My Contract Husband Demands a Divorce - Chapter 27
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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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“Sob, hic……. My lady……. I should have followed you……”
Sindy’s voice snapped me back to reality.
As my blurry vision regained focus, my room’s ceiling came into view.
“…What happened, Sindy?”
How did I get home?
The memory was far too vivid to be a dream.
As I placed a hand on my head and tried to sit up, Sindy held me back.
“The horse’s front hooves, hic……! You were almost trampled.”
So it really wasn’t a dream.
Just hearing it made me dizzy all over again.
Yet that was nothing compared to what Sindy said next.
“They said a sudden flying stone hit the horse in the head.”
Hit by a stone? Even if it struck the head and not the eye, this was exactly like…….
It felt as if someone was trying to reenact my parents’ deaths.
Goosebumps broke out across my body, making my scalp tingle.
It meant that I, too, could have died just as pointlessly as my parents.
This was an explicit threat.
Who on earth would do such a thing? For what reason? Had I lived my life so wrongly?
I had always tried to be kind to everyone and never gave political squabbles a second thought.
Terror came rushing in.
My body trembled uncontrollably.
I don’t want to die. I want to live. I want to live…….
I gasped, unable to breathe properly, when a warm embrace wrapped around me.
Buried in Sindy’s arms, I gripped her fabric tightly.
A tearful voice sounded above my head.
“Even while unconscious, you seemed to suffer from endless nightmares……. My lady, it’s alright now. It’s truly alright. Try to breathe with me.”
Leaning against Sindy, I regulated my breathing.
Once I calmed down a bit, sensation slowly returned to my body. I ached all over, but it wasn’t severe.
Pulling away from Sindy’s embrace, I examined myself.
Bandages were wrapped around my right hand and left ankle, but that was all.
“Is it broken?”
“No. They said you twisted it when you fell. It’s a mild sprain, so if you stay careful for about a week, it will heal quickly.”
I had assumed something would be severely broken…….
This meant I wasn’t badly hurt. Relieved by the better-than-expected condition, I inquired.
“Who brought me home? I should offer a reward.”
“The Baron.”
“…Who?”
“The Baron. I mean, the master of the house!”
“…Scheit?”
Sindy nodded vigorously.
In an instant, my mind became a tangled mess.
Right before losing consciousness, I did catch a glimpse of Scheit.
Since he had no business being there, I thought I had misseen him, but he brought me home?
Unable to shake off the shock, I forced my dazed mind to work.
Just then, Sindy’s worried voice reached my ears.
“But what should we do, Madam? With that leg, it will be difficult for you to even go out.”
Why did those words make me think of Scheit, who had constantly interfered whenever I tried to leave?
“Sindy, what happened to the horse I rode?”
“I’m not sure. You arrived with the Baron in a carriage.”
“…For now, go to the stable and find out on whose orders and when the feed was changed, alright?”
“Yes! I’ll be right back.”
The moment Sindy left the room, anxiety rushed in.
Having felt threatened once, the entire world now looked like the Grim Reaper’s scythe.
What if the chandelier fell?
What if a bedpost suddenly snapped, or the flame from a candlestick spread to the wall?
What if an intruder broke in?
I retrieved the dagger from the nightstand drawer and gripped it tightly.
There were too many dangerous things in the world. For a long time after my parents passed away, that thought had paralyzed me.
I had finally managed to get a grip and forget about it all…….
Yet it felt like I was dragged right back to that day.
I sat curled up, leaning my back against the headboard. Burying my face in my knees, I trembled before shaking my head rapidly.
‘Get a hold of yourself.’
Fretting like this only breeds more fear. I had promised myself not to waste my life on useless thoughts.
‘I’d rather go horseback riding…….’
Instantly, the image of horse hooves plunging toward my face flashed by, making me shake my head frantically again.
‘Let’s skip riding for next time and change my mood with some shopping…….’
I wanted to, but I was told not to move. Besides, I would have to ride a horse to go out anyway.
Should I read a book?
The moment I stood up using the crutch resting beside the bed, a sharp pain shot through my ankle.
I hesitated for a second but slowly made my way over to the bookshelf.
Staring blankly at the titles lined up in a row, a certain book Sindy had lent me recently caught my eye.
The Captive Pearl.
Didn’t she say it was a story about imperial court intrigue?
It felt like something I might need during times like this.
If the romance elements were too heavy, I could just pick another book.
Pulling the volume out, I flipped through the contents.
Perhaps it was quite a scandalous romance novel, as explicit descriptions appeared here and there.
Good grief, she recommended a book like this to me?
Blushing, I was about to close it when a voice echoed right beside me.
“What are you reading with such intense focus?”
“Aaah!”
My startled shriek instantly morphed into a cry of pain.
I dropped the crutch and stepped down with my injured leg. My ankle buckled, and my balance crumbled completely.
However, I didn’t crash down. A firm arm supported my back.
The book fell with a thud, landing open on an embarrassing page. Scheit stared intently down at the exposed pages before flashing a mischievous smile.
“I didn’t realize my wife enjoyed such lewd literature.”
His tone was a blatant, teasing drawl.
Extricating myself from his embrace, I straightened up and snatched the book from the floor.
“It’s not like that.”
“You seem to be clutching it rather preciously for it not to be like that.”
Ugh, why did he come all this way just to pick a fight?
“Are we close enough to banter like this?”
“Were we not?”
Because my wariness toward him had peaked, I simply leaned against the bookshelf and glared.
Until now, I believed he wouldn’t harm me, but now I couldn’t be sure.
I couldn’t even run far with this leg…….
To make matters worse, my ankle was starting to throb again.
I wanted to get near the bed, where the dagger and the servant’s bell were located.
Having at least one means of protection would bring peace of mind.
Carefully watching Scheit’s expression, I limped along.
At that moment, he strode over, bent down, and scooped me up in one swift motion.
“Kyaak!”
As my body suddenly airborne, a shriek escaped my lips. Hearing the commotion, Sindy threw the door open and rushed inside.
“Madam!”
“Sindy!”
I flailed, reaching a hand out to her, but Scheit paid no heed and kept walking.
“W-What are you doing! Let me go!”
“I am assisting my injured wife in moving.”
“Then why on earth are you……”
Before I could ask why he was helping, Sindy’s expression had already shifted into a pleased grin. I saw her stealthily pulling the door closed.
“Oh dear, now that I think about it, I left the laundry hanging-”
What laundry! She was my personal maid and didn’t even do chores like that……!
“Sindy, don’t leave!”
Even though she was well within earshot, Sindy slipped right out and shut the door.
While I stared at the door in sheer disbelief, Scheit took wide strides forward. Then, he set me down on the bed.
The moment my hips hit the mattress, I bolted upright and retreated backward. Pressing my back against the headboard, I looked up at him.
Scheit wore a thoroughly puzzled expression.
“Did you hear that I rescued you?”
“…I did.”
“Then why are you so on guard?”
Perching on the edge of the mattress, he leaned his upper body toward me.
Hugging the book tightly to my chest, I pressed myself back as far as possible, prompting him to straighten his posture.
Once some distance opened up, a sigh of relief escaped me.
“Why did you come to my room?”
“I came to check on your condition.”
“…As you can see, I’m fine. You don’t need to concern yourself.”
I waited for him to leave, but Scheit didn’t budge.
He merely sat on the edge of the bed, watching me.
As it grew increasingly uncomfortable, I averted my eyes. Scheit’s gaze drifted down to my ankle.
“I am glad you aren’t severely injured.”
“You don’t have to offer such hollow words.”
“Someone mentioned that a stone was thrown at the horse. There was a witness. I have requested an investigation, so the culprit should be caught soon.”
“Is that so? I certainly hope they are caught.”
“……You are exceptionally cold today, wife.”
Scheit reached out, cupping my chin to tilt my face toward his.
His dark brown eyes scrutinized my gaze and expression thoroughly.
As if trying to unearth my exact thoughts.
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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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