The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 102

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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 102
Cherez stared at the door through which Roana had departed.
[Running away to escape you. How does that feel?]
“I told you to shut up.”
Cherez muttered under his breath.
[This is reality, Cherez Bereidan. That woman doesn’t welcome you either. You must want to return to reality. To your own family.]
Cherez ground his teeth together, then touched the corners of his eyes. While bathing, he had noticed the color of his irises changing. Though traces of blue remained, his eyes had taken on a reddish hue.
He had heard that prolonged exposure to demonic energy caused such transformations. Indeed, among those who had wandered battlefields for extended periods, many had developed crimson eyes.
He had never expected it would happen to him.
“Sigh.”
War had left many marks upon Cherez.
The face reflected in the mirror felt unfamiliar. Perhaps it was only natural that Roana recoiled from him. Cherez ran his hand roughly through his hair.
* * *
The villa’s problem was that it had too few rooms. One room was occupied by Yureain and Mila, while another was used by Robin and Dorpin.
The remaining room had been Hayden’s playroom, though Hayden slept elsewhere because of the current situation.
The problem arose as more people arrived. When the knights were told they could use the playroom, there was no room left for Cherez.
It was near the end of a satisfying dinner.
“Perhaps Your Grace could share a room with the Duchess.”
Mila, who had just finished clearing out Hayden’s playroom, suggested this.
“This room would be quite cramped with three people.”
I knew this would happen! I bit my lip firmly and lowered my head. My breathing became ragged without my realizing it.
I had just seen him like that, and now we’re supposed to share a room? Isn’t this too cruel? What if I lose control and throw myself at Cherez? Aren’t you worried about that?
“Hayden, you sleep with us.”
Mila said to Hayden.
“Hayden sleeps with Roana!”
Yes, if only Hayden were there…!
“I baked cookies for Hayden.”
Hayden’s ears perked up.
“Then with Mila!”
Hayden betrayed me with remarkable ease. Nestled in Mila’s arms, he whispered.
“Only for Hayden. Two of them.”
Hayden held up two fingers and smiled contentedly.
Mila winked at me.
“You should reconnect as husband and wife.”
Mila said this with evident satisfaction.
I don’t need anything like that…?
* * *
In the end, by someone’s design, only Cherez and Roana remained in the room.
Roana felt the small room had become even smaller. Cherez sat on the edge of the bed. Roana hesitated, then spoke.
“I’ll use the sofa. Sleep comfortably, Cherez.”
In truth, we had never once shared the same bed. We were husband and wife, yet not truly so.
The tips of Roana’s ears had flushed crimson.
“I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
At Cherez’s words, Roana shook her head. Then she quickly claimed the sofa for herself.
“You’ve been through so much—at least you should sleep comfortably!”
Cherez gazed at that stubborn face. Roana sprawled across the sofa and pulled the blanket up over herself. Then she squeezed her eyes shut.
Cherez chuckled softly, looking down at her. He could see even the delicate tremor of her eyelashes. Each time he faced Roana like this, the reality of the present moment became undeniably tangible.
Even the voice prattling in his mind could not disturb such a moment.
Cherez approached Roana. She cracked open her eyes and their gazes met. Cherez grinned mischievously, then lifted her up in one fluid motion, blanket and all.
The movement was flawless, economical.
“Ah…!”
Roana clutched the blanket tightly. Her eyes widened in perfect circles, fixed upon Cherez.
Cherez set her down upon the bed and drew the quilt up to cover them both.
His weight settled onto the mattress as well.
“Shh.”
Cherez brought his index finger to his lips. Roana remained frozen, watching him.
“Fortunately, there seems to be plenty of room.”
He lay down beside her. She rolled her eyes to regard his back, then swallowed hard and drew her body into a tight knot.
‘…We’re… sleeping in the same bed? Really?’
Cherez reached out and trimmed the candle’s wick.
Quiet darkness descended upon the chamber. It was a night of starlight. Close enough that the slightest movement would bring them into contact, they listened to each other’s breathing. Cherez’s breath deepened.
Cherez surrendered to the encroaching darkness. The body that had seemed frozen within the Gate of the Other Side now felt as though it were thawing.
Roana’s breathing sounded beside him. The warmth she emanated suffused his entire being with relief. To him, she was warmth itself—she was sunlight incarnate.
Cherez drifted into sleep, enveloped in a tranquility like that of lying beneath the sun’s gentle rays.
* * *
While Cherez fell asleep at once, I could not. My eyes remained wide awake. I heard his breathing at my ear.
Sleep… sleep won’t come!
My heart was racing far too quickly. My heartbeat thundered in my ears so loudly I feared Cherez might wake from the sound alone.
I rolled only my eyes to look at him.
His broad back rose and fell in steady rhythm.
It was proof he was alive. Whoever had spread the rumor of Cherez’s death, one thing was certain—he lived and breathed.
The mere fact that Cherez was alive transformed the longest night in the world into the shortest.
Simply watching him sleep was enough to make me happy.
Once I was certain he had fallen completely asleep, I raised myself up.
“…Cherez?”
He did not stir. I gazed quietly at his sleeping face. I had heard that Chloe had accomplished great things. She had sent not only knights but mercenaries as well, and ensured supplies never ran dry.
Chloe was truly a loyal servant of the Southern Region.
When we returned, it would be good to send her a fine gift.
I rolled my eyes and reached out my hand. Carefully, I brushed back the strand of hair that had fallen across Cherez’s forehead.
His straight brow was revealed.
Your hair has grown quite long.
Your eyes have deepened, and your jawline has become sharper. What am I to do.
I pressed my hand firmly against my heart.
It felt as though my heart would burst.
* * *
That same night.
In the Red Moon Palace too, there were those who could not sleep.
After Wills and the Knight Order’s return shook the entire palace, Countess Caslit immediately convened the Liansherus Society.
The executives of the Liansherus Society gathered in Countess Caslit’s chambers.
Countess Caslit tapped the table and opened her mouth.
“I hear the Duke of Bereidan is alive. Of course, you’ve all heard by now.”
The executives’ faces hardened.
Countess Caslit swallowed her irritation.
“If the Duke of Bereidan returns alive, everything we’ve built thus far will crumble. He may not even leave us breathing.”
People exchanged glances. They all knew her words were no exaggeration.
“We have no time. We don’t know where they are, but they’re certainly together. We must act before they come here.”
“How?”
Just as Countess Caslit was about to answer, the door burst open and a man entered.
It was Count Sirion. His eyes were bloodshot, and his jaw was clenched tight. He entered with a sinister expression and spoke abruptly.
“A man who should have died has returned alive, so we must send him back to hell. We must turn rumor into reality. Send people. Those who will kill him. Money is no object.”
Count Sirion ground out curses through his teeth.
“You said he was dead, so you take responsibility, Countess Caslit. Do you understand what I’m saying? You must kill him, without fail!”

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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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