Hiding My Identity From My Husband - Chapter 4

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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 4

I’d suspected Rubantes of doubting me for quite some time now.
From some point onward, he’d begun circling my orbit.
He checked whether I’d shown up for work each day, shadowed me whenever I appeared, asked nearby operatives about my birthday and other such details.
We’d known of each other’s existence for years and kept things distant, yet suddenly he was hovering about—there was no mistaking it for anything but suspicion.
Which left me with a question.
‘Why, exactly?’
It feels strange to say it myself, but I am, after all, a capable Intelligence Operative.
I’d given him absolutely nothing to seize upon as grounds for doubt.
‘So why did he start suspecting me now?’
I genuinely couldn’t fathom it.
‘Regardless, I need to be careful.’
My task was crystal clear.
First, play the role of Rubantes’s false lover.
Second, obstruct his search for the Holy Relic.
“Miss, are you quite ready?”
I nodded graciously toward Mardi as he held open the carriage door.
Which meant,
today I was going to ruin his plans.

* * *

While waiting for Rubantes in the carriage, I reviewed today’s schedule.
Reports of “Ru Bansen’s” popularity were no exaggeration—the moment I arrived in the Capital, invitations showered down from every direction.
‘They want to see me in person and form their own judgments, no doubt.’
Women who fancied him might very well say unkind things to my face.
But I wasn’t particularly bothered.
Being scorned by people was old hat for me.
‘Besides, no one likes me anyway.’
So whether I heard harsh words to my face or not made no difference.
I simply needed to do what I was meant to do.
“You’ve arrived early.”
At that familiar voice, I pulled my gaze from where it had been fixed blankly into empty air and turned toward the carriage door.
Rubantes stepped into the carriage, impeccably dressed.
His Black Coat hung naturally from shoulders that were straight and sturdy, while the collar of his White Shirt stood crisp, accentuating his composed bearing.
His golden hair was arranged without a strand out of place, yet the locks that caught the sunlight still scattered light freely, untamed.
“My apologies. I had a matter to attend to and made you wait.”
He sat and removed his Black Leather Gloves—and even in that light gesture, refinement emanated from his fingertips. Unlike me.
“Shall we depart?”
As he issued the command to the driver, the carriage lurched into motion.
Only then did I regret how thoroughly I’d been captivated by his appearance, and I collected myself.
‘He is handsome, I’ll grant him that.’
But knowing better than to fall for that face, I shook my head to myself several times over.
“That said, Charle.”
At that, Rubantes’s blue eyes turned toward me.
There was something searching in that deep, measured gaze—something intent on probing, on excavating.
“Charle, you….”
I swallowed hard.
“Is that the only dress you own?”
“…….”
Had I lost my mind?
Realizing I’d tensed for no reason, an awkward laugh escaped me.
“Why start in on me the moment we meet?”
“It’s not criticism—I’m simply stating fact. That Leopard-Print Skirt; I believe I saw it on you back in the Kingdom of Seong.”
“It’s my favorite skirt.”
“Why would you have such attachment to a thing like that……?”
Rubantes shook his head as if he couldn’t fathom what he was seeing. Then his eyes traveled from the top of my head to my toes.
“This is quite serious.”
“What is?”
“Everything you’re wearing, Charle.”
Why me?!
I glanced down alternately at the frilled blouse and Leopard-Print Skirt, my expression darkening.
But Rubantes still looked unconvinced.
“I’m not pleased with it.”
He clicked his tongue, then continued.
“Well, we can discuss it later. First, let me explain where we’re going.”
He smoothly produced a folder of documents.
“We’re heading to House of Floria. Everline Floria has invited us both.”
A file containing personal information about Count Floria and his wife.
It also included details about their youngest daughter, Everline Floria.
Truthfully, I already knew most of this, but I pretended to read it anyway.
“Count Floria is known as a major player in Defense Contracting. He actually handled military supply procurement during the Kingdom of Seong’s wars.”
This too was information I already possessed, but I kept my expression neutral and nodded.
“As such, there’s a high probability he knows the location of the Holy Relic. That’s why I accepted Everline Floria’s invitation.”
I nodded slowly.
“I understand. While I’m attending the Tea Party, you’ll meet with the Count. Is that it?”
“Exactly. What you might call a Diversion Tactic.”
Rubantes smiled brightly as he said it.
But I couldn’t smile along with him.
‘I can’t let Rubantes find the Holy Relic.’
Even gathering information alone—that won’t do. I have to interfere, no matter what.
But……
‘Since I’m not meeting Count Floria with him, I can’t wedge myself between them.’
Then there’s only one way.
‘Wreck the Tea Party.’
That way, Rubantes and the Count won’t be able to have a proper conversation.
Besides, if I’m the one who deliberately ruins the party, won’t word spread badly among the young ladies of High Society, making them all reluctant to invite me again?
Then instead of executing a Diversion Tactic with Rubantes, I could stay at his side and obstruct him instead……
‘Not a bad plan at all.’
Having decided this, I closed the folder and spoke.
“All right, Rubantes. Just trust me.”
So I made my boast confidently.
“I’m actually quite popular with the ladies.”
Yes, I’m going to cause a scene.
I resolved this silently, then turned my gaze out the carriage window.

* * *

Everline Floria was in a foul mood.
Six months ago, Rubantes had appeared in High Society and captured every woman’s heart—and now his fiancée had shown up.
‘Rubantes is everyone’s prince!’
That’s why the ladies of High Society had even made a pact among themselves.
They decided to think of Rubantes as an aloof flower blooming on a cliff face.
No one would ever try to claim the place at his side. They would simply cherish him from afar!
That was the agreement, and yet……
‘A fiancée!’
Like a rolling stone dislodging the one that was already fixed in place!
If she’s a rolling stone, she should stay rolling and pass on—how dare she claim Rubantes for herself?
“It makes no sense.”
Dorothy, who was attending the Tea Party, muttered in frustration.
“If Rubantes had been tied to one of us here, we wouldn’t say a word. But a childhood friend? That’s absurd.”
“I’ve never even heard of a place called Cortney. To think he’d bring a woman from such a backwater to the Capital!”
“He could easily cast her aside and find someone new here.”
“That’s right, absolutely right!”
The young ladies attending the Tea Party chimed in, one after another.
“Let’s see just how impressive this woman really is.”
“If she’s someone who doesn’t suit Rubantes…”
They exchanged glances, then began their probing in low voices.
“For Rubantes’s sake, shouldn’t we step in?”
This was why they’d invited Charle to the Tea Party.
To drive out that provincial woman who dared poach their prize!
Each nursing her resolve, they cooled the burning in their chests with sips of tea.
That was when it happened.
“Hello?”
A unfamiliar voice cut through their circle. All eyes turned in unison.
“It’s my first time meeting you all. I’m Charle Cortney.”
Charle Cortney, the woman who spoke these words, was far lovelier than they’d expected.
Her bright, soft pink hair shimmered like a profusion of azaleas in bloom, while her clear, deep violet eyes held a warmth that captivated all who beheld them.
Her transparent, alabaster skin bore a delicate flush that was nothing short of enchanting, and her small, delicate frame radiated an irrepressible liveliness.
“…She’s pretty.”
“Cute, even.”
The young ladies murmured without quite meaning to.
“Her clothes, though, are dreadful.”
At this observation, everyone nodded vehemently in agreement.

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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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