Hiding My Identity From My Husband - Chapter 37

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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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Episode 37

Albert regarded us in turn, his face settling into a gentle smile.
“I’ve often seen engaged couples clash over wedding preparations. But with you two, I find myself quite certain that won’t happen.”
Of course not. This isn’t a real wedding, after all.
“It’s as though when one of you is rain, the other becomes earth to receive it. And when one is earth, the other becomes a tree—a kind of mutual flourishing.”
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
We’re publicly acknowledged rivals within the Guardian.
“I’ve never seen a couple more perfectly balanced. This will surely be a beautiful ceremony.”
“…….”
I had no idea how to respond, so I could only roll my eyes.
Since Lu stood beside me, I couldn’t see what expression he wore, but I suspected he was equally at a loss.
Yet.
“Isn’t it true?”
Lu wrapped an arm around my waist with perfect ease, tilting his face toward mine.
“Charles is to me both earth and tree. He makes me bloom and holds me up at once.”
And he brushed his lips lightly against my temple.
……What?
Did he just kiss me?
I turned to Lu in surprise. There he was, regarding me with an expression graver than I’d ever seen.
“That’s why.”
Lu’s gaze grew warmer and more tender than ever before.
“I truly love you.”

* * *

I must be losing my mind.
Even after saying goodbye to Albert and walking from the Mansion all the way Downtown, my heart refused to stop its frantic hammering.
‘I must be losing my mind.’
That was all I could think.

—So I truly love you.

He said he loved me!
Love and affection carry such different weights.
Affection could be laughed away, glossed over lightly—but love…….
‘Or am I overthinking this?’
I glanced up at Lu briefly.
His expression unchanged as he walked, he looked nothing like someone who’d just made a solemn confession of love moments ago.
‘He was just playing to the audience, I suppose.’
Well, if the matchmaker sees us affectionate, he’ll spread the word about our relationship.
In that context, his saying he loved me made sense.
‘I understand.’
Yes, Lu was understandable.
What I couldn’t understand was my own self—this sudden dryness in my throat, this ache squeezing at my chest.
‘Why is this happening since yesterday?’
I pressed my hand to my chest and forced myself to breathe.
“Charles?”
Lu tilted his head slightly, addressing me.
“Is something wrong?”
Whether he’d read my expression or misinterpreted my hand on my chest, Lu’s face carried a note of concern.
I quickly shook my head.
“No. My throat’s just dry, that’s all.”
“Shall we stop by a Cafeteria then?”
Lu offered gently.
“It would be a shame to head back just yet.”
If I thought about it objectively, there was nothing I was going to miss.
We’d already achieved our purpose for this outing—selecting a mansion for the wedding ceremony.
But……
How can the human heart ever flow according to reason alone?
I, too, had no desire to tour the mansion and return home immediately.
As I hesitated for a moment, Ru suddenly thrust his face close to mine.
“You like coffee, don’t you?”
He laughed softly.
“Let’s have a freshly brewed espresso for once. And a sweet soufflé to go with it.”
The mere thought made my mouth water.
Mmm.
I narrowed my eyes.
“How did you know I liked that?”
“I know everything you like,” he replied.
He shrugged his shoulders as he spoke.
“You prefer black, for one. You occasionally choose something with color, but mostly black. Probably because it’s safe, yes?”
Right. A direct hit.
“And your palate is surprisingly particular. You eat almost anything without fussing, but you have an uncanny ability to detect even the slightest hint of off flavors. Your favorite dish is caponata.”
That was also true.
“Your fashion sense is rather dreadful, too.”
“I think you might have been better off leaving that last part unsaid.”
“But it’s the truth.”
Tsk.
I twisted my lips and turned my head away. Ru’s laughter rang out behind me.
“In any case, I know all these things about you.”
He knows everything.
…… No.
Ru doesn’t know everything about me.
Not my true identity—the most crucial part.
A bitter taste rose in my mouth, leaving it dry.
“What about you?” Ru asked.
He looked at me.
“Is there anything you know about me?”
I blinked several times.
I knew quite a bit about Ru.
His height was 188 centimeters and his weight 85 kilograms.
He was the foster son of the High Priest, though their relationship wasn’t particularly close.
He had a confirmed appointment to the position of Vice-Captain of Guardian, and so on.
But I knew nothing of his personal preferences.
“Hmm……”
So I scratched my cheek and deliberately looked away. At that, Ru burst into laughter.
“My favorite color is rosy violet. As for food, like you, I prefer vegetable dishes such as caponata.”
That his favorite color resembled my hair color, and that we shared the same food preferences, gave me an odd feeling……
‘I must be imagining things.’
Thinking that, I firmly suppressed the excitement rising in my chest.
“…… I’ll remember that.”
“Good.”
As I looked at Ru smiling broadly, I drew another breath.
It felt as though if I didn’t ask now, I’d never be able to ask him again.
“Let me ask you one thing.”
“Yes?”
“You.”
I stepped closer to him and looked up.
“You hate me, don’t you?”
Our eyes met.
“Yesterday you only said my words were harsh—you didn’t say you didn’t hate me. You only said I was impressive; you didn’t say anything more than that.”
“……”
Ru fell silent for a moment.
Instead, he stared down at me intently.
I could see his eyes wavering slightly now and then, but I couldn’t discern what he was thinking.
Yet I truly wanted to know.
I wonder what Lu truly thinks of me.
But why do I even care……
‘What is it?’
Honestly, I’m not sure myself.
Regardless, I was curious about Lu’s heart.
So I simply looked up at him. That was all.
“I like you, Charles.”
What.
My heart leapt in that instant.
“And I dislike you too.”
“…….”
But just as quickly, my warmth drained away.
“Does that answer your question?”
Did it?
‘That you like me and hate me both.’
Ha ha ha.
I pressed my palm to my forehead and lowered my gaze. A sigh escaped unbidden.
“Fine. I understand the ambivalence.”
“Oh, so that’s the right answer.”
Lu chuckled softly.
“From now on, I’ll try to lean more toward the love side.”
“That’s enough!”
I shoved his face away and strode off on my own, taking long, determined steps.
“Charles. Aren’t you having coffee?”
“I’m not!”
I don’t know why I’m so irritated.
Wrapped in a tangle of frustration and something that felt like disappointment, I climbed into the carriage.
Hmph!

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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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