Marriage With A Suspiciously Demure Husband - Chapter 92

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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 92

Her eyes, which had been crinkled at the corners in amusement, suddenly went flat.
“I wasn’t smiling.”
“You were just smiling.”
“You must have seen wrong. Ahem.”
“Lower your hand.”
He hesitated for a moment longer before finally dropping his hand from his face.
The smile had vanished as though it had never been there at all. Though his lips did twitch once or twice.
“I really wasn’t smiling.”
He definitely was, though.
“…Fine.”
I wedged the cushion firmly against my side again and settled back into the carriage.

* * *

Despite my brave talk, a seven-hour carriage ride was exactly as grueling as Kailas had warned.
I managed to endure the first three hours through sheer stubbornness, but once we passed that mark, even a well-cushioned carriage began to wear on me.
After shifting uncomfortably a few times, seeking a better position, Kailas yanked the reins.
Before I could protest, he moved faster still.
“Let’s rest for a bit.”
“It’s fine, really. I’m managing.”
He brought the carriage to a stop regardless of my objections.
The moment Sid lowered the step and opened the door, Kailas was already climbing down, saying we should take a short break.
When I hesitated, Kailas extended his hand to me.
“I set up a chair outside. Just rest for a moment. It’s fine.”
“…Then just five minutes.”
I descended from the carriage and settled into the portable chair Sid had prepared.
Sitting outside made all the difference.
Perhaps it was the open air, or simply better ventilation, but my spirits lifted.
When I stretched my legs out with an involuntary groan, Kailas let out a laugh as though he’d expected exactly that.
“Don’t mock me.”
At least I hadn’t worn a dress for this journey.
Even in Elcard, going out in a dress had felt burdensome.
I did love beautiful dresses, and there were times I wanted to dress up—but the reason for avoiding them lay elsewhere.
Ever since Kailas caused that incident, the moment I stepped out in a dress, I’d end up in the newspapers.
Eventually, I’d grown so weary of it that I’d given up dresses altogether.
“Would you care for something cool to drink, madam?”
Hisan appeared at my side and offered me a cup.
“Oh, thank you. Would you like some too, Kailas?”
“I’m fine.”
Hisan bowed slightly and withdrew into the background once more.
I sipped the cool tea and glanced sideways at her.
Though I’d never properly spoken with Hisan, she followed me like a shadow nonetheless.
And whenever I was with Kailas, she would quietly withdraw, as though she’d served at his side for years.
It was truly remarkable.
When had she come to the Duke’s residence?
With all the chaos of recent days, I’d never managed a real conversation with her. I made a mental note to speak properly with her once we arrived in the Duke’s Territory.
After finishing the tea and setting the cup down, Kailas knelt in front of me, took my arm, and began to massage it.
“It’s fine. We’ll be leaving again soon anyway.”
“Your stubbornness is truly something.”
I shot him a reproachful look as he continued working on my arm.
“Hmph. As if you have any room to talk.”
I simply watched as he carefully attended to the other arm as well.
Once he’d finished both arms, Kailas reached for my ankle.
I knew exactly what he was about to do, so I stopped him at once.
“That’s—that’s not necessary!”
“It’s stiffened up. Just a moment.”
He even removed my shoes, working his large hands over my feet until a small groan escaped me.
“Mm…….”
“And yet you protest.”
“…I told you not to laugh at me.”
“Once we reach an inn, you’ll feel better. Just bear it a little longer. What’s the matter?”
His broad hands worked their way up both feet and along my calves, and my chin felt inexplicably warm.
“N-no, that’s really enough now.”
But Kailas’s gaze had fixed on one particular spot on my body.
Seeing how intently he was studying me, I reached out and covered his eyes with my hand.
His stare had been directed at my thighs.
“That’s quite enough, isn’t it?”
With his eyes covered, Kailas’s lips curved upward slightly.
“What did I do?”
“You were looking at me strangely just now.”
“I was worried it might hurt. You’ve suffered the most, after all.”
“I-I haven’t suffered anything! Should I just walk, then? Really?”
Seeing the clear amusement on his face, I withdrew my hand and glared at him.
Kailas was occupied with slipping my shoes back on, his expression brimming with suppressed laughter.
For the next five minutes, I remained vigilant, resting while keeping a watchful eye on him.
As I climbed back into the carriage, I spoke.
“I think it would be good to tell them they can go faster—we should reach the village quickly.”
“I’ll do that. You go first.”
I climbed in and relayed the message to Sid before Kailas followed me up.

Once I told them they could increase their speed, we arrived in less than three hours for a journey that would normally take four.
We passed through the village before eight in the evening.
Since it was a free village not under any noble’s domain, the walls were somewhat flimsy, but many lanterns were hung about, and despite the late hour, there were quite a few people about.
“There are quite a lot of mercenaries about.”
“Well, that figures. We’ll get down here.”
“We’re here already?”
He nodded and opened the carriage door.
We had arrived at an inn that ranked among the largest buildings in the village.
“It’s not ideal, but please bear with it for just one night. I’m sorry to put you through this.”
I took his hand to step down but hesitated.
“…I’m not foolish enough to blame you for such things. What I meant was… please don’t worry about it.”
This time, Kailas’s expression softened, and he smiled gently.
“I’ll do as my wife says.”
Fortunately, the inn’s interior was quite clean.
The proprietor couple seemed warm-hearted, and though they tried to attend to our needs, they didn’t excessively humble themselves, which made things less burdensome.
Apart from having to share a cramped room with the attendants because they prepared a separate room for them, everything was excellent.
I did feel some suspicion this time as well, but seeing how lively the first-floor dining hall was, it didn’t seem they’d played any tricks.
After I finished bathing in the warm water the innkeeper had prepared, exhaustion came crashing down like a tidal wave.
I was drowsing while clutching a plump cushion brought from the carriage when I heard the click of the door opening.
“I told you to lock it.”
When I lifted my head, I saw Kailas with damp hair.
“Wouldn’t it be worse luck to let a lock-picker catch me than to have one picked?”
“If you fall asleep, I could carry you off without you knowing.”
“Where did you go just now?”
“There were quite a few mercenaries downstairs.”
“You hired them?”
“The security doesn’t look good.”
“It’s only one night—why go that far?”
“It’s better than worrying.”
“You’re leaving early in the morning, aren’t you? I’m going to sleep now…….”
I simply rolled to the side and buried my face in the cushion, mumbling.
Reaching behind me with one hand, I pointed to the boundary I had made beforehand by arranging my clothes.
“Don’t cross over to this side.”
Behind me, stifled laughter echoed, and the bed tilted heavily beneath his weight.
A large hand reached over and stroked gently through my hair.
“Rest easy. Sleep.”
I should push him away.
But it was unbearably soft, and sleep came pouring down.

* * *

“…Zel.”
It seemed I’d fallen into deep sleep.
A murmuring voice reached my ears.
Was it a dream?
“Hazel, wake up for a moment.”
At the touch of a hand brushing my cheek, I forced open eyelids that felt heavier than lead weights.
“…Hm?”
“Hazel, wake up.”
Kailas was waking me.
The night still seemed dark—why was he rousing me now?
We weren’t set to leave for hours yet.
I buried my face back into the pillow. I was exhausted.
“Mm, why? I’ll just sleep…”
“Hazel.”
When I wouldn’t comply, he pulled me close and ran his hand down my back.
I exhaled slowly and forced my eyes open again.
“Why, why? I’m awake… What’s wrong?”
“A Magical Beast has entered the village. I’m going to check on it briefly. Stay here with the guards.”
“A Magical Beast?”
That word jolted away the drowsiness that had been threatening to pull me under again.
“A Magical Beast, you say?”
He kissed my forehead briefly, then wrapped a coat around me.
“Stay calm and wait. Don’t open the window. I’ll check on the situation and be back.”
Kailas was already fully dressed.
Still disoriented, he nodded, opened the door to speak with someone outside, and then two guards who had accompanied us the entire journey along with Hisan entered.
I grabbed his collar before he could stand.
“Don’t come out under any circumstances.”
“Kailas.”
“I’ll just check and be right back. It won’t take long.”
Kailas kissed my hand briefly and left.
As I came to my senses in bewilderment, the door closed and the guards stationed themselves firmly—one at the window, one at the door.
Sleep had completely fled. I surveyed the window once, then finished dressing properly.
I quickly tidied my hair, which had been tangled from sleep.
“Is there anyone here who knows what’s happening outside?”
At that, the guard with neatly bound green hair nodded.
I thought I’d heard the name Serez before.
“Yes, madam. A pack of Magical Beasts broke through the village entrance about ten minutes ago and we’re at a standoff. Fortunately, there are many mercenaries in the village, so we should be able to handle it.”
“How many?”
I’d known for some time that the Northern Region was teeming with Magical Beasts, but having them appear before we’d even spent a full night here made me acutely aware of just how dangerous this place was.
The territories managed by a lord were relatively safe, but in a free village like this, danger always lurked around the corner.
“We’ve been told there are several medium-sized Magical Beasts. As for the details…”
Boom!
Suddenly, a tremendous crash erupted from outside, as though the earth itself were shaking.
My head turned instinctively toward the window.

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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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