Newlywed Life Begins with a Mistake - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 11

Perhaps because it deviated from the expected trajectory, an unpleasant feeling lingered in his chest.

Casian, who had unconsciously clenched his fist, opened his mouth to deliver punishment once the explanation was finished.

“For this incident, I’ll deduct three months’ worth of salary.”

Casian, who had been about to dismiss the two, suddenly changed his decision.

‘Even so, they are loyal retainers who protect the House of Count Heteus.’

No matter how important Evelyn was, it wasn’t enough to drive them away.

Not only was it difficult to hire trustworthy people, but no one could have predicted Evelyn’s impulsive actions.

Having made that judgment, Casian delivered a light punishment while offering some advice.

“We are grateful for your merciful treatment.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Grace.”

Sebastian and Sophia bowed their heads in gratitude.

At Casian’s dismissal, the two bowed once more before withdrawing from their positions.

“Why go to such lengths?”

Left alone, Casian suddenly expressed his doubt while reviewing the inn incident.

Creating fake ledgers to cover up the maids’ lies was absurd enough, but Evelyn’s actions were equally preposterous.

Any ordinary lady who saw such massive debt would normally flee in the night or pretend ignorance.

“Instead, she personally stepped forward to save the debt-ridden ducal house…”

Why would she undertake such a reckless endeavor?

She was truly an incomprehensible woman.

It was fortunate that he had been present at the scene; otherwise, Evelyn might have suffered hardships.

Wait, could he be certain she would have suffered hardships?

When they went to Dwellon Forest to capture the food supply noblemen, Baron Ribelt had…

[Aaaaah! Die!!!]

He had charged at Evelyn while wielding a knife.

But upon seeing such a baron, Evelyn had subdued him in an instant.

[Aaaaah!]

Her hand movements had been swift and precise.

She defended while simultaneously targeting her opponent’s weak points.

It wasn’t something a lady raised like a hothouse flower could do, unless she were a skilled knight.

But as soon as she became aware of her actions, she immediately let go.

[I… attacked someone…?]

Fear had clouded Evelyn’s face.

It was the expression of someone who had stabbed a person for the first time in their life.

“What am I missing?”

Casian leaned against his desk and stared at the chess board placed to one side.

King, Queen, Rook, Bishop, Knight, Pawn.

Six types of chess pieces were neatly arranged.

The King, which determines the game’s victory or defeat.

The Queen, possessing powerful strength.

The Rook, responsible for solid defense and offensive axis.

The Bishop, shaking the invisible board.

The Knight, bringing about reversals.

The Pawn, weakest but creating new possibilities.

Each piece moves according to rules.

They move as given within predictable ranges.

Every movement has a basis.

But.

“I thought it was a pawn, but was it a knight?”

Strangely, the piece he thought was a pawn couldn’t be controlled.

Just when he felt he could grasp everything with a little coaxing, unpredictable variables arose.

The piece that should move to capture the king kept deviating from his expectations.

Just as Casian’s mind became filled with thoughts of Evelyn.

“Your Grace, Princess Seldian has awakened.”

His aide, Hans, came to deliver news about Evelyn.

* * *

“My lady!”

“Are you conscious?”

As my dark vision cleared, familiar outlines came into view.

Rose and Mary were looking down at me with reddened eyes.

“Are you conscious?”

Upon hearing news that I had awakened, Matthew, who had been grinding herbs nearby, rushed over in a hurry to examine me.

“Fortunately, you’ve passed the critical point.”

Matthew let out a sigh of relief.

With the maids’ help, I sat up in bed and asked Matthew a question to gauge the time.

“How long did I sleep?”

“You slept for about five hours.”

“I slept for five whole hours?”

Didn’t I faint for too long?

Wait, what about the noblemen who embezzled the food supplies before that?

“What happened to the noblemen who were at the inn?”

I urgently turned my head toward the maids.

Mary and Rose answered in turn, as if telling me not to worry.

“The noblemen were transferred to the underground prison. You’re really okay now, aren’t you, my lady?”

“Huuuung! When you came out with such a pale face, we were so worried! Please don’t go out alone anymore, my laaady!”

The maids made tearful faces as if their hearts were still pounding just thinking about it.

Meanwhile, Matthew held out a bowl, apparently having finished preparing the medicine.

“Please take your medicine first.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you remember anything before you collapsed?”

At Matthew’s question, I handed him the empty bowl and answered honestly.

“I’m not sure. At the inn, someone came running at me with a knife, and before I knew it, I had subdued that person.”

“You subdued them? Could you tell me in more detail?”

“Ugh, it tastes awful. Why does this have such a bitter aftertaste?”

Matthew was looking at me with furrowed brows. The bitter taste left me no time to answer as I stuck out my tongue.

I tried to endure it, but I couldn’t ignore the sensation on the tip of my tongue.

“My lady, what you said earlier…”

“Don’t you have anything sweet? This is too bitter!”

Matthew suddenly grabbed my arm, but my mouth situation was more urgent.

Just as I was stamping my feet looking for refreshments, Casian appeared without any sign and put a round pill in my mouth.

“Bitter things are good for your body.”

As I rolled it around gently in my mouth, it was candy that tasted like green grapes.

“Oh, this is delicious?”

“Why did you go out with just two maids and a coachman without any guards?”

As soon as he spoke, a reprimand flew at me.

Having nothing to say, I chose to avoid by rolling my eyes around.

To answer “It was to catch the butler and head maid’s corruption,” the problem was how I knew about Dwellon Forest.

The ledgers only contained basic information like types of food supplies, transaction dates, and traders.

“Hmm, I’m suddenly thirsty. Mary, could you get me some water? Rose, is dinner not ready yet?”

“Oh, yes! My lady!”

“Yees. I’ll go to the kitchen and ask.”

When I pretended not to care and spoke to the maids, Casian made a troubled expression.

“If you really want to go out, I’ll assign you guards, so please take them with you. And don’t forget to wear a robe as well.”

Like a parent scolding a child, Casian repeatedly urged me to be careful.

Seeing his face more relaxed than before, I smiled brightly and nodded.

“I understand.”

Let’s stop now. When I sent that signal, Casian’s lips softened gently.

“My laaady, the soup has arrived. Would you like to have dinner?”

Rose came pulling a trolley, apparently the meal was ready.

Casian, who received the soup from Rose, picked up the spoon himself.

“This is…”

“It’s fine today.”

Matthew offered a shimmering liquid in the middle, but Casian shook his head.

‘It’s fine today? It looks like medicine, shouldn’t he take it?’

Strangely, Matthew’s face didn’t look good. Come to think of it, Matthew seemed to be trying to say something earlier too… I had belated doubts, but since there was no further mention, it probably wasn’t important. After that, I finished a simple meal while being attended to by Casian.

“My lady, this is Sebastian.”

“This is Sophia. If it’s alright, we would like to request an audience.”

Not long after, the butler and head maid knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

When permission was granted, the two appeared with stiff faces.

Both clearly showed signs of tension.

“We’re sorry.”

“Even with ten mouths, we have nothing to say.”

Sebastian and Sophia, who had been looking back and forth between me and Casian, bowed and apologized.

Was it because I caught evidence of their corruption after all?

“Tell me directly what you did wrong.”

When I asked in a lowered voice, the two moved their lips and opened their mouths.

If my prediction is correct, they made a deal with the noblemen…

“We dared to create fake ledgers and deceive you, my lady.”

“We’re sorry for presumptuously trying to test you, my lady.”

Huh, fake ledgers?

What’s going on here?

“Fake ledgers?”

My eyes widened at the unexpected answer.

In response to my question, the two gave a detailed account of what had transpired.

They couldn’t entrust everything to an outsider who didn’t know the South.

So they had tried to test me through fake ledgers.

That was the gist of what they said.

“…I see.”

At this hollow conclusion, I felt my strength drain away.

I was angry that they had tested me, but at the same time I understood.

From the perspective of retainers who had served the Ducal House loyally for a long time, it would be natural for them to be reluctant to entrust everything readily.

“Whatever punishment you decree, I will accept it graciously.”

“I will humbly comply, so please impose a punishment, my lady.”

Sebastian and Sophia, with rigid faces, requested punishment from me.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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