The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 12

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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 012
Thinking of how someone with such a disposition had shown me a sharp attitude the moment we met….
Ah, those wretched people of House Hejest, truly.
It was unconditionally Hejest’s fault.
“No, Cherez. I understand your feelings. I really do. And I’m fine. Hejest… I think they deserve to be treated that way.”
Cherez’s pupils trembled slightly.
I knew Cherez still didn’t completely trust me. Surely such suspicion wouldn’t scatter over just this.
Did Cherez know? That Hejest had been involved in the death of his parents?
Regarding Cherez, the original work contained no detailed records, so I wasn’t certain whether he knew.
And it wasn’t as though there had been only one or two occasions where they could have clashed with each other.
“…I’m truly grateful that you understand.”
“If there are any difficulties ahead, tell me anything, Cherez. If it’s something I can do, I want to help. I am a person of Bereidan now.”
“…A person of Bereidan?”
“Yes. I now bear the name of Bereidan, and I’ve transplanted my roots here. So it should be fine to call me a person of Bereidan, shouldn’t it….”
I added while gauging Cherez’s reaction.
“…?”
My voice grew smaller despite myself.
“Ha. That could be true.”
Cherez brushed his hair back and nodded in agreement.
At this rate, it seemed my relationship with Cherez had improved somewhat. Establishing a harmonious relationship with the master of the house was a good sign.
I hoped the next six months would be just like this.
But then, six months. Would Cherez truly disappear from this world after six months?

* * *
“My keen instincts are speaking to me, Duke,” Borgus said gravely.
Borgus spoke with utmost seriousness.
“This must be some form of smokescreen. She’s attempting to bewitch you with her dazzling appearance and honeyed words. The Duchess is from House Hejest. No one can predict when she might strike you down from behind.”
His instincts were utterly worthless, but there was no one here to point that out.
Cherez remained silent, his lips sealed. Yet yesterday, when their eyes met, her gaze had been far too pure. As though untainted by any ulterior motive. As though every word she spoke came from the depths of her heart.
‘We’ve become husband and wife now, Cherez. From this moment forward, I will place Bereidan and you above all else.’
Could someone speak such words with such eyes and be lying? If so, then Roana would be a demon wearing human skin. One who lured people to their doom through enchantment.
It had been an eternity since anyone had cherished Cherez so dearly.
His parents had done so when they lived, and his Elder Brother had done so when he was alive. Cherez knew the warmth of shelter beneath an umbrella. The unconditional trust and love his family had bestowed upon him.
He remembered that affection—vast and overwhelming.
Yet in Roana’s words, I sensed that very affection.
I felt her cherishing me in a way that was distinctly tender.
‘This cannot be.’
This was surely a phantom born of longing. Cherez exhaled softly. The reason this illusion tasted so bittersweet was because I still yearned for my family.
Roana was poison to Cherez.
Poison far too sweet.
Cherez pressed his palm firmly against the corner of his eye.
This poison was dangerous.
“I shall proceed with bringing Chloe into service as planned. Fortunately, she seems quite receptive to the arrangement. Moreover, as she is an old friend of yours, Duke, I’m certain she will prove invaluable.”
“…Very well.”
Cherez answered in a weary voice, as though granting Borgus permission to do as he wished. His tone carried no enthusiasm whatsoever. For now, my own confusion was burden enough.

* * *
From early morning, I took Hayden out for a walk. According to the Head Maid, Diane had never once taken Hayden outside—always using the excuse that he might catch germs.
The child’s world, which should have expanded, remained trapped in a small, stagnant well.
“Ooh! Na-na! Na-na!”
I carefully taught Hayden, who reached toward the fluttering butterfly, word by word.
“Butterfly. It’s really beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Na-ppi!”
“Well done! Our Hayden is truly the best!”
I clapped my hands and gave him a thumbs up. Delighted, Hayden bounced his feet while repeating the word “butterfly.” As he wriggled in my arms, I found myself straining, so I settled him into a high chair from the garden table.
“This is a flower.”
“Flo!”
“That’s right! You did so well! You’re amazing!”
“Flo! Flo!”
He grinned, revealing tiny teeth like grains of rice, and it was absolutely adorable. The little demon who had cried and fussed all night seemed to have vanished. Just to be sure, I wrapped a handkerchief around my finger and felt his inner gums—a massive tooth was pushing through.
Tsk.
When my Nephew’s molars came in, I wanted to drill them out with an awl. To think I’d experience this here too. And it wasn’t just that—two upper canines were descending simultaneously.
Growth that had been stalled suddenly surged forward all at once.
As Hayden reached toward the butterfly, I rummaged through the basket to feed him a snack. A picnic calls for a lunch box, after all. I decided to start gently with banana, nothing too stimulating.
I softly mashed the banana and lightly brushed it against Hayden’s lips.
Hayden’s eyes sparkled as he sucked his lips.
“Mam-ma! Mam-ma!”
It’s delicious, isn’t it? I know. Contentedly, I fed Hayden the mashed banana.
“Oh my, what an appetite! Our Hayden is this impressive? Who said you were so impressive!”
When Hayden reached for the spoon, I placed it in his hand. I’d prepared an extra one for exactly this reason. I let him scrape the bowl with his spoon while feeding him banana with another.
Perhaps childcare suits my temperament.
“This is banana, Hayden.”
“Na-na!”
“That’s right!”
I clapped my hands together.
“Banana! You did wonderfully!”
They say praise makes even whales dance. Let’s work hard, Hayden. Show your father remarkable growth and give him quite a surprise.
Hayden, oblivious to my ulterior motives, laughed brightly. The moment our eyes met, he cried out.
“Mam-ma!”
So in your eyes, I’m just food, am I? Well, what of it.
If he has teething pain again tonight, I’ll need to soothe his gums with a cold, damp handkerchief. If he doesn’t sleep properly again, I’ll be quite exhausted tomorrow. Let’s do our best today, Ttolmang.
While hoping for Ttolmang’s afternoon nap and feeding him lukewarm milk, someone approached softly. Now that I think about it, they did say the attendant would arrive today.
“Hello, Duchess. What a pleasure to meet you like this. We introduced ourselves not long ago, didn’t we? I’m Chloe.”
It was that woman with the fragile smile.
Wow, she’s beautiful today too.
I think she was mentioned as Cherez’s friend, but clearly she’s not someone to be ordered around—she’s a “lady attendant.” I quickly greeted Chloe with a bright smile.
“I’m truly delighted to see you again, Chloe! Let’s get along wonderfully from now on.”
“…I shall do my utmost to be of service, Duchess.”
Watching her radiant smile, my own heart grew pleasantly warm. It seemed I had a weakness for beautiful women, after all.
The Maleight Family, was it? Ever since that business with the Yotlrey Family, I’d learned to be cautious even with the most innocent-seeming matters. But given that nothing troubling came to mind, it appeared they weren’t a particularly problematic house.
Perhaps I should conduct a proper background investigation.
“You’ve been caring for Hayden, I see. He’s such a gentle child. Even when I visit occasionally, he settles into my arms quite readily.”
Before I could ask anything, Chloe had already brought up the subject of the child. Her gaze toward Hayden seemed far from unkind.
I decided to observe her for now. While Chloe would certainly be watching me, I intended to watch her just as carefully.
In any case, she passed the first impression test!

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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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