My Contract Husband Demands a Divorce - Chapter 91

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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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“Are you really, truly awake? Were you actually inside the body of the real Scheit Huniswald?”
As Yulisian nodded, Papilion slumped into a seat, letting out a heavy sigh of relief.
Tristan stepped closer and clapped Yulisian hard on the shoulder.
“Yuri! You’re back. Hahaha, hahahaha! Tell me, how was your trial run at married life? Hmm?”
Ordinarily, he would have chided Tristan for using a childhood nickname.
Or perhaps he would have countered Tristan’s joke with one of his own.
Yet he found himself unable to do either.
He lowered his gaze to look at his own hands.
The body that had fit so perfectly in his arms, the weight leaning into him. The way she had managed to pull her arms free to shield him even as they tumbled down.
His memory cut off there.
‘I didn’t die right in front of her, did I?’
He had to check.
Whether Amarynthis was safe. What had become of her husband, Scheit Huniswald.
Yulisian attempted to shift his weight.
But even pushing the blanket aside proved an agonizing struggle.
The moment he tried to plant his feet and stand, his legs buckled beneath him, completely unable to bear his own weight.
“Your Grace!”
Papilion cried out in alarm and rushed forward.
Fortunately, Tristan was nearby and caught him before he could hit the floor.
Yulisian was eased back onto the bed.
His body, having lain dormant for three months, was a complete wreck.
His joints felt stiff, and his muscles and ligaments had seized up.
In this state, leaving the room was out of the question, let alone making it to the Huniswald Mansion.
“Papilion.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Send someone to the Palace to find out if Amarynthis is safe.”
The gravity in his voice caused Papilion’s expression to harden in turn.
When Yulisian had first entered Scheit’s body, his heart had stopped once on the way to the mansion.
“Were you attacked again?”
While catching Amarynthis, Yulisian had spotted Melis Haller standing at the top of the stairs.
Panting with hatred and malice, her hands had violently shoved Amarynthis; her amber eyes had stared without so much as a blink, as if waiting to watch her break.
It was a deliberate push meant to cause severe harm.
“If you want to call it an attack, then yes.”
“I will go check myself.”
Papilion offered a polite bow and left the room.
Tristan sat beside Yulisian and began kneading his atrophied limbs.
“Tsk, tsk. You’re completely useless like this.”
“It will take at least three months to fully restore my physical functions.”
“Will you head down to the Southern Region?”
“I must. There is the matter with Dietrich. Besides, the Southern Region is safer.”
“I shall escort you.”
Yulisian forced a faint smile and nodded.
Yet his mind was entirely consumed by thoughts of Amarynthis.
He wondered if she was hurt somewhere, or if she was weeping while cradling the body of Scheit Huniswald.
It was just as he was attempting to coax his uncooperative limbs into movement.
Papilion returned.
“The Baroness is unharmed.”
A breath of profound relief escaped Yulisian’s lips.
“What about Scheit Huniswald?”
“The Doctor examined him and confirmed there are no physical injuries. However, his breathing reportedly stopped once, and he was brought back to the mansion unconscious.”
“Unconscious… Does that mean he is in the same state as when I vacated the body?”
“It appears so.”
He prayed that was the case.
As things stood, Amarynthis knew far too much.
What if Scheit Huniswald reclaimed his body and awoke? What if Amarynthis, unaware of the shift, attempted to discuss strategies for stopping Kildian with him?
She would undoubtedly be in grave danger.
Of course, Amarynthis was perceptive and sharp; she would likely notice immediately if Scheit changed.
‘She said she loved him.’
The very moment she confessed her feelings, the recipient of that confession had vanished like smoke.
Only Amarynthis knew that another soul had occupied Scheit’s body.
Therefore, she would have to endure the immense grief and sense of loss entirely alone.
The mere thought of it made his heart ache.
And following that ache came fear.
“Your Grace, do you feel unwell? Shall I summon a physician?”
“No. I am fine.”
Tristan, who had been watching silently, crossed his arms and nodded.
“You seem terribly worried about the lady!”
“Worried about the Baroness? Is there any need for that? She is clever, calculating, and fiercely protective of her own safety.”
“She has grown somewhat reckless since returning from the Southern Region. If she thinks I am gone, there is no telling what she might do…”
As Yulisian spoke, Papilion’s eyes narrowed into slits.
“Reckless? Did the Archduke just express concern over someone else being reckless?”
Tristan quietly stood up and slipped out of the room. The moment the door clicked shut, a lecture came pouring down.
“Are you speaking of the same person who attacked his own allies in battle just to get captured and brought to the Capital? The person who sneaked into the Kleinheits Mansion wearing Scheit Huniswald’s face? The person who faced a Demonic Beast with a mere handful of men just to save a single village?”
“…That was.”
“Do you finally understand how I feel?”
“I am in a position where I must do those things, but Amarynthis is not.”
Papilion’s expression grew even colder.
He reached into his coat, a familiar habit returning after a long time.
“As I thought, my resignation—”
“Leaving a sick man behind? How heartless, Papilion.”
“I have fulfilled my loyalty simply by holding the fort while you were busy romancing someone in another body.”
“I lack the strength to even hold a piece of paper, so I cannot accept a resignation letter.”
“I would be more than happy to place it directly in your hand.”
With practiced ease, Yulisian folded the imaginary resignation letter several times and tossed it into the fireplace.
He then looked up at the sighing Papilion and spoke with absolute seriousness.
“Papilion, I intend to go to the Southern Region for the time being to focus entirely on my recovery. You must remain here and ensure Amarynthis detaches herself from everything.”
“And how should I manage that?”
“If she realizes I have vanished, she will undoubtedly try to stop Kildian, even if it means helping you. She has seen firsthand how terrifying the Demonic Beasts are.”
“Does the Baroness not know that Your Grace was inside Scheit’s body?”
“She knows a different soul was present, but she does not know it was me.”
“Then why not simply tell her and ask for her assistance? The Baroness is a rare talent, hard to come by.”
“I know. If I reveal my identity and ask for her help, she will likely offer it gladly.”
“Then what is the problem?”
“That is the problem.”
Yulisian recalled the exact moment Amarynthis fell down the stairs.
Of course, no matter who it was, Yulisian would have caught them.
Helping someone in danger, protecting the vulnerable.
Those were duties he naturally accepted.
He felt no fear when performing his regular duties.
Yet when Amarynthis was falling, he had been terrified.
Terrified that she might be hurt, or that she might die.
Pure terror had driven his body forward.
If Amarynthis were to become a factor in the countless decisions he had to make in the future, if a situation arose where he had to weigh her life against something else, Yulisian knew he would hesitate.
Amarynthis was his hesitation, and his fear.
And enemies had a word for such things: a weakness.
“We have managed perfectly well without Amarynthis until now. There is no need to drag an innocent person into something so perilous.”
Papilion sensed that there was more to it than that.
Archduke Yulisian cherished capable people, regardless of age or gender.
Once he took someone under his wing, he never let them go. That was the very reason Papilion and several others remained bound to his service.
Yet the emotion directed toward Amarynthis seemed laced with something entirely different. Even so, Papilion chose not to pry.
“Understood, Your Grace.”
* * *
“Wait a moment.”
Amarynthis placed a hand over Scheit’s approaching mouth.
Scheit did not loosen the arm wrapped tightly around her waist, keeping his gaze locked onto her.
‘Did she notice something?’
Scheit’s gaze crawled over Amarynthis’s skin, gleaming with a sinister, dark intent.
Unaware of the nature of his look, Amarynthis was merely staring at his head in deep concern.
“You’re bleeding from your head! Just hold still.”
She stood up and began moving busily around the room to fetch medicine and a bandage.
Scheit touched his own head.
Blood was indeed trickling down.
He balled his blood-stained hand into a fist, watching her retreating figure while licking his lips.
For about three months, Archduke Yulisian had occupied his body.
During that time, Scheit had seen what the Archduke saw and felt what the Archduke felt.
He knew exactly how soft the hair and skin felt beneath his fingers, and exactly how warm and fragrant the body felt when held close.
And now, all of it belonged to him.
The moment Amarynthis returned, he pulled her by the waist, drawing her body flush against his own.
Looking down at her violet eyes, which had widened in sheer surprise, Scheit let a deeply satisfied smile spread across his face.

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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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