Marriage With A Suspiciously Demure Husband - Chapter 1

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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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Episode 1

Prologue. You—so why?

Why? Why? Why? Why are you asking?
My hands trembled around the documents, my jaw clenched so hard it ached.
“No, that’s not…”
I couldn’t believe the name written before my eyes.
It had to be wrong. I had to have misread it.
Why was my beloved husband’s name Kailuros Hadid? Not Noah!
Last night I’d eaten dinner and cake he’d prepared with his own hands, and this morning I’d woken to his kiss.
That was only the beginning.
When the weather grew cold, he fretted endlessly over whether I’d catch a chill.
On sweltering days, Noah followed me everywhere, fanning me with his own hands.
Whenever I woke from nightmares—which came often—he’d wake first, pull me into his arms, and cradle me until I fell back asleep.
That same man… was someone sent to kill me?
Had it all been an act?
I couldn’t help myself. I tore the documents to shreds.
I knew it wouldn’t change the truth, but at least I had to get it out of my sight.
My shaking hands ripped the pages over and over, and they fluttered down like leaves, scattering across the floor.
This couldn’t be real.
My husband,
my own man,
was that Kailuros Hadid whom I’d stolen from!
Kailuros Hadid was the empire’s wealthiest man and the worst of villains, the mastermind behind countless plots.
I’d never actually met him, but I’d heard he had such a cruel disposition that even his most loyal subordinates wouldn’t dream of betraying him.
At first, I hadn’t even planned to steal from such a dangerous man.
I’d only stolen from one of his errand boys!
I’d needed the money to resign from my job and escape death by overwork!
It was just that the useful intelligence happened to be connected to Kailuros Hadid, and since he was so wealthy, I thought I’d simply borrow a little…!
I’d even planned to repay some of it once I became the world’s richest person!
I had no idea he’d put out a bounty on me.
My face was never exposed, I’d used a false name, and I’d left the capital the moment I’d gathered the funds.
By the time the wanted posters faded and were forgotten, I’d remained untouched.
I thought I’d gotten away with it—only to learn I’d been dancing in the palm of a villain’s hand the whole time!
“Madam, the master has returned home.”
Hiccup!
I jumped so badly I let out a startled hiccup. Noah was here.
“O-oh! I’ll be right there! Tell Noah I’ll be with him in just a moment.”
“Yes, madam.”
I watched the servant disappear, then frantically gathered up the scattered scraps and threw them away.
“Oh, what do I do.”
I’m done for.
How did he deceive me so perfectly?
Just how cruelly was he planning to kill me?
I should have at least gotten a good look at his face before I ran.
“Hazel.”
I was gnawing at my nails when his honey-smooth voice came from behind me.
Did I lose my mind? He’s already here!
At the sound of my name, I spun around and greeted him, forcing a bright smile onto my face.
“N-Noah, you’re home?”
Noah laughed and opened his arms wide. His smile was dizzying.
“I’m told my wife is here. I apologize for coming home so late this evening.”
As I always did, I walked straight into Noah’s embrace.
If I didn’t, he’d pout for at least three hours about some wrong I’d done him, clinging to me without letting go.
The moment I held him, the scent I adored enveloped me—cool and gentle, with the soft warmth of a faint floral fragrance.
The fear and unease melted away like morning frost.
See? This is my husband! One and only in all the world.
Something must be wrong. It can’t be.
“No, it’s all right. You didn’t have a hard day, did you?”
“I missed you. That’s what made it hard.”
With those words, a shower of small kisses fell upon me without pause.
The tickling finally broke me into laughter.
Noah pressed on until there was no spot on my face his lips hadn’t touched, then smiled with obvious satisfaction.
Ah, good. There’s no way a man this affectionate could possibly be Kailuros Hadid…….
“Hazel.”
“Hmm?”
“Are you cold? Why are you trembling?”
“Me?”
“Yes, you’re shaking like this. It’s summer—did you catch a cold?”
Noah lowered himself, his expression turning serious. His forehead soon met mine.
“Noah?”
“You seemed lost in thought. No fever, though.”
With that, Noah offered a tender smile.
It was definitely the smile I knew. The one I loved so much!
Though it was the same as always, goosebumps prickled across my entire body every time I tried to reassure myself.
Noah bent lower to study me, meeting my gaze.
Those eyes I’d always admired as jewel-like—today they seemed unnaturally, strikingly crimson…….
As if drenched in ice water, the temperature around me shifted in an instant, and my mouth clamped shut.
“Ah…….”
“Hmm? You really were thinking about something other than me?”
Noah’s voice had taken on a slightly sharper edge.
I needed to put some distance between us—and fast.
I managed to peel him away and spoke.
“O-other thoughts? Not at all. It’s just—I missed you so much, and now you’re right here in front of me, and I’m so h-happy about it.”
At that, the arm around me tightened, and a lingering kiss pressed against my temple.
“I would have come sooner if I’d known you were waiting for me.”
“Y-you’re here now, so it’s fine. I prepared a bath for you—hurry and wash up!”
“Understood. Oh, there’s somewhere I’d like to take you this weekend, Hazel.”
I flinched, stepping backward without meaning to.
My hands came together in front of me, defensive by instinct.
“W-where? Where would we be g-going……?”
“Somewhere I’ve been wanting to show you. Just the two of us.”
J-just the two of us?
So where exactly is this place?
He hasn’t scouted a location to bury me alive, has he?
Noah’s sweet voice kept sounding dangerous to my ears.
My vision began to darken.
That radiant smile even resembled the grin of death itself.
“This w-weekend? All right. W-wow, how exc-exciting! All right, hurry and bathe!”
“Yes. I’ll be back shortly, Hazel.”
Noah smothered me with quick kisses once more and vanished.
The moment I closed the door and leaned my back against it, all warmth drained from my blood.
Could this sweet, affectionate man really be that ruthless bastard?
Really……?
If he really is Kailuros Hadid…… what do I do?
If all of this is a lie……?
…….
I think I need to run.
Ah, my sweet life……!

Chapter 1. Dodged Death by Overwork Only to Meet a Gruesome End?!

Seriously, what a mess.
Find me someone more wretched than I am, and I’ll bow to them.
I never thought I’d say goodbye to the world at the prime age of twenty-five, done in by overwork.
The injustice of it barely had time to settle before I opened my eyes again—and I was Hazel. Damn it.
Who is Hazel, you ask?
She was a loyal subordinate, supporting character, and extra to the male protagonist in .
was the title of the novel I’d finished reading this morning in the company bathroom.
Hazel was the person entrusted with a rather crucial role in the early part of the work—guiding Lily Dayworth, the female protagonist who came seeking the knight order, to Zed Terri Elkium, the male protagonist.
To suddenly become a character in a novel. There was no denying how utterly bizarre it was.
Hazel had considerable talent, though.
A commoner of no family to speak of, alone in the world, she’d entered the Royal Knight Order at the top of her class with perfect confidence.
That place was the 1st Knight Order—also called the White Dragon Knight Order—where the male protagonist, the crown prince, served as commander, and where the kingdom’s most capable warriors assembled.
Moreover, she was the only Illusion Sorcerer in the order, earning her the sobriquet “One Against a Hundred.”
She had an easygoing nature and got along well with her peers, and through consistently flawless mission completion, she had earned the male protagonist’s trust as well.
Though she had no great fortune, she was diligent about saving money steadily, and her lovely appearance was such that she received a confession of love once every three days.
But why was she pitiable, you ask…….
While the male and female protagonists were falling in love and doting on each other, she was churning through mountain-high assignments handed down by the male protagonist, and she was fated to exit early in the work—fated to die of overwork.
Hair the color of burnished gold-red, lush and wavy all the way down to her waist, unusually vivid.
Dense lower lashes and eyes angled slightly downward at the corners, giving them a guileless quality—large eyes like golden glass marbles.
Skin without a single blemish, despite frequent sorties and training under the open sun.
Wasn’t that an absolute waste?
As the order’s only Illusion Sorcerer, they wouldn’t let her go easily, but it seemed too tragic for her to perish from exhaustion.
To die of overwork and then be reborn only to face the same fate—it was absurd.
Then why bring me back at all? I lived decently, never did anything wicked!
That perverted god or whatever entity rewrote my fate this way had no excuse. I’d march into heaven itself with full justification.
“Have I lost my mind? Work myself to death again? I’d sooner die than do that.”
So the moment I understood this body’s identity, I hunted down some stiff parchment and wrote out my resignation.
Adapting to the world? Accepting fate? Playing a supporting role? None of that nonsense.
As of today, I’m leaving the knight order. Period.
There was no hesitation whatsoever. I had made up my mind: survival alone mattered.
After some complications, I managed to resign from my position before long, quickly secured funds, packed my belongings, and settled here in Ferarium.
The Mercenary Guild I opened on day one drew crowds from the start—my wealth began accumulating without pause—and I met my fated person and married them.
A husband so flawless, so worthy of boasting about to everyone, so loving, so utterly devoted only to me.
My sole companion for life.
But then…….
A major problem arose.
Yesterday, I discovered my husband’s true identity.

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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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