The Fake Wife of the Strongest Husband Wants to Survive - Chapter 43

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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 43
I couldn’t bring myself to say no in front of him, so I nodded awkwardly.
The Emperor, surprisingly, let the two of us go without further objection.
“We can’t keep an injured woman standing all day. I understand. Do you have a place to stay? You probably don’t have a proper house in the Capital.”
“We have somewhere to go.”
“A townhouse?”
“No. Just a temporary place to stay for a while.”
“Is that so? I thought the Count of Namoi had secured a residence in the Capital.”
If only Owen had smoothly flattered the Emperor with something like “I’m preparing one to swiftly carry out Your Majesty’s commands” or “I’m thinking of setting up in the Capital soon, managing my domain in the meantime,” perhaps that man’s life would have been easier.
But Owen Namoi was the sort who made the Empire the undisputed ruler of the Continent, yet remained quietly in his place—so there was no reason to expect such diplomatic maneuvering from him.
The Emperor, who had been rubbing his chin in thought for a moment, then spoke as if doing them a favor.
“You’ve come from far away—you won’t rest properly in a place like that, will you? Why don’t you stay at the Imperial Palace Annex instead? I’ll arrange it for you.”
……
Though he seemed concerned on the surface, I knew full well it was actually to keep Owen close and under surveillance.
I was already loath to stay in a strange place, and I didn’t want to be shadowed by watchers as well, so I studied the Emperor’s expression carefully.
Seeing our lukewarm response, the Emperor waved his hand as if to say he wouldn’t interfere further.
“Do whatever is most comfortable for you both. You may go now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. We are grateful for your consideration.”
The heavy door of the Audience Chamber closed slowly behind us.
Pesha trembled slightly, thinking no one was watching.
No matter how fine the place, being under iron-fisted surveillance in the same space as the Emperor would certainly suffocate her.
As we walked toward the exit of the Imperial Palace, the sound of voices echoed from down the corridor, and a large door swung open.
Through it poured a stream of people in robes, moving across the hallway.
Those wine-colored robes were worn only by high-ranking officials who came and went from the Imperial Palace.
“In the end, we reached no conclusion today either.”
“No matter how good a proposal is, we need His Majesty’s approval. There’s nothing we can do about that. And lately, he’s been particularly on edge, so everyone’s being careful not to step out of line, aren’t they?”
The officials’ murmurs drew closer.
Among them, I recognized a familiar face.
It was my father, Raidel.
Raidel paused as he caught sight of us.
A bad feeling crept over me.
‘Should I run?’
It wasn’t the sort of thought to have right after reuniting with my father after months apart, but I was too tired today to humor him.
Yet wouldn’t it look strange if we suddenly turned and fled the moment we made eye contact?
While I was torn, Raidel excused himself to the other officials and came toward us.
“Aren’t you Pesha? What are you doing here?”
Raidel looked bewildered, apparently unaware that Owen would be leading the Military Parade.
“I thought you were… tucked away in Swaf…”
“Ah, His Majesty the Emperor gave me orders related to the Foundation Day Celebration, so I came to the Capital for a while.”
Pesha gave an evasive answer.
When she was young, if she didn’t answer or found a question difficult, she would brush past it like this rather than confess everything—and Raidel would rage like fire, saying she was showing him disrespect and dragging up her behavior and nature both.
This time, she’d answered prepared to hear it, but surprisingly, Raidel showed no sign of anger and simply nodded readily.
“Then you should have sent me word before coming to the Capital. I’m your father—I ought to know whether my daughter is coming or going.”
Pesha stared at Raidel, who was chiding her gently as though hurt, with a bewildered look.
‘What’s gotten into him?’
This wasn’t the Raidel who used to preach and nitpick over the smallest things.
Most suspicious of all to Pesha was that he hadn’t slapped her the moment they met.
Pesha had sold off every piece of Raidel’s hidden real estate to raise business capital.
With such expensive properties suddenly listed at fire-sale prices on the market, there was no way the Duke hadn’t noticed.
So Pesha had expected that if they ever met again, she’d at least have her hair pulled.
Yet now the Duke was acting like a ordinary, caring father worried about his daughter.
‘This money-grubber suffered such a tremendous loss and didn’t show even a hint of it—has the world turned upside down?’
As she thought this, her eyes flicked to Owen standing beside her.
Ah. The world hadn’t turned upside down—but she was standing before someone almost as terrifying as that.
No matter how much of a handful his daughter had been before marriage, a father generally learned to show her some respect once she’d married and taken a new name.
Pesha hadn’t known Raidel had such common sense, but it seemed that before a son-in-law possessed of overwhelming power, he too became quite good at managing his temper.
Understanding the situation, Pesha quickly brushed past it with a hollow apology.
“I’m sorry. It slipped my mind.”
What could he say to someone who claimed to have forgotten?
The corner of Raidel’s mouth twitched unnaturally.
If he had his usual temperament, his anger would have erupted long ago—but his threshold for fury seemed limitless when it came to Owen.
Since he could no longer vent his frustration on Pesha as he once had, Raidel vented his annoyance by turning his attention to Owen instead.
“But then, Count Namoi. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other after the wedding—you look as dignified as ever. How good to see you.”
When Raidel extended his hand, Owen grasped it and gave it a light shake.
“I should have called on you sooner, but my territorial affairs have kept me occupied. My apologies for not reaching out first.”
Watching Owen bow his head slightly, Raidel broke into a hearty laugh.
“It happens when one is busy. Still, at this rate I’ll forget my daughter’s face entirely—do bring Pesha to visit me from time to time.”
His lighthearted banter and genuine-seeming conversation carried an unfamiliar curiosity and artifice in his eyes that struck Owen as all the stranger.
‘What’s gotten into him?’
Was the merchant who had sold his daughter to the Emperor now eager to play the part of a doting father-in-law?
Nothing about it seemed genuine.
“Of course. In fact, I’ve something to discuss with you as well, so I’ll pay my respects soon enough.”
That much should have sufficed.
Such pleasantries were enough to fulfill the formalities and conclude the matter cleanly.
What he had overlooked was that Raidel proved more persistent than anticipated.
“Soon? Why not join me for a meal today, while you have the time?”
The overly earnest invitation felt burdensome.
He couldn’t fathom why this sudden show of affection had surfaced.
Though unsure of Raidel’s true intentions, Owen was not genuinely worried.
‘As if Owen would willingly break bread with Raidel, a man he’d come to despise. The very man responsible for stripping him of his dukedom, and he feigns to forget?’

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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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