Surviving as the Wife of the Swordsmanship Clan’s Troublemaker - Chapter 118

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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 118

The moment I opened the Warehouse door, Eva’s footsteps froze in place. The gravity that had filled her eyes moments before vanished without a trace.
“…W-what is… I mean, what… what is that?”
She stood speechless before the sight, her lips trembling slightly.
Her gaze had landed on a massive rib cage of freshly butchered beef, still glistening with blood, suspended from a dull metal hook.
I quickly removed the meat.
“My apologies. I didn’t realize it would startle you. It’s a common sight at the Market.”
In truth, this was merely butcher-shop standard. At Kalrwai Market, there were far more carcasses with only hide and fur removed.
What was ordinary to me was an alien creature to the Duchess, who had only ever seen meat beautifully dressed in sauce upon fine porcelain.
“I’ll prepare it and step out. Please wait outside.”
She hesitated for a moment, then slowly shook her head.
“No. It’s fine.”
Eva attempted to back away, barely managing to gather her dress skirts to maintain her composure. Yet her trembling pupils betrayed her.
“You don’t appear fine. There’s no need to force yourself.”
“A few deep breaths should help.”
Huff, huff.
After several measured inhalations, she turned her gaze away.
“What kind of meat is this?”
The trembling had already subsided.
“This is beef. The steaks that grace your table are typically made from this cut.”
“Ah, so this is cattle.”
“Yes. And to clarify, the portion I’ll be cooking today is here—the rib section.”
“Do you remove the bones?”
“Normally one would, but today I’m cooking it with the bone attached.”
Elise loves meat torn from the bone. She might very well collapse after the first bite.
Meanwhile, Eva’s expression grew increasingly grave.
She likely believed that eating with one’s hands was something only slaves did.
I deliberately ignored that look and continued.
“Now then, let me cut the bones into manageable portions.”
“You’re doing it yourself!?”
“Step back, please. You might get hurt.”
After moving Eva aside, I shook Junel, who had been leaning against my shoulder. The sulking Junel’s lips protruded like a duck’s beak.
[Tch. Making me cut meat? I should have followed that Helbeorn fellow when he returned!]
Grumbling all the while, Junel lent me strength.
Crunch—!
With decisive knife work, the thick layer of fat separated cleanly in one stroke.
“H-how did you…”
“There’s a technique to everything.”
Slice!
I borrowed strength from the bone, but butchering meat was my specialty.
These hands had touched tens of thousands of pounds of meat over a decade as the daughter-in-law of a prestigious family. My movements were fluid as I severed the tendons between bones and scored the flesh to absorb the marinade.
Eva, who had been subtly holding her nose, gradually shifted her gaze to one of wonder.
Clap, clap, clap.
“…Hallara, that’s amazing.”
A soft exclamation escaped Eva’s lips as she stared in awe. I set down the meat knife and wiped away the beaded sweat, smiling faintly.
“It’s nothing—just preparing meat that the young lady enjoys.”
“It seems Hallara is quite fond of Elise.”
“Yes.”
“And it appears Elise has taken quite a liking to Hallara as well.”
Eva continued, her voice tinged with envy.
“It’s remarkable. Elise doesn’t usually get close to anyone or speak much at all.”
“The young lady?”
“Yes. Within the Manor, there’s only one dedicated maid she actually converses with.”
Hmm.
I could understand why. For Elise, who must hide her magic, there would be no one within the Manor to truly confide in.
“Actually, she seemed quite interested in your husband, Docheop. She dragged herself to every social wedding like she was being led to a slaughterhouse, but she went to your wedding without complaint. And this time, she followed along as if she’d been waiting for it.”
Eva laughed softly.
“Madam….”
“Yes?”
“Would it be alright if I peeled garlic while we talk?”
Sitting idle while chatting made the cloves of garlic before my eyes shimmer distractingly.
At times like this, peeling garlic while talking was the best remedy.
“Of course, I’m not asking you to work, madam.”
I had some conscience, at least. Regardless of anything else, once I peeled garlic, the smell would seep into the spaces between my fingernails. If that happened, who knew what Duncan might say to Eva.
But then Eva suddenly stood up.
“What are you saying? Hallara prepared all the meat. Let me handle this. I just need to peel the skin, right?”
And she pulled off her lace gloves.
“Can you manage it?”
“If Hallara does everything, there’s no reason for me to be here. Even if it doesn’t taste good, I want to give Elise food that I’ve prepared.”
That’s right. Francesca had peeled onions too.
There was no reason the younger Eva couldn’t do the same.
“Be careful with your hands. Make sure the garlic doesn’t touch your face.”
“Don’t worry. I’m actually quite dexterous.”
Eva settled into her seat with an eager smile.
​
***
​
At the same moment.
As the Drawing Room door opened, the Attendant who had been waiting relayed information to Duncan.
“Have you obtained information about the Imperial Prince?”
“The Master and Vice-Master of Libra in the Capital are currently away and unable to conduct business.”
“The Master is away?”
“Yes. They say he will be absent for several days due to an important matter.”
“That’s peculiar.”
The Guild only undertakes significant absences when they’ve acquired information so substantial it justifies days of lost revenue. What could such information possibly be?
Did they leave to verify rumors that the Imperial Prince of the Northern Empire had returned alive? Yet there would be no need for the Master to move personally.
Furrowing his brow in bewilderment, someone approached him.
“You appear quite busy.”
It was Docheop.
Duncan turned toward the source of that soft voice without bothering to conceal his displeasure.
Until recently, this man had been called the Kingdom’s greatest wastrel. Under normal circumstances, Duncan would have ignored him entirely without a second glance.
But today was different.
‘…He’s grown several stages in one leap?’
Duncan had vaguely noticed the change since Docheop’s wedding, but the difference between then and now was incomparable. Contrary to his original intention to dismiss and pass by, Duncan found himself stopping without realizing it.
“It’s been a while, Prince Docheop.”
The man once notorious as a wastrel now radiated overwhelming presence. Docheop offered a light bow and spoke casually.
“It has been a while. I saw you this morning, but you seemed busy, so I’m only greeting you now. I hear you invested a substantial sum in the food business my wife created.”
“Cardia doesn’t spare expenses on worthwhile ventures. Of course, this business investment was made because my wife requested it.”
“It won’t prove to be a poor choice.”
As Docheop spoke with a smile, Duncan continued, observing him.
“It seems so. Your wife’s excellent household management appears to extend beyond mere business. To think you’ve become a respectable 7-Star Awakener.”
Duncan smiled with genuine satisfaction. Quick calculations raced through his mind.
The man once called a wastrel had certainly changed thanks to marriage. Otherwise, the noble Francesca Bloodmere, Duchess would never have accepted a commoner as her daughter-in-law.
‘Then Elise as well.’
Once paired with the right match, she would surely mature quickly and find stability.
“Indeed, people only find their proper place and grow when they establish a home with their true match. I wonder if my daughter will do the same when she meets a good match.”
At Duncan’s confident words, Docheop narrowed his eyes slightly.
“She certainly will if she meets the right match.”
“Thank you. I’m glad I saw you again today.”
Duncan’s face had become the happiest since arriving at Bloodmere. He had no doubt that this marriage would bring glory to both Elise and Cardia.
But Docheop had no intention of allowing such sweet reverie to continue unchecked.
“Since you are such a reliable investor for the Family, I thought I might show you a small gesture of goodwill.”
Docheop’s languid voice suddenly dropped low.
“Goodwill?”
“Regarding the international conference that will soon convene.”
At the sudden mention of a conference, Duncan waited for more, his entire body tensing.
I had heard that an emergency meeting would be convened, but its details remained strictly confidential.
Docheop took a slow step toward Duncan, who stood rigid with bewilderment, and whispered in a low voice.
“It concerns the Holy Church. They have finally revealed their true nature.”

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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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