The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 34

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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 034
Cherez stepped down from the carriage and swept his hair back. He had just returned from a brief inspection of the castle walls that required repairs, a task he had attended to early that morning.
The scope of the work proved larger than anticipated, and he had spent considerable time discussing the maintenance schedule with the administrator.
Fortunately, he had managed to keep to the time he had mentioned to Yureain, though he had come perilously close to being late.
Cherez shook off his fatigue and lifted his gaze.
‘Spring has arrived.’
He sensed the early onset of spring—traces discovered within the lingering late winter.
Bright sunlight shimmered across the air. The season was approaching when tender shoots of pale green would emerge and sway like waves.
Cherez walked slowly. Soon the seal would begin to loosen, and when that time came, this mansion and territory would fall into Roana’s hands.
‘Do you still harbor doubts about Roana?’
‘Sniff.’
‘You?’
‘Sob. The… the Duchess is… isn’t the Duchess so pitiful?’
Borgus, who had wept and wailed after Roana’s departure, would also remain here. Once I had worried greatly about the two of them being left alone, but now it seemed it would be well.
Borgus’s puffy, swollen eyes—Roana would have to witness them.
Yet even if Borgus set aside his suspicions, the wounds Roana had suffered in childhood would not disappear. Nothing could compensate for them. But going forward, she could at least live a better life.
As long as I remained alive.
“Ah, Cherez.”
I thought her voice was like a pale green shoot—delicate as a bud pushing through the earth, yet brimming with vitality.
Cherez turned his head.
Roana stood before the entrance, and sunlight seemed to gather around her as she smiled brightly at him.
Today, Roana was different from usual.
The dress she wore and the subtle makeup adorning her face seemed as though spring itself had been layered upon her. A fresh, pale green dress swayed gently in the breeze.
As if mindful of the still-cool spring wind, the thick shawl draped across her shoulders was an ivory hue that complemented her perfectly.
“Have I kept you waiting?”
The air seemed to stir around Roana. She smiled radiantly.
“No. You’re right on time.”
“I’m relieved. I didn’t want to keep you waiting. Yureain was quite insistent about this being our first outing together…”
Roana approached lightly and gently took hold of my arm.
“Don’t I look beautiful?”
Cherez blinked. She was like a pale green shoot that had broken through winter’s grip.
“It would be troubling if you didn’t. I put so much effort into this.”
Roana murmured as though sighing.
“I even used a curling iron for the very first time.”
She smiled softly, winding her wavy hair around her fingers. Every movement, every whisper of hers left an impression. All of it remained in my eyes, in my heart.
“I was terrified I might burn my face.”
Her chattering voice was as soft and fluffy as chick down. Cherez clenched his teeth, drawing in a breath and releasing it. The entire sequence of moments felt strikingly vivid, as though unfamiliar. He answered her lengthy concern only belatedly.
“Yes. It truly suits you wonderfully.”
“I’m so glad.”
Roana smiled once more, her expression radiant. The delicate blush of pink anticipation that bloomed across her features was truly beautiful to behold.

* * *
The carriage came to a halt in what was known as Fashion Street in the heart of Southern Downtown. Before we arrived, I received a crash course from Yureain.
‘I wasn’t informed of our final destination either. The City District in the Southern Region is divided into three major zones. The first zone houses numerous restaurants. The second zone sells practically everything imaginable. The last zone is Fashion Street—Roselle Street, Benedict Street, and Charlotte Street.’
This appeared to be that third zone. The very air seemed to exhale luxury and wealth.
Cherez descended from the carriage first.
When Cherez—a strikingly handsome man with an icy demeanor, towering a full head above most men—stepped down, the street stirred with palpable energy. He transformed the entire atmosphere with his mere presence.
Taking his offered hand, I descended, and the gazes that had fixed upon him now divided their attention equally toward me.
It was rather unnerving.
Cherez, accustomed to such scrutiny, dismissed it with natural ease and guided me toward our destination.
Madam Rosetta.
The establishment Cherez entered without hesitation was a specialty outerwear boutique. He issued a command to the proprietress who greeted us.
“The thickest you have.”
The thickest?
In this weather? Wait—what does this place even sell? Before I could fully comprehend, Madam Rosetta and the shop clerk emerged pushing a rack laden with fur coats. So that explained why the showroom had been empty.
Cherez selected a fur coat with utmost seriousness. He chose one with an elegant blend of white and ivory tones, then turned to the clerk with a question.
“What about this one?”
“An exceptionally refined fur pattern, sir. It’s so rare that we cannot keep it in stock during the season.”
“Not that. I’m asking about warmth. Will the bitter cold penetrate through it?”
“Not in the slightest. No cold, however severe, could pass through the densely woven fur. Those who wear this coat report feeling no chill whatsoever.”
“Then this one it is.”
“Cherez, wait. This… now?”
“You don’t like it? What about this one then? Or perhaps this?”
“No, it’s not that.”
I shook my head. The first one had been the best choice after all.
Cherez then selected a fur hat, a fur scarf, and finally gloves to match.
“An excellent selection, sir. These are considered among the most beautiful monster hides available. Allow me to assist with the fitting.”
I nodded and surrendered myself to her ministrations, soon finding myself completely enveloped in the fur coat as I faced Cherez.
Our eyes met.
“How is it? Warm enough?”
“…It’s almost too warm, but…”
Cherez studied me for a moment, then swept his hair back. A soft laugh escaped him.
What? He was laughing at me after turning me into a ball of fur? My reflection in the mirror was admittedly rather amusing—the oversized coat hung like a quilt around me.
“It appears the coat requires tailoring to fit the Duchess properly, sir.”
“Yes, that would be wise.”
Cherez adjusted my scarf as he spoke.
“This weather hardly calls for such attire, does it?”
“No. If I went about dressed like this now, people would think I’d lost my mind, Cherez.”
“What about this coming winter?”
Cherez asked softly.
“It truly seems like it will be a warm winter, Cherez.”
This was Cherez’s clumsy attempt at comfort. The thought that I had endured the depths of winter in nothing but a single thin garment must have weighed on him.
It felt as though warmth was settling upon young Roana’s shoulders.
“Thanks to you.”
That winter, Cherez would not be at my side. And it would remain that way forever.
I smiled as I faced Cherez.
He was the greatest solace I—and Roana—had ever received. What could I possibly offer in return to such a man?
The thing Cherez held most dear. The thing that troubled his heart until his dying breath.
It was Hayden.
That small, precious blessing.
Protecting that child.
If that was the price for the affection Cherez had given me, it was more than worth paying.
No matter how I thought about it, I could not abandon Hayden and leave.
“Cherez, I promise you this with my life on the line.”
I hoped that the promise I made now would lighten the burden on his heart in his final moments.
“I will raise Hayden with all my heart. I will help him grow strong and become a magnificent Duke of Bereidan.”
“Hmm?”
Cherez regarded me with a puzzled gaze.
“That is what I have sworn to do. Trust only in me, Cherez.”
So that he might spend his childhood bathed in light, not in harshness, darkness, and cruelty.
“I will raise him to be the happiest child in the world.”
“…That is a beautiful thing to hear. Thank you, Roana.”
“I am the one who should thank you.”
Cherez would never know.
How precious this moment was—the two of us facing each other and smiling. Time’s passage was cruel.

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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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