I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 69

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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 69
The Empire’s founder had corrected a cursed land ravaged by endless storms through his own abilities, claiming fertile territory as his own.
‘I shall save this land.’
Thus, the first Emperor, Endike Berus, became a sage ruler of unparalleled virtue, laying the foundation of a great empire without spilling a single drop of blood.
Officially, that is.
“History is always written from the victor’s perspective, after all.”
A vast cavern thick with dampness. Gregory stood in that darkness so profound the entrance was indiscernible, relying on a single torch for light.
The underground cavern was so immense that an entire noble estate could fit within it whole, and before him stood an altar in the shape of a well, bound tight by iron chains as though sealing something away.
“Without the flesh of these savages, we could not have transferred the ability.”
To the voice coming from behind, Gregory remained unmoved, his gaze fixed forward as he spoke.
“Watch your tongue. Should he hear such words, you’ll face punishment.”
Leon, Gregory’s aide and chief researcher of Umbra, gestured dramatically with an open hand.
“Ah, my mistake. That blood flows through him as well.”
Before Leon could finish speaking, his ear was severed clean away.
He felt warm blood gush forth, spattering across the tops of his feet. When he lifted his head, Gregory remained turned away, his eyes fixed upon the altar.
“Is the preparation of the goods complete?”
“Yes, we’ve secured sufficient quantities and begun distribution through the Market.”
The one whose ear had been taken, the one who had taken it. Both bore themselves as though nothing had transpired.
“Sio. Ensure it does not fall into his hands.”
“I shall obey, Commander.”
Leon’s shadow melted away into darkness, his hand pressed to his chest above his heart as he bowed deeply.
In the space he left behind lingered a metallic, coppery scent. Whether it stemmed from the ability of the dead or the traces of those whose lives had ended by his hand remained unknowable.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The silent altar rang out three times. The iron chains binding the well-like structure began to unwind of their own accord.
‘It seems he has finished.’
Like a lake at night where no wind blew, he waited quietly for the phenomenon before him to conclude.
A lid thicker than most doorframes slowly slid away from the altar. Through the gap that opened, crimson paper erupted forth, scattering wildly through the air.
The sharp paper left a thin red line across Gregory’s cheek as it passed, yet he stood motionless, unmoved.
“Sigh.”
A long breath escaped from within the fully opened altar. Soon a pale hand thrust upward, pressing against the wall.
Even in the darkness, the skin shone with an eerie, vivid luminescence.
“How much time has passed?”
“Ten days this time, sir.”
“Already? What of the ball?”
“There remain two days until the Royal Ball, so there is no cause for concern.”
At those words, the being laughed heartily.
“Fortunate indeed! Berus, I had wished to stain their festival with blood.”
Another pale hand emerged, and soon the figure pulled itself completely free from the altar. Black hair cascading to the shoulders, a hollow form devoid of vitality.
A man with a languid expression stepped upon the crimson paper and stretched. Gregory attended to the calamity with composure. Since the moment he had emerged from the altar, the screams of the dead in Gregory’s mind had grown unbearable, his very bones resonating with their wails—yet he revealed nothing.
“Come. Let us greet the finale—or rather, the beginning.”
“Yes, Tenel.”
Light drained from violet eyes that curved with delight. The androgynous face visible between black bangs belonged to Sio, Master of Arcadia.
* * *
I had never once believed my stamina was weak.
In the vast forest, the only thing I could do alone was relentless running and climbing anywhere, so my endurance—built from the baseline muscle mass of my race plus years of effort—rivaled that of most Knights.
“I think I’m going to die.”
But today, all those muscles meant nothing.
“You’re not going to die from this!”
Melissa burst into hollow laughter. At her expression—as if watching a child throwing a tantrum—I felt wronged.
“The ball isn’t until evening. Why must we start since last night?”
Surrounded by various ornaments and cosmetics, I voiced my complaints. Last night had been chaos with face masks, massages, and nail care. At dawn, it began with a bath in a bathtub overflowing with flower petals, followed by three hours or more spent on my hair alone.
‘I thought I could at least eat lunch and catch my breath, but now we’ve been primping for hours.’
When I attended the Hunting Festival, I had bathed and dressed properly, but the preparation for the ball was incomparably more grueling.
“Of course it’s necessary! This is the Imperial Royal Ball, after all.”
I recalled Isabella, who had yearned to attend the ball. A place of dreams for young ladies. But for me, who had lived freely, it was only an unfamiliar and difficult unknown world.
Seeing my obvious discomfort and unease, Melissa sighed quietly to herself.
“I know it feels strange and unpleasant because you’re unfamiliar with it. But the ball isn’t just about me—it’s where the entire House is revealed. The moment you step into the Royal Ball Hall, you become the face of House Voltier.”
‘The face of House Voltier.’
A year ago, I couldn’t have imagined such words. I had only thought of leaving, yet somehow I’d grown this close without realizing it.
“I will remember that.”
At my words, Melissa spoke in a playful tone, as if trying to ease my tension.
“Well, you don’t need to try too hard. All you have to do is watch the Young Master’s feet during the first dance, right?”
‘That’s probably going to be the hardest part.’
I rolled my trembling eyes away, avoiding her gaze. Suddenly, I was grateful that Theodore had grown stronger.
‘If he were still the sickly raccoon he used to be, he might have lost his feet.’
My unfocused vision finally fixed on the full-length mirror before me. The Claire in the mirror had thick pink hair woven with a yellow ribbon into a large braid that draped over her shoulder.
“Still, doesn’t it feel rewarding now that it’s done? And the dress suits you so perfectly!”
Melissa gazed at me, transformed into an entirely different atmosphere, and spoke with genuine admiration.
I wore a daffodil-yellow off-shoulder dress with delicate, layered lace that wasn’t excessive, and subtle beads that sparkled like the Milky Way beneath the light.
“You look like a bouquet of freesias.”
The person who had always dressed plainly now appeared completely transformed. Moreover, my compressed muscles, combined with my tall frame, created an elegant atmosphere reminiscent of a temple statue rather than anything excessive.
‘The Young Master won’t be able to focus.’
Whenever Melissa saw me, she recalled Theodore, whose eyes dripped with honey. It was then that Theodore, having finished his preparations, entered the room.
“Claire?”
Theodore’s eyes widened as he stepped inside with an expression matching Melissa’s imagination.
“Hehe.”
Melissa watched the Young Master, rendered speechless and entranced, with amusement. He stood frozen, unable to form words, captivated. At his innocent reaction, her heart tickled so much she let out a small laugh, then turned her head to check Claire’s response.
‘Hmm?’
Melissa stiffened in surprise. Contrary to her expectation that Claire would regard Theodore with her usual expressionless face, she too had frozen. Her mouth slightly open, her eyes had forgotten to blink.
“Wow.”
I didn’t even notice the exclamation slipping from my own lips.
‘Beautiful.’
Claire stared blankly at Theodore, who seemed to glow with an ethereal radiance.
With half his hair swept back and dressed in an immaculate white tailcoat, Theodore was a vision of artistry itself. Beneath his lustrous silver locks, his eyes shone with an even deeper blue than usual.
‘I already knew he was handsome.’
Even when he was ill, his features had been striking. I had certainly noticed how his beauty deepened as he recovered and life’s vitality kindled in his gaze, but seeing him deliberately prepared for the Royal Ball Hall was an entirely different revelation.
Claire’s eyes fell upon the boutonnière pinned to his chest—a delicate arrangement of fresh yellow freesias. It was unmistakably coordinated with Claire’s dress.
A symbol that they belonged to each other.
“You look quite dashing.”
As Claire fidgeted absently with the lace, Theodore finally came to his senses and spoke.
“You’re perfect. Beautiful, Claire.”
Between the two facing each other, a warm spring breeze spread swiftly.

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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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