The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 2

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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 002
Bereidan was truly a place of generous hospitality. Unlike Hejest.
Less than half a day after my possession, I found myself clutching a marriage contract and loaded onto a carriage, forced to starve the entire journey.
When I complained of hunger, the Duchess of Hejest—her eyes sharp as frost—said to me:
‘Plumpness holds no charm. Since you’re going there anyway, conduct yourself like a true member of the Hejest Family, Roana. Don’t forget my teachings. Your task is to seduce the Duke of Bereidan and extract whatever information you can. I’ll be visiting the Bereidan territory soon, and I trust you’ll be performing admirably by then. Tanya, I’m entrusting Roana to your care.’
And with that, she assigned me a maid who seemed like the gatekeeper of hell itself. The sudden possession was already heartbreaking, but she made my suffering over food absolutely miserable. She wouldn’t let me eat a single sweet, and the moment I took three spoonfuls, she’d snatch the bowl away entirely.
Was that even acceptable behavior for a maid?
I genuinely wanted to abandon her on the journey. She was so relentless, never leaving my side for a moment, constantly trailing after me.
But now, this leisurely meal? Long live Bereidan.
I sent the maid straight back to the main house. It took considerable effort to finally get that stubborn girl to leave.
‘Your name was Tanya, wasn’t it? Bereidan has no funds to pay you. We have no intention of employing you. Duchess, what do you think? Will you hire her directly?’
‘You’d do well to return quickly, Tanya.’
Being cast out like that—there was no reason to miss such an opportunity. Perfect!
Tanya, having been expelled, returned to the Hejest Family. There, she’d likely take on the role of informant, tattling about my every move.
My own life had never been a bed of roses either. I’d suffered under parents who only acknowledged my brother, my paternal grandparents, and a cruel sister-in-law.
But I had my Maternal Grandmother, and I received her love. That’s how I could tell that Roana’s life was absolutely anything but normal.
Tanya starving Roana, the Duchess of Hejest forcibly shoving her sickly daughter into the carriage, that cold gaze looking down upon me.
And all of Roana’s memories that seeped into me throughout the entire carriage ride.
I understood now just how precious this roasted onion was.
Roana, you really did live such a pitiful life.
“The roasted onion melts so delicately on the tongue, Cherez. Oh, won’t you eat more? Are you already leaving?”
“I’m full. I’ll finish eating and then go.”
Cherez cut me off coldly and turned his back, leaving the Dining Hall. He’d barely touched the main course.
What a waste. Roana’s stomach had apparently shrunk from extreme dieting. In the past, I would have eaten everything left on the plate.
Suppressing my disappointment, I continued my meal.
Cherez needed to understand that these luxurious meals wouldn’t last much longer. Six months after marrying Roana, he’d be sent to the Battlefield.
“It really is coming soon.”
And there, he’d meet his fate—death, never to return. They say a ghost who’s eaten well has a healthy complexion.
I glanced sadly at the spot where Cherez had departed.
Next time, I’ll have to encourage him more earnestly.

* * *
That night.
After idling away the entire day with nothing to do, sleep wouldn’t come easily.
Wow, I really love it here.
Still, lounging around like this for six months straight sounds unbearably tedious. Starting tomorrow, I should look for something to occupy myself with.
But I was told not to act like the lady of the house, so that’s off the table.
I feel bad about not earning my keep, but what can I do? Should I hover around watching the maids work? I’d be branded a lunatic.
After rolling around on the bed for a while, I got up and stepped out of my room.
As I strolled down the Corridor with a single lamp in hand, I heard a baby’s cry echoing from somewhere distant.
Ttolmang from the Lobby?
He must be the only infant in this Mansion.
Ttolmang was Cherez’s adopted son. His biological father was Cherez’s older brother, who died after the war ended.
But why was he crying so desperately? Where was the Nanny?
The wailing grew so intense I feared he might suffocate, so I quickened my pace without further hesitation.
I opened the door to the room where the sound came from and found Ttolmang crying with his face flushed red. The Nanny was nowhere to be found—only the small child occupied the spacious room.
“You were told not to go near the child.”
But I couldn’t ignore a baby crying like that. After glancing around, I reluctantly picked him up. He seemed barely past his first birthday.
“Hush now. Oh dear, what’s wrong? Why are you so upset? Are you hungry?”
It wasn’t time for his early morning feeding. Was something hurting him? He had no fever. A stomach ache perhaps? As I held and patted him, his round blue eyes grew drowsy.
Did he have some fussiness about sleep, or was he teething?
Babies cry for so many different reasons—it was impossible to tell.
At least before my possession, I had experience caring for my nephew like a maid, so handling a baby wasn’t difficult. When I used to look after him, I felt so resentful.
‘A parasite who only consumes food! Shouldn’t you be helping your brother and sister-in-law?’
A working parasite—have you ever seen one? I contributed living expenses to the household. My brother was the one who loafed around for seven years as an exam candidate. That’s a parasite, not me. And my sister-in-law claims she supports my brother while doing nothing but idle away her days.
If you can’t pass the civil service exam after seven years of preparation, your brain must be broken.
Ah, pointless thoughts. Pointless thoughts.
I shook my head and focused on putting the child to sleep.
Now that he’s asleep, I should be able to put him down.
The moment I lowered the baby onto the bed, his eyes snapped open and he stared at me with wide, alert eyes.
Huh?
“Waaaaaah!”
Ah.
It seemed Ttolmang was equipped with a premium-grade touch sensor. I quickly picked him up again. I’d just hold him until the Nanny arrived, that’s all.
“Haaam.”
I let out a long yawn and glared at Hayden. Ugh, I’m so sleepy. When is the Nanny coming?

* * *
The next morning.
Cherez received an unexpected report first thing after dawn.
He muttered with a grim expression.
“The Duchess has disappeared?”
“Yes, Your Grace. We cannot find her anywhere.”
At the Head Maid Yureain’s words, Cherez dragged a hand across his face. So yesterday’s docile behavior had all been an act.
Vanishing the very next morning and causing such a commotion—it was so typical of Hejest.
Whatever she was doing now, the probability that her actions would harm Bereidan was dangerously high. I needed to find that damned Hejest woman immediately and remind her of the rules she must follow.
Just as Cherez was about to clench his teeth and issue orders.
The Nanny who cared for Hayden came rushing in breathlessly.
“Your Grace! You must come see this at once!”
Her face had gone pale, and her shoulders trembled visibly—something was clearly amiss.
Had something happened to Hayden?
In that moment, Roana—who had supposedly disappeared—flashed through his mind. All the blood seemed to drain from his body. What had that Hejest woman done?
‘I knew bringing her here was a mistake!’
He rushed to Hayden’s Room alongside the Nanny.
But what Cherez found there was.
Soft breathing.
Roana and Hayden, sleeping face to face. Her hair disheveled from the night’s exertion, Roana slept with her arms wrapped protectively around the child’s back.
Bewildered, he watched them both, when Hayden whimpered and twisted his small body.
Without opening her eyes, Roana patted his back.
“Shh. Shhhh. Shhhhhh….”
And the moment Hayden quieted again, she simply drifted back to sleep.
He stared at the sight in utter disbelief until Yureain gently pulled him away. The moment they left the room, Cherez looked down at the Nanny with a cold gaze.
The Nanny quickly bowed her head.
“Explain.”
“I, I suffered severe stomach troubles yesterday and fell asleep without hearing the young master cry. When I woke this morning, the lady was already there. I sincerely apologize, Your Grace!”
He had explicitly told her not to do anything and to stay away from the child’s side.
Roana had violated both commands at once.
“It would be best to leave them be for now, Your Grace.”
At Yureain’s suggestion, Cherez issued a quiet order.
“Keep a thorough watch until the Duchess wakes. Monitor the child to ensure nothing happens to him.”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
The Nanny answered through tears.
Cherez swept his hair back in frustration.
I would need to speak with Roana again. What on earth was she thinking?

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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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