Marriage With A Suspiciously Demure Husband - Chapter 87

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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 87

Heat flooded her face all at once.
“Are you insane?”
“I thought it was my chance.”
Kailas couldn’t stop grinning, delighted by something.
I suddenly remembered a conversation I’d had with Jade at the Imperial Palace and hesitated.
“Actually, I wanted to ask you something.”
“Hmm?”
Never mind. What good would it do? I’d only torment myself.
“It’s nothing.”
“Nothing what?”
“Never mind. I’m going to bed.”
“Don’t push yourself too late into the night.”
“It looks like it’ll be late anyway, so I’ll just sleep.”
“But my lady has yet to retire, and how could I—”
I didn’t wait to hear more. I slipped my hand between his ribs and arm, ducked down, and slipped away quickly.
His laughter echoed behind me, but I pretended not to hear and headed for the study.
Who would have thought I’d tumble so easily into that trap.
Once inside the study, I selected several books.
It wasn’t to avoid Kailas—I genuinely intended to stay up late tonight.
I’d never thought I would have a nightmare, but today I felt certain I would.
Memories were surfacing and rising up; my mind had settled on recalling Hazel in childhood, in even earlier childhood, and now my thoughts were a tangle.
There was no one to talk to about this. All I could do was manage it this way.
When only memories from after some growth had come through, I’d wanted to know everything, afraid of being caught as not the original owner of this body.
But now that I knew everything, I wished I hadn’t.
My original body, Hazel Love, the relentless way she’d lived—all of it was exhausting.
I settled onto the sofa in the corner of the study, drew my knees up, and opened a book.

Chapter 13. Stepping on Toes, Stealing Kisses, Wearing Smiles, Emptying Hearts

Hazel slipped away so suddenly that Kailas couldn’t suppress a laugh.
She’d deliberately pressed her heel down hard as she went.
He’d always had plans to show only the sides of himself that his wife adored, but when Hazel made that awkward expression, honestly, he couldn’t help himself.
The smooth furrow of her brow creases slightly, and her stubborn small lips press together a little more firmly.
Her cheeks puff out a touch as well, and the sight makes him want to spend the whole day gazing at that face.
Yet she keeps blaming herself for making such a face, when truthfully, he felt wronged by this particular dynamic.
The affection he’d begun to acknowledge grew boundless like wildfire, the frost-sharp chill retreating somewhat, yet he still walked a difficult road.
The fear Hazel had shown toward him, that shock, had not yet faded.
Though he knew it was his fault, he had not the slightest desire to let Hazel go.
The only way forward was to find a path for Hazel to see him anew.
The probability would rise if he could see her face, yet even squeezing time from nowhere to come see Hazel, he found her difficult to locate at home.
Once Hazel set her mind to hiding, he had to search for her each time.
If he happened to run into her in the corridor, she’d leave nothing but the tips of her hair before vanishing with a slam of the door—it was as though she was holding her breath the entire time.
It seemed tonight too she would retreat into the study and hold out until dawn.
The sight was so endearing that Kailas’s face, which had been sitting on the sofa with a faint smile, hardened not long after.
A few hours ago, when Hazel returned from the Imperial Palace, her expression had not been bright.
It wasn’t the displeased face she usually made when she disliked him, but rather an expression of being preoccupied with something else, her feelings tightly suppressed.
He’d issued a warning, so unless the Crown Prince had lost his mind, there was no reason for him to trouble Hazel.
Whatever he attempted would have been within acceptable limits anyway. He’d made sure no walls had ears at the Imperial Palace.
He’d even dangled a proposal that would allow him to keep Hazel firmly beside him.
He’d thought the man a foolish scarecrow, but it seemed he had some use after all.
After being granted a year’s time, Hazel was giving him a chance, but it wasn’t nearly enough.
Always prepared to slip away like grains of sand, she had done something that pleased him.
So it was certain those two were not involved.
He remembered how Hazel kept glancing back as she left the Imperial Palace, and eventually he had investigated, but the person in question was unexpected enough that he needed to learn more.
Why had Hazel seemed uncomfortable upon seeing Lady Gardiel, a woman of such high regard that even the Emperor had commended her several times?
It was said that every noble young lady wished to receive instruction from her at least once.
If it seemed like it would help his relationship with Hazel, he would leave it alone, but if not, he would need to remove the obstacle to find peace.
He sat on the sofa, intending to wait for his wife at leisure, and drummed his fingers against the armrest as he pondered.
How much time had passed?
Through the open window, curtains billowed once.
“My lord. I apologize for the delay. I have uncovered more information.”
A shadow-like man approached Kailas and quickly conveyed something to him.
“…….”
What he had discovered was less than expected.
That Count Gardiel and his wife had taken in the young Hazel and protected and sponsored her.
It had been about ten years ago, and after that there appeared to be no further contact.
He had made inquiries about servants who had worked at the count’s house during that time, but could only hear that they had received strict education.
He had gained nothing beyond that.
No, there was certainly something.
Hazel could not have worn such an expression over merely that connection.
“Should I investigate further?”
“Shake out every speck of dust.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The man vanished, and Kailas—who had remained rigid for some time—turned his gaze toward the clock.
The hour was drawing toward midnight.
A subtle light kindled in his expressionless face.
Kailas scratched above his brow as if troubled, deliberating, then rose from his seat.
He decided that not seeing Hazel’s face would be worse than facing her anger.
Acknowledging even to himself that he was in serious condition, he made his way toward the study where Hazel would be.
Hazel was asleep on the sofa placed at one end of the study, a book clutched in her arms.
“Hazel.”
She was in deep sleep; there was no shifting.
When Kailas tried to remove the book from Hazel’s grip, she held it tighter and adjusted into a more comfortable position.
The corner of Kailas’s mouth twisted slightly.
What was a mere book, sitting in Hazel’s embrace like that?
Glancing around casually, it appeared she had simply sat and read.
Between the books placed at her head, a document peeked out.
When he lifted the book and opened it, he found the operational documents of the Hohn Guild.
The corner of Kailas’s mouth rose slightly.
He had been distressed that she showed no interest in the guild she treasured so dearly.
When she left after handing over the guild she had built through sleepless nights with her small body, saying she would repay a debt, he had not only been astounded but genuinely furious.
Every time he sees a possibility like this, he wants even more to turn back time.
Kailas knelt before the sleeping Hazel and removed the book from her embrace.
Soft.
As he carefully pulled it upward, Hazel’s hand fell against his head like a caress.
“…….”
Kailas’s eyes widened briefly in surprise, and he slowly bowed his head toward Hazel.
As he leaned his head down until his cheek was mere inches from her thigh, he found himself settling into her lap, receiving the gentle stroke of her hand through his hair.
It had been how long since Hazel’s confession of love ceased? Since that last night at the hotel—it was seventy-nine days now, he supposed.
Kailas buried his face against Hazel’s legs and remained there for a moment.
So close, yet so far.
A self-mocking laugh slipped through his lips.
Madman.
After lingering like that for some time, Kailas rose, abandoning the longing.
As he lifted Hazel into his arms and made his way to the bedroom, he held her closer and closer still, as if afraid she might slip even slightly from his embrace.

* * *

“…….”
I was in the Study yesterday…….
That cursed husband of mine must have brought me to the Bedroom again.
I left the door open so he wouldn’t grab the handle and drag me further inside.
But he’d promised to honor the Contract for a full year. I don’t understand why he’s doing this.
He doesn’t trust me either, so it’s not as though I can complain—besides, what good would it do?
Regardless.
I had a dream last night.
Not a nightmare, at least, though I did dream of a dog instead.
A massive black creature, big as a house, nestled in my arms.
I’ve never even kept one before.
It kept pressing its enormous body against me, so I spent a long while petting it before drifting into another dream—but at least I didn’t have any nightmares.
I smoothed down my disheveled hair as best I could, hastily threw on an indoor robe, and stepped out into the Corridor.
Thump.
“…….”
Of course.
With uncanny timing, Kailas was already approaching from the other direction.
The moment I caught sight of that infuriating smile, I bolted in the opposite direction toward the bathhouse.

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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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