Surviving as the Wife of the Swordsmanship Clan’s Troublemaker - Chapter 77

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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 77

Nikolai looked troubled. After remaining silent for several minutes, he turned his body sharply.

“After interrogating the traitor, I’ll discuss this again.”

This meant he wasn’t going to completely believe Docheop’s words.

He glanced at me once, then grabbed his jacket and left.

It seemed that ruining the wedding had come to a temporary conclusion.

Through Docheop’s lie.

“Why didn’t you tell the truth?”

I asked Docheop.

Docheop hadn’t mentioned that I was from the annihilated Brinihanta Clan, or that the traitor Morgan was from the Holy Church.

“It’s just not time to say it yet. Nikolai is unnecessarily honest, so if he learns that Morgan is from the Holy Church, he’ll immediately report this fact to the Emperor. Then your identity, Hallara, would be exposed in an instant.”

If that happened, it would truly be the end. What I had been worried about would become reality.

“Would my mere presence in this family become grounds for the family’s destruction?”

“Depending on the circumstances.”

Docheop didn’t say anything pleasant to hear. Since the opponent was the Holy Church, I could sense that common sense wouldn’t apply.

“Will there ever be a day when my existence won’t be poison?”

My identity was no different from a time bomb. And it wasn’t like I had any special abilities either.

That’s why I had tried not to return, but what was the point of staying here without even being honest about it?

Keeping secrets from the family members wasn’t the direction I wanted.

“There will be. Just stay by my side.”

Docheop, who couldn’t say things that weren’t true, gently smiled as he smoothed my hair that had been disheveled by the scarf. I couldn’t tell whether this was a lie or not.

***

“My lady!”

“Huh?”

May, whom I met again at the annex entrance, rushed into my arms as soon as the door closed.

“May.”

“Where were you trying to go, leaving me behind! *Hiccup*”

“Are you crying?”

“Is the fact that I’m crying what’s important right now?”

I never thought May would cry because I had disappeared. That made sense, since it hadn’t been long since I met May at the annex, and I didn’t remember being particularly kind to her. I had only known her to be gentle and calm, but May must have been an affectionate child.

“Sorry. I’ll do better from now on.”

Maybe that’s why. My heart softened seeing her cry.

I had made her a wool cardigan as a token of gratitude, but that would surely be insufficient for May, who prepared three meals a day, brought water for washing, and even cleaned.

“What do you mean you’ll do better?”

“Hmm. The only thing I’m good at is cooking, right? Is there anything you want to eat?”

Maybe her mood would improve a little if I made something delicious.

“No. Why are you trying to be good to me, my lady!”

May hugged me tightly.

My chest was getting increasingly damp, so May must be crying again.

“I should be the one being good to you, my lady. It’s because I’m lacking, so why are you only trying to be good to me?”

“What are you talking about? You’re so good to me.”

“I’m the one who has only received things from you, my lady. Delicious food, clothes too… You didn’t give me this as a farewell gift, did you?”

May lifted her wet face and stared at me. Actually, that was correct. In case a situation arose where I had to run away like today, I wanted to make whatever I could with the pocket money I had.

Of course, I couldn’t tell May that.

“Of course not.”

“Really? But you were making it so urgently. You made it day and night as if you absolutely had to finish it before the wedding.”

Sharp girl.

“I wanted to give it to you before winter came.”

“…Can I believe that?”

“You’ll understand someday too. When women reach the age to marry, their hearts change a lot.”

Seeing May continue to look at me with suspicious eyes, I continued with clumsy excuses.

“What kind of feelings are those?”

“Like, do I really have to settle down with one person now? Do I really have to live here? Am I really a married woman? All sorts of thoughts come up.”

“Enough to make you want to run away? Your partner is Prince Docheop.”

“Maybe I felt that way even more because it’s Prince Docheop?”

“Ah.”

May finally looked like she understood a little. Seeing how she understood without me having to explain, Docheop must still be a scoundrel to them.

“Don’t worry, my lady. Prince Docheop has changed a lot too. He’s no longer the ruthlessly wild young master from the rumors.”

I know that too.

The side of Docheop he showed me was never that of a scoundrel.

Even when I first met him, he said he would take responsibility for me, and he kept that promise. Today’s events were the same. Docheop was protecting me more reliably than anyone else right now.

“Besides, he’s incredibly handsome. He’s probably one of the top five most handsome men in our Western Empire. And he’s from an incredibly prestigious family, the prince of Bloodmere, a heroic family!”

“Yes, yes.”

May listed Docheop’s praises.

“Is that all? He only has eyes for you, my lady!”

“Huh?”

I might not know about other things, but not that.

“Why do you look like you don’t know?”

“Honestly, that’s a bit…”

“Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness.”

May seemed genuinely surprised and even stamped her feet.

“You didn’t run away because you thought Prince Docheop doesn’t like you, did you?”

“No way!?”

“That’s right. That’s it. Young lady, Prince Docheop likes you so much.”

“Ah, I get it.”

I couldn’t very well say no when we were living under the same roof and had even gotten married. But I also couldn’t tell her that he was keeping me around out of responsibility for a night we spent together that neither of us could remember…

“When the young master looks at you, my lady, honey just drips from his expression! Honey that’s much thicker and sweeter than the honey used to preserve yakgwa.”

“Oh, really. May!”

I reached out to shut May’s mouth that had burst open. But May dodged nimbly. Oh my, when did she become so quick?

“When he looks at me or the other maids, his expression is as solid as Bloodmere’s castle walls with no emotion felt at all. But with you, my lady, it’s different. How should I put it, like he wants to pinch you but can’t bear to because you’re too precious, so he just caresses you over and over with his eyes?”

“You could be a novelist.”

Clap clap, I couldn’t help but applaud.

Ever since I came here, I had only been bickering with Docheop every day.

Maybe it was knuckle raps instead of honey.

“How could you two have had such beautiful fruit if you didn’t love each other in the first place!”

Perhaps frustrated by my lukewarm reaction, she exclaimed as if her heart would burst.

“Fruit?”

I tilted my head.

May, who had been chattering away with a red face until now, suddenly froze stiff.

“What?”

“Didn’t you say fruit?”

“Did I?”

I was clearly the one who asked, but May was the one asking questions.

“You just said something about loving each other so there’s fruit or something.”

“When did I say that?”

“Just now. I heard it clearly.”

“No, I didn’t!”

Or not, May frantically shook her head and even waved her hands dismissively.

“Th-that was just saying you’d see results soon. Since you two get along so well, there will be good news.”

“Ah. That’s what you meant?”

“Yes… I’m sure you’re earnestly hoping for it too, my lady, but I meant it as my own wish as well.”

Saying this, May kept glancing at me cautiously.

“Oh my.”

Sweet May.

I too once thought I was pregnant. If that had been true, I wouldn’t have been able to think of escaping so easily.

“My lady… you know…”

“Yes.”

“You don’t have any troubles or things you’re hiding from me, do you?”

There are many.

The problem is that it’s full of things I can’t tell her.

“No.”

I answered firmly.

I had no intention of burdening May, who was busy worrying about me after I had run away and returned.

“If you have any troubles at all, I’d like you to tell me.”

“May. You really do worry about me a lot.”

“I mean it sincerely. I’m completely on your side, my lady. Even if you were to make some terrible mistake, I’d still be on your side.”

Her eyes were serious.

“It’s reassuring even just to hear you say that. Thank you so much.”

When I smiled brightly, May smiled back a little bitterly.

“…I’ll wait, my lady.”

“Yes. And whenever you need me, feel free to tell me anytime.”

“Yes. I will.”

“Now then, shall we go eat something sweet?”

Since I’ve returned after so long, I can’t just think depressing thoughts.

The road ahead is long, so let’s fill our stomachs first.

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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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