The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 104

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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 104
Sir Borgus, Knight Commander Wills, and Countess Malate gathered in Borgus’s office.
“According to Commander Wills’s report, it appears that Chloe provided assistance by separately deploying mercenaries from Evelik.”
“There’s no need to invite unnecessary scrutiny.”
Wills spoke coldly.
“Those above want victory without lifting a finger, and authority without offering anything—they’ll certainly find fault.”
“Did His Grace offer any instructions regarding this matter?”
Wills let out a soft laugh before speaking.
“I’m relaying his words exactly as spoken, without adding or removing anything. He said, ‘If those damned dogs bark, go throw the demon heads scattered along the seaside at them.'”
Borgus let out a laugh. The fact that his mouth was still working meant Cherez was clearly unharmed. Countess Malate also covered her mouth and laughed.
“In truth, we’ve already dealt with the matter before it could become a problem.”
Wills’s voice grew quieter.
“It seems there are quite a few rats.”
Borgus and Countess Malate nodded simultaneously.
“In preparation for such circumstances, His Grace did offer instructions. He said to seal off the Southern Region—not a single rat should be able to pass through.”
At those words, Borgus swallowed hard.
“He said that if anyone disobeys the order, even those sent from the Imperial Court, their heads may be severed without consequence.”
Borgus let out a low whistle. So they were going to take a hard stance. He couldn’t help but think the Southern Region was in for a dangerous time.
The Southern Region’s elite forces had returned, but they were exhausted from prolonged combat. If they clashed with the Imperial Court or the North…
“And he instructed us to contact Duke Curios of the Western Region. Tell him to repay past favors, he said.”
“What does that mean…?”
“He said that even if we must fight again, he fears nothing.”
Borgus exhaled deeply, then bit his lip and spoke.
“In that case, we’ll need to return to the Lord’s Castle first.”
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
All three fell silent at once, holding their breath. As Wills placed his hand on his sword hilt, Borgus, catching his eye, asked quietly.
“Who is it?”
A voice came from beyond the door. The low voice trembled terribly.
“It is Fernan August and Colin Kersan. We wish to meet with Sir Borgus.”
The three exchanged glances. Both men were of immigrant nobility and belonged to the Liansherus Society.
Wills gripped his sword firmly. If necessary, he was prepared to execute them here and bury their bodies.
Countess Malate nodded, and Borgus opened the door.
Two middle-aged men entered with pallid faces. Both were visibly tense.
“Come in.”
Borgus closed the door and spoke coldly.
“State your business for coming here.”
Fernan spoke first. His voice trembled, but he was clearly trying to speak clearly.
They appeared terrified. Fernan’s voice was as faint as a breath.
“We heard that the Duke is alive.”
“I fail to see how that relates to you seeking us out now.”
Countess Malate’s cold response made Fernan August catch his breath. He spoke in a hushed voice.
“We, we truly believed the Liansherus Society was a charitable organization! B-but as time went on, their actions grew increasingly strange! Isn’t that right?”
At Fernan August’s words, Colin Kersan nodded vigorously. His goat-like beard trembled as though it might be plucked clean away. His gaze remained fixed on Wills’s hand.
Wills still gripped his sword. The atmosphere of the room, combined with the oppressive aura emanating from a knight who had endured long wars, squeezed Colin Kersan relentlessly.
“Y-yes, that’s right!”
“The Liansherus Society keeps crossing lines. They don’t stop at plundering towns—they even engage in tax evasion!”
Colin Kersan added.
Whether they had come driven by conscience or survival instinct remained uncertain, but their calculation was sound. They were jumping ship before it sank.
Borgus glanced at Countess Malate. She opened her mouth to speak.
“Let’s assume that’s true. But how are we to trust you? There must be an exchange—something given for something received, wouldn’t you say?”
“P-please, tell us what you need.”
Fernan August spoke, emboldened by her gentle tone.
“We need information about the Liansherus Society. Ledgers would be even better, if you have them.”
Since the incident involving Count and Countess Bruate, security had tightened considerably, preventing any new recruits from being brought in.
“Are you asking us to become double agents?”
“Double agents? That’s such an ugly way to put it. I’m asking you to become loyal servants of the Duke from this moment forward.”
Fernan August and Colin Kersan exchanged glances. Their faces showed they understood there was no choice left.
Besides, they had nowhere to return to. The North held no family to welcome them back. After all, hadn’t they fled the North in the first place? Abandoning everything they possessed. Both men had forsaken their children, wives, and families entirely.
With nothing but the resolve to survive. They had to establish themselves here, as far from the North as possible.
“We will do it.”
“Excellent. I’ll trust you and await word.”
Fernan August and Colin Kersan departed, leaving only three people in the room once more.
“We should investigate them thoroughly. I’ll assign someone to watch them.”
At Borgus’s words, Countess Malate nodded. Wills exhaled deeply and withdrew his hand from his sword.
“This will become commonplace from now on.”
Cherez possessed a power that shook people’s hearts by his mere existence. The impact of his return on the Southern Region was immense. Like the flutter of a cicada’s wings summoning a tempest.
“I’m curious to see who brings us useful information next.”
Countess Malate smiled coldly. A new snare had been laid within the Red Moon Palace.

* * *
The words “let’s live together” refused to fade from my mind.
Night had fallen, yet those words continued to echo endlessly. If I didn’t do something soon, I feared my heart would shatter in this suffocating silence.
There’s no way we can share a room like this.
What better remedy for tension than alcohol? So I descended to the kitchen and returned to my chamber with a bottle of homemade cloudberry wine and cheese I’d crafted myself.
I’d made it following Gania’s instructions. After several months, it had developed a deep crimson hue, and when I opened the lid, a sweet-tart fragrance bloomed into the air.
“Cherez, this is cloudberry wine that Hayden and I made together. Would you like to share some? I made this cheese too, and it turned out rather well. Though it does have a bit of tartness.”
Cherez pulled himself away from the window. He’d been staring outside the entire time—likely preoccupied with the knights who’d departed this morning.
Cherez moved to the sofa and took a glass, sipping it slowly.
I quickly drank as well and placed cheese in my mouth. The tart and salty flavors spread across my tongue, and the tension seemed to ease.
“Hayden picked these cloudberries.”
“Hayden did?”
“Yes, though I’m not sure if he went to pick them or eat them. Either way, he brought them back completely crushed. So I thought it would be better to make jam or wine rather than eat them as they were.”
Cherez let out a soft laugh.
“That sounds like him.”
I poured another glass of cloudberry wine. My face began to flush. Whether from the alcohol or something else, I couldn’t tell. I exhaled deeply.
“I’m so grateful that Hayden gets along so well with the children.”
Cherez lifted his glass and took a sip. Once the smile faded, his expression grew tender.
“It’s a shame I missed all those moments. Every single one when I wasn’t there.”
“You’ll see so many more moments ahead, Cherez.”
His crimson eyes stood out vividly—tainted with demonic energy, and they seemed even redder today than yesterday. Strangely, the distance between us seemed to have narrowed without either of us moving.
Cherez’s hand and mine moved simultaneously. The instant we both grasped the wine bottle, his fingers brushed against mine. His eyes burned with intensity, and his fingertips were warmer than my own skin. Just as he was about to speak, the door opened without a sound.
Creak.
A figure stood in the slowly widening gap like a ghost.
Round eyes. A sleep-hazed face. A beloved pillow dragged in one hand and tear stains clinging to the corners of his eyes.
“Hayden?”
“I’m sleeping here! With Roana. No cookies. Don’t want caramel either!”

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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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