The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 36

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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 036
Cherez confirmed Hayden’s safety and returned to his study.
What brought Cherez solace amid all this was Roana’s unwavering promise to make Hayden happy.
Borgus stood before Cherez, whose expression had grown cold and distant, and delivered his report.
“We’ve identified where the Duchess of Hejest made contact the previous day. It was the Mercenary Guild.”
“What was her purpose?”
Borgus’s expression darkened. They had torn through the Mercenary Guild, dragged those men in, sat them down, and extracted confessions by breaking their fingers one by one.
The truth they had spilled was heavy.
“They were surveilling the Duchess Roana. But that’s not all. They claimed they also received a contract—if circumstances required it, to eliminate the Duchess.”
Cherez’s hand froze.
“What?”
“A murder contract, sir. Against her own daughter, no less.”
Borgus’s voice carried a subtle undercurrent of rage—the natural fury of one confronted with those who had abandoned all humanity.
“I am ashamed and humiliated for suspecting the Duchess. She could never be aligned with such people.”
Cherez spoke in a tone of exasperation.
“You’re only realizing this now?”
“…You speak as though you knew from the beginning.”
Borgus fixed Cherez with an accusing stare.
“It seems you’ve forgotten what you said to her on the first day.”
This time, Cherez’s composure crumbled. He let out a dry cough.
“You remember everything, don’t you?”
The two men regarded each other in silence for a moment, then simultaneously shook their heads.
They had acknowledged that neither was particularly different from the other.
“In any case… the problem is that they don’t know the identity of whoever hired them. They didn’t even see her face. We won’t be able to identify the Duchess of Hejest.”
“Problems just keep piling up.”
“However, there is Beltria Textile Merchant.”
Cherez’s eyes narrowed.
“It’s the alias the Duchess used when hiring the mercenaries. But the name seemed familiar.”
“…I believe it was one of the trading companies owned by House Yotlrey.”
“Precisely.”
Borgus slid a document across the table. It was a record of House Yotlrey’s finances—material that had surfaced during the investigation into the Yotlrey family regarding the Diane matter.
“It’s too much of a coincidence to dismiss. I’ve been wondering what gave Countess Yotlrey the audacity to do such a thing. But what if Hejest was backing her all along?”
Silence fell.
Diane had since been buried in high society and personally sent to the convent by the Countess—a sentence equivalent to life imprisonment.
There had been much talk of Yotlrey extending an olive branch to Bereidan through this action, but Bereidan’s silence meant Yotlrey too was now shunned by high society.
Rather, Cherez had quietly issued an official decree imposing a penalty on Countess Yotlrey. She had been sentenced to a fine.
Though it remained hidden from view, she had surrendered a substantial portion of her wealth—her circumstances must be dire.
But once Yotlrey had been marked, the family became a sinking ship. Borgus continued to track the Yotlrey family’s finances.
“Isn’t it possible that House Hejest has been providing funds to the Yotlrey family?”
Cherez’s eyes gleamed with sinister intent.
Today’s ally becomes tomorrow’s enemy. On the battlefield, mercy toward a traitor is merely the shortest path to defeat.
“Then there’s also the possibility that Diane was planted by Hejest.”
“The Duchess once mentioned that it seemed Diane was trying to starve the young master to death. Perhaps assassination was the true objective.”
Cherez spat out a curse he’d only used on the battlefield. Starving a child to death—what kind of vile act was that?
At Cherez’s profanity, Borgus stared at him with a shocked expression.
“Surely you’re not using such vulgar language even in front of the Duchess?”
On the surface, he maintained the appearance of a righteous, sincere, and ascetic man, but Borgus, who had spent a lifetime at his side, knew his true nature.
Cherez fixed Borgus with a cold stare. Borgus sighed and spoke.
“Absolutely not. You mustn’t do that. Understood?”
“Always nagging about something.”
Cherez added dismissively.
“Continue with what you were saying.”
“…The problem is we lack physical evidence. Unless House Yotlrey admits their connection to Hejest, it will be difficult to prosecute Hejest immediately. We could also try persuading Countess Yotlrey, but…”
“I have no intention of forgiving House Yotlrey. Those who betray once will betray again.”
“Then what if we use them instead? Her social activities remain unrestricted, and she still makes appearances at Baroness Kaslit’s tea gatherings.”
“Kaslit?”
It was an unfamiliar house.
“They relocated from the Capital to the Southern Region not long ago. They operate quietly—you might say it’s a gathering of introverts.”
“Sounds like they’re crawling around hoping to scavenge some crumbs.”
“…Their reason for relocation was legitimate. Their business failed in the Capital, so they applied for relocation after settling their affairs.”
Cherez rubbed his chin.
“Send someone to the Capital. I need detailed information on House Kaslit.”
“Yes, sir. However, the tea gathering is…the day after tomorrow. If you attend, won’t Kaslit and Yotlrey be more guarded? Though there might be some useful crumbs to pick up.”
Cherez looked Borgus over.
“I really wish you were a woman.”
Borgus’s expression darkened considerably.
“Any interest in trying on a dress?”
Cherez asked in a flat tone. Borgus clenched his teeth and widened his eyes. The curses were evident in his gaze alone.
In fact, situations like this now had only one answer.
Cherez muttered.
“I’ll have to shamelessly rely on her again.”
Borgus, understanding whom he meant, spoke.
“I’ll disguise a knight as the Duchess’s maid and send her along. It’s a legitimate opportunity to search the place.”
“That sounds good.”
“…What will you do about the Duchess of Hejest?”
Cherez bared his teeth in a smile. The cold fury contained within it carried the weight of murderous intent.
“Pick a mercenary who follows orders well. Preferably that bearded one. I won’t feel satisfied unless I sever the Duchess of Hejest’s hands and feet.”
Borgus swallowed hard.
“Having come this far, she should be prepared to sacrifice her limbs, if not her life.”
Now it was Petunia Hejest’s turn to regret ever setting foot in this place.
“Yes, sir.”
Borgus answered heavily.

* * *
At that very moment.
Inside the Supply Storage, Yureain waited for Linnen. It was another scheduled meeting.
Shortly after, the storage door opened and Linnen appeared. The sweets she enjoyed were already prepared inside the Supply Storage. Linnen’s eyes sparkled at the sight.
Yureain spoke in a gentle voice.
“You’ve worked hard again today, Linnen.”
“Yureain.”
Now free of suspicion, Linnen smiled brightly. As she naturally began eating the sweets, she started speaking.
“After the Duchess met with the young master, she said something to Morigan. ‘No matter how I look at it, he’s utterly useless.’ She definitely said that.”
Yureain’s expression wavered for the briefest moment, but she quickly composed herself and spoke.
“…She said that after seeing the young master?”
“Yes. I couldn’t hear what Morigan said in response. I only heard what was said from inside the room.”
Useless.
That word grated on me. It felt as though something filthy had clung to my skin.
“And there’s one more thing. She said she’d be going out this afternoon. To meet an old friend.”
“An old friend?”
“Yes. She told Morigan, ‘I need to go meet an old friend.’ She instructed him to help her change clothes.”
The Duchess of Hejest couldn’t possibly have friends in the Southern Region. My heart raced.
“I thought the Duchess should know about this. How has our Duchess been lately? The two of you should get along soon. Since she’s gone to meet her friend, our Duchess will return in a better mood.”
Linnen chattered away without a shred of caution.
“Of course. I’m sure it will help. Thank you, Linnen. I’m truly grateful.”
Yureain withdrew a small pouch from her bosom and slipped it between the fresh towels in the laundry basket. As Linnen picked up the basket, she let out a small cough.
“Oh my. You didn’t have to.”
Yet her transparent eagerness to leave was plain to see.
After seeing Linnen off, Yureain’s expression turned cold.
“How dare she.”
Yureain gritted her teeth. Then she turned and quickened her pace.

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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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