The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 122

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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 122
“Kill me.”
The words were delivered flatly. Countess Caslit’s eyes had darkened to black. It was genuine resolve, not the bravado of a frightened person.
“Whether you frame me for a crime or slit my throat, do as you please, Duchess. I am not like Count Sirion. If the path I’ve walked ends here, then it ends.”
Countess Caslit had the eyes of someone who had accepted death. Or perhaps, the eyes of someone with much to hide.
I leaned toward the latter interpretation. It seemed she was saying that if everything came to light, she would die anyway, so she might as well die now.
To someone else, this might have been pride or dignity, but to me, it felt only like the remnants of crime. In that sense, Countess Caslit’s downfall would benefit us.
Countess Caslit’s lips trembled as she asked.
“…Is Morigan still alive?”
The moment that name left her lips, Countess Caslit’s voice wavered ever so slightly.
Morigan. I hadn’t expected to hear that name here.
I lifted the corners of my mouth.
Mother was still searching for Morigan, it seemed. This was the only opening Countess Caslit had given me today.
Morigan appeared to be the only key that could shake Petunia Hejest. He was the sole weakness of a woman capable of killing even her own daughter.
Looking at Countess Caslit, I slowly curved my lips into a smile.
“What do you think? Do you believe he’s alive, or do you think he’s dead?”
Countess Caslit bit her lip hard.
“Duchess.”
“It seems people who regard human lives as insignificant as flies do find Morigan precious.”
“…Aren’t you curious? Why Duchess Petunia is so obsessed with Morigan alone?”
Countess Caslit’s eyes flashed. They were the eyes of someone desperate to wound me.
Tsk. You picked the wrong opponent, didn’t you.
“Why, am I his blood relative or something? Did my mother conceive me through some affair with that man?”
At my question, Countess Caslit actually flinched.
“…You know that saying? A thief cannot steal seeds.”
The original work mentioned it several times. That Duchess Petunia despised her daughters, who resembled her husband. How she called them greedy from appearance alone, lacking resolve and foolish?
I had wondered why she was so harsh toward her own daughters.
“I think I understand now why Mother hates us sisters. She loves Morigan, doesn’t she? So naturally she would hate us, who resemble Father.”
Now I understood.
“H-how did you…”
“Am I a fool? How could I not see what’s so obvious?”
I shrugged.
Most people are quite shocked when they learn secrets about their own birth or about their parents’ lovers. They become wounded. But these weren’t even my real parents, so what did it matter to me?
I let out a soft laugh while staring at Countess Caslit.
“Don’t waste your efforts, Countess Caslit.”
“I see.”
Countess Caslit exhaled. She let out a quiet laugh.
“Duchess Petunia hated you the most. Your appearance is truly the spitting image of Duke Hejest. But what can be done? You are the one who resembles your mother the most.”
“…That’s quite an unpleasant thing to say.”
Countess Caslit added with hollow eyes.
“I may have failed, but there will be what comes after. I won’t be the end….”
“How typical. I’ll handle that part myself.”
Countess Caslit would bear all the sins and die. There would be no more private conversations like this.
“You may write a letter. I’ll leave the door open. You need to contact the North, yes? I’ll consider it your final testament.”
Countess Caslit laughed hollowly, as if she’d just realized her own helplessness—unable to even leave a will without permission.

* * *
I left Countess Caslit’s Residence and headed toward the City District.
Hayden and Yureain would be somewhere on the Main Street enjoying the sights. I moved to find them. The Knights escorting me remained vigilant around us.
As I turned onto the Main Street, Yureain and Hayden came into view immediately. The City District had already grown crowded with people. It was being rebuilt as quickly as it had been destroyed. The streets, once devastated by war, were steadily reclaiming their former appearance.
Hayden was pointing at something in front of a street vendor’s stall, tugging at Yureain’s skirt, when he turned his head.
The child’s face bloomed like a flower upon spotting me.
“Roana!”
Hayden came running toward me at the sight of me. He held something like a skewer in his hand. His mouth glistened with grease. He’d already eaten quite a bit.
“Roana, try this!”
“How much have you eaten?”
I crouched down to meet the child’s eyes and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.
Hayden opened his eyes wide and shook his head.
“Ow! It hurts! Stop! Yureain bought it for me!”
Yureain followed behind. Hayden held out the skewer to me.
“Roana, eat too! Try it. This is just for you.”
Hayden lowered his voice and placed his short index finger to his lips.
“Don’t tell Father. You can’t say anything.”
“Why?”
I asked with amusement in my voice. The fact that I’d just been with Countess Caslit seemed to fade completely away.
The child’s loveliness seemed to purify me. This must be what healing feels like.
“Father will be sad.”
“He’ll be sad if you eat this?”
I couldn’t imagine Cherez being sad over meat skewers. Yet Hayden nodded with utmost seriousness.
“Yes. Father is strict.”
“I see. I’ll absolutely keep it secret.”
I made a pinky promise with Hayden. Yureain couldn’t hide her smile either.
I took a bite of the skewer Hayden offered. It was salty and savory. This was the taste of street food.
Sweet and salty, back and forth.
Hayden had fallen completely under the charm of the City District. He held both my hand and Yureain’s hand tightly, turning his head constantly without pause.
Hayden stopped again in front of a bakery.
“Do you want to eat?”
“Yes…. Hayden wants to eat. Father said he’d buy me something too. But not for Hayden! Oh, and Robin too. And Mila, and Dolphin….”
Hayden counted carefully on his fingers. They were excuses—he was the one who wanted to eat.
I bought Hayden a honey bread and handed it to him. The child took a large bite, and honey smeared across the baby prince’s cheek.
Hayden, having eaten his fill, fell asleep on the Knight’s back, still clutching the honey bread tightly in his hand.
The sun had begun to set.
I pressed a kiss to the baby’s rosy cheek.
“Let’s go home.”
How tender and warm those words were. I too had a family to return to.

* * *
As I descended from the carriage, I heard children’s laughter from somewhere—a sound entirely out of place in this location.
“Hayden!! Roana!!”
Anna waved her hands excitedly toward us. Her cheeks, flushed crimson in the sunset’s glow, gleamed beautifully.
“Gania, Jake! Goodness, Anna. Toby!”
Yureain gasped in delight. The people we had been waiting for had finally arrived.
While Yureain exchanged warm greetings with Gania and Jake, the children rushed toward me.
“We missed you so much!”
“Thank you for coming all this way.”
I pulled the children into a tight embrace. They carried the scent of Carencia—that longed-for place.
Hayden, who had awakened from his slumber, poked his head out from the carriage. Watching his face break into a smile, I thought: a world like this, a world where Hayden could smile like that, was absolutely worth protecting.

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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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