I Picked Up My Amnesic Ex-Husband - Chapter 21

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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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I picked up my ex-husband, though he has lost his memory.
Chapter 21

‘My dear daughter.
It has been quite some time since I’ve written to you like this.
Thanks to you, I have concluded my dealings with the Imperial Palace without incident. I must confess, I did not realize you possessed such remarkable acumen—packaging a mine practically adjacent to an abandoned one to appear so pristine.
Now that I think of it, the Grand Duke’s Castle is hosting a Birthday Celebration for His Highness Kaien, I’m told? Since Elena and Clyde have agreed to attend, I shall entrust them with a gift for you. I do hope you find it useful.
My wise daughter, never forget that House of Dermis stands always at your back.
— The Duke of Dermis.’

There he goes, spouting the usual drivel.
Looking at his carefully crafted sentences, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. With a dispassionate expression, I drew out a fresh sheet of paper and set pen to it.

‘Greetings, Father. Forgive your insolent daughter.
Nearly half a year has passed since I took a husband, and yet in every letter you send, not a single word inquires after my wellbeing. Truly, some things never change.
Well, naturally not—that land wasn’t an abandoned mine, after all. His Highness the Crown Prince intends to make very good use of it later, so do take pride in the fact that Father’s foolishness has benefited the world’s future and the Imperial Crown.
As for the gift you mention sending—I haven’t the faintest idea what it could be. Certainly nothing for my sake. Your schemes are transparent as glass, and it pains me to see it so clearly.
Let me be blunt: His Highness treats me like a pebble on the road, something to be kicked aside on a whim. So abandon any thoughts of sending poison or the like. I won’t stake my neck on your pathetic machinations.
If you insist on such shameful tactics, attempt them yourself with His Highness. Surely you haven’t sunk so low as to push an unmarried daughter into such schemes? Or so I hope?
After all, Father, you’re a villain. Did you ever see a villain triumph over the hero’s band? Perhaps it’s time you grasped your own position and stayed hidden in the Duke’s Estate, whiling away your days…….’

Scratch, scratch.
After pouring out my thoughts without filter, I surveyed the finished sentences and couldn’t help but laugh again.
If I sent this as-is, Father would grab me by the scruff of the neck and hurl me backward. He’s always been the sort who brooks no lip, the stubborn sort.
I pushed the hastily scrawled letter aside and drew out a fresh sheet.

‘To His Esteemed Grace, the Duke.
As it happens, your recent silence had left me wondering whether some difficulty had arisen with the venture.
To hear that the transaction proceeded smoothly fills me with gratitude—that my humble efforts could prove of service to Father and our House is an honor indeed. It shall surely redound to our family’s glory.
Though I regret being unable to visit Father in person on this occasion, the prospect of seeing my siblings again after so long fills me with genuine delight.
As this marks my first attendance at His Highness Kaien’s Birthday Celebration since my marriage, I look forward with anticipation to whatever gift you might send befitting the occasion.
— Your dutiful daughter, Wendy.’

This should suffice.
I couldn’t fathom what winds had blown to compel him to send even my elder sister, whom he’d guarded so jealously. Something about it left a sour taste.
Clyde, only recently come of age, would certainly see it as an opportunity to press the flesh among the influential gathered at the Grand Duke’s Castle and make his mark.
After tossing both the letter from the Duke’s Estate and my first draft into the fireplace, I stretched long and languidly.
Kaien should be returning soon.
It had been over three weeks since he departed on his inspection tour, so it was about time.
Truthfully, since we so rarely crossed paths in the ordinary course of things, the fact of his three-week absence didn’t quite feel real to me.
Still, there was one small consolation: I could move through the Study with less caution, less worry of being observed.
But what on earth would bring Elena all the way here?
Though Winter is publicly declared as the heir to House Dermis, if one were to choose the true successor, it would be Elena—our eldest. The reason was simple: she possessed the family’s abilities in the strongest concentration.
Precisely because of that, Father rarely allowed Elena to leave the estate, yet now he was sending her into what amounted to enemy territory—the Grand Duke’s Castle. What could he possibly be thinking?
“He hasn’t lost his wits entirely, at least.”
The man was cunning enough that there had to be some scheme behind it. Especially given that Elena’s abilities fell into a rather dangerous category.
My instincts stirred. A feeling that our House was about to pull off something significant.
Given that the source material made no particular mention of it, there was a reasonable chance it wouldn’t amount to much, but one could never be certain. It might well have serious consequences for my own safety.
After all, I still didn’t know why I was supposed to die.
I’d undergone examination by a physician and found myself in perfect health—not a trace of illness. So I’d wondered if it might be a magical matter, but Ciel’s diagnosis came back clean as well: my body bore no magical corruption whatsoever.
Of course, I couldn’t let my guard down entirely; illness could still develop later.
“Damn it all. My own family—nothing but parasites and users.”
As I contemplated people who bore the name family yet thought only of exploiting and draining me, I found myself missing my family from when I was Ju Ha-yeon.
Knock, knock.
The sound of knocking at the door reached my ears once more. I froze where I sat, head still in my hands.
“Who is it?”
“My lady, it’s Orendo. The Grand Duke has just arrived at the castle, or so I’m told.”
“Understood. I’ll finish preparing and head out right away.”
Honestly, he doesn’t give me a moment to catch my breath!
I folded the letter I’d finished writing, slipped it carefully into an envelope, sealed it, and left the study.

“Welcome, Your Grace.”
I smiled brightly at Kaien as he entered like a returning general, but he gazed at my face with indifference before he spoke.
“It’s been a while.”
“You’re back earlier than expected.”
“I suppose so.”
True to his taciturn nature, he stopped there and passed me by. Then he glanced back at me, who was hesitating whether to follow.
“Are you planning to stand there all day?”
“Oh—yes! I’m coming!”
So I’m allowed to follow. Does this mean he’s opened up to me a little?
I hurried after his long strides, eager to enter the castle proper.
“Right, there’s also the matter of the clothes you’ll wear for your Birthday Celebration. I’ve had several styles prepared, and you can try them on later and choose whichever you like.”
“A birthday… It’s already that time of year again.”
I chattered away cheerfully beside him as he replied with unmistakable disinterest.
“Of course! I worked incredibly hard on the preparations, so you can look forward to it. Oh, is there anything in particular you’d like as a gift?”
“Nothing in particular.”
The answer I’d anticipated came back. Of course, I didn’t give up and pressed on persistently.
“Really nothing at all? Truly nothing?”
“I said there isn’t anything.”
“Then please be sure to tell me if you think of something later.”
I added this with a broad smile, and Kaien looked down at me before abruptly turning his gaze away.
As I watched him stride quickly ahead, as if bored with further conversation, Rennen, who had been following us, approached and spoke to me.
“Are you all right, my lady?”
Rennen Triton—a handsome man with a serene expression, the commanding officer of the Knight Order under Grand Duke Sigfried and Kaien’s closest confidant. True to his good nature, he often engaged me in conversation.
“This isn’t something new, is it? He’s always like this.”
I shrugged lightly, and Rennen let out a soft laugh.
“Please understand. He’s been getting no sleep lately, so it’s only natural he’d be fatigued.”
“No sleep?”
“He’s never been one to sleep deeply, but recently he goes without sleep every other night, if not more often.”
Now that he mentioned it, his eyes did look a bit haggard.
Could the curse have grown stronger? There was a New Moon during his recent inspection period.
When I thought about it, the fact that he managed to be only this irritable on so little sleep was impressive. People need proper rest to regain composure and patience.
I fell into quiet contemplation.

* * *

Chirp, chirp—the cry of birds on a morning breeze.
The man lying on the spacious bed slowly opened his eyes. Kaien sat up gradually and looked around.
Sunlight streamed through the window, flooding the room with brightness. He stared blankly at the parts of his body bathed in that light.
Since returning to the castle, his nights of waking had noticeably diminished. More precisely, he’d stopped dreaming almost entirely.
What was happening?
Thanks to this, he’d been waking to remarkably refreshing mornings of late, but sudden changes almost always have a reason.
The fact that it changed the moment he arrived at the castle meant the cause was here. And he had one suspicion.
He removed his nightwear and dressed in suitable clothes, then made his way down to the Dining Hall below. The moment he opened the door, a woman with silver hair twisted up saw him and widened her eyes while still holding her fork.
Then she smiled brightly and greeted him.
“Good morning, Your Grace!”
It was this woman.

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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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