his silhouette stood in perfect relief.
His golden hair caught light of its own hue, throwing off a soft, luminous glow.
“You’re already dazzling on any day, but with backlighting? That’s practically cheating.”
“Cheating?”
Mardi tilted his head, puzzled.
“What do you mean?”
“It means you’re remarkably handsome.”
“I hear that often enough.”
Mardi smiled, a subtle curve playing across his mouth.
“Though coming from you, Chaeul, it means more.”
Hah. As if I meant a word of that.
I shook my head dismissively.
“At any rate, I thought you needed time like this to rest. You were always busy back at Guardian, and since arriving in the Empire, you’ve done nothing but move.”
“I rested just recently.”
“Lying in bed sick isn’t the same thing.”
Mardi spoke with quiet firmness and settled himself beside me.
He bent one leg, resting his arm across his knee as he looked up at me.
Behind him lay the Lake, its surface rippling gently, and beyond it the horizon—a scene that looked like a painting.
‘He really is beautiful.’
I’d lost count of how many times I’d thought this, but there was no denying it: Mardi was genuinely beautiful.
‘If only his personality were as good!’
Wait—what?
Good? As in what?
Was I actually thinking about being with Mardi? What was I—
The absurd thought caught me off guard, and I shuddered involuntarily.
“By the way, you’re certain the detoxification isn’t necessary, yes?”
Oblivious to my internal crisis, Mardi posed the question.
I hurried to collect myself and answered—carefully avoiding his gaze.
“You know I have immunity. Besides, it wasn’t a particularly potent poison. I could manage that much.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, you know—a strong poison kills you outright, a weak one makes you sick. I meant it wasn’t strong in that sense.”
“But you just admitted the poison was weak enough to make you sick.”
“Well, yes—that part’s true.”
……
Mardi fell silent. When I glanced over, I found him frowning.
“You really don’t take care of yourself, do you, Chaeul?”
“No—I mean, I’m fine, so I said I’m fine. I don’t understand why everyone’s making such a fuss.”
“Your definition of ‘fine’ isn’t what most people would call fine.”
Mardi exhaled a long sigh and pressed his lips firmly shut.
Then he fixed me with a look so intense that it stirred something uncomfortable in me—something unfamiliar—and I found myself turning away. Another sigh drifted across the water.
“Very well. I’ll be by your side from now on to look after you.”
From now on? By my side?
I turned to look at him, caught off guard.
“Because I’m about to become your husband.”
……
A sigh escaped me.
“…I wish you’d at least say it’s fake.”
“Ha. It doesn’t have to be fake.”
Sometimes I can’t tell when Lu is like this.
Whether he’s being sincere or joking.
‘It must be a joke.’
How could someone as remarkable as Lu possibly like me?
It’s impossible.
More impossible than the sun rising in the west.
Because……
‘I’m not the kind of person Lu would like.’
Lu is an exceptional operative.
Handsome enough to be called an angel’s face, and his temperament—as long as he’s not being sarcastic—is kind and unremarkable. He’s the sort of nearly perfect man.
So the person Lu would like would be far more remarkable and impressive than me.
Not a fool like me—a liar who has nothing to offer.
The moment I thought this, a bitter taste flooded my mouth. My tongue felt dry and tacky.
Without meaning to, my brow furrowed.
“Chaeul?”
Seeing me like that, Lu asked.
“Is your headache back?”
“No, no. The sunlight is just strong.”
Lu sighed and nodded.
“Then shall we head back soon? We can eat the packed lunch Mardi packed for us.”
I knew that such a suggestion was made only out of consideration for me.
I let out a low laugh and nodded.
“All right.”
Lu rose to his feet and took up the oars again, and the rowboat slowly glided toward the shore of the Lake.

* * *

“Take my hand.”
With a soft grunt, I grasped Lu’s hand and stepped down onto solid ground.
After spending no small amount of time on the swaying rowboat, the world seemed to tilt slightly as I landed. My legs wobbled of their own accord.
“Careful.”
Lu wrapped an arm around my waist as he spoke. At the same moment, his scent drifted to the tip of my nose.
A woody fragrance—sweet yet tinged with bitterness.
Truly a scent befitting Lu.
“……Thank you.”
I gently pushed him away while offering my thanks.
Having just entertained that ridiculous thought, Lu drawing close no longer felt as natural as before.
The lingering trace of his scent at the tip of my nose left me feeling oddly off-balance.
‘Get hold of yourself.’
I clenched and unclenched my fists, gathering my composure.
Then I slowly surveyed my surroundings.
“Shall we head over there? The Lake is visible, and there’s nice shade from the trees.”
I pointed toward the spot where a large Zelkova Tree stood tall.
“That works. It’s also some distance from the Crocodile Farm.”
Now that he mentioned it, there was a Crocodile Farm in this area.
“A Crocodile Farm? What on earth is that?”
“It’s apparently the newest hobby among the nobility.”
“I understand that much. But why would anyone build such a place in the first place?”
I clicked my tongue.
“They trap animals that should live in nature and pen them up as spectacles. I hate that sort of thing.”
“I think the same way. That’s why I suggested we go somewhere far from the farm.”
In moments like this, Lu and I are well matched.
So I smiled faintly and nodded.
“Let’s go.”
As we approached the Zelkova Tree.
“……Hmm?”
I noticed people already gathered beneath the tree.
How vexing. So it really was a prime location after all.
“What a shame.”
I clicked my tongue and tugged at Mardi’s arm.
“There are people here already. Let’s look somewhere else.”
“All right.”
Mardi blinked, lifting the arm that held the Picnic Basket slightly.
“That may not be necessary, sir.”
“Hmm?”
Mardi gestured behind us with a glance.
I turned to look……
“My goodness! Mardi!”
A woman came running toward us, her smile as radiant as a field of blooming flowers.
“What a wonderful coincidence! I’m so delighted to see you!”
A woman with an alluring beauty mark at the corner of her mouth and striking canary-yellow eyes as charming as a chick’s.
“……Oh, you weren’t alone after all.”
It was none other than—
“Such a beautiful Lake—I’ve never seen one like it, Chaeul. There are no lakes in the countryside, I’m sure.”
Cecil Rosefeldt.
Good heavens.

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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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