The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 11

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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 011
“She asked me to come down?”
“Yes, yes!”
Diane tilted her head. Hope bloomed at the mention of guests seeking her out. Surely my aunt intends to formally debut me into Southern High Society!
With things having reached this point, she must be looking to find me a good match!
There was a world of difference between sneaking around privately and receiving formal recognition from the household before entering High Society.
Such hopes flourished abundantly within her.
The fear that her deception would be exposed had vanished over the past few days. The quiet had bred carelessness.
In truth, a Duchess unrecognized by the Bereidan Household could hardly participate in High Society, and that taciturn war-lover seemed unlikely to mingle in the ladies’ circles. Hayden was far too young.
So it seemed reasonable to use that gap to debut into High Society. Though her age was a slight concern.
Perhaps her experience working as a nanny in the Bereidan Household might aid her marriage prospects. And no one knew that the Bereidan nanny was actually Countess Yotlrey’s niece.
‘What if I revealed everything now?’
Since Countess Yotlrey held standing in the Ladies’ Gathering, she might actually secure an excellent match. She’d need to marry before any strange rumors circulated.
“What are you doing? Help me with my appearance at once.”
“Yes, Young Lady!”
Diane hummed cheerfully as she changed into her finest dress—one of the few things she’d managed to preserve when expelled from the Bereidan Household.
If she made a good impression among the noblewomen today, she might marry into wealth and live as a noblewoman spending money freely.
Just as she had when working as a nanny!
Diane descended to the first floor with eager steps. All the while, her dreams, hopes, and fantasies flourished unchecked.
The moment she entered the Greenhouse.
She locked eyes with Roana, who sat wearing that famous necklace. And she could also see Countess Yotlrey with her head bowed in ashen silence.
‘Why is that woman here?!’
Diane faltered and stepped backward.
“My, who could this be.”
Roana continued speaking gently.
“Such a familiar face.”
The noblewomen added to Roana’s words.
“Does the Duchess already know Countess Yotlrey’s niece? Ah, I feel like I’ve seen this face before too.”
“It does seem familiar… Oh! Isn’t this Young Master Hayden’s nanny?”
“My goodness. So it is a Yotlrey after all. Your niece was caring for Young Master Hayden! But why did you mention she came for recuperation…?”
“Come sit here, Diane.”
Roana spoke with refined elegance. The image of her bickering with Hayden between them had completely vanished.
Diane glanced behind her. The maids stood with tense expressions, positioned at her back.
“Quickly now.”
Roana’s voice turned cold. Diane understood then. This was not a sweet garden for flower viewing—it was a pit of hellfire that Roana had dug.
Diane clenched her teeth.
“I… I should return. I’m not feeling well…”
“Even if you’re unwell, you’ll receive treatment here, Diane. Why, do you think I’m overstepping my bounds again?”
In that instant, the atmosphere in the Greenhouse froze.
It was not something a Duchess should hear from a daughter of a Fallen House. Criticism rippled through the noblewomen.
“W-when did I ever say such a thing…!”
“Then are you suggesting I’m lying? That’s hardly possible.”
Roana deliberately brushed her hand across her neck near the necklace. It was as if she were saying, ‘Look at this necklace. Cherez gave it to me, you see? I’m held in such high regard by the Bereidan Household!’ Her gesture spoke volumes.
That couldn’t possibly be true.
The Duke and Duchess were like dogs and cats—they barely acknowledged each other’s existence.
Everyone knew they hadn’t even spent their wedding night together.
‘Despicable woman!’
The problem was that the atmosphere didn’t permit revealing these facts now. Diane would be branded a liar in the process.
“And to think the niece of Countess Yotlrey was Hayden’s nanny—the woman who starved him, embezzled money meant for baby supplies to buy jewelry, and was dismissed when caught.”
Roana spoke with deliberate precision, her gaze shifting toward Countess Yotlrey.
“Did you know about this, Countess?”
In truth, there was only one path available to Countess Yotlrey in this situation.
“I… I didn’t know.”
“Aunt!!”
“Silence! You’ve committed such atrocities—don’t make it worse with your words!”
Countess Yotlrey gestured to the maids, who promptly silenced Diane. Watching this performance unfold, Roana smiled with satisfaction.
‘Mission accomplished.’

* * *
‘Don’t let the Duchess’s hands get dirty. Give the knife to Countess Yotlrey instead. She’ll abandon her niece and choose to protect herself.’
Yureain’s precise coaching had proven flawless. True to her prediction, Countess Yotlrey didn’t hesitate for a moment before casting aside her own niece.
She berated Diane directly as the maids held her down, the girl wailing like a beast.
‘Have you lost your mind? How dare you show your face after such deeds! I wondered what you were doing down in the Southern Region, and when you said you’d found work, I was actually proud of you. And yet you’ve been bringing shame upon my name! You’re truly a wretched child! My sincerest apologies, Duchess. I failed to raise her properly…’
‘…Did you truly not know? Not at all? I’ve heard Countess Yotlrey is quite well-informed about such matters.’
I merely trailed off after saying that, yet the entire situation resolved itself. The noblewomen began attacking Countess Yotlrey in unison.
Here I was, orchestrating a battle of public opinion—I who had once been belittled and gaslit within my own home.
House Yotlrey and Diane seemed destined to be buried in High Society’s judgment.
Hayden, my precious boy! I’ve avenged you!
I returned to the Mansion with the heart of a triumphant general. I planned to eat twice my usual amount at dinner tonight. I deserved it.

* * *
Today’s evening dinner was truly satisfying.
Moreover, with no one interrupting my meal, I couldn’t have been happier.
“Cherez should have seen that expression himself. It’s a shame he missed it. How exhilarating it must have been. Still, Countess Yotlrey won’t be showing her face around the Southern Region anymore. If I were her, I’d have emigrated.”
“…It’s all thanks to you. I was able to sever ties with House of Yotlei without any complications. There won’t be any noise either. I intend to collect every last bit of recompense for what they’ve done.”
“I simply did what I could, Cherez.”
Recognize how capable I am, won’t you? That I can do anything you ask of me. I beamed at Cherez with earnest enthusiasm.
“I’m glad I could be of help.”
So in the future, if you need my assistance, won’t you tell me freely? I’m a prepared worker, ready to serve. I packed all that meaning into my words, though I wasn’t sure if he understood.
Cherez exhaled deeply and spoke.
“I apologize for what I said before.”
“What did you say…?”
“I told you not to do anything. That as the Duchess, you needn’t fulfill any obligations.”
Cherez spoke with an earnest expression.
“I hurt you with words I couldn’t even keep myself. I’m truly sorry.”
Wait, he’s apologizing just like that? Even in that extreme situation, Hayden hadn’t fallen into darkness and had grown into a righteous male lead. Now I understood who he took after. Clearly, he resembled Cherez.
How can a person be so upright?

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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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