Marriage With A Suspiciously Demure Husband - Chapter 54

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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 54

“You getting in too?”
I glanced at Dylan as he climbed aboard instead of letting me close the carriage door.
“I’m clocking out anyway. Might as well ride along.”
“Sure, do what you want.”
“That’s okay with you?”
“What is? Oh.”
He was asking about Fay collapsing earlier. So that’s why he’s coming along.
I nodded, and Dylan grinned again.
Since the carriage was his anyway, I had no real reason to refuse. If anything, the ride wouldn’t be boring.
“Tomorrow’s the last day, you know that, right?”
“Yeah. If I just keep practicing the way you’ve been teaching me, I might even be able to go on the next suppression operation with you. Never thought it’d actually work out.”
Dylan laughed with a kind of relief.
I let out a short laugh and glanced toward the window before speaking.
“Hey, Dylan.”
“What?”
“When I go back to Ferarium this time, I won’t be able to come to the Capital for a while. Probably won’t be in contact for quite some time. Just so you know, if you need to reach me, try the Guild.”
“Why? Where are you going? Somewhere you can’t even get Guild messages?”
“Um, well, yes. I haven’t had a break in a year, so I’m taking some vacation and…”
“How long are you planning to take vacation for if you’re already giving me all these warnings?”
“No, it’s just. I’m just telling you in advance. Thought I should mention it before I try to contact you.”
“Right. It’s probably just going to be a check-in message anyway. But the way you’re talking about it already—it sounds like goodbye. That’s depressing.”
Dylan suddenly puffed out his cheeks and grumbled.
“I feel so relieved to finally be free of you? What is this.”
“Why. I think it’s nice like this!”
“Ugh, don’t even talk. Oh, but Dylan.”
“Hmm?”
“I’ve been wondering whether I should ask you something or not.”
Dylan, who’d been leaning back with his arms crossed looking careless, straightened up.
“What is it? Go ahead.”
“Do you know anything about Fay?”
“What kind of thing?”
The things I wanted to ask caught in my throat, tumbling across my tongue without escaping my lips.
There was a lot I wanted to know about Fay Martin.
About abuse, about her family. But it felt wrong to investigate an innocent person like that.
Maybe Fay really did invite me to dinner out of pure goodwill.
No—that was probably far more likely than anything else.
“…Never mind.”
“What, why? You started to say something.”
“No, it’s just old-fashioned worry. It’s nothing.”
“That’s lame.”
“But setting that aside—did she get along okay at the Academy without using Illusion Magic? Making it into the 1st Knight Corps isn’t easy even with a family recommendation. She wouldn’t have done it unless she’d gotten multiple professor recommendations.”
Dylan’s eyes shifted upward as if thinking. He added a thoughtful “Hmm” and crossed his arms again, leaning back against his seat.
“Well, I haven’t really thought about it that far. I only knew Fay Martin after the assignments. Most of the others are like that too—unless you already knew them beforehand.”
“That’s usually how it works, right?”
“Why, does something seem odd to you?”
“No, not odd exactly. It’s just—the way she seemed so afraid of Illusion Magic made me wonder if she came of her own will.”
“Oh, she did have a few counseling sessions early on. I told her she didn’t have to push through if it was too hard, but she said she really wanted to do it, wanted to become someone worthy of the Knight Order. She really fired herself up again. Honestly, I was thinking if it didn’t work out this time, I’d have to let her go.”
“There were no problems with other team members or anything?”
“No, none at all. To be honest, there wasn’t much chance for conflict. She was always volunteering to run errands.”
“Hm… I see.”
“Why, are you worried about how things will go from here on?”
“They’re all full-grown adults. What’s there to worry about? I was just curious. No special reason for it.”
Anyway, once I’m gone, it won’t be my concern.
I let the nagging feeling drop and turned my gaze back to the window.
‘It’ll probably be fine.’

* * *

‘She mentioned this morning that she’d be leaving the Imperial Palace around eleven, so she should arrive before lunch.’

Tap. Tap.
Idle fingers drummed against the table with nothing better to do.
‘She should be here soon.’
Kailas had positioned himself in the central hall of the Hotel’s ground floor, where he could see the lobby at a glance, waiting for Hazel.
For the past hour, the entire hotel—from the first floor to the top level—had been cleared of all staff, making it feel like an elaborate, empty shell.
Hazel didn’t know it, and likely never would, but this hotel also operated under Kailas’s control.
He’d deliberately told her to stay in the grandest, safest place—all part of the same arrangement. She remained here without a shred of suspicion.
A while back, Syd and Nizela had taken care of the necessary arrangements nicely.
Getting Hazel to go out early in the morning and return during the day.
It had been more than a week since he’d last seen her face.
After a year of seeing her constantly, he’d memorized even the precise angle and direction of her eyelashes well enough to sketch them from memory—but there was something undeniably different about seeing her in person.
He wished she’d hurry.
Truth be told, waiting for someone was something he’d only learned to do after meeting Hazel.
Last dawn.
When Kailas realized his feelings for Hazel, he decided not to deny them.
It was a bit absurd, perhaps, but his current life wasn’t so bad.
After all, Hazel knew no one but him, and he’d made the decision to bury this and keep her at his side until these feelings changed—or didn’t.
There was no need to dispose of her troublesomely, and she’d continue to look up at him with those gentle eyes. It was the optimal choice.
He couldn’t leave his Fief empty indefinitely, so eventually he’d need to reveal his existence, and when that time came, Hazel would likely assume the position of Duchess.
She didn’t strike him as the sort to refuse the title.
It was convenient, actually—with the seat vacant, the nobles had been pestering him relentlessly.
Even if she were startled, he thought she’d understand once he explained. He was certain of that.
After all, it was already settled on paper.
Wasn’t she already his wife—different house or not—by her own consent?
Now that he thought about it, no one seemed more suited to the position of Duchess of the Hadid Dukedom than Hazel.
Though his original plan had changed in several ways, the satisfaction from ending days of relentless torment was making his mood remarkably pleasant.
He could already picture the surprised expression on her face when she appeared.
He’d had everything that might obstruct her view cleared away—all she had to do was arrive.
He’d even prepared lunch with nothing but foods he knew she loved.
The thought of feeding her well and spending the afternoon together was enough to dispel his earlier boredom.
From where Kailas sat, he had a clear view of Hazel’s entrance.
Conversely, from the hotel entrance, his position was slightly elevated, like being a few steps up, so she wouldn’t see him immediately.
He could recognize her at once if he wished, but it might also be pleasant to follow her leisurely upstairs and surprise her with a sudden visit.
He was entertaining that thought when—
“Really, escorting me all the way to the lobby? You’ve truly got nothing better to do.”
At the familiar voice, Kailas’s gaze snapped instantly to one spot.
Hazel was entering the hotel.
She typically wore dresses, but occasionally dressed in more practical clothes for ease of movement, and today was one of those days.
She wore fitted trousers with a uniform-style top that had a tail-like hem gently covering the lower garment, and though she hadn’t styled it ostentatiously, it suited her perfectly.
“I’m grateful, that’s why.”
The moment he confirmed her presence, he began to rise with the soft smile she loved—but Kailas’s gaze whipped sideways in a fraction of a second.
His jaw tilted at an angle, his eyes turning cold.
‘What in the name of—is that some kind of red eyesore?’
Hazel’s voice echoed through the empty hall again.
“Huh? But why is there no one here?”
“Right? Not even the staff. You’re staying on the top floor here?”
“Yeah, maybe they cleared everyone out during lunch? Go on, off with you. Safe travels.”
“Isn’t it true you have to book the top floor months in advance?”
“Really? I didn’t think so. When I said I wanted to stay, they just gave me a room right away. Are you sure you’re not mistaken?”
“I’m not sure—I’ve heard the kids mention it a few times, but I’ve never stayed here myself. Well, since I’m here anyway, I’ll see you up to your floor.”
“No, please. Why don’t you let me go instead? I’ve only got two days left and I’m already exhausted.”
“Oh no, that won’t do. Why is our great Illusion Mage acting like this?”
“Enough already. You can really go now. I’m planning a cozy lunch with my secretary. Thanks for the escort.”
“Sure, you worked hard today too.”
The two walked forward while bickering, yet speaking with considerable intimacy.
Kailas felt his insides twist in that instant.
With that beautiful face of hers, what is she looking at if not me?
Disturbed by something he couldn’t quite name, Kailas slowly rolled his tongue inside his mouth.

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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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