Marriage With A Suspiciously Demure Husband - Chapter 99

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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 99

With the Great Hall of the Duke’s Castle decorated thoughtfully and a musician secured, the banquet’s opening proved a success.
Since the gathering was held in the evening, the invited nobles had arrived in rather heavy coats, and from the entrance came the sound of them laughing about how warm it was inside.
December was drawing near, and the Northern Region’s weather was as brutal as deep winter—so I spotted several noblemen in the thick clothing rarely seen in the Capital.
While there were many middle-aged noble couples, I was surprised to find so many unmarried young noblemen and noblewomen from the territories.
Some had come alone; others had arrived with their parents.
Despite the bitter cold outside, they came brimming with youthful energy, absorbed in enjoying the festivities.
Moving between so many people filling the Duke’s Castle to exchange greetings, I found myself so tense I nearly stumbled over my words.
Apart from that, the banquet had been very successful.
“You’re not worn out?”
“Not at all. Shall we hold another one next week?”
“You’ve gained confidence?”
“A little? Perhaps it’s just my nature.”
At that, Kailas laughed softly.
“Even so, that won’t do. I think once a month would be reasonable, don’t you?”
“I understand. But… could we stand apart from each other?”
I ventured the suggestion carefully, but Kailas looked at me as though he’d heard something he shouldn’t.
“…Why?”
“When I was alone for a moment earlier, so many people came to talk to me. But once you’re at my side, no one approaches at all. I had gathered such pleasant conversations with so many.”
It was true.
After we’d greeted everyone as the Duke and Duchess, the moment Kailas stepped away, the ladies and unmarried noblewomen had rushed forward in a crowd to greet me and exchange pleasantries.
They’d asked all manner of questions, but the instant Kailas returned, they scattered like a receding tide.
I could feel again what I’d experienced at the imperial banquet.
“You hate when I’m tired. Isn’t this a good thing?”
“…Do you understand who the host of this event is?”
At that, Kailas fell silent. He seemed to be pouting slightly.
Kailas took a half-step back.
Had I been too harsh?
I reached out and gave Kailas a gentle jab in the ribs.
“I was only teasing. Stay close to me.”
Instantly, Kailas reattached himself to my side like a magnet.
I couldn’t help but smile inwardly at the sight.
It felt as though I had an enormous puppy beside me. Though where in the world would one find such a terrifying puppy.
I knew I shouldn’t, but I kept finding him endearing. And adorable things are hopeless, they say.
I moistened my throat with the juice Kailas had handed me while surveying the surroundings carefully, and noticed that the gaze of the gathered young noblewomen had settled on one point.
Following their curiosity, I could see a young nobleman whose very presence justified the intensity of their attention.
Whoever’s son he was, he certainly had striking features.
With wavy blonde hair and blue eyes, his face was so finely sculpted it appeared almost flamboyant.
Soon after, I saw one of the young noblewomen making her way toward him.
I found myself moved by such youthful energy.
What a wonderful time it is to be young.
I wondered if Kailas had looked so fresh and young when he was just twenty.
Somehow I suspected he’d possessed an incomparable, distinctive presence even then—something far more commanding than youthful charm.
In any case, watching the young noblemen and noblewomen gathered like this, radiating their excitement, I felt certain the Northern Region’s future was bright.
As I gazed contentedly for some time, I heard something snap beside me.
“Hmm?”
I glanced around, but there was nothing that could have made such a sound.
There was no one beside me but Kailas.
“What is it?”
“Didn’t you hear something break just now?”
“…I’m not sure.”
With that, Kailas handed the wine glass he’d been holding to an attendant.
“I see. I suppose I misheard.”
The attendant suddenly startled, set down the tray he’d been carrying on a nearby table, and accepted the wine glass with both hands as though it were a sacred offering.
What was that about.
The banquet gradually gathered momentum.
I gestured to the musician, and the music shifted to a tempo better suited for dancing.
Perhaps I should eat and enjoy myself as well.
Just then, Sid approached us.
“Ah, Sid. Why don’t you enjoy the banquet a little with us?”
“No, that’s quite all right. Actually, sir, there’s something—”
Sid bowed briefly, then whispered something short to Kailas.
“What is it?”
“I need to step out for a moment.”
“Has a demon beast appeared?”
“Possibly.”
“I’ll come with you.”
Kailas responded with a gentle touch to my waist.
“I can’t ruin your first banquet as hostess. I’ll just check the situation and be right back. Won’t be long.”
“…All right.”
I watched Kailas disappear through the doorway in haste.
It probably wasn’t as close as I feared.
Before the banquet began, he’d mentioned patrolling the grounds just in case—I’d been worried about that.
It always seemed to resolve quickly, but I couldn’t help fearing a repeat of last time, when so many followers had appeared.
To hide my unease, I brought the juice to my lips again.
“Thank you for hosting this banquet, Duchess.”
“Hmm? Oh.”
When I turned, the young nobleman who had captured the hearts of all the young noblewomen at the banquet stood before me.
When did he come over?

* * *

“Attacks came from all directions simultaneously. As if they’d coordinated it.”
Kailas’s brow furrowed as he received Sid’s report.
“How many?”
“Mostly small fry, so we’re stretched thin, but it’s nothing critical. What bothers me is that they appeared and vanished all at once.”
“Keep reporting to me regularly until the banquet ends.”
“Yes, sir. They won’t come near the castle.”
Kailas verified the situation with his own eyes to be certain, then returned to the banquet hall.
In that moment, he stopped short at the sight of a young upstart clinging to Hazel.
It was the one whose gaze had caught her attention earlier.
“Yes, quite so.”
He took a step forward, ready to snap the boy’s neck in an instant, but hesitated when he saw how brightly Hazel was smiling.
‘What could they be talking about that makes her smile like that?’
“Yes, I’ve always thought you truly remarkable. I consider it a great honor to see you up close.”
“There will be many good opportunities ahead.”
“May I truly look forward to them?”
‘What is this wretch going on about.’
‘Look forward to? Good opportunities?’
The two exchanged a few more words.
“…You truly are beautiful…….”
The withered fool dared speak words of confession before Hazel.
Hazel’s face grew even brighter.
There was something almost bashful in her expression.
She hadn’t smiled at him so radiantly in recent memory.
‘What does this wretched boy think he’s doing, making her smile so prettily?’
It was certain this wasn’t her usual taste, yet the unexpected warmth of her response made his mouth go impossibly dry.
In other times, it wouldn’t have bothered him in the slightest.
But one year—barely seized like sand through his fingers—had changed him into this.
The anxiety he’d kept hidden rose up like a wave, drowning him.
Instead of approaching Hazel, Kailas turned toward the door leading outside.

* * *

“Hazel.”
“Oh, you’re back? How are things outside? I’ve been worried and waiting……”
Hmm?
I gave Kailas a slow, deliberate once-over from head to toe.
“Everything’s fine out there. You told me to keep watch carefully, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Thank goodness. But Kailas, your hair…….”
I could’ve sworn he’d had his forehead completely exposed a moment ago—when had his bangs come down?
And the dark clothes he’d been wearing had vanished entirely, replaced by a brilliant white formal uniform.
Had he gotten something on his clothes dealing with the monsters outside and changed?
But I’d never seen him wear something so ornate before.
Though it had to be said he wore it with unsettling ease.
Then again, this man could probably drape a straw mat around himself and make it look natural.
“……You said there was no problem outside, but your expression says otherwise.”
At my question, Kailas tilted his head with a slight smile.
“No, there wasn’t.”
“I, I see.”
As I glanced away, he moved to press himself right against my side.
“Why, why are you standing so close? Back away a bit.”
Dangerous. Very dangerous.
This was practically flirting out in the open.
I decided to change the subject to distract myself.
“Oh, that’s right. Before you left, who was I talking to? After you went, some young nobleman approached me.”
“……Who?”
“He was quite handsome. He greeted me, so I greeted him back. He had a pleasant manner of speaking. I enjoyed the conversation. His name was…….”
I turned to tell him about the young nobleman I’d been speaking with, but his hand came to rest against my cheek.
My head turned slowly toward him, and my waist was drawn closer as if caught in his grip.
Kailas’s expression had twisted into something sharp.
“Why, why are you doing this?”
“Did that bastard interest you?”
“What? What did you say?”
“Did that brat catch your fancy?”

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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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