I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 84

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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 84
Sio’s Greenhouse was a familiar place to Kenneth. Before he had begun learning Guild work in earnest, it had been nothing less than a playground for him.
“Once I grew old enough to understand, I realized what a remarkable place it was. All the flora and fauna within the Greenhouse were rare creatures on the brink of extinction.”
A self-contained ecosystem formed by specimens rarely seen in the outside world. Those who had visited the Greenhouse in person called it the “Ark.”
“If it’s such a place, wouldn’t security be even tighter? How are you planning to get in?”
“We can use the feeding time.”
“Feeding time?”
Among the plants in the Greenhouse, there were several carnivorous species. In particular, a plant called “Nept” that occupied nearly an entire wall of the Greenhouse was a large specimen with an exceptionally voracious appetite, and because of this, whenever it came time to feed Nept once a month, the dome-shaped ceiling would open completely.
“Yes, there’s a day when they open the ceiling to feed the carnivorous plants. The people who deliver the food are ordinary employees, not mercenaries, so if we simply avoid their sight, we should be able to slip in without much difficulty.”
“I’m not sure if that’s entirely wise.”
Theodore wore a complicated expression, but Kenneth spoke with confident reassurance.
“Don’t worry. Even if we get caught, it’s a minor offense—would they really scold me harshly?”
Of course, if caught, Kenneth could be imprisoned according to Arcadia’s Guild laws or face even harsher punishment, but he saw no reason to mention that fact.
Fortunately, the feeding day was exactly five days away. Those pressed for time steeled their resolve to act first and ask questions later, pinning their hopes on five days hence.
* * *
Claire emerged into the Garden in her nightclothes, her expression vacant. Though it was late at night, lanterns burned in various places, so it wasn’t particularly dark.
‘So much has happened in such a short time.’
She reclined at an angle on a simple pavilion built in one corner of the Garden, closing her eyes and steadying her breathing.
In the nighttime Garden, the scent of moist earth mingled with the fresh aroma of grass. As Claire calmed her turbulent thoughts with the familiar fragrance of nature, she heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
“Claire.”
At Theodore’s voice, Claire turned her head toward him. In the darkened night Garden, his radiant silver hair stood out distinctly.
‘If the moon became human, perhaps it would feel like this.’
As he approached with careful steps, Claire felt a sense of déjà vu wash over her.
‘It’s just like that day when he said he would go into hibernation.’
The memory of a day last late autumn when they had conversed together in the Garden came flooding back.
“Can’t you sleep?”
“I was simply organizing my thoughts.”
“Ah, then I’ve intruded on your contemplation.”
Theodore turned as if he didn’t wish to disturb her meditation.
“There’s no need for you to leave. There’s still room here.”
But Claire stopped him. While she had come out to enjoy some leisure, she didn’t dislike the prospect of conversing quietly with Theodore.
“Is that so?”
Theodore quickly sat across from her, as if afraid she might change her mind. Though it was summer, the night breeze felt refreshing and invigorating.
“It’s just like that day.”
“The day we talked at night in front of the Fountain?”
“How did you know right away?”
Theodore’s eyes widened in surprise. Claire, concealing the fact that she had been thinking the same thing moments before, smiled mischievously.
“Do you remember when you lent me your cardigan and caught a cold the next day?”
“Ugh. Let’s forget about that.”
Theodore exaggerated his embarrassment and burst into laughter, and Claire joined him in his mirth.
As the laughter faded, the chirping of grasshoppers became distinctly audible. The two of them savored the picturesque silence for a moment.
I found it strange that silence had become comfortable.
Claire focused on Theodore’s breathing, audible between the sounds of the insects.
Into my solitary existence—where being alone had always felt most natural and inevitable—a soft raccoon had somehow seeped in.
When had being with someone become so natural?
His sincere words suddenly came to mind: don’t leave, let’s discover winter’s joys together.
“Theodore.”
“Hmm?”
Claire had meant to ask if he still wanted to hold onto her, but the moment their eyes met, her words caught in her throat.
There was no need to ask his intentions. The blue eyes meeting hers expressed his emotions more clearly than moonlight itself.
“…Do be careful not to catch a summer cold.”
“No! I’m not that fragile, I’m telling you!”
Theodore protested indignantly at Claire’s embarrassed remark, letting out an aggrieved cry. Finding it amusing, Claire burst into bright laughter.
* * *
“What on earth are you doing!”
Bianca hurled her folding fan directly at Gregory’s face.
“The Imperial Palace was absolute chaos! What were you thinking committing such an act!”
Before her raging fury, Gregory showed no reaction whatsoever. As if the fan had never struck his face, his emotionless eyes—devoid of any hint of anger—fixed upon Bianca.
“It was a sort of accident.”
“An accident?”
At his calm excuse, Bianca let out a derisive snort, as if exasperated.
“Yes, an accident. We did distribute the medicine, but I was unaware it possessed such terrifying side effects.”
Did he truly believe I would accept such a pathetic excuse?
Bianca clenched her teeth.
“Then what about the explosion? Is that also just a simple accident?!”
“Indeed, I cannot fathom how it occurred.”
Gregory’s black eyes, fixed upon Bianca, grew progressively darker.
Eyes harboring an abyss-like darkness burrowed into her mind, threatening to consume her. Bianca, who had momentarily flinched at this primal terror, raised her voice defensively to conceal her fear.
“You vulgar wretches!”
Vulgar, he mused.
Did one who ground countless lives to dust in pursuit of making their son Emperor truly have the right to speak such words?
Gregory’s lips curved upward in a bloodless smile.
“There is no need for such anger. Is it not fortunate, after all?”
“Fortunate? How so?”
“The Crown Prince Aaron did not consume that defective medicine.”
“You.”
Bianca’s eyes filled with blood.
“What do you mean by that?”
The image of those monsters—their reason lost, their very forms collapsed and corrupted—flashed through her mind.
Even for Bianca, who regarded human life as insignificant as insects, it had been a sufficiently chilling sight.
“I mean no offense. After all, Aaron Crown Prince already possesses abilities of exceptional quality without requiring such substances. Moreover, handling this incident with such exemplary leadership—one might even say it’s a blessing in disguise for demonstrating the virtues of a benevolent ruler.”
The words carried an implicit message: Aaron had gained something from this, so let the matter rest here.
Bianca clenched her teeth and withdrew. Umbra had been behaving strangely of late.
Those who once moved like a tongue in her mouth had vanished, and ever since the terror at the Hunting Festival Ball, the entire organization had shifted into an unsettling apathy.
‘As though they possess everything they need and have nothing left to desire.’
Bianca drew a deep breath to suppress her fury. Part of her wanted to erase Umbra entirely to silence them, but there remained abilities she had yet to extract from them.
‘Once I claim Verus’s power safely, everything will be resolved. I mustn’t lose focus now.’
As Bianca deliberately ignored the unease welling up from deep within her heart, she failed to notice Gregory’s cool gaze assessing her usefulness.

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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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