Hiding My Identity From My Husband - 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

Without knowing when Rou and I had drifted apart, we’d drawn close again.
No, let me correct that.
We’d become far closer than before.
“Charel, Charel.”
The moment he spotted me, he’d run over and wrap an arm around my shoulder.
“What should we do today?”
He’d beam at me, tilting his head against mine.
“Of course, I’d be perfectly content just lying beside you all day long.”
He’d even say things like that—easily misconstrued.
No matter how much he claimed it was just for show, this was a bit…….
‘It’s too much!’
I pushed Rou’s head back gently, shooting him a sideways glance.
“There’s no one watching right now. Dial it back, would you?”
“Mm?”
Rou tilted his head, studying me with a puzzled expression.
“It’s not for the people watching, though.”
Then he flashed that bright smile again.
“I want to be with the remarkable Charel. And I’m not being sarcastic, by the way. I mean it.”
Here I am, sure he was being sarcastic after all—am I the abnormal one?
I pressed my forehead and shook my head slowly.
In truth, Rou’s affectionate behavior wasn’t something new.
Ever since I’d come to the Empire, hadn’t he shown me this side of himself constantly?
I’d grown somewhat used to it too.
But today, for some reason, I wanted to push him away…….
‘My heart keeps racing!’
Remembering what Rou had told me last night, recalling the sincere expression he’d shown me, being vividly aware of how those words and that expression had moved me.
That’s why my heart kept thump-thumping.
“I understand, so don’t get quite so close.”
My heart can’t take it!
Muttering that, I pushed Rou’s face away once more. Only then did he let out a hearty laugh, accepting defeat, and stepped back a half pace from me.
“But you do need to spend time with me today.”
He continued.
“We need to start planning our wedding.”
Now that I thought about it, he’d been bringing up the wedding constantly.
To be honest, I’d held the position that since I’d already become famous, there was no real need for an actual ceremony, but Rou’s argument had merit, so I’d agreed to proceed with the original plan.
Especially since Seongguk wanted it too.
“I think the Grand Mansion would be the best location. I’d prefer the Cathedral, but…… you understand, don’t you?”
I nodded.
A cathedral wedding would be conventional, but since the war between the Empire and Seongguk, there’s been no proper cathedral building in the Empire capable of hosting an event of this scale.
Of course, the Empire doesn’t openly persecute believers, but the aristocratic circles maintain that there’s no need to openly display one’s faith and draw unwanted attention.
So there’s no real reason to insist on a cathedral.
‘Especially since I don’t believe in God anyway.’
But what about Rou?
Does Rou believe in God?
‘Since he’s the High Priest’s adopted son, he might…….’
But I’d never seen Rou enter a chapel back in Seongguk.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
Having sorted through my thoughts, I looked back up at Rou. He went on.
“I’ve already scouted out a few Grand Mansions in the area, so let’s go look at them today.”
“…Do we really have to go see them?”
I let a note of hesitation slip into my voice.
“I mean, it’s a fake wedding anyway. We could just pick something that looks decent from the candidates, couldn’t we?”
Rou blinked slowly. His eyes, visible between his eyelids, had grown somewhat cold.
Wait, why was he looking at me like that? So intensely.
“And if someone discovers that our preparations were lacking?”
“That… thing.”
“So what if we think about it this way—what if we’re not actually holding a real wedding at all?”
“…….”
I thought that might be pushing it a bit far, but since it wasn’t entirely impossible, I found myself conceding reluctantly.
“Fine. Let’s do it. Let’s go.”
At that, Lu broke into a brilliant smile, like a puppy receiving a treat.
It’s not bad.
……well.
‘Maybe I’m not so bad either.’

* * *

The Grand Mansion was magnificent and steeped in antiquity.
Marble columns that seemed frozen in time and an elegantly carved main entrance greeted us.
I pushed open the enormous door with one hand and suppressed a gasp.
“Wow. It really is massive.”
From the high ceiling, an ornate Chandelier hung glittering in the light.
“A place like this—how many servants do you think they’d need?”
“I’d say at least thirty?”
“The maintenance costs must be staggering.”
I hummed to myself and looked around again.
Sunlight streamed through the enormous windows, softly illuminating the vast hall.
Beyond the windows, the Garden and fountains unfolding into view seemed almost peaceful.
Then Lu asked.
“Would you want to live somewhere like this?”
I turned my head to look at Lu.
Standing below the landing of the staircase, he gazed up at me, but the slanted sunlight made his expression hard to read.
“Hmm. I don’t really have much desire for a house, to be honest.”
I shrugged as I answered.
“After all, we’re people who live in wealth, aren’t we?”
“That’s true, I suppose.”
Lu let out a small laugh and continued.
“But don’t you sometimes feel like settling down? I do, anyway.”
Settling down…….
It would be a lie to say I’ve never thought about it.
There was a time when I did think about it—about someday having a small, comfortable home of my own where I could spend my remaining years.
But…….
I gave a bitter smile and shook my head.
“You might be able to. But not me.”
Gardian Agents have the concept of Retirement.
But.
“I can’t.”
I’m not a Cataacle Agent.
There is only one way for an Agent to quit.
Death.
Because of that, I couldn’t dream of such a sweet dream as settling down, and I wasn’t the kind of person who should.
“Pardon?”
Lu, unaware of my thoughts, tilted his head in confusion.
“Why can’t you, Charel…….”
That was when it happened.
“Oh! There you are!”
An unfamiliar voice came from somewhere. When I turned, a man in neat formal attire stood before us.
“Good day. I am Albert, the manager and broker of this property.”
He greeted us with a bright smile characteristic of a sales agent plastered across his face.
“It is truly an honor that two such luminaries of high society have graced us with a personal visit.”
I found myself returning his respectful greeting with a bow.
“This estate boasts 300 years of history. Royal receptions and countless gatherings of the nobility have been held here, and many esteemed nobles have celebrated their weddings within these walls.”
The manager introduced the estate’s history with an enthusiasm that bordered on fervent.
“To hold one’s wedding in this place transcends mere ceremony—it is to inscribe oneself upon the very pages of history. If you seek a location where your wedding moment will be remembered for all eternity, nowhere could be more perfect than this.”
His words brimmed with such confidence that it overflowed visibly.
Lu and I locked eyes at the same moment. I could feel it — we were thinking the same thing.
“I like it.”
“I’m pleased with it as well.”
Albert’s face brightened at once.
“An excellent choice!”
He bowed once more, then strode toward us with quick, purposeful steps.
“I’ll send you detailed information about the necessary documents and facility usage fees in due course. Does that suit you?”
“Of course. Simply contact our residence, and we’ll respond promptly.”
“Very good.”
Albert nodded, jotting notes in his ledger.
“Though, if I may say……”
He looked at us again, his voice soft with admiration.
“The sight of you both standing together — it’s truly beautiful. You complement each other as though you’ve been companions for years.”
Us?

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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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