Hiding My Identity From My Husband - Chapter 47

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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 47

Clatter—
As the carriage drew closer to Downtown, it began to sway rather noticeably.
Worried that Lu might stumble, I reached out my hand, but Lu extended his hand at the same moment, and the result looked awkward.
“Pfft.”
Lu burst into laughter.
“We’re both looking out for each other.”
Embarrassed, I quickly withdrew my hand.
“Well, you’re a patient—it’s only natural I’d worry.”
“Charel’s delicate, so it’s only natural I’d worry.”
He had me there.
I clicked my tongue and turned my gaze toward the window. As we entered Downtown, the streets came into view, teeming with people.
Lovers holding hands, couples carrying children… all of them looked affectionate and at ease.

—We really do look like a married couple.

And then, suddenly, I recalled what Lu had said earlier.
The moment the thought crossed my mind, heat flooded my face. No, no, no.
‘How can he say something so embarrassing without batting an eye?’
My jaw trembled slightly as I swallowed hard, again and again.
“Charel?”
Did my strange behavior catch his attention?
Lu spoke up.
“What’s wrong?”
I shrugged lightly and turned to face him.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Just a lot of people.”
“Ah.”
Lu nodded understandingly.
“The Festival welcoming spring is coming up soon.”
“Ah. Time’s passed that quickly already.”
I spoke while catching the scent of spring carried on the breeze.
“I’d love for us to hold the wedding before spring ends.”
Lu tapped my shoulder playfully and grinned.
“… Let’s at least get your arm healed first.”
“At this point? It’ll mend soon enough.”
Never mind that he couldn’t even dress himself, and I’d had to help him into his clothes.
Still, seeing Lu up and out of bed was a relief in itself.
Being unable to use one arm was far better than lying there hovering between life and death.
“Should we go see the Festival together?”
While I was secretly delighting in Lu’s recovery, he spoke again.
“Neither you nor I have experienced the Empire’s Festival before. Since we’re here working, wouldn’t it be good to gain some experience?”
Then, catching himself, he added,
“Now that I think about it, you were born in the Empire too, weren’t you?”
The false identity I’d created for Sharan when joining the Gardian was an Imperial background.
I nodded.
“Yes. But I never actually participated in the Festival.”
I had witnessed the Festival before, but only as a Cataacle operative—watching targets, conducting surveillance, briefly merging into the crowds of revelers. Never as myself.
Never enjoying it myself.
‘If I go this time with Lu, will it be different?’
We could watch the Fireworks Display, see the Street Parade, perhaps even attend the Masquerade Ball.
The thought made me feel a strange sense of anticipation.
And the thought of doing it all alongside Lu made it even better.
‘… Why am I like this?’
The sudden realization startled me, and my shoulders jerked.
My word. I was actually enjoying being with Lu—with no one else but him.
‘I must be losing my mind.’
I shook my head a couple of times and drew my shoulders together. At that, Rue tilted his head curiously.
“Charel? What’s wrong? You look like a startled puppy who just spotted a wolf.”
“Must you use such vivid comparisons? It’s nothing.”
“Hmm.”
Rue exhaled softly, his eyes narrowing to slits.
He gripped the window frame of the slowly halting carriage, his gaze fixed on me.
“Could it be… you’re really looking forward to seeing the Festival with me?”
He opened the carriage door and extended his hand to me with easy grace.
Without thinking, I took his hand and stepped down. Rue drew closer at once.
His face gleamed with mischief and delight.
“I am too.”
He pressed his forehead against mine and broke into a broad grin.
“I hope your arm heals quickly.”
As he said this, he pulled my arm toward him.
Really…….
‘The way he toys with me so easily sets my heart racing.’
What would I have done if his antics were sincere?
I ignored the pounding in my chest and walked in step with him.

* * *

“Please enjoy your meal.”
The server placed several dishes on the table and bowed lightly before withdrawing.
After all, today’s outing was meant for dining, wasn’t it?
So we amicably entered the Restaurant and ordered a generous spread.
Mushroom soup, perfectly roasted caponata, creamy gnocchi, and thick-cut steak.
Just looking at them made your mouth water — they were exquisitely prepared and presented.
“…….”
Yet Rue only gazed at the food, his hands utterly still.
“What’s the matter?”
“Well, you see.”
Rue hesitated before answering.
“With this arm, I simply can’t cut the steak.”
He gave his bandaged right arm a gentle wave.
The gesture was as graceful as always, yet his fingertips couldn’t grip the knife properly — they merely sliced uselessly through empty air.
“Unbelievable. Really.”
I clicked my tongue and reached across the table.
“Hold still.”
And I began to carefully slice the steak.
Slice, slice.
The thin pieces were arranged in moments.
Rue watched my hands in silence, then slowly lifted his gaze to meet mine.
“You care for me so well — you feel just like my wife.”
“Quiet.”
I shot back sharply and speared a piece of meat with my fork — for myself, I might add.
But then.
“Ah.”
Rue tilted his head toward me and opened his mouth halfway.
And what? Me?
“What are you doing?”
“Since my arm is useless, you’ll have to feed me.”
“……You can’t do the fine work of cutting, true, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grip a fork at all.”
“I have no strength.”
Well, if he puts it that way, I suppose there’s nothing for it.
Yes. His injury was my doing.
I dutifully brought the forked meat to his mouth.
“Delicious. Is it because you fed it to me, Charel?”
As he chewed contentedly, his eyes drifted toward the caponata.
He wanted me to feed him that too, clearly.
Obediently, I picked up the knife and fork to slice the roasted vegetables.
“Pfft.”
But then, Lu suddenly let out a soft laugh. What was that about? Why?
“Why are you laughing?”
Lu smiled gently, as if it were nothing, and spoke.
“Just. How do I put it.”
He tilted his head slightly, looking up at me.
“I like you.”
Without thinking, my hands froze. Still holding the knife above the cooked vegetables, I stiffened and looked up at Lu.
“You said you disliked me.”
“I dislike you and like you at the same time.”
“So you’re not denying it entirely.”
Then Lu smiled quietly and added, almost carelessly.
“The feeling grows stronger the more time passes.”
I blinked slowly.
“As a colleague, you mean?”
At that, Lu chuckled and replied.
“Is that all I am to you, Charel—just a colleague?”
I frowned slightly.
“We are colleagues, so what else would we be?”
“Friends, perhaps.”
Friends.
A hollow laugh escaped me.
“I don’t have friends.”
“Why do you say something so sad?”
Lu’s brow drooped, his nose wrinkling slightly with concern.
“Then let me be your first friend.”
“Is that really necessary?”
“Friends have coffee together after dinner.”
“Why do you ignore what I say?”
“So we can spend a good time together as friends. I can hold a coffee cup with my left hand, after all.”
He waved his left hand to show me, and it seemed he was enjoying this exchange. Sigh. I should stop talking.
“Eat.”
Lu popped the cooked vegetable I’d given him into his mouth and smiled brightly.
“It really does taste better when you feed it to me, Charel.”
Ugh. I really should stop talking.
I shook my head in denial.

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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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