Surviving as the Wife of the Swordsmanship Clan’s Troublemaker - Chapter 123

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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 123

“…Crown Prince?”
A hoarse whisper escaped my lips. It was shocking enough that a guest had arrived from the Northern Empire, with whom we were at war—but a Crown Prince?
‘Wait, didn’t the Northern Empire’s Crown Prince die?’
The Northern Kingdom had a backstory where losing his son turned the ruler into a tyrant.
I turned my head toward Elise, who was scratching her disheveled hair beside me.
“Noblewoman, do you know anything about the Northern Empire’s Crown Prince?”
“Huh? Crown Prince?”
Elise yawned widely and answered with indifference.
“Um. Well. I have no idea. Unless you’re talking about cuts of beef.”
For someone supposedly the Noblewoman of the Cardia Family, she showed remarkably little interest in international affairs.
As I narrowed my eyes, Elise grabbed my arm.
“Wait! I remember now.”
“You’re not joking?”
Given how much she’d been teasing and joking around, I wasn’t sure I could trust her.
“I’m serious! I may not remember other things, but I remember the food from the funeral!”
“What?”
“Yes. That white deer steak was exquisite. They said it was a rare animal that only appears on the Snow Mountain, right? Haha, Father got angry about eating such a rare creature and refused to eat it, but I did. It melted so delicately on my tongue.”
She swallowed hard.
“But Noblewoman, I’m asking about whose funeral it was, not the food.”
“The Crown Prince’s. The only Crown Prince they had died, and they hung up a portrait and everyone cried together.”
At Elise’s answer, both our gazes snapped simultaneously toward May, who stood before the door. May shrank her shoulders and blinked in confusion at our stares.
“Um, really? The Northern Empire’s Crown Prince arrived with several Imperial Knights, didn’t he? And in a carriage bearing the Northern Imperial Family’s crest?”
“May, didn’t you mishear?”
“N-no way! Let me go outside right now and verify the details accurately!”
May clutched her skirts and hurried out of the room. Left behind, Elise and I exchanged bewildered glances. A Crown Prince who had already held a funeral had returned alive. What on earth was happening outside?
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“May I have a word with you?”
Once morning arrived and the pungent garlic smell had dissipated, Duncan sought conversation with Eva.
Eva finished her grooming with meticulous care and sat across from him. After the Maid poured hot tea and withdrew, Duncan finally spoke.
“You worked hard last night.”
“Worked hard? I’m not sure what you mean…”
“I had a deep conversation with Docheop last night. Just as you said, that culinary venture appears to have boundless potential, so I’ve agreed to expand my investment further.”
Eva’s eyes widened with joy.
“Thank goodness. I thought you disapproved of the business.”
Truth be told, he had.
Duncan had come to Bloodmere to recover his investment capital and withdraw from the venture. Certainly, kimchi suited the palates of Southern Empire citizens who enjoyed bold flavors, but as a nobleman, it was beneath him.
After all, it was food made by commoners.
But that was only the story until yesterday.
“Nonsense. I spent all last night marveling at your discernment.”
Duncan spared no praise.
Eva couldn’t hide her bewilderment—she had expected to be scolded for entering the Kitchen and returning with food odors clinging to her, heedless of noble dignity.
“Thank you. I never knew you thought so highly of it.”
“You’ve saved our Family.”
“What?”
Sensing something more lay beneath his words, she studied his face as he lowered his voice to a whisper.
“The truth is, the Holy Church has been proven to actually exist.”
“What do you mean…”
“Bloodmere is the one who exposed their existence. That’s why our eldest is away. Moreover, an emergency summit was hastily convened in the Western Empire Capital.”
“Then…”
“I hope we can root them out entirely this time, but in the worst case, a global holy war could erupt. To protect our militarily weak Cardia Family, establishing a firm alliance with Bloodmere—the strongest military power—is our highest priority.”
Eva nodded, her expression mingling relief with tension.
“So that’s why you increased the investment. It’s a wise decision.”
“It’s all thanks to you. Without you, I would have heard this news far too late and been unable to act at all.”
Duncan squeezed her hand firmly. Then Eva asked carefully.
“Darling, but if things are this serious, what happens to Elise’s marriage?”
“We’ll have to postpone it for now.”
Eva smiled with relief. The thing that had worried her most had vanished. She had only just begun to ease Elise’s heart, and if she now insisted on marriage regardless, Elise would only close her heart more firmly.
‘I was right to come here. I was right to ask Hallara.’
She vowed again and again that she would repay this kindness someday.
“The marriage proposal we sent to the Northern Empire is problematic, though. We don’t know how they’ll respond.”
“We should withdraw it. You haven’t sent an envoy yet, have you?”
Yet Duncan seemed hesitant, as if he didn’t want to do that.
That was when it happened.
“Your Grace!”
The door burst open and the Cardia Family’s Attendant rushed in, his face drained of all color.
“What is all this commotion? How uncouth, making such a fuss at this hour.”
“My lord, it appears we have a visitor from the Northern Empire.”
Duncan’s eyes widened at the Attendant’s words.
“What? From the Northern Empire? Has the betrothal letter already arrived? You mean they’ve come to take Elise away?”
“No, my lord. They’ve come as a guest to Bloodmere.”
Duncan rose from his seat. The Crown Prince, whom they hadn’t even officially announced as alive, had suddenly appeared at their doorstep. There had to be something behind this visit.
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I bit down hard on my lower lip as May rushed in with her breathless report. The Crown Prince had truly come.
‘Why on earth? How could a dead man return to life?’
With Docheop away, there was no one I could ask, no one I could consult. Moreover, I couldn’t very well refuse to greet our unexpected guest.
“Understood, May. I’ll go now.”
“Would you like me to accompany you?”
Elise asked with concern, noticing my unease.
“No, that won’t do. A guest should be received by the lady of the house.”
“Hmph. I don’t mind, really. Just come find me if you need anything. I’ll be in my room.”
“Thank you.”
I forced a smile, draped my formal cloak over my dress, and stepped out of the room.
At last I reached the entrance to the Guest Reception Room. But before the firmly closed door stood Francesca, the Mother-in-law of Bloodmere, her face drained of all color.
“Mother-in-law? Why are you standing here?”
I had naturally assumed she would already be inside greeting our visitor.
“Hallara. Thank goodness you’ve come.”
But she asked me an unexpected question.
“Do you happen to know Prince Aurel of the Northern Empire?”
“I beg your pardon? The Northern Empire’s Crown Prince? How could someone of my common birth possibly know such an exalted personage? I’m simply shocked that he’s come alive.”
At my bewildered response, Francesca swallowed hard and cast a sidelong glance at the firmly shut door of the reception room.
“That’s precisely what I mean. I even attended his funeral last year. Yet there he stands—the very prince whose portrait I saw in that casket, alive and returned.”
“How did he come to be alive?”
“He says he’ll explain once you’re brought in.”
“Me? Alone?”
Francesca nodded.
“He insists on speaking with you privately. That’s precisely why I was about to summon you.”
A private audience?
“It’s all rather strange. The sudden swarm of monsters, and now this—something feels deeply wrong. If you find yourself uncomfortable, simply say the word and I’ll make an excuse to remove myself. Speak freely.”
I gazed at the firmly closed door of the reception room.
The Crown Prince of the Northern Empire.
Meeting a character who didn’t exist in the original story was hardly a pleasant prospect.
‘…He doesn’t seem like the type to quietly withdraw if I simply refuse.’
But outside it was broad daylight, and the grounds were thick with Francesca’s Knights and Bloodmere’s soldiers. Besides, the Duke of Cardia and Elise were here as well.
‘What could possibly be wrong?’
I suppressed my anxiety and carefully withdrew my hand from Francesca’s, clasping it firmly in mine instead.
“Please don’t worry, Mother. Let me go in and see what this is about.”
“Will you be alright?”
“They came as a guest, not an enemy, so they likely mean no harm. Who knows—they might have stumbled upon our kimchi somewhere and decided to invest in us.”
I smiled at her worried expression.
Then, feigning confidence, I pushed open the Drawing Room door.

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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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