I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 19

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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 19
“What a pity.”
At Gregory’s words tinged with amusement, I released my grip and rose from my seat. The Head Maid seized the opportunity to scramble to her feet and flee behind the knights.
“What do you mean?”
“Everything.”
Gregory’s laughter deepened. I despised his smile. His expression was like a meticulously crafted mask—a smile that appeared calculated, as though sculpted from a perfectly calibrated doll.
“I never expected you to remain docile in the Prison, but I confess I didn’t anticipate your escape so swiftly.”
I chose not to respond. Whatever I said would only worsen my position.
‘Five knights and Gregory. Is escape possible?’
As I searched for the knight with the most vulnerable stance, Gregory spoke in a voice as gentle as one soothing a child.
“Concealing your status as a beastkin is a grave crime. It appears the documents you submitted were also falsified. Dear me, how shall we punish this? Claire, do you have anything to say?”
His long navy hair, reaching his waist, fluttered lightly in the night breeze. The strands, their edges blurred as they dissolved into the darkness, rippled softly.
‘I need to escape.’
Having completed my survey of the surroundings, I made my decision. While Gregory showed no openings, I believed I could overpower the knights and flee.
‘Now.’
It was the moment I concentrated my strength into my leg muscles for the leap.
‘Hm?’
I sensed a familiar presence approaching.
“Wait, please!”
‘Young Master Theodore?’
A man staggered through the knights, forcing his way between them. It was Theodore.
“Please wait a moment, Uncle.”
Upon reaching me, he pushed me behind him as though shielding me from Gregory, spreading both arms wide. My eyes widened.
‘The Young Master came out of his Room on his own?’
He who had always been reluctant to leave his Room, who had relied on his wheelchair even to venture into the Garden. Yet this time, he had stepped out of his own volition.
I stared blankly at his back. I had only ever thought of protecting him, never imagining I would be the one protected.
His gaunt, slender back seemed larger than ever today.
‘I can no longer call him a young raccoon. At the very least, he’s become a full-grown one.’
Unaware of the brilliant gleam in my eyes, Theodore cried out with an anguished expression.
“I already knew Claire was a beastkin! I accepted her as my personal maid knowing this fact!”
“Is that so?”
Gregory replied with kindness, then continued with a regretful expression, his brows drooping.
“However, that does not absolve the falsification of documents and this situation you’ve created.”
At those words, Theodore answered without the slightest change in his gaze, as though he had anticipated this.
“I agree. However, I have already forgiven the concealment of her beastkin status, and we concluded our discussion by maintaining the employment relationship.”
Theodore paused as though collecting his breath, then lifted his head and met Gregory’s gaze fully as he spoke.
“I am also a legitimate member of House Voltier. I believe there is no issue with personally selecting my own attendant.”
At those words, a profound emotion close to elation flickered across Gregory’s expression before vanishing in an instant.
‘What was that just now?’
I felt goosebumps rise along my spine. A murky, profound emotion so unsettling it sent chills through me. For the first time, I had glimpsed Gregory’s true expression.
“Every choice carries responsibility, and responsibility carries weight. Can you bear that weight?”
As Gregory, once again donning the mask of a benevolent elder, posed the question, Theodore answered without hesitation.
“I can.”
Gregory, who had been studying Theodore’s confident declaration, soon broke into a smile.
“That’s what it means to be House Voltier. I trust your choice.”
“But why! That prisoner is dangerous!”
The Head Maid, who had been lurking in the shadows to observe the situation, let out an unexpected cry. As Gregory glanced briefly at her crawling out from the Grass Field, he gestured, and two knights seized the Head Maid’s arms and vanished.
“Take Claire back to her Room.”
Gregory turned toward the direction the knights had disappeared, speaking as he did. Theodore exhaled in relief before turning back toward Claire.
“Claire! Are you alright?”
With the tension lifted, he hurried to check her condition. Claire shrugged in response.
“I’m fine. But do you have the key to these shackles?”
The remnants of shackles still hung loosely around both her wrists like bracelets.
* * *
“Claire!”
As they returned to the Main Building, an unexpected face greeted them. Isabella, who had been hiding near the Entrance Hall waiting for them, stepped forward.
“Claire! I’ve been waiting for you!”
Isabella came rushing forward with a bright smile, but stopped short upon spotting Theodore.
“Oh, Brother.”
“Isabella.”
The siblings locked eyes for the first time in nearly a year and a half. Tears welled up in Isabella’s eyes in an instant. Before she could even process the overwhelming emotion, the child cried out in alarm.
“I’m sorry! I’ll go inside right away!”
‘If I stay, my brother’s condition will only worsen.’
It was just as Isabella was hurriedly turning to leave.
“Bella, wait!”
Theodore caught hold of his younger sister as she tried to flee.
‘Just a moment. Just a brief moment.’
Children grow quickly. His younger sister, whom he hadn’t seen in so long, was slightly taller than he’d imagined, though noticeably thin. He wanted to stroke Isabella’s hair, but found himself unable to raise his hand.
Claire observed Theodore’s trembling arm and spoke.
“A brief conversation shouldn’t be a problem, should it? If anything goes wrong, I’ll stop it.”
At her words, the siblings exchanged hopeful glances.
‘Yes, perhaps a conversation would be alright.’
Had they not seen each other directly, they might have endured it, but from the moment they confirmed each other’s presence, they couldn’t suppress their excitement.
The two continued their conversation for just over five minutes. It was far too brief to resolve a year and a half of longing, yet as some of the emotional weight lifted, their expressions grew peaceful.
“Sleep well, Bella.”
“You and Claire too, Brother!”
As they were about to part after their evening greetings, Claire noticed that Isabella’s gaze, as she turned to leave, had fixed upon her animal ears.
“Would you like to touch them if you’re curious?”
“Huh?”
Isabella, startled, hesitated uncertainly before asking softly.
“Are you really sure it’s okay to touch them?”
“Of course.”
Claire lowered herself to make it easier for Isabella to reach her ears. Isabella carefully nestled the round brown ears into her palms.
“Oh! They’re so soft.”
The supple, warm ears were remarkably soft to the touch. Isabella gently rotated both ears with both hands, massaging them with evident satisfaction. Claire’s expression softened at the pleasant sensation.
“Are you a dog-type beastkin, Claire?”
Isabella asked while picturing a cozy-looking brown dog.
“No. I’m a bear—a brown bear.”
But the answer that came back was that of a massive brown bear. Both siblings appeared equally dumbfounded by this unexpected revelation, their faces going slack. Finding it rather amusing, Claire couldn’t help but laugh aloud.
* * *
“Just go rest already.”
“I’m fine.”
Shortly after returning to the Room, Theodore wanted Claire to head straight to the Lodging, but she stubbornly refused.
‘I can’t afford to rest just because something unusual happened.’
I’d already lost nearly a full day to my poor condition. I needed to at least ensure the bedding was properly prepared.
“Still, I’m relieved everything went well.”
“Right. It was nice seeing her after so long.”
The two recalled their time with Bella. After parting with the child, they had braced themselves for Theodore’s breakdown, but fortunately nothing had occurred.
‘Before, he would have an episode right after Bella visited. That’s why we never dared attempt a meeting, but this time we were fortunate.’
Thanks to Claire, they had succeeded in a meeting they’d previously been too afraid to even attempt.
“Claire, how are your ears?”
At Theodore’s question, Claire shook her head.
“Not yet. They should retract once I sleep, don’t you think?”
The round ears showed no sign of disappearing, twitching merrily as if to prove the point.
‘They’ll be uncomfortable when I sleep.’
Claire approached the Window. The ears, still very much present, reflected in the glass. As she touched her reflection and considered wearing a hat instead, she suddenly noticed in the glass that the reflection wasn’t just hers—there were two figures.
“Oh no.”
Theodore, lifting a chair above his head, swung it toward the Window where Claire stood. With a violent crash, the glass shattered into countless pieces.

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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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