The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 20

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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 020
If it benefits everyone, then it’s a good thing. And this marriage will certainly not be bad for Chloe either.
“So I was thinking, why don’t we pursue a marriage arrangement for Chloe? What do you think, Fiona?”
“A marriage…? Would there be a young man who wishes to marry Chloe? She’s such an exceptional child.”
Of course there would be. Aisen, the second son of the Oyster Family.
The original work mentioned him briefly—Aisen Oyster had harbored an unrequited love for Chloe since childhood, captivated by her beauty. And that infatuation seemed to last a lifetime. If Chloe could live receiving such love, she would surely find happiness.
Even when she was behaving outrageously, she seemed happy doing it.
“If a suitable young man appears at this gathering, I was thinking of pairing him with Chloe. Of course, Chloe’s own opinion would be important as well.”
“…If that were possible… Do you perhaps have a young man in mind already?”
“I’m still considering it. But Cherez mentioned he would send over some promising young men from the Southern Region worth noting, so I believe we can find someone among them. And Cherez always holds a grateful heart toward you and Chloe. Especially toward you, Fiona.”
“…What have I done to deserve such gratitude? Rather, I am always grateful to the Duke.”
Her faintly smiling face was truly virtuous. How could such a person have produced such a daughter? At this point, I found myself genuinely curious about the late Count Maleight. They say daughters resemble their fathers.
No, wait—according to Cherez, Count Maleight was quite a decent person too. It’s truly a mystery. Perhaps her grandparents spoiled her too much.
In any case, what mattered now was not discussing why Chloe had turned out this way.
I clicked my tongue inwardly and continued speaking.
“So Cherez hopes that Chloe will live a happy life for the rest of her days, thinking of Countess Malate. He believes that is the only way to repay the kindness you have shown.”
I added some pleasantly exaggerated flattery. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure if Cherez thought quite so deeply about it. But one thing was certain—Chloe would be thrilled.
Fiona seemed to respect him considerably.
“So if Chloe were to marry a second son who cannot inherit the title, Cherez intends to establish and entrust her with a branch of the Bereidan Trading Company that Maleight currently manages.”
This was something I had suggested to Cherez. He agreed to help find a suitable marriage partner for Chloe. Assisting with the marriage of a descendant from a loyal family was entirely permissible by convention.
Getting rid of such a troublesome problem right before my eyes was the best solution. It would even help extend Fiona’s lifespan.
Besides, I was merely accelerating what would happen in the future anyway, so I judged that fate would not undergo any major changes.
“You must know that a new shipping route was recently opened from the southeastern port.”
I had already verified this. If I decided to send her away, I would do it properly.
Chloe dying in a foreign land was not something we desired either. How could I wish such misfortune upon Countess Malate?
“It’s the Evelik Kingdom, specifically. We’re planning to open a branch of the Bereidan Trading Company in the Evelik Kingdom, and I thought that position would be suitable for her.”
Taking the position of branch manager for the Bereidan Trading Company that Maleight operates was quite a significant role. Not only could one earn money, but it was also a symbol of having earned Bereidan’s trust.
It was absolutely not a bad arrangement. Except for the fact that the Evelik Kingdom took a month and a half to reach by ship from here.
No matter how troublesome Chloe was, she wouldn’t be able to storm the Bereidan Household from such a distance.
This was how I intended to solve the Chloe problem.
“The Evelik Kingdom…?”
“It’s far, certainly, but once the kingdom establishes a trading company branch, we’ve decided to grant the branch manager the rank of Baron, so there would be no shortage in living standards. There would be profits from the company as well. And I believe that living in such a distant place would broaden Chloe’s perspective.”
I spoke as though all of this was for Chloe’s benefit.
Of course, that was partially true.
If things continued as they were, I feared I might kill Chloe myself. She was a woman with the power to turn even ordinary people into monsters.
“I think it’s a truly wonderful proposal. I’m so grateful that the Duke would think of our Chloe so deeply. And I’m grateful to the Duchess for her consideration as well.”
Countess Malate spoke with a smile on her face. I felt a twinge of guilt, but there was no helping it.
It was far better than having Chloe become a villain and be shamefully driven away.
“I do hope that a suitable young man appears, and that things work out this way, Duchess.”
Malate smiled faintly. Then she added in a quiet voice.
“Sending her away before she causes an irreversible disaster is one approach, after all.”
I nodded in complete agreement.
Malate tried to keep me for further conversation afterward, but I had to postpone it. Hayden had awakened from his nap while I was speaking with her.
“My goodness. Now that his eyes are open, the young prince looks even more handsome. He will surely become a great man.”
I nodded in complete agreement, my face beaming with pride. Of course—he was the protagonist of this world, after all. It was only natural.
“The baby seems hungry. Shall I prepare a meal? I only need to warm the food I brought beforehand.”
“Of course.”
“Kyaaaa! Dada dada! Dede!”
Hayden waved his hands gratefully and kicked his feet in delight. A smile bloomed across the Countess’s face at the sight.
Thanks to her kindness, I was able to feed him his meal comfortably and leave the mansion. Watching him open his mouth like a baby bird whenever he saw me—he was so precious.
“Mama mama! Oma! Dede dede! Byaa!”
Even after we stepped outside, he only looked at me, smiled at me, and waved toward me. Seeing my baby like this, a thought crossed my mind.
“Is it really right for me to leave you behind and go alone…?”
No matter how I thought about it, the path ahead seemed far too thorny for Hayden.
It was draining and difficult even for me. How could this small child possibly endure it?
There were villains aplenty.
I secured the squirming baby into the pram with a deep sigh.
Then I pressed my forehead against his.
“You’ll have such a hard time.”
“Bba ba ba? Oma ma! Mama!”
I brushed my lips against the bridge of his nose. At that, Hayden burst into delighted laughter. Seeing that face, all my worries seemed to fade away.

* * *
Cherez glanced at Borgus.
Ever since that day when he and Roana had shared a deep conversation about Chloe, his heart had felt considerably lighter.
Roana was attempting to solve the problem in a direction Borgus had never considered. She called her approach “a happy ending for everyone.”
‘It would be better if Chloe could find happiness too, wouldn’t it? That way, Cherez won’t carry any burden in his heart.’
A burden in his heart. The fact that Roana was considering even his feelings filled him with such joy.
Just as he had been comforted by Roana in an unexpected moment, this time… he found himself wavering.
‘That way, Cherez can find happiness too.’
Even in her difficult circumstances, Roana was thinking of Cherez’s happiness.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s nothing. Really.”
Roana had asked Borgus to keep it secret until everything was settled, saying he would find her troublesome otherwise. Cherez was fully prepared to accept her request. Though he couldn’t be certain if someone who truly wished to marry Chloe would appear before this ball.
Cherez was determined to spare no effort in supporting this endeavor.
Through this, Bereidan would regain its peace, and Borgus would come to acknowledge Roana.
And through that, Roana herself could find peace.
Simply as Roana—not as someone from House of Hejest, but as Roana. The image of her face, bright and smiling as she played with the child, lingered before his eyes.

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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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