Marriage With A Suspiciously Demure Husband - Chapter 79

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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 79

“For now, just survive. I’ll explain everything once things settle down.”
After staring at my face for a long moment, Ani tapped me lightly on the shoulder.
“It’s my first time offering help like this. So, what do you need me to prepare? I was the one who had to survive afterward, but since you’ve freed me, I’ll return the favor.”
Ani spoke in rapid bursts, then gave me a quick wink.
“Ah.”
“Once you’re ready, just reach out. I’ll keep gathering them anyway.”
She meant she’d be collecting Purification Stones. It was also her way of saying she’d accept my requests whenever I needed her.
Despite having risked her life alongside me, Ani left without hesitation, telling me not to worry and that she’d help whenever I called.
She said it with complete certainty.
Once the weight lifted from my shoulders, I gave Aegmeon a brief word and went to meet Ginger.
“Boss!”
The moment Ginger saw me, tears streamed down her face. She clung to me like someone who’d stumbled upon an oasis in a desert.
“I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die. I want to live a long life.”
Her lips trembled with fear, and the dark circles under her eyes showed she hadn’t slept properly in days.
I thought she might burst into tears of joy when I told her she was free, but it was clear terror had gripped her deeply.
“You know the way to Maveblang, right? The estate there won’t have anything left in it, but it’s still empty—use it as you need. Stay there a while, find your own path forward. You can keep living; I don’t mind.”
Like Ani, I decided to let Ginger go rather than make her wait a whole year while my plans had fallen apart.
It was a shame to give up the Maveblang house, but it would sit vacant anyway during that year, and who knew what would happen after.
Finding freedom would be easier for Ginger.
By then, I’d be fine leaving on my own.
Ginger blinked in surprise.
“Go? But what about you, Boss?”
“Why worry about me? I told you I wanted to be alone with Aegmeon. Now go.”
I’d expected them all to leave without a backward glance, but seeing her concern for my wellbeing exasperated me, so I hurried her along.
I pressed a purse of Gold Coins into her hand.
“No, wait. Wait, just a moment, Boss!”
Ginger, whom I’d always known to move quickly, grabbed my arm.
“What?”
“You’re sending me away just like this?”
“I said go. Aegmeon’s waiting outside.”
“Boss, nothing’s wrong with you, is it? I’m not the type to worry about others normally, but I can’t help being concerned about you. And we’ve spent time together…”
I patted Ginger’s arm to calm her.
It seemed the time she’d spent imprisoned had left her deeply anxious.
Even seasoned Ani had been rattled by it all, so Ginger’s reaction was only natural.
“It’s fine—everything’s been resolved cleanly. What I’m giving you will cover the carriage fare and more, so use it for living expenses. You’ve worked hard. Thank you for helping.”
Ginger’s brow furrowed deeply.
“I’m not sure this is right… Are you really telling me to go? Are those bastards still threatening you?”
“It’s all been settled. Aegmeon’s waiting outside, so hurry. The carriage is ready.”
In the end, Ginger held out a bit longer before finally leaving, asking if everything was truly all right even as she climbed into the carriage.
Only after entrusting Ginger to Aegmeon’s care could I finally send the carriage away.
Aegmeon remained silent before departing, leaving only the words: “I will go as you’ve said for now, but I will never forget your kindness.”
So I succeeded in setting all three of them free—Ani, Ginger, and Aegmeon.
It felt both liberating and hollow.
These were the people I’d gathered with such care, yet parting with them left a bitter taste. But once you’ve become shackles to each other, there’s no choice.
Now I could only hope each of them found their own way forward.
I didn’t naively believe Kailas’s promise to release me after one year.
He might grow tired and free me sooner, or he might torment me far worse than before.
I certainly wasn’t going to sit idle for that entire year.
I’d need to prepare far more thoroughly than ever before.
Never to meet again—any of them.
The bond between us would be severed completely.

* * *

News spread throughout the Capital that Duke Hadid had gotten married, and word eventually reached me as well.
Dylan reached out through a Communication Channel, and then the Crown Prince and Lily sent me letters in quick succession.
They wanted me to show my face at once.
The moment I saw the newspaper article, I knew exactly what was coming.
“Damn.”
How could I have missed it?
I knew Kailas Hadid was a villain, but I should have realized he was mad—truly mad.
There’s no way I could have known things that weren’t in the original work. I’m not a Diviner.
The urgency in their messages—demanding I come to the palace immediately so they could hear directly from my own lips—left my head pounding.
Given Lily’s nature, she would have stopped the Crown Prince from sending such a summons. That she’d allowed it meant they were both furious with me.
At least the news about Fey Martin was being handled well, though even that brought a bitter laugh.
“I’m completely finished.”
My reputation. Destroyed.
I had no idea how Kailas had manipulated the Emperor, but the thought of what questions would rain down on me the moment I arrived in the Capital made my vision swim.
I was still gripping the letter when Kailas entered the room.
He’d been coming back late, but today he seemed to have finished his work early.
He couldn’t possibly not know that Ginger, Aegmeon, and Ani had all been released.
He would have received a report, yet he showed no sign of it. Was he doing this on purpose?
Or did he simply not care—despite holding them prisoner and using them as leverage?
Was he really going to make some effort over the course of a year?
He was impossible to read.
I narrowed my eyes and glared at him.
He wasn’t going to throw a fit over a glare and claim it violated our contract.
“When my wife looks at me that intently, it does stir expectations. Of course, yesterday too my wife was expressing her feelings quite ardently. As always.”
I let out an exasperated breath. He’d beaten his own attendants half to death, and he was calling that ardent feeling.
“That was me being angry.”
“If the listener found it sweet, there’d be no problem with it.”
“Are you insane?”
“About you? Completely.”
“This isn’t getting through to you.”
“And yet I still think our hearts reached each other before.”
…….
“I don’t understand why my wife keeps trying to slip away from me.”
Was he joking? Seriously?
“When are we going to the Capital?”
“Whenever you’re ready.”
He moved closer, until he stood before me.
“You’re a villain.”
“I’ve heard that countless times, but hearing it from you—my only ally—stings a bit. You promised to be on my side no matter what.”

“I’m on your side through anything. And you’re always on mine. We’re each other’s only anchor.”

Those were the words I’d spoken at our wedding. And the same words he’d spoken.
Though of course, that had been to Noah Adish.
“Those words were for Noah. I already told you—my Noah is dead.”
“It remains valid. My promise to be on your side. Take your time preparing. Do what’s comfortable for you.”
“There’s nothing to prepare. I’ve already crossed a river I can never return from, trying to save your face.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll handle everything.”
“Anyone can say that.”
I looked up at Kailas with eyes full of doubt.
He gently touched the corner of my eye where it had risen to a sharp point, as if to soften it.
“Please, just ease your anger. All right?”
If he kept looking at me with those achingly tender eyes, I’d believe him.
“…You don’t need to consider my feelings like that anymore. Once I’m ready, I’ll let the maid know.”
I stood up before my heart could weaken at the sight of his expression.

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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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