The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 10

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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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The Husband Who Should Have Died Returns Episode 010
Countess Yotlrey lifted her chin and spoke.
“Surely not, Duchess. The Southern Region welcomes you most warmly.”
Roana smiled softly.
As Countess Yotlrey’s gaze descended to examine Roana’s attire, she froze. The necklace adorning Roana’s neck was unmistakably familiar.
It belonged to Erkana—the birth mother of the current Duke and the former Duchess. It remained one of the most coveted pieces of jewelry in high society.
‘And here I thought she wasn’t even acknowledged!’
How had she obtained that necklace?
It was precisely what Diane had so desperately coveted. Diane had brazenly wandered the Mansion at will, examining the possessions of previous Duchesses. Among them, that sapphire necklace was her greatest desire.
The soft hazel hair and pale blue eyes possessed an almost ethereal quality.
Hejest’s eyes. Yet there was no denying how perfectly the sapphire necklace she now wore complemented those eyes.
Countess Yotlrey’s eyes hardened imperceptibly. To deliberately wear that necklace here meant…
‘A declaration of war.’
Of course, there was no reason to fear such a thing. Whatever synergy that girl and Hejest might create remained to be seen.
‘Hejest’s daughter will never gain acceptance in Southern High Society.’
Not without the aid of someone like herself. Countess Yotlrey bit her lip slightly.
She could not afford to lose what she possessed—her grip on Southern High Society, the respect the nobility directed toward her, and finally, the strings she held in her hands.
Once Roana established herself here, she would lose most of it.
Countess Yotlrey’s heart constricted with tension.
Having personally guided Roana to the Greenhouse, Countess Yotlrey urgently summoned a Maid.
“While guests are coming and going today, ensure Diane absolutely does not descend to the first floor. She must not be seen by anyone. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Countess.”
Having fortified herself against the potential catastrophe that might unfold, Countess Yotlrey continued receiving her guests.

* * *
‘As expected. I knew she wouldn’t bring it up.’
The moment I saw Countess Yotlrey, I understood. Her eyes held the gaze of a corrupted commoner.
My mere presence wearing this necklace would unsettle her now. Yet she couldn’t afford to retreat from her position. It must feel like standing on one leg atop a scrap of paper.
The moment the gathering began, I could confirm the necklace’s power.
One of those who had regarded me with hostile eyes couldn’t restrain herself and opened her mouth.
“Did the Duke himself give you that necklace?”
“Yes. When I mentioned attending the Ladies’ Gathering today, he prepared it for me.”
I answered without difficulty. Cherez hadn’t actually taken it out himself, but he had approved it nonetheless. Still, they all seemed to recognize the necklace.
Then a soft, somewhat delicate voice reached my ears.
“But Duchess, do you know the history of that necklace?”
She was a woman of pristine beauty. With flowing golden hair and eyes the color of the sky, I recognized her at once.
The most beautiful woman in the Southern Region. Truly, she was breathtaking.
With that dewy expression and graceful bearing, she resembled a single pure white lily. How could a person be made so beautifully?
“I’m afraid I know nothing of its history.”
“That’s only natural, being a foreigner.”
“Coming from Hejest as you do….”
The noblewomen spoke with unfriendly tones. Of course, the hatred for Hejest was the same everywhere in the Southern Region. Though I despised it too.
May Hejest fall to ruin.
“That necklace was brought as a dowry by Erkana, the Duke’s late mother. I understand she treasured it greatly and wore it often during her lifetime. That’s why it’s still spoken of throughout the Southern Region.”
The woman spoke gently. Her voice was beautiful, and her words sank easily into my ears. In every way, she appeared delicate and frail—the very picture of a noble lady.
But.
A keepsake?
A keepsake of my deceased mother?
If it breaks, it’s the jeweler’s fault, it’s worn out…? A con artist….
My mind snapped back into focus. I reached out to touch the necklace carelessly, then hesitated and withdrew my hand. This was not something a commoner like me could handle. I must never lose it.
I felt tension settle into my shoulders.
“I didn’t know the necklace carried such meaning. Thank you for explaining, Young Lady.”
“Oh! I’m Chloe of the Maleight Family. Please, just call me Chloe. I’ve known Cherez since childhood… Oh!”
Chloe covered her mouth lightly and laughed. Then she added as if troubled.
“I sometimes make such mistakes. I suppose it’s because I’ve known the Duke for so long. Please forgive my carelessness.”
“If you’re friends, that’s understandable. In any case, thank you for sharing such precious history.”
“Then I may continue calling him Cherez, may I?”
I gave a short nod. Whether she did or not, my attention remained fixed on the necklace.
Wearing this necklace and remaining outside for long would be improper. A sense of duty surged within me to return it to its rightful place. I turned my head and located my target for today once more.
Countess Yotlrey sat in a diagonal position, not immediately visible to my eyes.
A breath escaped me.
‘This is the battlefield of noblewomen, Duchess. You’re stepping into war fully armed. Countess Yotlrey is conscious of others’ gazes, so that position will be far easier to conquer.’
I am a warrior.
“Speaking of which, Countess Yotlrey, I heard your nephew has been staying here recently, but he doesn’t seem to be in attendance.”
Countess Yotlrey’s gaze fixed upon me with palpable tension, her trembling hand betraying her anxiety as she set down her teacup.
If she wouldn’t speak first, then I would have to initiate the conversation myself.
Yureain had advised me not to hesitate—the other party would surely be frightened, so I should seize the moment.
“Might I have the pleasure of meeting that nephew of yours?”
“…That child…”
The fact that Diane was not merely an experienced nanny with an illustrious career, but rather the Countess Yotlrey’s own nephew, had already been uncovered by the Bereidan Household.
Though the Countess herself remained unaware that we knew everything.
“My goodness, you’ve been harboring your nephew here?”
“I had no idea, Countess Yotlrey.”
“He’s been in poor health, so he’s come to convalesce. That’s why I’ve kept him away from public view.”
“Poor health, you say.”
I interjected with an air of sympathy.
“As the Duchess of the Southern Region, I cannot overlook such a matter. I should like to present a gift to our guest so that he might recover and return home in good health. And I wish to offer my encouragement as well. Would it be possible to meet him?”
“That is…!”
The moment Countess Yotlrey’s words faltered and her body shrank back, the noble ladies who harbored even the slightest animosity toward her straightened in their seats. They had taken my side.
“Countess Yotlrey, the Duchess has spoken so graciously…!”
My necklace had certainly played its part in winning their support.
The Countess’s wrinkled face drained of all color.
This is precisely why one shouldn’t live a life of wickedness—it always comes back around.
“This is most improper! Why do you persist in pressing the matter when the lady of the house has declined? Perhaps such behavior was acceptable in House of Hejest, but…!”
Countess Yotlrey’s face flushed crimson as she protested. Yet her reputation was already in ruins—what difference would it make to sink further?
Besides, everything was about to be exposed anyway, so I felt no fear.
Cherez stood behind me, after all.
“Here, it’s all the more appropriate. I am the Duchess, after all.”
I summoned one of the maids attending nearby.
“Go and fetch the young lady staying in this house. Tell her I wish to see her face.”
“Y-yes, yes. Your Grace!”
Countess Yotlrey’s expression grew despondent. It was the look of someone who realized she could no longer prevent what was coming. She had never anticipated that I would move so directly.
Sometimes one must strike at the heart of the matter.

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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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