I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 27

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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 27
“Sigh.”
The basement was shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by a handful of faint magical lamps. Crimson talismans clung to the walls like a suffocating embrace, and the floor was densely covered with arcane circles still stained with fresh blood.
From within that dizzying space, the sigh had originated from a structure resembling a well at the center.
“Indeed, a true Voltier. That swift method of severing life—truly worthy of his grandson.”
Gregory swam through the black water with a satisfied expression. Within the well-like abyss that revealed nothing of its depths, only his pale face stood out with eerie clarity.
Footsteps echoed, and soon a section of wall opened as a woman entered.
“Quite composed for someone who’s lost the ability to brainwash.”
Gregory, half-risen from the water, looked up at her while leaning against the well’s edge.
“What an honor that you would grace this humble place with your presence, Your Majesty the Empress.”
The Empress, Bianca, held her head high and gazed down at him with only her crimson eyes moving. The man with his shoulders exposed above the black well, his long hair spread about him, cut an enchanting figure—like a siren luring sailors to their doom.
“Had you not been so foolish, I would have had no reason to seek you out personally.”
Bianca brushed her golden hair back irritably.
“Do you have any idea how many precious corpses I’ve expended to make House Voltier compliant?”
Extracting abilities from corpses was never a simple task. To stably bind a departed soul, one had to endure the contamination of the living, and even then, the extracted ability rarely reached half its former power.
“I understand there are still many ability users hidden in the Underground Dungeon?”
“I did not leave them for you to squander.”
At those words, Gregory burst into laughter. The man, resting his chin in his hand with a languid expression, spoke.
“Why such displeasure? It was you yourself, Your Majesty, who said I could do as I pleased with House Voltier in exchange for granting the Crown Prince a powerful ability.”
At his words, sinews rose across the woman’s beautiful face.
“My meaning was not to squander. Especially that brainwashing ability you lost this time. Have you never once considered it wasteful?”
Brainwashing.
Gregory recalled the puppet he had stationed in the camp of Ludwig at the Border. One of his subordinates whose soul had been preserved and corrupted over long years—a living corpse possessed of the brainwashing ability.
“It is regrettable, but unavoidable. Since Voltier’s ability has returned, it was hardly a loss for me. Or perhaps you wish to blame me?”
Gregory looked up at Bianca with a delighted smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“How disappointing. I have been crawling through this hell for years to make the Crown Prince—who was not born with the Imperial Family’s abilities—into a powerful heir.”
Souls that touched the Underworld inevitably became corrupted. Wielding the abilities of the dead was akin to binding and reshaping a departed soul, then forcing it into one’s own body.
“So that the Crown Prince can exercise that power without side effects, I bear the sin in his stead….”
“Enough!”
Bianca snapped irritably and turned away sharply.
“That’s enough of that! I did not seek you out today to reproach you for that.”
Gregory shrugged playfully.
“Of course, I understand. You wish to enhance the Crown Prince’s abilities for next summer’s hunting festival?”
Bianca placed a hand to her forehead as if to soothe her throbbing head.
“Can you do it? He must shine far more brilliantly than Elliott.”
Gregory smiled at his leisure.
“If suitable materials are prepared, it is certainly possible.”
At those words, Bianca turned back to Gregory and smiled with a predatory edge. From the moment she had stained her hands with blood for her child, there was nothing left to hesitate over.
“Of course they are prepared.”
As she left the basement with a covetous smile, Gregory relaxed his body and lay back, spreading across the water’s surface. Though the ceaseless screams of the dead echoed from somewhere, he ignored them as if they were sweet music and closed his eyes in comfort.
‘Claire.’
The one with deep pink hair brushed past my head. A child who bore an uncanny resemblance to my mother, Veronica.
‘And a child who inherited my father’s ability intact.’
Though the child seemed unaware of their power, buried beneath the beast’s wild nature, if they truly possessed that gift, the Empress’s eyes would certainly turn inside out.
‘There’s no need to tell the Empress about this.’
A sweet, unmistakable fruit. I had no intention of sharing this unripe treasure with anyone. Gregory sank contentedly into the darkness.
* * *
“What is this?”
Claire’s pupils wavered.
A Dining Table laid out with such dazzling abundance that her jaw nearly dropped. Particularly striking was the beautifully seared, thick salmon steak. Claire swallowed hard, fighting back the saliva threatening to spill, and spoke.
“I am a servant. I cannot dine at this table with you.”
The Dining Room, which had remained closed for so long after Ludwig Voltier’s return, opened once more. Theodore’s physical condition had recovered considerably, and he no longer suffered episodes at the sight of Isabella, so naturally the family had begun taking meals together.
‘Yes, if we’re family, this should be natural.’
Claire’s confusion began the moment she realized there was a chair for her at the table as well.
“I can eat separately.”
Claire waved her hand dismissively. But Theodore regarded her calmly and spoke.
“It’s fine, Claire. Just think of it as no different from when we used to eat together, just the two of us. Only the location has changed.”
It was quite a brazen face.
‘How can this raccoon possibly say it’s just a different seat?’
Three of the four people at this table were Voltiers. At this rate, I was nothing more than an uninvited guest crashing a family gathering. As Claire’s expression soured, Isabella stepped forward.
“Claire, can’t we eat together?”
When a small hand carefully grasped my sleeve, Claire’s pupils trembled for a moment. She deliberately averted her gaze from those gentle eyes that threatened to spill tears at any moment.
“Tea time. I’ll join you for tea time. Not now.”
The expressions of the raccoon siblings grew melancholy.
“This salmon is really delicious. It would taste so much better if you ate it now.”
No amount of coaxing would work. Just as she was thinking of giving up, Ludwig opened his mouth with an impassive expression.
“House Voltier has a tradition of dining together with one’s benefactor.”
“A tradition?”
Theodore watched his grandfather tell the lie without a flicker of change in his expression, his face curious.
“Yes. It’s a tradition that has continued since my great-grandfather’s time. Those of House Voltier who fail to uphold this tradition suffer from stomach pain.”
Claire regarded Ludwig with suspicious eyes. But the gaze of the veteran who had rolled across battlefields for decades held not the slightest wavering.
“Sigh.”
Finally, Claire released a deep sigh and took her seat.
“You’re certain of this?”
“Of course. Now, let’s eat before it gets cold.”
Ludwig, his expression satisfied, picked up his utensils. The raccoon siblings, who had been regarding him with admiration for a moment, hurriedly moved their hands as well.
Claire picked up her fork, deliberately ignoring the discomfort in her heart. As she pierced the salmon steak, the tender flesh lifted effortlessly onto the fork without any force required.
‘Well, since I’m being treated as a guest, I should at least finish the plate.’
The moment she took that first bite, she trembled silently.
‘This is extraordinary.’
The salmon I’d eaten before was delicious enough, but the new Cook’s skill transcended mere culinary competence. Premium salmon procured for the head of House Voltier, combined with masterful technique, created a flavor of sublime perfection.
‘The skin is crisp yet never dry, the flesh tender and succulent, utterly devoid of any fishiness.’
I wanted to maintain an air of indifference, but my lips curved upward unbidden.
“Claire, try this too! It’s honey-glazed pork roast.”
“This fruit is delicious as well!”
Without my doing anything, dishes continued to materialize before me. Each one was an exquisite delicacy.
“How is it? Delicious, isn’t it?”
As Claire lifted her head, her cheeks bulging with food, I saw three pairs of blue eyes gazing at me with smiles. For a moment, I stared at them in a daze before collecting myself and swallowing.
“Yes, it’s quite delicious.”
It was a strange feeling. Back at the silent Cabin, I’d often felt awkward sitting alone at a table meant for four, so I’d taken my meals standing in the Kitchen.
‘How long has it been since a meal felt this lively?’
Today, the food seemed particularly warm.

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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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