I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 64

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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 64
‘Prove your usefulness.’
Throughout the carriage ride, I fought the urge to retch, struggling to compose myself.
The second day of the Hunting Festival was about to begin.
Despite being the head of his own house, Hector—clumsy with horses—had feigned illness to avoid attending the festival, yet still piled task after task upon me.
‘Claire, that girl… there’s talk that she’s no ordinary acquaintance of House Voltier’s heir. If she truly is Ian’s daughter, then Lloyd could become House Voltier’s in-law. We need to grow closer to her by any means.’
The words were utterly repugnant.
I had come to Lloyd as a replacement for Ian, so I could easily imagine the treatment Ian had endured. I couldn’t fathom how Hector had the audacity to speak such words after grinding people to their limits, driving even his own blood to flee.
‘This time, you must strike up a conversation with her. Draw her attention however you can!’
Yet despite his reckless words devoid of foresight, I had no choice but to nod. If I defied Hector now, support for my mother back home would surely be cut off.
“I’m so tired of this.”
The landscape visible through the carriage window drew steadily closer to the Hunting Grounds. Since all my attendants were Hector’s people, ignoring Claire would certainly result in a report reaching his ears.
As the carriage halted, I gazed at the opening door with the expression of one who had resigned themselves to fate. For a moment, the innocent girl I’d met at the Market flickered in my mind, but it scattered like an afterimage and vanished.
* * *
Melissa fled from the women swarming toward her with hyena-like curiosity, taking refuge at Ilya’s table. Since Ilya’s table remained unpopular, securing a seat proved effortless.
“Did you rest well these past two days?”
“Yes, and did you rest well too?”
“Of course.”
Simple pleasantries were exchanged. I wanted to ask about the light in Ilya’s eyes that day, but her current serene expression made it difficult to open my mouth.
‘Perhaps I simply misread it that day.’
Fresh pastries unlike those from the first day filled the table. My eyes sparkled as I gazed at the cake with its many layered tiers.
‘I want to eat it quickly.’
I glanced sideways at Ilya, my elder, gauging her reaction. At my expression, Ilya smiled softly and lifted her teacup.
“Please, make yourself comfortable today as well.”
The same gentle atmosphere as the first day flowed between us. I sat quietly, engaging in light conversation and savoring the delicious food. But this time, Melissa kept her shoulders rigid, unwilling to let her guard down.
‘If I look away for a moment, she might disappear!’
As if facing her four-year-old son, Melissa resolved to get through the second day without incident.
“Hmm, it seems you were quite hungry, Miss Claire?”
But there was a new variable this time—newcomers had arrived at the table.
“Pardon?”
A young noblewoman of Claire’s age, her orange hair tied back, spoke with one hand covering her mouth.
“It seemed you hadn’t eaten. You’re eating the cake like a meal.”
At those words, Melissa’s eyebrows twitched. The girl was subtly insinuating that Claire lacked refinement by indulging in desserts so freely.
Just as Melissa set down her teacup to speak on Claire’s behalf, Claire’s voice opened first.
“I have eaten. But it seems my appetite for sweets knows no bounds.”
“…Pardon?”
“The cake is simply delicious. Would you care to try some?”
Claire gazed at her with an innocent expression, as if ready to offer a slice at any moment. Caught off guard by the straightforward response, the girl faltered with a cough before speaking again.
“Ahem, it seems you’re unfamiliar with tea culture?”
A jab at Claire’s status as someone raised among commoners. Just as Melissa was about to intervene again, Claire beat her to it once more.
“Yes. I’m not accustomed to it.”
Unfamiliar with it, she spoke of her unfamiliarity. It was a natural response from anyone, but for a woman who had spent her entire life treading the thin ice of High Society, that purity became a counterattack instead.
“Ah… well then, please enjoy your meal.”
“Yes, thank you.”
She, deflated somehow, left the Dining Table. Melissa barely suppressed a laugh threatening to escape. Ilya seemed similarly affected, her right hand covering the corner of her mouth.
‘Today is going to pass incredibly quickly.’
Just as Melissa felt relief, someone stepped into the Pavilion.
‘That person!’
Melissa’s eyes widened as she turned toward the Entrance. Wavy blonde hair cascading to the waist and subtle tan-brown eyes. The moment I confirmed her appearance, someone came to mind.
‘Rosina Lloyd!’
Rosina Lloyd, whom Theodore had earnestly warned me to avoid, had entered the Pavilion and was quietly observing Claire.
“Hey, Claire!”
Melissa tried to draw Claire’s attention, but Claire sensed the presence first and turned her head. Claire’s eyes widened as she looked toward the Entrance.
‘That person from before!’
The interesting person she had met at the Market. She was standing there.
* * *
Rosina Lloyd, who had visited the Medical Office first to calm her unsettled nerves born from anxiety, arrived at the waiting Pavilion slightly later than the others.
Unfortunately, the moment I stepped inside, I immediately saw Claire’s back, her hair tied up high.
‘Of all times.’
The seats were already nearly full, so the only spacious table was where Claire sat. As I gazed at it with a complicated expression, Claire, sensing my gaze, turned her head.
Looking at Claire’s eyes, where inexplicable warmth bloomed, Rosina found herself wondering.
‘Does she greet me knowing I’m from Lloyd?’
I couldn’t tell if she truly didn’t know or was brazenly pretending not to. Eventually, Rosina barely moved her reluctant feet toward the seat beside Claire.
‘I’ll just confirm it.’
Stopping beside the table and maintaining proper courtesy, Rosina asked.
“I am Rosina Lloyd of House Lloyd. Would it be alright if I sat with you?”
Melissa bit the inside of her cheek hard. With an empty seat right there, refusing would have been strange. Once Ilya gave permission, Rosina took a seat across from Claire.
The moment Claire heard Rosina’s full name, her face went slightly blank as she quietly observed her.
Melissa gave Claire’s thigh a light tap, intending to bring her back to her senses.
‘Lloyd.’
Claire quietly observed Rosina’s tan-brown eyes. A gentle hue resembling her father. Now that I thought about it, Theodore had once mentioned that Lloyd had taken in an adopted daughter from a cadet branch.
‘Then this person is…’
Claire remained unable to gather her wits for some time. Her feelings were strange. She was the first blood relative I had met since my parents passed away.
‘I thought anger would surge the moment I saw Lloyd.’
After hearing from Kenneth that my father had been exploited for his healing ability by House Lloyd, I had never harbored good thoughts toward the family. I had even suspected they were involved in my mother’s death.
‘But I don’t dislike this person.’
She, with a composed face, didn’t avoid my gaze and met my eyes steadily. I had already seen how she smiled during our encounter days ago.
“Is there something on my face?”
At Rosina’s words, Claire belatedly came to her senses and shook her head.
“Ah, forgive me. Someone came to mind, and I found myself staring without realizing it. I am Claire, attending as Theodore Voltier’s partner.”
Rozina had no idea that the woman she’d met at the Market that day was Claire. At the time, Claire had completely altered her appearance using Ebon’s ability.
That’s why Rozina couldn’t understand why Claire was gazing at her with such warmth and favor.
“Hmm, do you know me? Do I resemble you greatly?”
I answered as though nothing was amiss, though part of me wanted to flee. Claire and I shared no resemblance whatsoever—save for one thing: the color of our eyes was identical.
“Yes, you resemble them greatly.”
It was easy to discern who Claire was superimposing onto me. Bright golden hair with a slight wave, pale brown eyes, fair skin. The portrait of Ian that I’d seen hanging in Hector’s room flashed before my mind in an instant.
‘Don’t look at me with those eyes.’
Watching those eyes brimming with longing, I clenched my fist beneath the Dining Table.

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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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