The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 18

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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 018
Hayden wasn’t in good condition today.
He was different from usual since morning. He refused his baby food, and though he had no fever, he looked exhausted. What was wrong with him?
“But you like cheese, don’t you?”
“No! No!”
I popped a piece of cheese into Hayden’s mouth as he reached toward me.
Once he finished the cheese, he started fussing again.
“Waahhh.”
I ended up lifting Hayden into my arms. He buried his face in my shoulder and whimpered. The moment I tried to put him down, he would cry, so I had no choice but to keep holding him.
After a full hour of wrestling with Hayden, I finally managed to get him to sleep. I gently patted his back as he dozed with his face buried in my shoulder.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m right here.”
My wrist felt like it might snap. But what could I do? These days happened.
As I stood there holding the child, his breathing finally began to even out. The tension drained from Hayden’s grip. His delicate little fingers, which had been clutching my collar, went slack. His breathing became shallow and steady.
He was finally asleep.
Transferring the baby was more delicate work than defusing a bomb. Cold sweat seemed to be breaking out on my back.
“Phew.”
I took a deep breath and pushed myself up. Seeing Hayden’s peaceful sleeping face made my heart melt. I massaged my tingling arm and tiptoed toward the door when it suddenly burst open.
“Duchess! There you are!”
It was Chloe.
Chloe beamed brightly. Was she insane? A curse nearly escaped my lips.
“Insane.”
I turned to check on Hayden. The child was stirring. My heart felt like it stopped.
Hayden’s eyelids fluttered. No. No, please.
“Chloe, quiet….”
“Look at this! I finally got it! It’s an infant nutritional supplement from the Beloce Family! It’s popular among the nobility, so I had to get it from someone I know! It’s supposed to be excellent for restoring vitality. You said the child was sick, didn’t you? These things work best if given quickly. I think we should give it to him now.”
Chloe shook a glass bottle. It was an elegant bottle with a gold-leaf label. I stopped her as she tried to walk toward the bed with it.
“Hayden is sleeping right now, Chloe. We can give it to him later. Please….”
This… friend of mine, this isn’t the time.
“Hayden!”
“Chloe!”
My voice turned sharp without my realizing it. But it was already too late.
“Waahhhhh!”
Hayden woke up.
The hour I’d spent trying to get Hayden to sleep vanished in three seconds.
Hayden’s body went rigid as his limbs thrashed about, and his face flushed bright red. Waking up forcefully when he wasn’t feeling well made him seem even more upset than usual.
“Waaahhh!”
Chloe took a step back in shock.
“Oh, oh my. Why is he crying so much?”
“Leave.”
“Pardon?”
“Get out of here right now!”
My voice trembled.
Chloe genuinely didn’t understand what she had done wrong.
“I went through so much trouble to get it for Hayden!”
“I know the supplement is good. I’m grateful you went to such lengths to obtain it.”
I spoke through gritted teeth.
“But the child was sleeping. Please leave!”
If I said anything more, I feared I would lose control and say something unforgivable.
Finally, Chloe set the glass bottle on the table and left.
I lifted the crying Hayden into my arms.
“I’m sorry, Hayden. Shh, let’s go back to sleep.”
I genuinely wished Chloe would leave. I squeezed my eyes shut.

* * *
Expelled from Hayden’s Room, Chloe lingered in the Corridor. She puffed out her cheeks and sighed.
Why did no one appreciate Chloe’s good intentions?
Looking out the window, Chloe spotted carriages gathering below.
“Was there a meeting today?”
Now that she thought about it, her mother had mentioned visiting the Bereidan Duchy today.
Chloe’s eyes sparkled. She could attend that gathering as well.
After all, she was the heir of a Vassal House.
Traditionally in the Southern Region, the Duchess attends such meetings. But Roana…
Chloe glanced back into the room where Roana was. She looked overwhelmed just watching over Hayden.
“Tsk. What would she do without me?”
How could she call herself Duchess when she couldn’t even fulfill her duties? Chloe decided to attend the meeting in Roana’s stead as her assistant.
It was perfectly normal for the Duchess’s assistant to attend a meeting as her proxy.
This too was for the sake of not just Roana, but the entire Bereidan Family.
“Where could you find a friend like me, Cherez? You should treat me well.”
Chloe hummed to herself.

* * *
Today’s conference was meant to discuss how much military force each noble would contribute ahead of the war, how supplies would be divided, and which sections of the Coastal Defense Line each would be responsible for. All the Southern Nobility had gathered for this crucial meeting.
Yet there sat Chloe, bold as brass, right in the middle of it all. Cherez froze mid-step, and Chloe spoke to him.
“Cherez! You’re having a meeting? I can participate too, can’t I? I’m going to take Roana’s place.”
Silence fell over the Conference Room.
Everyone had been bracing for a tense confrontation. But now Chloe had barged in uninvited. Soon, all of the Southern Nobility would be assembled here.
The gathered nobles were already eyeing Chloe with curiosity. Cherez squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them again.
Borgus was about to usher Chloe out, reading the room carefully.
“Chloe.”
A low, steady voice cut through. It was Countess Malate, who had just arrived.
“Do you understand what kind of gathering this is? Leave at once.”
The Countess’s voice was quiet, but sharp as a blade. Before her, Chloe’s mouth opened and closed without sound.
Countess Malate wiped her face and offered Cherez an apology. Watching her apologetic expression, Cherez found himself utterly unable to speak.

* * *
I learned of all Chloe’s misdeeds through Yureain.
Now I had a perfect justification. A reason to cast Chloe out.
Cherez returned to the Second Floor as the sun was setting, his face twisted with exhaustion. When he spotted me, his expression slowly softened.
I turned from where I’d been leaning against the window.
“Cherez. Can we talk?”
I entered the Sunroom with him. I waited until he was settled comfortably before I spoke.
“Should we send Chloe away?”
Cherez let out a deep sigh. The man who had laughed at me the day before had vanished without a trace.
“The biggest problem right now is that Chloe genuinely believes everything she’s doing is right.”
His actions toward Chloe couldn’t be corrected.
If she harbored malice, it would be easier to hate her. But Chloe truly believed she was in the right.
She thought she was looking out for Cherez, worrying about the Bereidan Family.
All of it was goodwill, affection. If I cast her out, Countess Malate would be troubled. So I needed to resolve this in a way that was best for everyone.
“…Is there a way?”
I nodded.
“Will you trust me and leave this to me? I’ll resolve it in a way that’s best for everyone. But I need your cooperation.”
Cherez spoke with a serious expression.
“Of course. I’ll cooperate with whatever it is. I’d even drink filth if you asked.”
“That’s hardly necessary, Cherez.”
I spoke with a faint smile. It was the face of someone who had learned much over these past days.
“And I’ll apologize.”
“Apologize?”
He tilted his head in confusion. Weren’t we all victims here?
“…For allowing the decision to bring Chloe in to pass without objection.”
“Ah.”
That was worth apologizing for. I nodded in agreement. Besides, Cherez seemed to find the situation somewhat amusing as well.
“If I were to remove Chloe in a very gentle and kind manner, would your assessment of me change?”
Cherez responded to my question with absolute certainty in his tone.
“Without question.”
It appeared that Chloe had left a profound impression on everyone.

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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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