I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 7

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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 7
“Wait.”
I was walking down the Corridor to return to my Room when Theodore stopped me.
Spotting the Head Butler, Bender Loferson, in the distance, Theodore halted the wheelchair I was pushing and gestured for him to approach.
Though Bender had clearly noticed Theodore, he made no move to come closer—until Theodore’s beckoning hand left him no choice but to obey.
“Ahem.”
Bender Loferson approached without bothering to hide his displeasure, offering a stiff bow.
“It has been a long time, Young Master.”
“Yes, indeed it has been quite some time.”
A heavy silence settled between them. Bender Loferson broke it first.
“Might I ask what you summoned me for?”
His narrowed eyes betrayed unmistakable irritation. I felt my blood boil.
‘If no one were watching, I’d kick him so hard he’d fly across the room.’
Where would hurt the most, I wondered seriously.
While I contemplated this, Theodore’s voice cut through the air, cold as winter frost.
“You put my maid to work tending the Garden? And kept her there until dawn?”
“Ah, did she say such a thing?”
Bender Loferson’s eyes flashed dangerously as he glared at me, but I snorted dismissively.
‘What are you looking at, you sluglike creature.’
“Answer my question.”
“Yes, that is correct. She appeared to have little work, so I assigned her tasks.”
At his brazen response, veins bulged across Theodore’s forehead.
“Do you not understand the meaning of ‘dedicated service’? To assign my maid to such menial labor is utterly unacceptable.”
“However, she is also a servant of this Mansion. As Head Butler, it is my duty to manage all the servants here—”
“Ha.”
Theodore laughed savagely and rose from his wheelchair with an unsteady motion.
I briefly wondered if his madness had flared up, judging by his rough gait and the wild gleam in his eyes.
“You fail to comprehend. Bender Loferson. I speak now in the name of Voltier.”
Bender Loferson’s composure crumbled, and he stumbled backward before Theodore seized him by the collar.
“Say another word. ‘Management’? You should know your master is Voltier.”
Bender Loferson’s face flushed crimson with indignation and rage, yet before the legitimate heir, he had no words to offer.
Only when Theodore saw the bloodshot eyes of the aging butler did he release his grip, hurling him away as he spoke.
“This must never happen again.”
Returning to his wheelchair, he tapped the armrest lightly.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, sir.”
I pushed the wheelchair forward with a light step, savoring the sight of Bender Loferson trembling with barely contained fury.
My mood had lifted considerably.
‘So he had such a spirited side. How admirable.’
Like a small raccoon puffing out its fur and hissing to protect me—it was genuinely moving.
My lips curved upward, loosened by joy.
Theodore, who had been glancing at Claire’s expression with his head half-turned, straightened his gaze and spoke.
“Your expression is impure.”
“Yes, sir.”
“The Flower Bed was quite pleasant.”
“Yes.”
A single petal descended on the breeze where the two had vanished.
* * *
A week had passed since the raccoon’s exploits restored us to peaceful routine.
The petty harassment I thought had finally ended returned in a different form.
“What?”
The meals had become noticeably meager.
My eyes grew cold as I gazed down at the plate I’d received.
A thin broth with only a few beans and no substance. The bread was so burnt on one side that it carried a bitter taste.
“Well, you should have come earlier during meal time.”
The Junior Cook responsible for serving flashed a smile brimming with petty satisfaction.
‘Hah.’
I was exasperated.
The quality of meals, which had been ordinary until recently, had plummeted sharply after the incident with the Head Butler. The pressure was so transparent and childish it bordered on laughable.
I ate my rice while treating the mocking gazes with indifference, lost in thought.
‘Hmm, I can manage with this for a while without complaint.’
My body, honed through years of intense training, was not so fragile as to collapse from a slightly diminished diet.
But Theodore was different.
This mad Mansion had subtly reduced Theodore’s meals as well.
“It’s too little.”
The sandwich had been halved. Its sparse filling went without saying.
“The Young Master barely finishes anything anyway. It’s more efficient than wasting it.”
The Cook shrugged and nudged my shoulder, clearly intending for me to take it and leave.
“It’s too little.”
I repeated myself.
“The Young Master’s condition is good these days, and his appetite has increased beyond his usual intake. He needs more nutritious food in this situation.”
The sensitive raccoon had been taking walks and sleeping more, so he was gradually gaining weight.
My duty was to attend to the Young Master. Since this was my first profession and I had grown quite fond of it, these fools who interfered with it irritated me.
“Who do you think you are, talking back? I’ve been watching the Young Master for ten years longer than you. If his belly’s full, he’ll just cause more trouble. Starving him to weaken him would be better for you too!”
“Ha.”
There was no reasoning with him.
I couldn’t allow a body that was finally recovering to be ruined by this fool.
I no longer hid my anger. A predator’s dense killing intent seeped into the air.
Surely garbage disposal fell within the scope of my duties as an attendant.
I swept my gaze left and right with a chill, confirming that only the Cook and I remained in the Corridor.
“Shut your mouth.”
“······What? Has this green brat lost his mind?! Do you know who’s backing me?! I’m nothing less than——”
Claire seized the Cook’s wrist before he could cry out, dragging him into the Food Storage. The Cook, bewildered by the sudden turn of events, found himself thrust face-first into a sack of flour.
“Aaaah!”
“Shh.”
Claire moved swiftly, clamping her hand over his mouth before he could shout and summon help.
“If you want to live, you need to read the room.”
Surrounded by walls on all sides, there was nothing to hold back. Looking down coldly at the thrashing Cook, Claire reached into a basket with one hand and withdrew a single potato.
Crunch.
With only her thumb and ring finger, she pressed lightly—and the potato crumbled like a strawberry, losing all shape.
Witnessing this up close, the Cook’s body trembled violently.
“It’s better if you don’t scream. A human throat is far more fragile than a potato.”
Had Angela witnessed this, she would have praised my mercenary talent without reservation—it was a flawlessly clean display of restraint.
The Cook nodded frantically, hiccupping as I withdrew my hand and stepped back.
“H-hic, why. Hic. Why are you doing this······. Hic.”
“Food.”
“Pardon?”
“Prepare the Young Master’s meals properly. Abundant and nutritious.”
‘Just for that, you’d threaten someone!’
Indignation flashed in the Cook’s eyes, but he had no words to offer in protest. He had no desire to have his head crushed like a potato.
“Understood, sir! Hic. I’ll do it! I’ll prepare meals with utmost sincerity!”
At those words, Claire nodded as if finally understanding had been reached.
“You’ve made a promise.”
Reverting to formal speech, Claire helped the Cook to his feet. She brushed flour from his body, then leaned down and whispered softly against his ear.
“Needless to say, this matter is a secret from everyone, including the Head Butler. I can track you anywhere.”
As Claire pressed down with her toes, the stone floor cracked and caved inward.
The Cook nodded frantically, and satisfied, Claire left the Food Storage.
After waiting briefly in the Corridor, the Cook rushed back into the Kitchen and returned with fresh dishes.
Salmon steak, soft bread, stew brimming with meat, and an assortment of fruits.
Satisfaction softened the intensity in Claire’s eyes.
‘Now this is how it should be.’
“I’d appreciate it if you continue preparing the Young Master’s meals with maximum nutritional value.”
“Y-yes, yes!”
“And please, speak more naturally.”
“O-okay.”
With the hunt successful, Claire leisurely pushed the trolley toward the Room where the white raccoon awaited.
The Cook, his tension finally released, slumped against the wall only after Claire had completely vanished.
* * *
Evening, with an abundant meal laid out.
Theodore could not hide his astonishment at the unusually elaborate menu.
“Did something happen at the Mansion today?”
“I couldn’t say. Perhaps the Cook had some good fortune.”
Claire feigned innocence as she handed Theodore a fork. Having already thrown a fit earlier, he had become remarkably docile.
“This is far too much.”
“You’re welcome to leave some, sir.”
Speaking matter-of-factly, he examined the food with a frown before turning back to Claire. “Why don’t we simply eat together? It seems sufficient for the two of us.”
“Let’s just eat together. It seems like there’s enough for both of us.”
At this unexpected invitation to share a meal, one of Claire’s eyebrows lifted slightly, then fell. ‘What’s gotten into him all of a sudden?’
“Why are you suddenly acting like that?”
As Claire paused to discern Theodore’s intentions, she soon seemed to grasp something. “Ah, are you worried about poison?”
“Oh, are you worried about poison?”
“That’s not it!”
Theodore’s sharp cry made him immediately clutch his forehead as though seized by a headache.
“Well, you did shout rather suddenly.”
Claire regarded him with something akin to pity. Theodore’s expression shifted to one of bewilderment.
“You are······.”

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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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