I Picked Up My Amnesic Ex-Husband - Chapter 29

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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 after he’d lost his memory.
Episode 29

Tedious.
Kaien murmured the thought inwardly, surrounded by countless people offering their greetings.
He’d never truly resented being born into the Imperial Family, saddled with its weight of obligation—yet without fail, each birthday that circled around brought first and foremost a sense of annoyance he couldn’t shake.
By nature, he preferred quiet to fanfare. Save for those rare occasions when soldiers’ morale needed bolstering, he seldom raised his voice at all.
To escape those pressing their salutations upon him, Kaien climbed the spiral staircase at the hall’s edge to the second floor. The moment he drew back the curtain and stepped onto the Balcony, soft sunlight rose to greet him.
Beneath him lay the Garden—a landscape of vibrant blooms and meticulously pruned trees in perfect arrangement.
“Ah, there you are, Your Grace.”
At the leisurely voice, he turned to find a silver-haired nobleman offering an exaggerated bow. The intentionality of it drew a quiet laugh from Kaien.
“Still the same, Richard.”
“People ought not to change so easily—or what use are they?”
He replied with easy cheek, moving to stand beside Kaien. Leaning lightly against the railing, Richard observed his friend as Kaien exhaled and added:
“It gets louder every year. Unbearably so.”
“Well, you never did care for these sorts of gatherings.”
“I’d rather be out on inspection. Anywhere but here.”
“Only a fool like you would claim the Battlefield is preferable, Kaien.”
They exchanged pleasantries in a noticeably more relaxed manner. Richard added teasingly:
“So then, newlywed as you are—are you at least enjoying yourself?”
“Enjoy? It’s nothing but political necessity. Surely you understand that much.”
Richard made no effort to hide his puzzlement at Kaien’s dismissive tone.
“Is that so? I’d have thought you’d find Wendy quite agreeable.”
“……You knew her before?”
“Elena’s younger sister—how could I not? We’ve spoken on several occasions, actually.”
“She has her peculiarities.”
The memory of Wendy—shameless in her sickly pretense, her gaze deliberately averted—rose unbidden, and Kaien’s lips curved into a softness he himself didn’t notice. Observing that shift carefully, Richard continued:
“She’s honest and spirited. Sharp-eyed despite the airs she affects, yet says what needs saying anyway. Fearless, really.”
Kaien’s brow creased faintly as he listened to Richard’s casual litany.
He understood it was mere information, yet it rankled him inexplicably. And because Richard was not one for empty flattery, his positive assessment of her surely carried weight—yet why did it displease him?
Why didn’t he welcome it?
“At least she doesn’t resemble that raccoon of a father.”
“I hear the Duchess accomplished quite a feat. Contributed immensely to her children’s prospects.”
Kaien glanced sideways at Richard’s profile as he spoke the quip.
Perhaps because he was so perceptive, there was something about him that set people at ease. It hardly seemed befitting a man of Duke Jervan’s bloodline.
……Come to think of it, wasn’t she similar in that way?
“So then—what of it? I heard you both came to the Imperial Palace together last spring? Word was you two seemed quite close.”
“His Majesty summoned us. But we weren’t particularly close, as such.”
“I heard it was Wendy who arranged this banquet. Proof she’s working as a proper mistress of the estate, isn’t it? That alone is unlike you.”
“Why take such an interest?”
“Well, that’s……”
Out of curiosity whether this woman might prove capable of shaking you at all.
Richard concealed the truth beneath a playful smile, regarding the man before him with docile eyes.
An elegant beauty bearing the Golden Eyes that symbolize dragon’s blood. Already lauded as the Empire’s greatest Sword Mage, wielding overwhelming martial might, and commanding legions of devoted followers.
Yet if one were to describe Kaien de Siegfried Elysion in a single word, Richard would answer without hesitation: Impassiveness.
He was always composed and serene. Even if a cherished subordinate drew a blade against him, he would meet that gaze unmoved and cut them down without flinching.
That he bore the Curse of Nightmare with such quiet forbearance could only be called relentless.
So sharp was his intuition that any spy planted in the Grand Duke’s Estate would be rooted out within a month.
Thus, it seemed inevitable he would treat a woman married to him through mere political expediency like a decorative flower—yet unexpectedly, he was permitting her considerable latitude. How unlike him it was.
“Since the marriage has occurred anyway, there’s nothing wrong with finding your partner agreeable, is there? Plenty of nobles marry for politics. If you’re to spend a lifetime together, you might as well.”
“She has her uses. But nothing beyond that.”
A chill entered his voice as Kaien cut him off. His face returned to its mask of impassivity, and he added quietly:
“I don’t mistreat those who pledge me loyalty. Not until they betray me.”
……
“Now that woman is Wendy Lemya Elysion, she’s come under my command. So I’m simply giving her a chance. As long as she keeps her place.”
Well, that’s as far as I go.
If Richard pressed further, Kaien would have him under watch as well—so he withdrew without hesitation.
“How fitting for the Grand Duke—utterly bloodless. Though, I doubt Wendy wanted this marriage in the first place.”
Of course, he didn’t forget to toss out a small stone under the guise of advice. Harmless enough, he thought.
“I’ve been meaning to mention it—you’re dropping the formal address rather carelessly, aren’t you?”
Hmm?
Richard blinked at the unexpected reply, reviewing his own words from a moment before. So that meant…
“The formal address? Ah—you mean calling her Wendy?”
“It would be wise to avoid giving grounds for criticism.”
Watching him neither confirm nor deny, Richard barely managed to close his mouth before it fell open entirely.
Did he truly feel nothing at all?
Or was it that calling Wendy by her given name displeased him—wasn’t that how it seemed?
Yet Kaien Elision was a man for whom principle came first, and with an older brother who was the Emperor himself, no less—one didn’t jump to conclusions easily around him.
“Very well, then. How ought I address her, if I may ask?”
“Why ask me? Judge for yourself.”
“I worry I might stumble again. Would ‘Your Highness Wendy’ serve?”
“…Something more formal would be preferable.”
What might have become a lengthy wrangle was interrupted by a light tapping at the curtained window. The tranquil air turned heavy at once.
Kaien opened his mouth softly.
“Who’s there?”
“It’s me, Wendy, Your Highness.”
A delicate voice answered quietly. Upon receiving permission to enter, a white hand drew back the curtain, and a head emerged.
The moment her eyes met Kaien’s, Wendy made no effort to hide her delight.
“So you’re…”
But the instant she spotted Richard, her expression soured. True to his mischievous nature, Richard struck first.
“You’ve arrived sooner than expected. I’d thought you’d have more time alone together.”
Wendy’s brow furrowed sharply at the man who’d thrown out such a loaded remark with playful intent. His meaning was perfectly transparent.
“Indeed, Elena and I had quite an intimate conversation, thanks to you. Perhaps I should have yielded the floor to the prince earlier?”
“That’s impossible, surely. After such a long separation, how could I be so tactless as to intrude as your betrothed?”
“I had no idea the Grand Duke and the prince were together—I do hope my arrival hasn’t been a hindrance.”
“Not at all. Your Highness’s generosity in sparing me these precious moments speaks for itself.”
After an exchange of pleasantries, Kaien at last opened his firmly closed lips.
“What brings you here?”
“There’s something I wished to tell you.”
Her glance toward Richard was not lost on Kaien, who nodded in his direction.
“Of course. I’ll take my leave as the unwelcome guest. Do enjoy your time together.”
Wendy watched with irritation as Richard disappeared beyond the Balcony, muttering to herself that the man certainly had a talent for needling people.
Once the window closed and his footsteps faded, Wendy finally spoke quietly.
“Did you and he discuss anything just now?”
“That’s none of your concern.”

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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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