The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 21

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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 021
‘What on earth is wrong with me?’
I couldn’t even understand myself. It was infuriating—I had rejected Roana for being Hejest’s blood, yet here I was, entertaining such thoughts. It had only been a month since Roana arrived at the Bereidan Household.
Then again, was that the only thing that had changed? The finicky child, Hayden, had taken to Roana from the very first day. Watching him perform tricks to earn her applause was absolutely exasperating.
The servants of the Bereidan Household had begun subtly shifting their attitudes as well, though Roana seemed oblivious to it. She possessed a peculiar quality—meticulous yet indifferent.
The rapid transformation sweeping through the Bereidan Household, and my own place within it, felt both foreign and strangely appealing.
I couldn’t fathom what Roana was thinking, but at the very least, she didn’t despise me. No one capable of such devotion could harbor genuine hatred.
“…Why are you looking at me as though I were some pitiful creature?”
“It’s nothing.”
Cherez shook his head and returned his attention to the documents. Borgus glanced at him suspiciously, but received no answer.
Borgus’s gaze shifted back to the papers on the desk.
They were documents he had been compiling regarding Hejest’s recent movements. The conclusion contained news that was far from welcome.
[The Duchess of Hejest is scheduled to visit Bereidan Territory in the Southern Region within the next month.]
It was truly an unwelcome visit. And simultaneously, it was the reason Borgus maintained his vigilance toward Roana.
Soon he would need to complete organizing these documents and report to Cherez once the Duchess of Hejest’s intentions became clear.
Cherez wondered what he would say then. Would he still defend Roana?

* * *
Meeting the Baroness Oyster in secret proved far from difficult.
With Yureain’s assistance, I composed a courteous letter and had it delivered. The Baroness Oyster responded by meeting me at the Private Café of my choosing—another reservation Yureain had personally arranged.
Yureain was the best. Today she had provided me with a masterclass on the Baroness Oyster’s character.
‘She doesn’t participate in the Ladies’ Gathering. She’s far too preoccupied with her own affairs. The Oyster Family oversees civil engineering projects throughout Bereidan Territory—road construction, pathway development, bridge installation. All of it requires the Oyster Family’s cooperation, though of course it’s work the Duke entrusted to them. The Baron himself does virtually nothing; the Baroness handles all the practical matters.’
Yureain had investigated thoroughly and relayed everything to me with meticulous precision.
‘Her relationship with her second son doesn’t seem particularly close. He has rather idle tendencies, you see. But she does love her children, so… perhaps approaching her through that avenue might prove effective.’
The strategy for winning over the Baroness Oyster: exploit her vulnerable point—her second son—and soften her heart.
“Thank you for summoning me, Duchess.”
Her gaze was utterly indifferent. When people in the Southern Region met me, their reactions fell into two categories: contempt and dislike, or warm welcome. This was the first time I had encountered someone with such perfectly composed detachment.
“Thank you for coming, Oyster Madam. It must have been quite sudden.”
“Not at all.”
She harbored no goodwill toward me from the start. Rather than engage in idle pleasantries, it seemed better to broach the subject directly. I cleared my throat and spoke.
“I asked to meet with you today because of a marriage matter.”
“A marriage matter…?”
The Baroness Oyster’s eyes widened. According to Yureain, it was common for the lady of any territory to arrange marriages, and there were rumors that such matchmaking led to eternal happiness. Everyone welcomed such arrangements.
Especially in the Southern Region, she had said.
“There is currently only one person in the Oyster Family suitable for such a match.”
The Oyster Family’s source of worry, in other words—Aisen. My investigation revealed he was a romantic idealist.
He was also deeply entrenched in antiquated thinking. He had been raised by his grandparents, who believed nobles shouldn’t work. In any case, this had been causing the Baroness Oyster considerable distress.
A good marriage match would be far preferable to letting the situation continue.
“Yes, I’m speaking of your second son, Madam.”
At my words, the Baroness Oyster’s voice brightened considerably. Expression bloomed across her previously impassive face.
“Do you know anything about Aisen? That boy isn’t the sort to warrant gossip. He possesses no exceptional talents, nor is he particularly gifted in any field. So why would you….”
“From what I’ve heard, young Aisen has remarkable patience.”
This was my own assessment. The mere fact that he endured living with Chloe proved beyond doubt that he possessed extraordinary patience.
And the fact that he continued to love Chloe made it even more certain.
He must possess a truly pure soul—one who had surrendered everything to love.
My words softened the expression on Oyster Madam’s face.
“And I’ve also heard that young Aisen has many friends.”
I had learned from Yureain that he had lost all those connections because of Chloe.
“I believe valuing people is one of the most outstanding qualities anyone can possess.”
“Duchess….”
No parent dislikes hearing their child praised. Yureain’s strategy was working perfectly.
Even a merchant has children. There isn’t a parent alive who doesn’t become smaller in front of their own child.
Yureain was the best.
“I was thinking of arranging a marriage between the second son of the Oyster Family and the eldest daughter of the Malate Estate. Of course, only if you consent, madam.”
I had confirmed that rumors about Chloe hadn’t spread much through High Society. After all, Chloe appeared perfectly fine on the surface.
Moreover, Countess Malate’s reputation was too excellent for anyone to suspect anything from a chance encounter or two. Who would think that a child of such a parent could be anything other than exceptional?
Either way, the two of them would live happily together, so there was no guilt. Not as long as Aisen remained blind to Chloe’s true nature.
“…The Oyster Family has nothing to offer Aisen. Do you think Countess Malate will consent?”
“Don’t worry about that, madam. If the two were to marry, I hear the Duke intends to entrust him with the position of branch manager at a trading company being established in Evelik. For the sake of a friend.”
“A friend, you say….”
“Chloe.”
Those words clearly stirred Oyster Madam’s heart.
Her expression changed completely.
In truth, the second son was a sore point for Oyster Madam because she couldn’t pass the title to him. While she could provide a generous dowry and acquire a bride, she could never secure as advantageous a match as she could for her eldest son.
But a branch manager position?
By running a trading company, he could accumulate both wealth and honor simultaneously. It was far more than enough as a wedding gift for her son.
It was a proposal that scratched exactly where Oyster Madam felt uncomfortable.
The original work never specified how he obtained that position or when the marriage took place. So my proposal must have seemed like an unexpected windfall.
Baroness Oyster’s face brightened considerably.
“But…I’m not sure if Malate will approve.”
“I’ve already obtained Malate’s consent.”
Chloe was Malate’s only daughter. However, Malate understood her own child’s value well enough to assess Chloe objectively.
“…Then I am pleased as well, Duchess. Moreover, since Aisen has harbored feelings for Chloe for so long, he will be even more delighted.”
“I’m certain Chloe will feel the same way. They may not recognize each other’s worth at first, but they cannot defy the wishes of their elders, so the marriage will proceed smoothly. Chloe will soon discover young Aisen’s charm.”
After all, he was a man who would treat her like a queen. Chloe would find him utterly charming. In the first place, Chloe had never truly loved Cherez. She had simply hoped that someone as special as Cherez would regard her as special in return.
The more I think about it, the stranger it all seems.
“…For you to concern yourself with such matters, Duchess. I am truly grateful.”
“Please don’t mention it. I’m simply doing what I can. I’m doing my best in the position I’ve been given.”
This was completely sincere.
I was doing my utmost to drive Chloe away. Please, just disappear from my side….
I hope my approach will also meet with Sir Borgus’s approval.

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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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