Marriage With A Suspiciously Demure Husband - Chapter 96

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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 96

Surely she doesn’t mean to lock me away?
Is she plotting something?
That might explain why she’d worn such a gentle expression toward me all this time.
Perhaps concealing one’s true face ran in the family bloodline.
She’d been strangely kind—far too kind, given the circumstances. Why would she treat me so well the moment I arrived, when she clearly had reservations? There was definitely something brewing beneath the surface.
As doubt gnawed at me and I hesitated, Tene smiled and studied me more intently.
Damn it.
“…I’ll head down.”
With the Duchess showing such goodwill toward me, I couldn’t find a reason to refuse.
Unable to help myself, I swallowed hard against the tension tightening my throat and descended slowly into the darkness.
The moment I opened the solitary door set into the ground above, I realized such a space even existed.
Magic was clearly at work here—with each step down the staircase, another light kindled automatically ahead of me, illuminating the way.
“It goes quite deep.”
I’d expected a quick descent, but the endless stairs left me marveling at the depth.
“It’s a space for protection, after all.”
A gentle voice drifted from behind me.
I descended with the strange worry that she might push me from behind, my imagination running wild.
At the bottom lay another door.
“This will open it.”
From behind, Tene held out the Magic Stone she’d used to open the door earlier.
I took it and brought it near the lock—the door rumbled grandly and swung inward.
The interior was far brighter than the stairwell.
“It’s enormous.”
“If everyone packed in shoulder to shoulder, I believe we could fit the entire Duke’s Estate staff inside.”
The abundance of lights made it bright as daylight, allowing me to survey the surroundings without difficulty.
One wall was lined entirely with shelves, upon which rested countless vials of Potion in every imaginable color.
“What are these?”
“Potions you can consume while sheltering here. There are also long-lasting foodstuffs stored, though space can be limited. These Potions have been specially treated so they can be kept indefinitely—no expiration date. We have recovery Potions as well.”
“…No expiration date at all?”
“That’s correct. We cannot predict when danger might arrive.”
Remarkable.
What must all this cost?
As far as I know, such specialized treatment requires the mages of the Magic Tower to handle it.
The expense is staggering—ordinarily, one wouldn’t dare dream of it.
Beyond that lay a sleeping chamber and a small collection of books.
For a small group, this place could sustain life for an entire year, which was nothing short of extraordinary.
“Has this space ever been used?”
“Not during my time at the Duke’s Estate.”
“I see.”
I’d asked wondering if Demonic Beasts had ever poured in with such force that they needed to use it, and I was relieved to hear they hadn’t.
Which meant, barring some catastrophic natural disaster, this place would likely never be needed.
“There’s another room over there?”
I spotted another door on the left side.
Its color matched the wall so closely I’d taken it for mere decoration, but it had a handle.
“There’s an identical room inside as well.”
“Ah.”
Then there was nothing more to see.
I glanced warily at Tene.
Acting on Kailas’s orders—or simply because I’d displeased her—she might decide to lock me in here.
The recent atmosphere made it seem unlikely, but one never knows. Just in case, I’d woven a simple Illusion Magic spell, ready to slip away if needed.
As a result, Tene was speaking to empty air. From her perspective, I stood before her.
I was actually behind her now, watching the situation unfold.
Given her age, I hesitated to strike immediately even if she harbored ill intent. If an escape became necessary, I was already positioned near the exit, keeping my remarks brief.
‘It’s high.’
Even accounting for the magical stone that regulated air circulation, the space proved more comfortable than I’d anticipated. Glancing up, I immediately understood why the staircase had been so long.
The chamber was so vast it was difficult to think of it as a mere bunker.
“It really is magnificent.”
“The Duke’s Estate has its secrets, doesn’t it?”
“It does. A shame we can’t boast about something so worthy of pride.”
I caught sight of Tene’s profile as she gazed at my illusory form, her expression warm and gentle.
‘Why does she smile like that? It would be less unnerving if she seemed harsh.’
“Shall I take my leave now?”
“Yes, I shall see you back upstairs.”
As if my suspicions were laughable, Tene guided me back to the surface without comment.
The fact that nothing seemed wrong at all only made the discomfort cling to me more stubbornly as I followed behind her.
Even as she closed the door above, Tene remained nothing but courteous.
“Ah, here.”
I walked toward where Tene’s gaze had settled, dispelled my illusion, and held out the Magic Stone I’d been clutching all this while.
The door hadn’t required it to close—it locked automatically once pushed shut by human strength—but I’d kept holding it nonetheless.
Yet Tene made no move to accept the Magic Stone, which was as good as a key. She only looked at me.
Her face bore a puzzled expression, as if asking why I was offering it at all.
“The master must keep this now.”
“I beg your pardon?”
‘This? Me?’
“You are now another master of the Duke’s Estate.”
“Ah… but I’m still not…”
I’d be leaving this place in a year anyway; keeping it would only weigh on my conscience.
In this confusing situation—was he holding me here out of displeasure, or trying to show me his sincerity?—such authority felt doubly unwelcome.
Though I intended to fulfill my duties as Duchess according to our contract, I didn’t feel I should wield such power.
I held the Magic Stone out to Tene again, who was smiling at me.
“I understand what you mean, and I’m deeply grateful that you trust me so much, but I still lack so much. I’ve only just arrived, and I think I need your guidance a while longer. Would you hold onto it until I’ve settled into this place?”
Speaking as respectfully as I could, Tene’s face showed genuine surprise.
It was only after some time that she composed herself and reluctantly accepted the Magic Stone I’d extended.
“…I understand what you mean. Then I shall keep it until you say otherwise.”
“Thank you.”
I felt lighter, despite having given over merely a single key.
“And as I said before, please speak freely. I shall do my utmost to help you settle into this place.”
Tene placed a hand over her heart and bowed respectfully to me.
With her saying so much, I had no choice but to accept.
“I’m truly grateful. Please, I’m counting on you.”

* * *

That evening.
Tene came to find Kailas when he returned from his rounds of inspection, having gone out to scout the surrounding lands and survey his domain.
“You’ve worked hard today, sir.”
“Any problems?”
He was asking after Hazel’s welfare.
Tene bowed her head politely.
“No, she’s in the Study now. I’ve made sure no one disturbs her.”
Kailas had instructed beforehand that Hazel was not to be disturbed while she was in the Study, and Tene was executing his wishes impeccably.
“I’ll go to her presently.”
“Yes. This morning I showed her around the Duke’s Estate and took her to the Greenhouse as well.”
“Did she seem pleased?”
“Yes, she spent over an hour there taking tea.”
The fact that Hazel had stayed for more than an hour meant she’d genuinely enjoyed it.
Though she was perceptive about others’ feelings, he knew she wasn’t the sort to linger in a place that made her uncomfortable.
It felt fortunate that there was at least one place that pleased Hazel in this austere setting.
“Good. You’ve done well.”
“However…”
“However?”
Kailas turned his head mid-motion toward his chair.
“I showed her the Bunker as well, but she declined to take the master key. She said she hasn’t yet adapted to this place and lacks much yet.”
“…”
“She seems to have a very docile and composed nature. And she treats the servants with courtesy as well.”
“…I see.”
Kailas settled into his chair with a low murmur.
Tene added to her remaining report.
“Though I overstep my place, sir, it gladdened my heart to see you meet someone so fine. My spirits have lifted greatly.”
Kailas laughed—a rare, brief sound.
“You’ve known her only days.”
“Perhaps that is what comes with age, sir. The Duke’s Household shall grow warmer now. I intend to support the lady from the shadows, so that it may be so.”
“Don’t overreach. Hazel will only strain herself trying to live up to it.”
“I understand, sir.”
Satisfied with the conversation, Kailas dismissed her.
Yet Tene hesitated at the threshold, as though words still remained unspoken.
“Sir.”
“Is there more?”
“Now that you have found someone good, I wish you would lay down your anger and know happiness.”
……
“It is this old woman’s only prayer, sir. I ask for nothing else. Let go of your grievance toward them, and be happy with the lady. There is nothing left in this world to torment you or weigh upon your shoulders. You have closed your eyes to it all.”
“…You’ve grown talkative of late.”
“Forgive me, sir. This old woman spoke out of turn. Rest now, please.”
Tene bowed deeply and withdrew.
Alone, Kailas’s expression hardened into stone.

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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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