Surviving as the Wife of the Swordsmanship Clan’s Troublemaker - Chapter 112

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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 112

Elise’s eyes sparkled with unmistakable hunger—the same unbridled appetite she’d displayed at dawn now consuming her before the feast.
“I’m afraid we must conclude our meal here.”
Duncan rose from his seat.
“Elise. Come with me.”
“But there’s still so much meat left?”
“Enough. Must I endure further displays of such shameless conduct?”
“Father, you’re the one being discourteous now. Leaving behind food you’ve had prepared—is that the dignity of the Ducal House you speak of?”
“Not another word.”
And so the banquet ended.
Francesca and Eva apologized to me repeatedly. I returned to my room empty-handed—the beautiful room Francesca had prepared for me.
Docheop stood there, his expression grave, chin resting in his palm.
“My lord, is something wrong?”
“There is.”
Could there be an issue with Casio’s awakening?
As I spoke with concern, Docheop’s brow furrowed.
“It’s this room. This blindingly bright, eye-searing room.”
It was indeed a space that didn’t suit someone who valued simplicity as he did.
“You’re welcome to stay in another room, my lord.”
“What are you saying?”
He asked sharply.
“Mother prepared this room for me, after all.”
“Don’t you think this is a room meant for newlyweds?”
He pointed toward something with his finger.
I hadn’t noticed it properly when I’d rushed out to greet the guests, but atop the bed scattered with rose petals, I could see a pair of mandarin ducks folded from towels.
Their beaks were touching.
Yet somehow, the embarrassment fell entirely on me.
“Do you want to sleep with me?”
“Yes.”
Why did it come out so bluntly?
“Why?”
We no longer needed to pretend to be husband and wife, after all.
Docheop studied me for a moment.
“You don’t want to?”
At his returned question, I blinked.
I didn’t dislike it. But I couldn’t say I wanted to share the bed with him.
“Hallara.”
As silence stretched between us, he slowly walked toward me.
Without thinking, I stepped back. My back touched the wall. Docheop stood before me. Close.
“Why are you like this?”
“Like what?”
“You’re too close.”
“Stay still.”
He didn’t step back.
I tried to look away, but there was nowhere appropriate to look. No matter where my eyes went, it was Docheop.
‘Why has he been like this lately?’
Heat rushed to my face.
He reached out his hand.
My heart sank heavily.
His hand moved toward my neck.
‘Wait.’
Something cold and delicate touched my neck.
Click.
Docheop withdrew his hand.
I remained frozen, reaching up to touch my neck.
A jewel the size of a thumbnail hung from a thin chain, glimmering brilliantly.
“…What is this?”
“A bribe.”
“A bribe? Not a gift?”
“Right. It was originally a gift, but it just became a bribe. A bribe so you won’t say you hate spending time with me.”
I hadn’t even thought of that.
“You said your eyes hurt terribly.”
“They do. I might need nursing care every day.”
He rubbed his eyes and leaned against me.
“Hehe. Why don’t you ask Casio to heal you?”
Docheop shook his head.
It seemed I had become comfortable to him. Judging by his whining.
‘That must mean he enjoys spending time with me that much.’
Or perhaps he was grateful for my help. Either way, I felt good. A smile bloomed naturally on my face. I didn’t want to ruin this moment with needless worry.
“Thank you. This is the first necklace gift I’ve ever received.”
“It suits you well.”
“Yay. I have to brag about this. The Duke gave it to me.”
As I giggled and touched the necklace, Docheop murmured in a serious voice.
“I should have prepared something bigger and more elaborate…”
“Pardon?”
“Hallara, come here.”
Docheop took my hand and led me to the center of the room. He briefly brushed his lips against my hand as he pulled me close. I was startled by the sensation and tried to pull back, but only for a moment.
“Huh?”
The jewel on the necklace transformed into a dagger and wrapped itself around my hand.
“A sword? A real sword?”
“Do you like it?”
The thin short blade fit perfectly in my palm, its hilt adorned with a crimson gemstone. The blade itself gleamed with a keen, razor-sharp edge.
“It’s perfect.”
What more could I say.
“I’m receiving a sword from the world’s strongest knight! This is insane!”
A delighted squeal escaped my lips.
Swish, swish—!
The short blade moved lightly, as if tailored to my body.
“I thought you should have at least one weapon for self-defense.”
“Thank you. I’ve always dreamed of owning a sword like this. Every legendary blade Junel found for me was so heavy my arms ached, but this one fits perfectly. Does this mean I can actually use a sword now?”
“No.”
Docheop spoke firmly, then placed my sword around my neck like a necklace.
“Absolutely not!”
So I was supposed to wear it as a decoration, then.
“It’s dangerous if you don’t know how to handle it properly.”
“Just a little. I need to know how to use it for self-defense.”
“I’ll teach you. We’ll start with a wooden sword, step by step.”
“Don’t do that—”
“No.”
“I’m quite skilled with blades. I’ve handled various kitchen knives and you have no idea how well I can cut. I’ll learn quickly.”
I might even wield it as well as a Novice Knight in no time.
But Docheop seemed thoroughly unconvinced.
“What if a Holy Knight approaches right now? Who knows when a traitor like Morgan might show up.”
“I’ll protect you.”
Tch.
I pushed out my lower lip in a pout.
Then Docheop’s lips curved upward in a smile.
I thought he might indulge my cute display of affection, but he ultimately placed a wooden sword the size of the short blade into my hands.
​
***
Duncan hurled Elise into the guest room as if discarding trash.
“Honey! Don’t do that.”
Eva grabbed Duncan’s arm. But she couldn’t quell the anger that had accumulated steadily throughout their journey.
“I’m too ashamed to even lift my head! How can she be inferior to commoners?”
Elise pouted dismissively at his words.
‘How can I possibly restrain myself when I just ate such incredible meat.’
Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t get this excited over food. Every meal brought nothing but vegetables to the table, and the meat was always from the leanest cuts.
But the pork she’d tasted today—boiled in water, they said—had burst with juices in her mouth.
The salted meat she’d eaten at dawn had been excellent too, but this boiled pork had perfectly struck her fancy.
“It was delicious. That’s why.”
“Anyone would think you were starving.”
“It’s practically the same as starving. I eat barely enough for a bird.”
“Your stepmother and I eat similarly and manage just fine.”
“I don’t want to become as scrawny as my stepmother.”
“How dare you speak so carelessly!”
As Duncan finally raised his hand, Eva clung to him pleadingly.
“Stop. Please stop.”
“How could my own blood produce such an unruly child?”
His cracked voice lashed at her harshly. But his scolding no longer reached Elise.
Snap.
As she flicked her fingers, a barrier formed around her and all sound in the world vanished.
Duncan continued moving his lips rapidly, his face flushed, still saying something she couldn’t hear.
It was a silencing spell.
One of the spells Elise used most frequently.
‘If you find me so distasteful, just throw me out.’
But Duncan never actually threw her out—he only ever added to his endless nagging.
Trapped in her own world while listening to his interminable complaints, she found herself thinking of the wedding that had taken place here not long ago. That wedding, brimming with the vitality of Castle inhabitants, without the pretentious smiles of ladies in expensive dresses wielding fans adorned with feathers.
The conversation she’d had with Docheop at that event had filled her mind these past few days.
‘If I do as that reckless fool suggested, could I really escape the Family?’
Once planted, the hope of escape had ignited a fire in her heart.
Sniff. Lost in thought, she naturally rubbed her nose and met Duncan’s eyes.
“Elise!”
Duncan shouted desperately at sounds she couldn’t hear.
They truly didn’t match.
A noblewoman was never suited to her in the first place.
Duncan wanted her to maintain dignity as a Noblewoman of a prestigious Family and become the Family’s figurehead, but Elise despised such a puppet’s existence. She had dreams.
A grand dream she’d harbored for ages—to become a Grand Mage, mastering all magic in the world and conquering the Magic Tower.
But if the Family discovered she could wield magic, she would undoubtedly be locked away in a sunless prison rather than the Magic Tower.
‘In that case….’
Elise smiled bitterly. And as the taste of boiled pork lingered in her mouth, her resolve hardened.

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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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