The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 113

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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 113
The following morning, the three knights I had sent to the castle returned.
The knights bowed their heads before Cherez.
“We have returned, sir.”
Cherez gave a brief nod. The knights stared at the sickle in his hand with bewildered expressions.
It was an object that seemed utterly out of place with his appearance.
“Ah. I was told the weeds needed to be cut.”
Cherez shrugged his shoulders.
“Allow me, sir! How could you possibly—”
“Such honest labor is necessary, and—! Gasp! W-who is that?”
Hayden came running but stopped short, hiding behind Cherez’s legs. Anna followed close after him.
Jake had descended the mountain despite the late hour, but Anna had remained at the villa since she could not.
Cherez answered while the children clung to him.
“You’ve worked hard. There’s no need to concern yourself with trivial matters.”
Yet the knights’ gazes remained fixed on the sickle in his hand.
“You must have something to report to me.”
“Yes. All those who were staying at the Red Moon Palace have returned to the Lord’s Castle. Sir Borgus awaits you. In three days’ time, a carriage will be waiting at the foot of the mountain to receive you, the Duchess, and the young master.”
Cherez nodded.
“You have done well.”
I, standing behind Cherez, heard this news as well.
We’re going back. Hayden came to me and wrapped his arms tightly around my leg, then looked up at me with wide eyes. Even a child could sense that the atmosphere had become grave.
“Roana, where are we going?”
“…Yes, we have to go.”
“Where?”
“Home.”
“But this is home?”
For this child, this place was home. Here, I had planted and carefully nurtured the seed that was Hayden.
But to confine Hayden to this small world would be to deny all that he was born to carry—the responsibilities he must bear, the duties he must fulfill.
I stroked Hayden’s head and spoke.
“There’s another home. A much bigger one!”
“No. Hayden likes it here.”
Hayden held my leg even more tightly.
“Hayden.”
Cherez lifted Hayden up and set him on his shoulders. With Hayden gone, Anna clung to my leg instead.
Anna’s eyes widened as she glared at the knights. The knights shifted awkwardly and clasped their hands behind their backs.
“We’re going to an even bigger house. There are bigger trees there, and…”
“…More frogs?”
“Yes, more frogs.”
“Then… are there rabbits too? And carrots? Hayden likes carrots. Can Hayden eat carrots every day?”
“I’ll make sure you can.”
Hayden asked several serious questions, and Cherez nodded in response. After a long interrogation, Hayden nodded as well.
“Then I suppose we should think about it.”
“About what?”
“Moving! Hayden needs time to think about it too.”
Cherez suppressed a smile and spoke.
“How much time?”
“A lot! Um, um… o, one minute?”
It was the kind of thing a child with no sense of time would say. Cherez smiled and agreed.
“All right. I’ll wait as long as you need.”
In reality, we only had three days ahead of us. Within that time, we had to complete our preparations to leave.
I lowered my gaze and looked at Anna. Anna smiled shyly.
It seemed I wouldn’t be able to leave this child behind.

* * *
It had been a long time since I prepared to go down to the town. Mila and Dorpin volunteered to escort me, and Anna came along as well.
In truth, only Luke’s father had returned. Anna was an orphan, and Toby’s father had not come back. Neither had Gania’s husband.
For Anna’s sake, and for Hayden’s sake as well, it might be better to take them all with me.
“Gania.”
Gania turned from hanging laundry.
“Oh my! Anna, do you know how much I’ve been looking for you! If Jake hadn’t told me you were safe, I’d still be searching for you now!”
Gania gently scolded Anna. Anna hesitated before responding.
“I’m, I’m sorry.”
“What happened to you?”
“I, I don’t know. I just woke up and I was at the villa.”
At Anna’s words, Gania sighed deeply. Then she pulled the child close and spoke.
“I’m just glad you’re safe. Thank you so much, my lady. I don’t know why I keep owing you favors.”
“Owing me? Actually, I came here today because I have a request for you, Gania.”
“A request…?”
Gania tilted her head in confusion.
“Hayden and I must return now. We’re heading to the Lord’s Castle. I would like you, Anna, Toby, and Jake to come with us on that journey.”
“What?”
Gania blinked in surprise. Jake approached from nearby and dropped the hoe he was holding.
“…My lady, what do you mean? The Lord’s Castle?”
It seemed the time had come to reveal my true identity. Until now, we had not asked questions of one another. But from this point forward, the world would change. They might become targets simply because we had stayed here.
“My name is Roana Bereidan.”
Only the sound of wind filled the silence.
Over the past year, we had tilled the fields together, raised chickens, and eaten corn.
“…The Duchess? The one who lives at the Lord’s Castle? The lady of the Southern Region?”
“Yes.”
Gania’s mouth fell open, but no sound came out before it closed again.
At that moment, Jake made a sound like a pig being slaughtered. Then, breathing heavily, he spoke.
“Th-th-th-then… that man… that man? The one with, uh, red eyes and devastatingly handsome features!”
“Oh, Cherez Bereidan. He’s the lord of the Southern Region.”
At my words, Jake tumbled backward and landed hard on his rear.
“Th-that can’t be… I was told he was the Knight Commander… that his name was Wills….”
Jake gasped for breath. Gania, startled, patted his back. It took him quite some time to regain his composure.
“Y-Your Grace. I’ve been so disrespectful… No, yesterday I was disrespectful to His Excellency… I’m just an ignorant fool….”
“What disrespect did you show?”
Jake couldn’t possibly have committed any serious offense. The ones who were truly disrespectful to Cherez were likely gnawing away at the Lord’s Castle even now.
Jake confessed everything that had happened yesterday. Hearing his words, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I think Cherez must have really enjoyed it. He would have been happy.”
“…What?”
Jake looked up at me with a bewildered expression. The Lord’s Castle had been filled with traitors, overflowing with those who trampled the honor of House Bereidan. They had turned their backs on the values Bereidan had upheld all this time, dismissed them, and showed no gratitude.
Compared to such people, how innocent and honest these folk were.
They understood clearly what Cherez and his ancestors had been protecting all along. And their sacrifices too.
“I’m truly grateful to you, Jake.”
“I don’t understand what you mean… Why would you…?”
“Because it must have been a great comfort to Cherez.”
When he had lost everything and only Hayden remained, I alone knew what state of mind Cherez had risen again with. And I alone knew the state of mind with which the original Hayden had risen.
They had done their utmost to protect the name of Bereidan, to ensure their ancestors’ deaths were not in vain. Even if that was nothing but an illusion of value.
In the original story too, it was such hearts that had grasped the crumbling Hayden and pulled him forward.
Their hearts must have been a tremendous reward for Cherez. Carencia truly was, truly was a wonderful place.

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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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