Surviving as the Wife of the Swordsmanship Clan’s Troublemaker - Chapter 58

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

Episode 58

 

From Francesca’s perspective, it was a natural thing to say. I understood that too.

 

“I still don’t know what the answer is. I don’t know what’s right or wrong. Perhaps when the Duke returns, he’ll severely punish me… or maybe he’ll even ask for a divorce.”

 

“Even divorce…? If you’re going that far, there’s no need to hold the wedding ceremony. We could find another way even now.”

 

It wasn’t something worth doing while taking on such risks.

 

If such a situation ever arose, I planned to step forward first and honestly explain the situation to the Duke.

 

For now, using me as a front to root out the traitor was the fastest method, so it couldn’t be helped.

 

“I think so too. No matter how much Docheop wants and loves you, officially announcing you to the world as a member of the family is a different matter. But you’re the one who talked to Nikolai about this, right?”

 

“Yes. That’s true, but…”

 

That must have been quite surprising.

 

“You’re really amazing. To think you convinced that child who takes after his father so much in being stubborn. Even Nikolai, who acted like he’d never look at me again over bringing you into the family, came to me directly and said he would acknowledge you and Docheop and hold the wedding ceremony. He asked me to prepare for it.”

 

Francesca kept expressing her admiration.

 

I wondered what excuse I should make.

 

“Thank you, Hallara. Thanks to you, I was able to reconcile with Nikolai.”

 

Now I understood why Francesca had spent expensive money to bring the madam.

 

It was probably her way of expressing gratitude.

 

“Then that’s fortunate. Though I have nothing to say since your relationship deteriorated because of me in the first place.”

 

“No. This was clearly our problem. Now that both Helbeorn and Nikolai have accepted this marriage, I have nothing left to worry about.”

 

“But you’ll be in big trouble when the Duke returns.”

 

When that time came, I planned to quickly apologize and leave this family.

 

Still, I didn’t want their relationship to worsen because of me.

 

“That’s fine. I don’t want to be unable to do what I want or turn away from those I love just because I’m watching my husband’s mood anymore.”

 

Francesca’s eyes had become firm, different from when I first saw her.

 

Her voice also had vitality.

 

“I’ve already caused trouble anyway.”

 

“Trouble?”

 

“If things go smoothly, I’ll tell you about it too. Really. It’s good that my husband is returning late.”

 

She drooped her eyebrows and let out a hearty laugh.

 

“So I’m planning to cause all the trouble I can before he returns.”

 

One of those troubles was my wedding.

 

“Will you be alright?”

 

“No. I probably won’t be alright. Now I might be the one called a scoundrel instead of Docheop.”

 

Surely the Duke would be tremendously angry when he found out, but Francesca seemed to be enjoying it somehow.

 

“The preparations are finished! Please come and let us take your measurements first!”

 

Just then, the madam finished her preparations and called for me.

 

Francesca wrapped her arm around my shoulder and said,

 

“Don’t worry about such things and focus on the wedding. What would you do if you had too many things to worry about when your body is already heavy?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Go on.”

 

My body is heavy? Have I gained weight lately?

 

When I looked back at her at this sudden comment, Francesca was already leaving the drawing room following the shopkeeper who had approached.

 

“Now, let’s begin!”

 

I ended up being tormented by the madam all evening.

 

The wedding that started as a deception had become a full-fledged official event.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, in the war zone beyond the border.

 

The Duke of Bloodmere, who was still remaining in the Northern Empire’s border region because negotiations hadn’t ended yet, was leisurely drinking tea while examining the Borderland Baron’s bookshelf.

 

The war had already ended in victory.

 

Bloodmere’s knights were intact, and the Duke had also led the war to victory without a single scratch.

 

What remained was dividing up the land around the border.

 

However, negotiations with the Northern Empire, the defeated nation, were dragging on over the treatment of mines located in the border region.

 

Since this was a familiar situation for the Duke, who had much war experience, he was staying in the Borderland Baron’s castle that he had occupied and leisurely spending his time.

 

His knights were surrounding the castle, and the Borderland Baron had no choice but to surrender.

 

Or so he thought.

 

“The Borderland Baron says he’ll only provide a tenth of the land we proposed.”

 

The Northern Empire’s Borderland Baron had finally raised a rebellion.

 

“Where is he now?”

 

“He’s coming out defiantly, saying he has permission from the Northern Empire’s Emperor and telling us to go ahead and try. He’s even hiding with additional troops that the Imperial Army sent for support.”

 

Chris, that rat bastard!

 

‘So it was all stalling for time to wait for reinforcements!’

 

The Duke cursed and rolled his eyes. After the border collapsed and the Borderland Baron was defeated, they had confined him under thorough surveillance. But how?

 

“We should probably march out as well.”

 

“Tell all troops to assemble immediately!”

 

First, the Duke took his sword and left the Borderland Baron’s study.

 

Now that even the Imperial Army had joined, they had to win this war at all costs. If they won this war, the Northern Empire, which had violated international law by involving the Imperial Army, would have to give up more than just the mines.

 

“Send a messenger to Bloodmere to have the 2nd Knight Order ready to march at any time. As urgent news!”

 

“Should we also inform His Majesty the Emperor of our Western Empire?”

 

“It’s not too late to do that after assessing their strength. If we borrow the Western Imperial Army’s power now, we’d be no different from them.”

 

A war won by violating international law like the Northern Empire would leave nothing behind.

 

They had to finish it within Bloodmere as much as possible.

 

“I understand your orders, Your Excellency. If I may, there’s something to deliver to you before that, may I?”

 

“What is it? Can’t you see that every moment is urgent right now?”

 

When the Duke asked sharply, his subordinate held out a parchment he was carrying.

 

“I’m sorry, but this is urgent news that came for Young Master Nikolai.”

 

Nikolai’s letter had finally arrived here.

 

“But why is it in this state?”

 

Though it was called urgent news, the parchment he received was covered more than half with dark red stains, making the front content unreadable.

 

“The knight who brought the urgent news was attacked on his way here. He barely saved his life and is now receiving treatment.”

 

The Duke had also heard about the incident where Helbeorn clashed with a strange knight at the border. The Emperor heard about this and sent an investigation team. Then the family might have already prepared support troops.

 

“As expected of my bloodline.”

 

The Duke smiled as he unfolded the parchment. However, that smile didn’t last long.

 

“What is this nonsense…”

 

“What does it say?”

 

“Wait.”

 

The Duke read again from the first line of the part not soaked in blood.

 

Then the Duke cursed with his parched dry mouth.

 

“Your Excellency?”

 

Even after rubbing his eyes and reading the parchment again, that was all there was.

 

“I can’t stand it anymore. Please allow me to remove Docheop from the family register!

 

If you just give me the authority, I will deal with Docheop before father returns.”

 

No matter how many times he read it, that was all.

 

His hands trembled.

 

“Damn bastards! While their father is risking his life in war at the border, they’re fighting among brothers and sending this kind of message to the battlefield!?”

 

Grrrowl, the Duke let out a scratchy sound as if it was scraping from inside his throat.

 

Because the front content was obscured, the part about bringing Hallara was completely missing, leaving only the request to remove Docheop from the family register.

 

Seeing this, the Duke couldn’t hide his disappointment in his sons who still acted like children.

 

“How utterly pathetic! To think these fools are my sons!”

 

He threw down the parchment.

 

Hot anger boiled up from his core.

 

Nikolai, who had sent such a trivial message during wartime.

 

Docheop, who had angered him.

 

Even Francesca, who hadn’t stopped her sons from fighting.

 

Not a single one of them pleased him.

 

“Please calm down, Your Grace. You don’t know the full story yet, do you? There must have been circumstances at the manor. I’ll send another message.”

 

“Just leave it! It’s obvious without even looking.”

 

Docheop must have gotten drunk and picked a fight with some lowlifes.

 

“Right now, stopping the forces marching toward this place is more important than such trivial matters. We depart as soon as preparations are complete!”

 

He had no time to spare for such things.

 

“Yes, Your Grace!”

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