Hiding My Identity From My Husband - Chapter 46

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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 46
Leaving Lu to drift back into sleep and the Physician to conduct his examination, I slipped out of the room.
Then I hurried back to my own quarters.
Bang!
The moment I shut the door and turned the lock, I sank to the floor.

—It’s probably a secret organization within The Empire.

No.

—What was the name again? Catacombs? No, Cataclysm, was it?

No!

—They were targeting me.

No, no, no!
Just when I thought the mountains of trouble had finally ended.
I’d convinced myself that now I knew Baylor’s goals and the internal strife within Cataclysm, there was nothing left to uncover.
‘Cataclysm is targeting Lu?’
Why, for heaven’s sake?
‘Is it because of the Sacred Object?’
No.
If their aim were simply to prevent Lu—who works for Guardian—from finding the Sacred Object, there would be countless ways to do it.
There’d be no need to kill one of Guardian’s elite operatives and sow discord.
‘I just wish I could stop wondering.’
But then again.
It felt as though I’d traveled too far down this road to simply pretend I didn’t notice these gaps in understanding.
‘Since I’ve already learned the truth about Baylor and Adrian.’
I recalled Henry’s journal.

[He seeks to possess Ivory Castle, while his son wishes to seize control of those who will soon enter it.
This will become a conflict between father and son…….]

Baylor and Adrian are locked in opposition, each pursuing separate goals.
Now that I knew this, I couldn’t simply walk away.
After all, they would surely know that I know.
‘Though I have no intention of betraying either of them.’
But if a moment came when I had to choose between Baylor and Adrian……
‘It would have to be Baylor.’
I’m afraid of Adrian.
Perhaps it’s because I sense the emotion he holds for me is something murky and suffocating, like a swamp; perhaps it’s because his various actions toward me inspire revulsion.
Whatever the reason, I will not choose Adrian.
‘Baylor is my master.’
There’s something almost absurd about being grateful to Lu while thinking such thoughts—and that very absurdity made me realize I needed to find out why Cataclysm was targeting her.
‘So I can keep her from being hurt.’
Surely that wouldn’t count as betraying Baylor.
Muttering to myself in this way, I made my way to the dining hall to finally eat the meal I’d missed.

* * *

“I’m doing much better now.”
Lu spoke with her chin resting on the heels of her palms.
Unlike when she’d been confined to bed, she’d regained some weight, and her eyes had taken on their old gleam—she did appear considerably improved.
I regarded her in silence, blinking slowly.
“And what exactly is that pose?”
“It’s a flower calyx.”
“A flower calyx? What’s the flower?”
“My face, of course.”
I let out a hollow laugh.
“You’re talking nonsense now—that’s a good sign. I’m relieved.”
At that, Luca’s lips quirked up as he pulled his hand back.
“So, couldn’t we go out for a bit today?”
Instead of answering, I looked at Luca’s right shoulder, wound round with bandages.
“How about you show me your arm first, then we talk?”
“This is just a temporary measure.”
No, it isn’t.
The Physician said so.
Push yourself any harder and you’ll lose the use of your right arm entirely.
“I’m so tired of being cooped up.”
“No.”
Luca tilted his face toward me and stuck out his lower lip.
“It’s not like I’m asking to go horseback riding or hunting. I just want to go out for a meal.”
His blue eyes gleamed softly, as if holding the hazy light of early dawn.
Long, fine lashes trembled delicately, like frost brushing gently across the corner of his eyes.
“Won’t you let me?”
The corner of his mouth dipped slightly.
Those lips, which had always been full of mockery and laughter, now curved with a subtle discontent, glistening wetly.
“I’m all better now. Really.”
Beneath the curved lashes, a deep shadow lay; his expression was full of petulance, yet his lips flowed with effortless grace.
Flushed cheeks and brows that trembled ever so slightly.
All of it shone with an elegance like a painting, beautiful even in his distress.
I exhaled deeply.
I sighed and pressed my forehead with the heel of my hand.
I couldn’t pretend not to notice Luca pouting like a spoiled child.
Why not?
‘Because he’s far too beautiful.’
This is why beauty is so dangerous. It makes you grant every request.
“Fine, then. Just a meal and back. Nothing else. Understood?”
Luca’s face lit up like spring in full bloom.
“Yes!”
He bolted upright and hurried toward the wardrobe.
He pulled out a slate-grey shirt and ashen waistcoat.
Given that they matched the ashen trousers he was wearing, it seemed he’d chosen them deliberately.
“Would you turn around for a moment?”
Luca asked as he began undoing the buttons of his shirt.
“Though, of course, if you’d like to keep watching, you’re welcome to.”
“I’m not looking!”
I quickly turned away. A soft laugh and the rustle of fabric followed.
How much time had passed?
More than enough time for him to have finished changing, and yet Luca said nothing.
Puzzled, I turned slowly to look at him.
He stood still, the white shirt draped loosely across his shoulders with only one arm threaded through.
“You were eager enough to go out, and now you can’t even dress yourself properly.”
“There are circumstances beyond my control.”
He gestured slightly toward his right arm, wrapped in bandages.
“Let me help.”
I stepped toward him slowly. He murmured in a low voice.
“I can dress myself.”
“Liar.”
I chuckled and stood before him, then gently grasped the remaining sleeve.
“Go on, lift your arm.”
Luca frowned slightly at me, but soon obediently raised his arm.
“Does it hurt when the bandage is touched?”
“It’s bearable.”
“That means it hurts.”
I moved my fingertips lightly to avoid the wound, but every time the fabric brushed his skin, I felt his breath catch faintly.
“Sorry. Does it hurt?”
Luca answered by shaking his head slowly.
“There. All dressed.”
I carefully buttoned his shirt one by one, avoiding his bandaged right arm.
Each time my fingertips slipped between the buttons of the well-pressed fabric, I felt him flinch.
He was clearly in pain.
“I’ll be quick.”
I picked up my pace.
At the same moment, his Adam’s apple moved faintly.
I tilted my head, listening for what he might say, but he remained silent.
So I steadied myself and finished the last button, then reached for the necktie.
“Here. Lower your head.”
He lowered it without protest. I moved my hands gently around his neck, fastening the tie.
I made a neat knot and adjusted his collar.
“There. All done.”
Only then did breath flow freely through his lips. Had he been holding it all this time?
“It’s a strange feeling.”
I tilted my head in confusion.
“What is?”
He didn’t answer. He only gazed quietly at my fingertips.
His stare felt oddly heavy, and I stepped back half a pace, suddenly uncomfortable.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing much.”
He stretched his left hand past my back.
For a moment I thought he meant to embrace me, but when his hand returned, it held a Necktie Pin.
“It’s just that you’re doing all this for me, Charles. It makes me feel…”
He fastened the pin with practiced ease as he spoke.
“Like we’re truly husband and wife.”
I lifted my head quickly.
Before me was his face, smiling lazily.
“It’s not unpleasant.”
He held that bright smile.

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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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