The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 4

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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 004
It felt as though the true nature of things that had seemed awkward all along was finally becoming visible. Cherez found himself uttering words he hadn’t anticipated, and he felt quite taken aback by his own candor.
He never could have imagined he would ask about the Nanny—and to Roana, Hejest’s daughter, no less.
“…You must have met the Nanny. What do you think of her?”
Roana’s bright face moved as she licked her lips.
“Well, honestly?”
Cherez nodded.
Rather than hesitating as she had seemed to, Roana promptly offered her candid impressions of the Nanny.
“I didn’t think of her as a nanny, really… more like a noblewoman, actually. Long fingernails with decorations attached—can she even change diapers properly? A baby’s skin is so delicate, after all. And she wears heavy makeup too, which I don’t think is good for the child. Plus, her clothes are covered in ornaments and trinkets. I’d say she lacks professional awareness….”
Roana glanced at Cherez and smiled.
Then she paused her flowing stream of words and added softly.
“That’s what I think.”
“I’ve heard the Nanny is someone who would do anything for Hayden and Bereidan. That everything she does is for their sake.”
“But I think there’s no easier way to hide yourself than behind such words. It’s far too convenient to cloak yourself in a lie about doing something for someone else and manipulate them. I believe one must see past those words, discern the truth beneath, and judge accordingly….”
Roana glanced at Cherez again and smiled.
Then she trailed off once more as she added.
“…That’s what I think.”
Cherez brushed his lips with his hand.
I’m not sure what strategy this is.
But the fact that it’s working is what matters.
Cherez smiled bitterly. This was the moment he felt genuinely embarrassed by how coldly he had treated Roana upon her arrival.
Before a child he had never raised, I am utterly helpless.
Cherez spoke with a bitter edge to his tone.
“Thank you for the advice.”

* * *
Cherez summoned Yureain and issued his command.
“Bring me the person among the household staff with the most experience caring for children.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Yureain hastily selected someone and made her way to the study. The atmosphere felt heavy with consequence.
Sensing the tension, a maid entered the study with cautious steps.
Cherez examined the maid carefully.
“…I hear you have considerable experience caring for children.”
“Yes. I grew up caring for my many siblings from a young age.”
“Then you must be well-versed in child-rearing.”
“I am.”
The maid answered in a trembling voice. For someone of her station to exchange words directly with the Duke was extraordinary in itself.
“…You must have observed from a distance how the Nanny has been raising Hayden. Tell me what you’ve seen.”
The maid hesitated, glancing about. Yureain spoke softly.
“You may speak freely.”
The maid struggled for words, her discomfort evident.
“…I believe the Nanny’s methods of child-rearing are… improper.”
The maid spoke with her eyes tightly shut. Cold sweat trickled down her back as she bowed deeply.
“…Yet why has no one mentioned this before? Not to Oliver, nor to Yureain?”
“People of our station must not think for ourselves without permission, Your Grace. We cannot speak out of turn.”
The maid replied, her voice quavering.
Cherez let out a hollow laugh and ran his hand roughly through his hair. The Nanny had exploited this very weakness. It was a perfect example of willful blindness—seeing no evil because one chose not to look.

* * *
When it came to matters concerning Hayden, Cherez was a man who would not compromise on even the smallest detail. At least, that’s what he had always believed.
But it seemed all his efforts had been in vain. An inescapable weight of guilt filled his heart completely.
Hayden was the only child his deceased Elder Brother had left behind. Protecting that boy was as much Cherez’s duty as breathing itself.
‘Hayden’s mother was a healer I met on the battlefield. She gave birth to him there and died. Cherez, I’m entrusting our Hayden to you. There’s no one else I can ask.’
Cherez could not turn away from the dying gaze of his Elder Brother, whose face had grown pallid and gaunt. So he resolved to raise Hayden as his own son.
His Elder Brother, many years his senior, had lived his entire life as the pillar of House Bereidan. After losing his wife, he had wandered from battlefield to battlefield.
That was how he had set down the burden and weight of his responsibility. Cherez, who had been on the battlefield, had to return to the Bereidan Duchy in his Elder Brother’s stead.
Cherez had suddenly taken control of the family, but he harbored no resentment. He too was a son of Bereidan.
Still, he had never imagined that his Elder Brother would leave behind only an infant and depart forever.
Just as Cherez himself had grown up safe and warm beneath his Elder Brother’s protection, he swore he would do the same for Hayden. And he had worked tirelessly toward that end.
That was why he had sought out a nanny through the wife of a trusted vassal family.
It was an introduction from Countess Yotlrey, whose late husband had descended from a cadet branch of House Bereidan.
Countess Yotlrey herself came from an old vassal family, and her father, the Previous Count Yotlrey, had been the former steward—a loyal man who would have gladly given his life for Bereidan.
Count Yotlrey, who had married into the family, had also served Bereidan faithfully, though he had died young.
With both father and husband being men of loyalty, I believed his daughter would also serve Bereidan with devotion. So I accepted the introduction and later conducted a thorough investigation into Diane. Yet this problem had still arisen.
‘Where did the conspiracy begin and end? Who else was involved?’
The criticism from a stranger who had only recently entered the Mansion cut deeply and burned with shame. And it made me vigilant once more.
Cherez regarded the chattering nanny before him with a glacial stare.
“I was thinking of having new bedding made for Young Master Hayden, Your Grace. His skin is quite delicate, after all. My, how sensitive he is. And that’s not all that’s needed. I believe we should have new clothes tailored for him as well, and I’m considering commissioning custom toys. Since we’re aiming to meet the standards of the Capital, there are many necessities. So I must request an additional budget, Your Grace. Of course, I’m certain you understand that all of this is for Young Master Hayden and House Bereidan.”
Her cheeks were flushed with color.
She looked utterly delighted, as if she had great expectations.
In Cherez’s eyes appeared everything Roana had pointed out that morning.
Thick waves set into her hair, braided high with ornate hairpieces fit for a party. A dress far too elaborate for her station. And long nails adorned with decorations, accompanied by heavy makeup.
In comparison, Roana’s modest appearance this morning, when she had spoken with trailing words, seemed far more befitting of a nanny.
“Ha.”
“And one more thing I must request. Until now, I’ve used only the minimum amount for my personal upkeep. But as Young Master grows, it seems I’ll need to attend various gatherings, including childcare circles. After all, meeting children his age will greatly aid his development. So I’m requesting an increase in my personal allowance. This too is for the honor of Bereidan, so I trust you’ll consider it.”
Cherez rubbed his face.
He had granted everything she asked for, thinking that once a person was hired, one should trust them completely. Yet here she was making such brazen demands.
The nanny’s eyes widened innocently.
‘I need more money to buy that new dress, shoes, and necklace that just came out. Ugh, but this is Bereidan. They must be wealthy—why are they so stingy with money? Still, if it weren’t for my aunt, would I ever have had the chance to buy things like this? Getting such a generous salary just for watching one brat. New bedding, my foot. I should buy myself a new ring instead.’
That was precisely what the nanny’s true thoughts were.
After all, she had entered this position through forged credentials and false status.
‘Listen well to what I’m about to tell you, Diane. I heard Bereidan is looking for a nanny. You’re going to take that position. Once you’ve built up experience at Bereidan, it’ll be easy to move to another post. Besides, did you know Bereidan has quite a bit of money? This could be your golden ticket!’
Just as Diane, recalling that memory, was about to speak again—
“Take some time to think it over. You may go now.”
His voice was far colder than before.
Cherez watched as Diane left with a cheerful bow, then summoned his aide.
“From now on, I want a detailed account of every expense the nanny has incurred. And I need to know everyone she’s met and everything she’s been doing.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Furthermore, investigate Countess Yotlrey, who recommended the nanny, and reinvestigate Diane’s background through different channels and methods. Thoroughly.”
Borgus bowed his head.
“Yes, Your Grace!”
House of Yotlrei was an ancient and loyal family. To touch them without evidence risked turning the Southern Region’s vassals against him.
With war looming, he could not afford such a risk.
Moreover, abandoning House Yotlrei based solely on Hejest’s word was equally dangerous. Verification was necessary.
Cherez had summoned not only his aide but also the Head Maid, ordering her to assign a maid to Diane to investigate her every movement.
“And have yourself keep closer watch over Hayden. Everything he eats, everything he wears, how he spends his days—all of it.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Having issued these commands, Cherez clenched his fists tightly.
I would uncover every last detail of what this woman masquerading as a nanny had been doing. Without fail.

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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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