The Fake Wife of the Strongest Husband Wants to Survive - Chapter 9

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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 9
Pesha set down her quill in the inkwell and turned her whole body toward Philia, pressing her for answers.
Philia replied in a hushed voice, as if the Butler might still be lurking nearby.
“The Butler didn’t go through a formal interview process. He’s a commoner.”
……
When a family rose in prominence or belonged to the higher nobility, they typically employed a butler from among the lower aristocracy—a second son unable to inherit a baron’s title, or a baronet of modest rank.
Namoy Count’s Castle had substantial territory and influence reaching even the Capital, though its coffers were thin; Pesha had assumed the same arrangement applied here.
But it seemed the Butler’s origins were rather unusual.
“Is that all you have to say?”
Philia hesitated, then pressed on.
“I’ve heard that the Master knew him from when he led a Mercenary Force—before receiving his Title. The others who served with him from those days were mostly knights, so I haven’t been given many details, but that’s the gist of it.”
“From before he received his Title.”
“During the war, the Master nearly fell into a trap in a village he passed through, but the Butler—who was an ordinary citizen then—warned him and helped him escape the danger. After that, there were various other small favors, and when the war ended, the Master sent people to that village to bring him here to serve as his Butler.”
“That was well done.”
“The problem is that since the Butler took charge of the household accounts, the already precarious financial situation of the castle has grown much worse.”
It was an old story.
‘Owen repaid a debt of gratitude, and the Butler’s eyes turned greedy the moment he found himself managing the castle’s great sums.’
Pesha nodded in understanding, and Philia, relieved, lowered her gaze and pressed her warning further.
“Even though the Butler seems likable on the surface… every maid who raised questions about this has been dismissed. Of course, the Butler can’t do anything to the Lady directly, but…”
Pesha understood what worried Philia.
As the girl explained, visibly anxious throughout, Pesha smiled at her.
She was impressed that Philia had spoken up despite her fear.
“Yes, thank you. I’ll keep what you’ve said in mind.”
“Thank you. I’ll take my leave now.”
When she’d first arrived, Philia had assumed everyone here—servants and knights alike—would harbor only resentment toward her. But receiving such kindness left her bewildered and grateful all at once.
After Philia withdrew, Pesha sank into thought.
From the Butler’s reluctance to show her the Ledger, it was clear something was amiss with the household accounts.
Uncovering the truth was necessary, but method mattered.
‘I’d like to do more than just punish him—I want to humiliate him utterly and drive him out for good. But I don’t see an obvious way.’
As Pesha circled the room in thought, her eyes fell on the Garden beyond the window.
Abandoned for lack of a gardener, it appeared lush at first glance, but on closer inspection revealed a tangled mess of freely sprouted weeds and wild flowers.
Hmm.
Her gaze drifted across the Garden when something caught her eye—a flower bed clustered with blue blossoms.
“Wait. That’s…”
That shouldn’t be possible.
‘Why are those flowers blue?’
Struck by the oddity, Pesha hurried down the stairs and approached the flower bed.
She hadn’t been mistaken.
The bed was full of blue roses in bloom.
Moreover, they’d been planted recently—the soil was topped with fresh enriched earth.
Puzzled, Pesha stopped a passing servant and asked.
“Do you know what flower this is?”
“Yes? Ah… this is a rare flower that the Butler ordered us to plant.”
“A rare flower?”
“Yes. The Butler spent a great deal of money on these Blue Roses and gave strict orders that we handle them with the utmost care.”
Pesha’s expression became peculiar.
“Ah, I see. Rare Blue Roses. Understood. Thank you—you may go.”
After dismissing the servant, Pesha plucked a petal from the flower and examined it. She was certain now.
‘I may be able to remove the Butler sooner than expected.’
She snapped off one of the blooms and rose sharply from her place.
* * *
Pesha made her way to Owen’s study and knocked on the door.
“What business have you?”
A strange man’s voice came from within.
It seemed a visitor who had been there prior had answered instead of Owen.
Pesha spoke as if unaware of this.
“It’s me—Pesha. I came because there’s something I need to discuss.”
……
A brief silence fell, then Owen’s voice came through.
“Please, come in.”
When Pesha opened the door and stepped inside, Owen was casually leafing through documents as if he’d been working. He showed no sign of having heard her enter.
“You can go now.”
The red-haired knight, Jain, couldn’t hide his startled expression at Pesha’s sudden appearance, but he collected himself a beat too late, responding to Owen’s command with delayed recognition.
“My lord. What shall we do about the painkiller matter?”
“For now, have more tobacco leaves brought in. Pay a premium for anything harvested within the domain.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jain bowed and left. Owen lifted his eyes from the documents.
“You said you had something to discuss. What is it?”
His expression was perpetually somewhat sullen, giving off the air of a man too occupied for interruptions, but Pesha pressed on undeterred.
“Nothing important, really. I visited the garden and noticed there are blue roses there. I heard the butler procured them with great difficulty, and they truly are beautiful.”
“…I’m glad they pleased you.”
“Yes. I spotted them because they’re planted in a place visible from my window.”
“I’ve heard the blue rose has become fashionable among the Capital’s nobility lately. Does it suit your taste?”
“Does it suit my taste?”
Pesha’s expression flickered with confusion.
Owen’s gaze remained lowered on the documents before him.
A far cry from the chill he’d directed at her in the carriage—whether illusion or not, his tone seemed to harbor a quiet hope for her approval.
The realization made her shoulders stiffen involuntarily.
‘Am I losing my mind? Owen Namoy hoping for my praise? It’s obvious he was just asking what I thought of it.’
Pesha shook her head sharply in her own mind before responding.
“Is my preference important to you?”
It wasn’t exactly a gift chosen for his wife, so his sudden inquiry about her preferences seemed oddly incongruous.
But at her words, Owen’s quill—which had been moving quickly across the page—froze. He looked up.
As their eyes suddenly met, Pesha startled and hurriedly changed the subject.
“In any case, what I’m curious about is who first mentioned the blue roses.”
Owen appeared as though he had something to say, but at her question he fell silent for a moment before searching his memory.
“I believe it was the butler. Before my expedition last year, he said funds were needed to refurbish the castle, so I allocated a budget. It seems he mentioned it then, while purchasing furnishings and household items in bulk.”
The master cared so little for domestic affairs that the butler had exploited that blind spot well.
Owen looked at her as if to ask why she was asking such a thing, and Pesha answered with a slight smile.
“Ah, but that’s a lie.”
“What do you mean?”
“There was no such fashion in the Capital. It seems the butler gave you false information.”
“False information?”
At this unexpected accusation, Owen’s brow furrowed.
“Think about it. Even if it were fashionable, the butler couldn’t possibly know about it—he’s confined to managing the castle and can’t leave the domain.”

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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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