Surviving as the Wife of the Swordsmanship Clan’s Troublemaker - Chapter 45

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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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Episode 45

 

***

 

After having a lonely breakfast, Francesca returned to her room and gazed out the window for a long time.

 

“My lady, please don’t be too heartbroken. Someday the young masters will understand your feelings.”

 

Karl comforted her while pouring hot tea. A rich ginger scent spread through the air.

 

At the sharp fragrance she was smelling for the first time, Francesca shifted her gaze to the tea.

 

“What kind of tea is this?”

 

“It’s tea made with ginger. Please try it.”

 

“What? Ginger? You make tea with something like that?”

 

Though it felt unfamiliar and strange, Francesca took a small sip, drawn by the sweet aroma.

 

“It’s delicious. It makes my throat feel warm. This is the first time I’ve tasted something like this – is this some tribute from somewhere?”

 

“Actually, this is tea that the young lady prepared for you, my lady.”

 

“That child did?”

 

“She made it yesterday because you seemed unwell, my lady. She said it’s especially good for colds and body aches, and to drink it hot.”

 

Karl had also been quite suspicious of the tea Hallara brought.

 

She made it herself. He had doubts about whether it was safe for the duchess to consume such food.

 

So he secretly tasted it first, and was surprised by the gentle, sweet flavor that contrasted with the sharp aroma.

 

Francesca felt the same way.

 

With a thoughtful expression, she caressed the teacup. Then, with a dejected look, she let out a lonely voice.

 

“This must be why people say daughters are good.”

 

Not one of her three sons turned out as she wished.

 

“What are you saying? You gave birth to and raised three excellent young masters.”

 

“No. Lately I only think that’s what I failed at most. How is it that I don’t have even one son who would eat the meals I personally prepare?”

 

She never knew that could be so heartbreaking.

 

Sniff, whether it was really a cold coming on or tears welling up, her nose began to feel stuffy.

 

“That’s not true. Young Master Docheop ate it.”

 

Francesca let out a hollow laugh.

 

“You don’t need to try so hard to comfort me.”

 

Docheop ate it?

 

She thought Karl was just saying that on purpose.

 

“It’s true. He even sent a letter.”

 

But could it really be true?

 

Karl handed her a white envelope.

 

“Docheop? That’s impossible.”

 

Even as she said this, her hands moved quickly to open the envelope.

 

The contents were simple.

 

“I prefer spicy cabbage over salty onions.”

 

An unfamiliar handwriting she was seeing for the first time in her life.

 

It was neat penmanship that didn’t suit him, who was called a scoundrel.

 

‘He had this kind of handwriting…’

 

Francesca’s hand caressed the letter.

 

Though the tone was rough and clumsy, it resembled so much the little Docheop from his childhood when he would mumble with his mouth full of snacks.

 

“My lady, what did the young master say…”

 

“He ate it.”

 

At that moment, her lips slowly trembled, and soon an incredibly gentle smile bloomed.

 

Karl widened his eyes and stopped speaking upon seeing that scene.

 

‘Has my lady ever been this happy before?’

 

Francesca had never shown such a girlish expression before.

 

She was always expressionless or cold, and sometimes a woman stronger than a general…

 

But now her cheeks were softly flushed, just like when she first came as a bride.

 

“My lady…”

 

To think she would be so happy over just one letter.

 

Karl could understand how much heartache Francesca had endured all this time.

 

“Please cook for him again next time.”

 

Karl also smiled with joy.

 

But Francesca shook her head at this.

 

“I don’t think I’m cut out for cooking.”

 

She had shed endless tears just making one side dish, so she couldn’t even think about attempting a main course.

 

Moreover, seeing Docheop’s letter, it seemed he preferred what Hallara made over what she made.

 

So Francesca came up with a good idea.

 

“Docheop says that spicy cabbage is delicious.”

 

The cabbage kimchi that Hallara had served at the last banquet.

 

“Spicy cabbage?”

 

“Was it called kimchi? It was a dish I was trying for the first time too. Honestly, I thought it was too stimulating at first, but looking back, it’s a taste that keeps coming to mind.”

 

Kimchi that refreshed a greasy mouth.

 

Though it was difficult to adapt to the spicy taste at first, it also served to stimulate the appetite.

 

“I’m thinking of starting a business with that.”

 

She was thinking of doing what she wanted to do rather than cooking.

 

“You want to start a business, my lady?”

 

“The Duke opposed it, so I’ve been suppressing it, but it was my long-held dream.”

 

A wife shouldn’t do outside work.

 

Take care of the family.

 

Focus on educating the children.

 

But this time, watching Hallara, she felt it clearly.

 

“My dream is to do business. My dream was to open my own small shop and sell my own food. Right now I’m cooking for people I care about here, though.”

 

“Business?”

 

“If I were a lady, I would have opened a really big store. You have that kind of ability, my lady.”

 

At Hallara’s words spoken as if it were natural, Francesca was struck speechless.

 

She realized then that even Hallara, a commoner, lived doing what she wanted, while she, a duchess, could not.

 

“I also want to fulfill my purpose for my children, for the family, and for myself.”

 

Her eyes, which had been shadowed in Bloodmere, sparkled brightly for the first time in a long while.

 

***

 

A few days later.

 

Since Helbeorn had become a monster, I couldn’t just sit idle and moved busily.

 

I pestered Junel to search for famous swords for Docheop.

 

“Hmm, good. This should be more than enough to defeat Helbeorn.”

 

I looked at the famous swords I had hidden under my bed and smiled with satisfaction.

 

Come at me, Helbeorn.

 

If you became a monster with a blood sword, then Docheop is the protagonist, so he’ll become the strongest in this world with these famous swords!

 

“Young lady, what are you doing?”

 

Just then, May entered.

 

I hurriedly hid the swords under the bed and greeted her.

 

“Good afternoon.”

 

“What were you doing over there?”

 

“Ah. Stretching.”

 

It’s a secret from her. Kind May would be distressed seeing the things I stole. Though I’m not planning to use them myself.

 

“Be careful. Bending your body like that will strain you.”

 

“Strain? It’s just stretching. By the way, how is Lord Helbeorn doing?”

 

“The third young master? Why are you asking about him?”

 

“Actually, he hated me so much that he was avoiding me.”

 

It wasn’t only because of that, but it wasn’t a lie either.

 

“What? Why would you say that…? It’s just that the young masters don’t know your warm heart yet.”

 

May immediately furrowed her eyebrows in concern.

 

May really is kind.

 

“Being a burden to the family is a much bigger problem than having a warm heart. I understand that very well too. So I just wanted to live quietly like a dead mouse, but Lord Helbeorn seemed to want to completely finish me off.”

 

Since he almost died because of the blood sword, he won’t leave me alone.

 

If I had known this would happen, I shouldn’t have given him the blood sword. I should have just said I’d introduce him to anyone and run away.

 

But since I can’t turn back time, avoiding him appropriately was the best strategy for now.

 

“Finish you off…?”

 

“I’m really scared. Actually, Lord Helbeorn chased me yesterday too… So I tried to return to the banquet hall but couldn’t.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Mm-hmm. I barely escaped.”

 

When I recall that chase, I still get goosebumps on my arms.

 

His voice laughing lowly as he suddenly opened the door is still vivid.

 

“Ugh, scary.”

 

My terrified expression must have been convincing because May worriedly embraced me.

 

“Don’t worry. The third young master won’t be able to chase you.”

 

“Huh? Why?”

 

“Actually, Lord Helbeorn has been locked in the underground prison.”

 

“What?”

 

“I don’t know the details, but the first young master locked him up.”

 

What’s this about?

 

Nikolai is helping me again this time.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, in Bloodmere’s basement.

 

“Nikolai!! You bastard brother!!”

 

Bang bang-!

 

Sharp sounds filling the basement.

 

It was Helbeorn.

 

The day Helbeorn overcame Nikolai’s sword energy and dominated the blood sword.

 

He was forcibly dragged down to the basement by Nikolai.

 

A basement where barriers were created with magic so that no sword energy would work.

 

Inside it, Helbeorn let out resentful cries.

 

“It’s because of the blood sword! How many times do I have to say it!!”

 

But as if his ears were plugged, Nikolai wouldn’t listen to his words.

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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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