I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 32

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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 32
A crisp breeze swept through the air.
As I tied back the curtains and gazed upward, the sky seemed unusually vast, and I found myself momentarily captivated by its expanse.
‘I should begin preparing for winter soon.’
The vibrant autumn foliage was beautiful, yes—but it also signaled that the time for my hibernation drew near.
‘I’ll need to find boards to seal the windows and doors. And with my finances improving, perhaps I should invest in new bedding?’
A thick, fluffy comforter might be worth purchasing this time. Having grown accustomed to the cloud-like comfort of the bedding provided by House Voltier, the thought of returning to thin quilts felt rather disappointing.
“Claire.”
I turned at the voice behind me. The young man who stood there was no longer small by any measure—he was bathed entirely in the light streaming through the window.
“Young Master.”
“I’ve come to fetch you.”
The scrawny raccoon of just a few months ago had vanished entirely. In his place stood a man with luxurious silver hair that seemed to shimmer with vitality, his eyes crinkling as he smiled. Though his muscles were still developing and gave him a lean appearance, I suspected no one would dare call him weak anymore.
‘He won’t go flying across the room with a single blow now.’
I finished arranging the curtains and approached him.
“I assure you, there’s no need for me to accompany you.”
“There you go again.”
Theodore sighed with exasperation. A traveling theater troupe had arrived at the Estate—one of considerable renown. It had all begun when Isabella expressed her desire to see their performance.
“It’s better when we all go together.”
An outing had been hastily arranged. A simple promise: go out, watch the play, enjoy some good food, and return. Though I had ultimately agreed to Isabella’s whims, the entire affair felt peculiar to me.
‘This is my first time venturing into the streets proper.’
While I had some experience going out—meeting with Angela, visiting the Information Broker Network—entering the heart of the commercial district was entirely unfamiliar. When I could not control my beastkin strength, crowds had been something to avoid at all costs.
“I’ve prepared clothes for you.”
“I’m fine going as I am.”
“Still, it would be nice to match the dress code.”
“There’s a dress code?”
“Yes.”
It was a lie.
The traveling theater troupe was among the most prestigious in the Empire, but it was hardly a place that demanded formality.
“Let’s watch the play, enjoy some good food, and head back. I know an excellent restaurant.”
I had discovered the most renowned establishment among those specializing in salmon. I had even arranged to reserve the entire restaurant.
“Just think of it as a leisurely outing.”
Theodore offered a relaxed smile, though his true feelings were far different.
‘Today is finally here.’
Though Claire remained unaware, my clothing and hair were meticulously chosen, and my demeanor was exaggeratedly mature—far more so than usual. I barely managed to suppress the trembling in my hands born of anxiety.
‘Claire’s contract expires soon. I must find a way to change her mind.’
I had broached the subject several times already, only to be refused each time. Ludwig, Isabella, myself—no one in the Mansion had succeeded in swaying Claire’s determination to leave.
‘If only she would tell me why.’
Claire had deliberately avoided mentioning her hibernation to us. She believed that once she departed, we would never meet again.
“I have already changed into different clothes.”
The pale yellow dress I wore reflected my tastes—modest in design yet comfortable for movement.
“It really does suit you!”
“Claire, you look so beautiful!”
The raccoon siblings waiting for her in the First Floor Lobby exclaimed excitedly. But Claire narrowed her eyes and looked between them alternately.
Clothing in similar hues. It was an endearing sight, as though the three of them had coordinated their outfits.
“You both changed your clothes as well?”
“Mm-hmm. Oh! We’ll be late! Let’s go!”
The siblings, creaking like mechanical dolls, hurried Claire toward the carriage. Claire allowed herself to be pulled along by Isabella, feigning reluctance. Just as the larger raccoon had grown healthier, Isabella too had blossomed noticeably.
Her smile had become natural, and her demeanor far brighter. Claire found that pleasing.
“Today’s play is the one that was hugely popular at the Convent before. Especially the male lead….”
As I savored her cheerful chatter like music, we soon arrived at our destination. Theodore descended first and lifted Isabella down before extending his hand to me.
“Come, Claire.”
The hand offered before me felt oddly embarrassing, so I averted my gaze.
“There’s no need to escort a servant, truly.”
“But you didn’t come as a servant today.”
Then what capacity did I come in?
The question rose swiftly, but I didn’t voice it. Asking such a thing would only yield an answer that would trouble me.
After a moment’s hesitation, I placed my fingertips over his hand.
‘Hmm, the training is bearing fruit.’
Grasping Theodore’s hand and descending from the carriage, I observed his eyes intently. His pupils showed no luminous aura—the mark of an ability. The training Ludwig and I had conducted to suppress my power seemed to be working.
Once I had confirmed this, I released his hand without hesitation and whispered.
“I see. You were testing whether I could control my ability, weren’t you? As you can see, it’s flawless.”
At my somewhat smug tone, Theodore’s words caught in his throat.
“No, that’s not what I meant at all!”
Isabella regarded him with sympathy before turning toward the Audience Seating.
* * *
The play was ordinarily entertaining.
A princess and a prince. A colossal monster that appeared one day. The princess saves the prince and nearly loses her life, but is revived. The prince then rescues the princess.
Conventional, yet precisely because of that—a satisfying happy ending.
‘How fascinating.’
I watched the Theater Stage with complete absorption.
The days when novels borrowed through Angela constituted my entire cultural life now felt distant. The play, enriched with elaborate sound effects and theatrical spectacle, struck me as an entirely different form of stimulation.
Though I appeared composed, my bright eyes remained fixed on the stage—a detail Theodore observed with quiet delight.
‘Thank goodness. She seems to be enjoying herself.’
Though this was his first experience as well, Theodore found Claire’s expression of joy far more captivating than the happiness depicted in the play itself.
‘I’m being watched.’
His eyes, which had been regarding Claire with affection, swept across the Audience Seating with only a glance. Unlike the warmth directed at her, his expression now carried something measured and cool.
‘I hope they remember clearly that she belongs to House Voltier.’
Since Ludwig’s return, the Voltier Family had worked to restore their reputation. They had announced that their sole heir had safely awakened his ability and recovered from madness, and implemented various welfare measures for the Estate’s people to win back their hearts.
‘So Gregory Voltier had harbored such intentions all along!’
‘Watch your tongue! You’re not part of House Voltier anymore!’
He made certain to reveal the extent of Gregory’s misdeeds as well. Though being manipulated by an adopted child and nearly facing annihilation was undeniably shameful, with Theodore’s awakening of such formidable power, it would not take long for House Voltier to reclaim its former authority.
‘No one must ever lay a hand on Claire.’
Thus, he made their presence together public and unmistakable. The gossips scattered throughout the audience seating would undoubtedly have their tongues wagging incessantly.
‘If I cannot hide Claire, then I must shelter her entirely beneath House Voltier’s protection.’
Ludwig and Theodore had investigated her bloodline since learning of her ability. Beyond the extraordinary nature of the power itself, what troubled them was how Gregory had spoken of it—as though he possessed knowledge of it.
Through their inquiry, her mother’s identity was easily determined to be the gold-ranked mercenary Veronica, thanks to her distinctive appearance and the telltale features of a bear-human hybrid.
‘The Lloyd Family shows no reaction now, but once Claire’s appearance becomes known to the outside world, it won’t be long before they take notice.’
The ease of identification posed a grave problem—others could just as readily deduce this information.
‘Claire has already revealed herself to the masses. Moreover, she has become quite renowned as the maid who subdued House Voltier’s madness.’
Theodore’s eyes darkened. In the end, it was he who had endangered Claire.
‘Then I shall be the one to protect her.’
For that purpose, Theodore was prepared to endure anything.

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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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