I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 72

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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 72
“That face… could it be!”
His voice trembled—a mixture of joy and sorrow.
“Could you be… Ian’s…?”
Hector’s glistening eyes met my dry gaze.
‘Copper-colored eyes.’
From the man’s reaction and the sight of Rozina standing diagonally behind him, I could piece together who he was.
“It seems you have something to tell me. Shall we move somewhere more private?”
I was somewhat surprised by my own words. I’d expected complex emotions upon seeing someone from the Lloyd Family, yet instead my heart grew calm and composed.
Perhaps it was because the man bore far less resemblance to Ian than I’d anticipated. In fact, Rozina, a distant relative compared to Hector’s direct kinship, resembled Ian far more.
‘All these eyes are on us.’
Moreover, his exaggerated reaction had drawn the surrounding onlookers’ gazes, which now gleamed like hawks spotting prey.
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
Hector, speaking casually as though we were familiar, followed me to the terrace from before.
“Claire.”
Kenneth, having grasped the situation, fell into step beside me. Having grown up under Sio as an information broker, he’d come to know the affairs of most nobles.
‘Hector Lloyd. Ten years Ian’s senior and the one most eager to drive him to exhaustion—or so the intelligence suggested.’
A man who’d squandered his wealth on indulgence, blinded by the money his younger brother brought in.
Yet this Hector, who showed no brotherly affection—insisting Ian’s healing sessions be increased regardless of his condition—was now displaying tender feelings toward me?
Kenneth would have wagered his position as Information Bureau Branch Director that the man’s demeanor was false.
“And who might you be?”
Hector regarded Kenneth with suspicion as he entered the terrace. Though they’d never met, the young man carried an air of nobility that suggested he belonged to some prestigious house.
But I cut off Hector’s words before he could continue.
“He’s simply my friend. But it seemed you had something to tell me.”
Hector’s face nearly contorted with embarrassment, but he forced it into a smile. The man, still hoping to gain something, swallowed his pride and pressed on with his act.
“Ah yes! Tell me—do you know your father’s name?”
“Yes. It’s Ian.”
“Just as I thought! You’re my niece!”
At Hector’s theatrical display, Rozina squeezed her eyes shut.
‘If the Crown Prince himself takes an interest, then surely her abilities…’
Hector had seemed excited from the moment he saw me dancing with Aaron.
He’d been eager to meet me, fidgeting with anticipation, yet this was the meeting that had finally come to pass.
“Your niece?”
“Yes, it may come as a shock, but your father Ian is of House Lloyd and my younger brother—”
What followed in his lengthy explanation differed little from what I already knew.
How my sickly father, on his way to recuperate, had fallen in love with a mercenary hired as his escort and disappeared.
The difference was that Hector claimed to have understood Ian’s rebellion, and now asked only that I, his daughter, return to the Lloyd Family.
“Only after Ian vanished did I realize what he truly wanted was freedom. But Claire, I wish to keep you by my side, care for you, and give you all the things I couldn’t give Ian.”
Despite his earnest words, my expression remained unchanged. Sensing my indifference, Hector spoke again with urgency.
“If you wish it, I shall acknowledge you as my own daughter! You would bear the Lloyd name and possess the rights of an heir. As my blood, you deserve nothing less!”
At those words, Rozina bit down hard on her lower lip. Even if it was mere bluster, it was a right she had never been granted—not once—despite having crawled through fire and blood for the Lloyd Family.
“That’s right! My adopted daughter Rozina is just a year older than you, so you two can live like sisters and won’t feel lonely!”
Hector Lloyd grabbed Rozina by the wrist and pulled her forward.
‘It hurts.’
Rozina barely managed to smooth out her crumpling expression.
She wanted to flee. It had only been a few days since she’d acted out toward Claire and parted on bad terms. Simply standing before her made her face burn with shame.
‘This is going to hurt.’
Claire gazed sympathetically at Rozina’s wrist, which was beginning to redden, and redirected Hector’s attention.
“It’s all so sudden that I’m at a loss for words, I’m afraid.”
“Mm, I suppose that’s understandable.”
“I need a few days to think it over.”
“Of course! I should consult with Count Voltier as well. Once you become my daughter, your status won’t be beneath House Voltier.”
At his words, Kenneth stifled a bitter laugh internally.
‘He naturally assumes Count Voltier would find Claire’s status lacking. How much like me that is.’
The shameless attitude that only the Lloyd Family could grant legitimacy to House Voltier’s flaw.
‘Is he really Claire’s uncle?’
The two men were so different in capacity that it made one doubt whether their blood was truly shared.
“I await your decision.”
With that, Hector Lloyd extended his hand for a handshake. As Claire grasped it, he wrapped his other hand over the back of hers and added earnestly:
“I hope you’ll give Lloyd a chance. So that he might receive what I failed to give Ian.”
Claire withdrew her hand and gave a small nod without answering. Hector Lloyd gazed at her regretfully before leading Rozina out onto the terrace.
Click.
Silence returned once more.
“Claire, are you alright?”
At Kenneth’s concerned question, Claire nodded calmly while staring at the doorway. After a moment of contemplative silence, she spoke.
“He’s been deliberately avoiding any mention of my mother.”
No matter how resentful one might be toward Ian and Veronica’s escape, it was strange not to mention her at all—especially given her mysterious death.
“That is odd. Could Lloyd possibly be….”
Kenneth trailed off.
He had long harbored suspicions that Hector Lloyd might be connected to Veronica’s death, but considering the shock Claire must have endured, he couldn’t bring himself to voice it.
However, Claire didn’t notice Kenneth’s concern and spoke directly.
“It’s strange. He doesn’t seem clever enough to have dealt with my mother.”
“Hm?”
From this brief encounter alone, Hector Lloyd appeared to be the type far removed from a strategist.
“Even if he were involved, he wouldn’t be the mastermind.”
At Claire’s cool gaze, Kenneth found himself nodding as if entranced.
The legendary mercenary Veronica. Her fame stemmed not merely from her martial prowess. She possessed the ability to read the flow of situations and devise solutions—strategy.
A mercenary’s golden badge was not given freely.
“Understood. For now, it would be best to observe how he acts.”
Claire nodded quietly.
There were too many threads woven together—Gregory, Umbra, the Market—to vent her frustrations on the prey directly before her eyes.
A hunter must possess patience, after all.
Recalling a lesson my mother had imparted to me long ago, I moved forward quietly.
* * *
Hector Lloyd hastily rolled up his long sleeves the moment he slipped out of the Terrace into the Secluded Corridor, checking the silver bracelet on his wrist.
A delicate chain bracelet with a crystal smaller than a pinky nail embedded in its center—the yellow crystal gleamed softly, and joy flooded Hector Lloyd’s face as he confirmed its glow.
“Born with it after all!”
An artifact capable of detecting whether others possessed supernatural abilities.
The moment that ridiculously expensive equipment finally proved its worth had arrived.
“I was worried about the filthy beastkin blood mixed in, but Ian left behind at least one gift!”
Hector Lloyd’s eyes gleamed with avarice.
‘Which ability is it? Well, either way is a goldmine, so it doesn’t matter.’
All that remained was to manipulate that young, vulgar thing and bring her to the Lloyd Family.
‘If she resists, there are plenty of ways to make her obedient.’
His darkened crimson eyes fixed on Rozina, who held her breath in silence. A foolish girl who danced on strings when her family’s safety was held hostage.
‘Claire would be no different.’
The guilt he had never felt while exploiting his own sister would hardly suddenly emerge for his niece.
“God truly favors House Lloyd.”
“…Yes.”
Rozina answered with a forced smile, her dress hem clutched tightly, and Hector Lloyd’s eyes sharpened in an instant.
“But you—didn’t you build a rapport with Claire during the Hunting Festival?”
Rozina’s shoulders trembled.
Whether God favors House Lloyd or not, I know He has abandoned me.
The Secluded Corridor was filled with her despair.

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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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