Newlywed Life Begins with a Mistake - Chapter 76

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

Chapter 76

“Should I just pretend not to know and continue living like this?”

Though we had become entangled due to unavoidable circumstances, it was certain that Casian had feelings for me.

He may not have approached me with pure intentions from the beginning, but now I could feel that his feelings were genuine.

“He probably entrusted me with the banquet because he likes me.”

It was just speculation, but perhaps Casian wanted to publicly announce through the Heteus Banquet that we had a solid relationship.

Normally, I would have fled long ago, but now the situation was different.

“Maybe it wouldn’t be bad to continue living like this.”

When I thought of my life of living as if being chased, this lifetime seemed fine to continue as it was.

Though it had been a turbulent journey, forming a marital bond with someone I never could have imagined… no, we hadn’t formed it yet.

Anyway! Since I had met such a good connection, I was satisfied with my current life!

However… if there was a problem.

[My lady, first—]

[Don’t touch me!]

After my memories returned, I unconsciously cut off Casian’s words and coldly swatted his hand away.

A harsh cracking sound echoed, followed by silence.

[No, that’s not what I meant!]

[I apologize. I forgot that my hands were dirty.]

Unlike me, who panicked belatedly, Casian calmly responded and assigned Valhalla Knights as my escort, telling me to go ahead first.

“I heard from Mary that he didn’t return until morning…”

Would it be okay to just let this slide?

“I don’t want us to become distant…”

Of course, there were other problems remaining besides this, but I thought the western matter could be resolved later.

If only there hadn’t been a sudden visitor.

“Bell.”

* * *

Around the same time.

“Your Grace, we have completed the transfer of Princess Sibaven, Silvia, to the monastery.”

Hans, who had led the knights to the monastery, reported immediately upon returning to the Duke’s mansion.

Casian, who was handling business in his study, asked indifferently while keeping his gaze fixed on the documents.

“What about the forces that followed?”

“We dealt with them. Seeing how they were ambushed everywhere, it seems the kingdom was involved… Was there no contact from the Sibaven Kingdom?”

At Hans’s question, Casian’s lips curved into a crooked smile.

“There was. They drew a clear line.”

He had tried to negotiate using Silvia, but the King of Sibaven cast out the princess as soon as he received the news.

【Good heavens! How could such a thing happen! I apologize for the trouble caused to the Empire. However, this is entirely Silvia’s problem. It has nothing to do with the kingdom, so please handle it as you see fit.】

The King of Sibaven ended his reply by adding that he would strip Silvia of her position.

And yet, fearing that his daughter might reveal secrets, he sent assassins.

Should I overthrow the Sibaven Kingdom while I’m at it?

He considered it briefly, but as soon as he did, a message flew in from the Imperial Palace.

【I know the Duke’s loyalty better than anyone, but now is the time to thoroughly manage so that innocent blood is not spilled in the Empire. Your mind and body must be weary, so take some rest.】

Don’t push too hard. Even if it’s a vassal state, you must show mercy.

The Emperor, who conveyed this meaning in a roundabout way, suggested that Casian wrap up the matter at this point.

“It seems Princess Sibaven anticipated being abandoned and requested a temple trial.”

Hans, who had heard the whole story, clicked his tongue briefly. Casian also shook his head in agreement with Hans’s words.

“Right. She broke down because the punishment level was higher than expected. Anyway, you did well. Rest for today.”

“Thank you, Your Grace!”

Hans disappeared quickly with a bright smile.

Left alone, Casian pushed up his silver-rimmed glasses and focused on his work again.

But before long, he took off his glasses and ran a hand over his face.

“…This is driving me crazy.”

His mind kept wandering elsewhere.

The afterimage wouldn’t fade.

It was just yesterday.

[Don’t touch me!]

Evelyn’s frightened face came vividly to mind.

She, who was clearly startled, reached out to him belatedly, but Casian had also avoided her hand.

“What if she has recovered her memories…”

He was afraid of facing a reality he didn’t want to imagine.

“Come to think of it, I think the vice-captain said he met Pabel.”

[Your Grace, it was definitely the captain.]

When he went to the neighboring town festival to eliminate Count Heteus’ henchmen, the Valhalla Captain had definitely said this.

[I don’t know what happened, but the Captain interfered.]

Casian, caught up in complex thoughts, finally rose to his feet after much deliberation.

Pabel was a problem, but he was also worried about Evelyn.

At dawn, he had quietly nursed Evelyn who was burning with fever before leaving her to the maids.

Worried that Evelyn might feel burdened, he ordered the maids to tell her he had returned in the morning if she asked about his whereabouts.

“She should be awake by now…”

It should be fine to just check on her condition briefly.

Making excuses for why he needed to visit her, Casian left his study and soon stopped in his tracks at a voice he heard from somewhere.

“Bell, you know it well too. That you and the Duke can never be together.”

* * *

30 minutes earlier.

“Bell.”

“What brings you here?”

An unexpected guest had appeared.

Black hair that seemed to have swallowed the night sky and blue eyes.

Seeing the person, Evelyn stiffened.

“I had business in the South, and since I was here, I came to see you.”

The man who had silently penetrated the solid defenses of House Hetis lightly surveyed Evelyn’s room before sitting on the sofa.

“You’re living well-treated. Is that why you won’t come back?”

“Ian. How did you get here?”

“Did I come somewhere I shouldn’t have?”

When Ian tilted his head askew and asked, Evelyn let out a long sigh and answered quietly.

“You should have contacted me before coming.”

“I sent a letter requesting an audience. It probably arrived at the Hetis Duchy by now?”

“That’s no different from sending it today. Let’s move locations first.”

When Evelyn pulled the bell cord next to the table, the head maid, Sophia, appeared.

“Did you call for me, my lady?”

“Bring tea to the drawing room.”

“Understood.”

Despite an intruder barging into Evelyn’s room, Sophia showed no reaction whatsoever.

“I’m fine here too.”

“I don’t like it.”

Evelyn spoke firmly and opened the door.

But Ian remained leaning against the sofa without getting up.

“Aren’t you coming?”

“…”

“Brother.”

“I should go. It’s my sister’s request.”

Only after hearing the title he wanted did Ian smile wickedly and rise to his feet.

Fortunately, whether Sophia had made arrangements beforehand, they encountered no one on their way to the drawing room.

“Sophia, about today’s events…”

“I will keep silent. If there are any witnesses, I will silence them.”

When Evelyn hesitated and couldn’t bring herself to speak, Sophia smiled reassuringly.

“Please have a comfortable conversation as family.”

As Sophia left, Ian, who had been watching, spoke with curious eyes.

“You’ve got yourself a good maid?”

“So what’s your business?”

“Do family members need such things?”

“We’re not exactly a normal family.”

After finishing her answer, Evelyn’s throat suddenly tightened.

“Family connected by blood but worse than strangers. Isn’t that what we are?”

As her sealed memories were released, sadness suddenly washed over her.

They weren’t a harmonious family, but they had been reasonably close.

“You might have hated me, but I didn’t.”

“Then why did you do that back then?”

“Don’t act spoiled, Evelyn.”

Ian, who had been wearing a playful expression just moments ago, had already erased his expression.

“It might seem unfair from your perspective. But do you think providing gorgeous jewels and dresses, a prosperous environment is easy? Considering the harsh northern environment, you lived luxuriously.”

“That’s why I said I’d help too! Like Mother—”

“Becoming the Imperial Court’s dog, watching your parents die from poison, living not knowing when you might lose someone precious again.”

“…”

“Could you live like that? You couldn’t handle it and ran away. Isn’t that right?”

When Evelyn couldn’t easily answer, Ian smirked as if he had expected this and shrugged his shoulders.

“People really don’t change. Anyway, start wrapping things up.”

“Why should I have to.”

When Evelyn bit her lips and glared at him, Ian burst into a sneer.

“Then are you going to leave the West as it is? How many people are enduring to maintain your precious residence.”

“…I know. But the Heteus Banquet is right around the corner….”

“Bell, you know it well too. That you and the Duke can never be together.”

Ian’s eyes turned cold as he spoke frigidly.

Ian looked down at Evelyn intently, then clenched his jaw and plunged a chilling dagger into her heart.

“Don’t be mistaken. You’re not the Duchess.”

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