Marriage With A Suspiciously Demure Husband - Chapter 61

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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 61

Outside, the torches held by the knights blazed so brightly that it seemed like midday.
I had just begun to climb into the carriage when I hesitated.
What exactly had Fay meant by ‘that’?
From the context, it seemed to refer to a sacrificial offering with Dark Magic Power worth using, but something about it didn’t sit right.
“Why aren’t you getting in? Are you hurt?”
When I remained standing instead of boarding the carriage, Lux approached and asked.
He peered at me with those narrow eyes, apparently checking to see if I had any injuries.
“No, I’m getting in. I’m not hurt. They’re the ones who are hurt.”
I lifted my foot onto the carriage step again, but to my surprise, Lux climbed up after me.
“Why are you getting in?”
“The hero of the day deserves to be escorted, doesn’t he?”
“That’s enough. Just take me home!”
At my obvious gesture of refusal, Lux let out a chuckle.
“It’s the Crown Prince’s orders. He said to make sure you get home safely and then clock out. Besides, I’m heading the same way.”
I had nothing to say to that.
“Fine, then.”
Lux grinned and pulled the cord to signal our departure.
Soon the carriage wheels began to roll smoothly across the ground.
“But how did you figure it out? We’ve spent much more time together than you have.”
As the carriage pulled away from the garden, Lux asked this question.
“Right, I mean—what were you all doing in those few days while I was figuring this out?”
“Should I call you Sister?”
I deliberately exaggerated my tone to tease him.
Lux shot back immediately.
I soon let out a small laugh and corrected myself.
“I’m joking. Honestly, I might not have known if I’d just been teaching. I figured it out because he kept coming at me so hard and so often.”
Without that mark, I might have wavered. I could have dismissed his contradictions as mere habit.
Even feeling uneasy about it, without evidence, I would’ve let it slide.
“Still, it’s rare to find an Illusion Mage, and here one just rolls into our lap.”
“Well, he is still an Illusion Mage, so it’s a shame that high-level talent went that direction.”
“Which is why—”
“And I’m not planning to rejoin the Knight Order. Tell the Crown Prince that no matter what he says, it’s pointless.”
I cut Lux off before he could even begin.
The Crown Prince had arranged for me to be escorted home precisely so he could send someone to say this.
Since Dylan had already failed once, he was trying a different tactic with someone closer to me.
As soon as I recognized the transparent stratagem, Lux let out a sigh.
He laughed and covered his eyes with his own hand.
“Ah, I knew this would happen. He always sends me for this kind of thing.”
“Tell him tomorrow that you did what you could.”
“So you’re really leaving now?”
“Yes, probably. Though I’ll still be in the Capital tomorrow. I have some loose ends to tie up.”
“When will I see you next? I’m really going to miss this.”
“If I ever have reason to come to the Capital, I’ll visit.”
Though I suspected there would be no such occasion, I said it without hesitation.
Lux never mentioned why the Followers had spotted me that day.
Whether he genuinely had no memory of it, whether Fay had turned out to be one of the Dogs of the Follower, or for some other reason entirely.
Whatever the cause, I was grateful. It was something that had genuinely troubled me.
As we talked, the carriage soon arrived at the hotel in front of the Entertainment District.
“I’ll get off here. Thank you for all your help today.”
I was about to get down alone, but Lux got down with me anyway, shoving one hand deep into his pocket while waving the other energetically back and forth.
“Come visit again next time.”
“You stay healthy too.”
“And hey, don’t forget about this older brother. Belated congratulations on your marriage. Take care of yourself.”
At his wedding congratulations, I let out a small laugh.
Though Lux had offered the greeting thoughtlessly, there was something so warm about it that my heart felt oddly tender.
While my time in the Knight Order hadn’t been long, these were the first people I had truly opened my eyes to and formed bonds with in this place.
They were the ones who had extended their hands to me when adaptation was difficult.
Now I’d have to start from scratch all over again, adapting to yet another new place and meeting yet another set of new people.
The thought of not seeing these people anymore made my chest feel oddly tight.
Going to the Imperial Palace really wasn’t the answer.
I pushed the gloom aside and broke into a wide smile instead.
“Thanks so much. Safe travels! Come visit again next time, okay?”
The moment I waved, Lux hurried into the carriage with a quick wave back, telling me to get inside.
I passed through the lobby and climbed the stairs to my room, where I found Nizela—who’d been nowhere to be seen all yesterday.
Nizela hadn’t said anything, but she was probably swamped with work right now.
I’d practically handed over every Guild responsibility to her; she’d need ten bodies just to keep up with the verification alone.
Kailas might destroy the Guild entirely out of spite, but just in case he decided to spare it—to keep it running—I’d deliberately dumped everything on Nizela’s shoulders.
“Did you have a pleasant time saying goodbye to your acquaintances?”
Nizela assumed I’d gone out to eat and bid farewell to my colleagues.
I’d taken a light injury, and Noah had already heard about it, but I figured it was better not to mention it. Things could spiral out of control.
I stretched and nodded.
“Yeah, I should be able to rest starting tomorrow.”
Nizela’s face lit up like a full moon.
“Thank goodness! I’ll have the servants prepare your bath right away. Please go rest.”
“Sure, thanks for that.”
I sat on the sofa to wait a moment, and exhaustion crashed over me all at once.
My eyelids grew heavy in an instant, and a groan escaped my lips without thinking.
It was only natural—I’d been pushing myself relentlessly from the moment I entered the Martin House Garden until I left.
“Ugh.”
Every muscle in my body ached.
Why did I always make trouble for myself like this?
I’d meant to contact Ginger, but I’d have to do it tomorrow morning instead.
I fell asleep before the servants had even finished preparing the bathwater.

* * *

The next day.
“…I bow before the Sun of Elkiam.”
“You’ve gone to great trouble coming so early in the morning.”
“Not at all, Your Majesty. I am honored and grateful that you summoned me.”
“Hah, so you’re the one the Crown Prince speaks so highly of. Such modesty.”
“…Thank you.”
Grit. Grit. Grit.
I clenched my teeth silently.
I never imagined that when I woke up this morning, an Imperial carriage would already be waiting at the Hotel.
The Emperor himself—called the Sun of the Empire—had summoned me early in the morning, saying that commendations are best delivered swiftly.
And I certainly never expected one of the Emperor’s attendants to come knock on my hotel room door in person!
Perhaps because he was the father of the male lead, the Emperor was no ordinary man either.
Emperor Edios Berid Elkiam.
He was known as the most benevolent of all the emperors, yet he was also the one who had executed countless criminals and worked tirelessly to maintain order.
If things had gone according to the original story, he would have been far too busy dealing with Kailas to have much trouble. Just like the Crown Prince.
Sigh. If I’m being honest, I deserve a reward.
I stopped Lily from being kidnapped, and I took Kailas to the Ferarium so he wouldn’t cause any other problems.
That was why the Emperor now had far fewer conflicts with him.
Originally, by this point, the relationship between the Imperial Family and House Hadid should’ve deteriorated so badly it would be crawling on the ground!
But thanks to me, everything’s peaceful!
At this rate, didn’t I basically save the country?
Argh!
The injustice of not being able to voice this frustration out loud was an eternal regret.
In any case, I had to hurry and get ready, then climb into the golden Imperial carriage heading straight to the Palace.
The Dogs of the Follower that came out of the Martin House Garden last night were apparently still being interrogated—all through the night and continuing as we spoke.
They hadn’t revealed much information, but they’d at least extracted proof that everyone I’d captured yesterday was indeed one of the Follower’s Dogs.
So when I’d jokingly asked Jade for money yesterday, apparently he’d taken it to heart, because a box overflowing with Jewels now sat squarely in front of me.
Good grief, what is this?
I almost drooled right there, but I barely caught myself and shook my head to clear it.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty. I fear this is far too generous a gift for me. I must humbly ask that you reconsider.”
I slid the box forward with studied reluctance.
Protocol dictated one always refuse such offerings at least once.
The Emperor chuckled softly.
“The Crown Prince is as modest as I’ve heard, it seems. You mean to reject my goodwill?”
“No, no! Not at all, Your Majesty. I wouldn’t dream of it.”
I bowed deeply, shoulders hunched in contrition.
The Emperor’s laughter grew warmer, as if he were enjoying himself immensely.
“Then take it. I’ve heard nothing but good reports. You aided in the removal of that beast that invaded the Imperial Palace, and this is my thanks for yesterday’s service.”
“I accept with gratitude, Your Majesty.”
I suppressed a smile as I cradled the jewel box in my arms.
Mercifully, the Emperor pressed the box upon me without further ceremony.
He departed, citing morning state affairs that required his attention.
I’d have preferred he’d simply sent it by the carriage that morning, but the moment I cracked open the box, I abandoned that regret entirely.
With this, I could abandon my identity, flee, and build myself an estate without spending a single copper coin of my own.
What I truly wanted to ask for was a clean divorce, nothing more.
But that was impossible.
I’d end up thrown in prison alongside Fay Martin the moment I opened my mouth.
The advisor who’d come to fetch me in the morning saw me out with such courtesy that I was humming cheerfully as I walked—until my expression crumpled in an instant.
Jade and Dylan stood ahead, resplendent in their uniforms, waving at me as if I were some grand spectacle.
Gods, what was it about this place? Every exit came with complications.
So much for an early departure.

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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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