Surviving as the Wife of the Swordsmanship Clan’s Troublemaker - Chapter 9
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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 9
“What the hell are you people?”
Thomas tried to roughly shake off Karl’s hand. But no matter how tightly he was gripped, there was no movement.
“I saw you coming out of there.”
“So what.”
Thomas, now in a bad mood, even responded roughly.
“What did you do in there?”
“If it’s something a doctor did, isn’t it obvious? Medical examination. I don’t suppose you’re curious about me getting a meal there.”
“What were the examination results? If you just answer properly, I’ll let you go nicely…”
“Pregnancy.”
“What?”
The answer was concise and quick.
“I’m telling you the truth. I know my life is precious too.”
Though it bothered him to reveal a patient’s personal information to others, he soon decided not to care.
After all, the townspeople would all know soon enough anyway.
‘That Michelle is pregnant.’
Rather, being tied up like this and unable to handle his next appointments was more of a problem.
There were still patients waiting in line for his house calls.
“Well, if you’re suspicious of my words, you can send another physician to confirm.”
Thomas had nothing to hide.
From the looks of it, they seemed like noble people. There’s only one reason why such people would be looking for a pregnant woman.
‘They must be thinking of hiring her as a wet nurse.’
That would be good for Michelle too.
Especially since her husband went to sea and no one knows when he’ll return.
Among jobs you can do while raising a child, there’s nothing better than being a wet nurse.
“If you’re done with your business, I’m leaving.”
Karl released his grip under the glaring stare.
“H-how far along is she?”
Karl asked in place of the stunned Francesca.
“Well, a little over a month? It’s early stages.”
A little over a month. That timing perfectly matched when Docheop had been going out.
“Madam, it seems…”
It’s definitely Docheop’s child.
***
“This is a big problem.”
Bloodymerry Estate.
The sighs of the two people sitting across from each other in the duchess’s study only grew deeper.
Karl, who had been racking his brains about this matter, spoke first.
“How about telling the master and discussing it with him?”
Go with honesty?
“Don’t you still know the Duke’s personality? If he finds out about having an illegitimate child, both Docheop and our household will be ruined.”
Who was the Duke anyway?
A man called the Iron-Blooded War Demon.
A man who trampled his brothers and rose to the position of Duke of Bloodymerry.
Someone who managed to survive in a situation where everyone around him aimed for his weaknesses, where even the slightest flaw could endanger his life.
That’s why he was strict about discipline, and this applied not only to the Duke himself but also to his household members.
“There’s no other way.”
“Should we just take the child away… If that woman approached him for money, she might back down easily.”
“She’s a woman who came all the way to the Duchess’ Castle and just returned. There’s a high possibility she doesn’t want money.”
Moreover, if young master Docheop even dressed as a commoner to meet her.
“She might hope to live with young master Docheop in that house.”
That’s highly likely.
Otherwise, there would be no reason to hide the pregnancy and return.
She must surely harbor ambitions to seduce Docheop and formally enter the Bloodmere family.
But.
“That’s unacceptable.”
Francesca cut off the conversation decisively.
The second son of Bloodymerry, a renowned swordsmanship family, living in a commoner’s house?
That would be the worst possible outcome.
Throughout their lives, who knows what kind of stigma would follow not only Docheop but also the ducal house’s reputation.
“But we can’t just leave it as is. At this rate, we might end up bringing a commoner woman into the family.”
“…No, it’s possible if it’s just temporary.”
“Temporarily?”
“It’s right for us to raise Docheop’s child. Even though Docheop lacks ability, he’s still a member of our family.”
In other words, since the child would be born with Bloodymerry blood, there’s a high possibility they’d also inherit ‘sword energy.’
Perhaps they might be born more talented than their father and bring honor to the family. Such a child cannot be allowed to grow up as a commoner.
“So you’ll drive her out as soon as she gives birth?”
“That’s what we have to do.”
Is there any other suitable method besides this one?
They could bring that woman into the household to bear a child with Bloodymerry blood, then have her leave the family afterward. If she causes trouble after that, she’s prepared to kill her.
‘Docheop, this is the path you chose. This is all I can do for you as a mother.’
What she could do was at least acknowledge the child as a family member.
After the child grows up somewhat, they could say they adopted a child from a branch family, and since it wouldn’t be a formal marriage, it wouldn’t interfere with Docheop and the Bloodymerry family’s future.
The problem was that Duke Bloodymerry, her husband who would return soon, would not accept this.
‘He’ll probably drive Docheop away.’
No matter how much of an ugly duckling he is, it’s a mother’s heart to feel anxious when he’s out of sight.
‘Rather, how fortunate it is that this woman called Hallara has been staying quiet.’
If she had spread rumors demanding money because she was carrying Docheop’s child, making cunning threats, it would have already reached the Duke’s ears.
Her not doing so turned out to be beneficial for both Hallara and Francesca.
“Tomorrow I’ll meet that girl and formally discuss joining the household.”
“You’ll tell her directly?”
“We’re also in a wartime situation. Every moment is urgent. First, have the annex cleaned, and bring Docheop even if you have to drag him.”
***
It was early morning.
Last night, Madam Michelle and I chatted late into the night while eating snacks. Then Michelle said she was getting sleepy and returned home around midnight.
I got up early and tidied the house.
“To think Madam Michelle is pregnant. I’ll be meeting my nephew or niece soon.”
I couldn’t help but hum.
I love babies.
They’re lovable just by existing.
“Right. Should I go to the market and buy some thread? The more baby clothes, the better.”
Do they sell thread at the market?
If they do, I should make a baby hat with it.
I’m also a master at knitting.
I have good manual skills, so there’s nothing I can’t do.
“Come to think of it, it doesn’t have to be food… wouldn’t it be fine to sell things like scrubbers too?”
Ideas came flooding in.
Now that I think about it, business opportunities are overflowing.
Maybe I’m cut out for this place?
After quickly shopping at the market and returning, I saw a now-familiar person in front of my house.
“Oh? You came again today.”
I waved briefly.
Only then did he pull his back away from the wall he’d been leaning against.
“I was worried since you left without saying anything yesterday.”
“…Worried?”
“Yes. I wondered if something had happened. Some man was chasing after you.”
He was quite big, what kind of relationship could that be?
“Do you perhaps owe debts to other places besides me?”
He didn’t respond.
Maybe he doesn’t want to talk about himself.
Well, I also have circumstances that prevent me from talking about myself.
“I have something to give you.”
At those words, he raised his head a little more.
Through his disheveled hair, I caught a glimpse of neatly shaped eyes before they disappeared again.
“You haven’t had lunch yet, right?”
“It’s only 10 o’clock.”
Huh?
“How do you know it’s 10 o’clock?”
There’s no clock around.
You only have a sword in your hand.
“If you’re curious, will you reduce the debt?”
“No. Of course not.”
He’s quite skilled.
Even bargaining.
“Please come in.”
Instead of the loose lock, I moved aside the sign I had placed in front. This damn lock was useless because it was loose from the time it was made.
“If you’re going to let me in this easily, why did you put up that sign?”
“What?”
“Never mind.”
His attitude suddenly turned cold as he strode into the house.
What a strange man.
After seating him at the dining table, I went to the kitchen and brought out the potato pancakes I had left over from yesterday, reheated.
“This is called potato pancakes. It’s a dish made from the potatoes you grated yesterday.”
“Potato pancakes? They look unappetizing.”
“What did you say?”
“Where’s the fork?”
“…I’ll get it for you.”
He says they look unappetizing but seems curious. Exasperated, I quickly brought a fork and placed it in front of him. Let’s see if you can maintain that arrogant attitude after tasting it!
“Please enjoy.”
But it’s true that the pancake shape is unfamiliar.
What matters is the taste, right?
Sure enough, the reaction came immediately.
After taking his first bite, he seemed to freeze for a moment, then soon began diligently working his fork. The potato pancakes on the plate quickly disappeared into his stomach.
Still holding his fork, he looked down wistfully at the empty plate, and I spoke to him with a triumphant attitude.
“My cooking skills are amazing, aren’t they?”
“…You really made this yourself?”
“Yes.”
He looked at me silently with disbelief, but I didn’t care.
It meant the taste was that good.
I added more potato pancakes to his plate and sat down across from him.
“Please eat comfortably. I’ll do some knitting here.”
“Knitting?”
“This.”
I had cut the linen I just bought into long thread-like strips.
Since they don’t sell knitting yarn, I had no choice.
He seemed to understand and lowered his gaze.
Seeing him silently devouring the potato pancakes, it seemed I’d have to extend the potato pancake party for another day.
***
After Docheop left, Hallara picked up the pace even more.
After completing both a hat and socks, exactly three hours had passed.
“It turned out quite decent, didn’t it?”
Though it was rough since it was undyed linen, I had crafted the shape excellently with my skills.
“It would have been better if there was cotton.”
I wonder if this is a world without cotton – there’s wool and silk, but I haven’t seen regular cotton.
Moreover, with my meager finances, cheap linen was all I could afford right now.
“What matters most is the heart behind it.”
That’s when it happened.
The sound of knocking on the door came steadily.
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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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