The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 40

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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 040
At the same moment. On the opposite side of the Market, the Second Floor of Beltria Textile Shop.
Countess Caslit had arrived first and prepared two cups of tea, sitting in wait. Duchess Petunia removed her hat and took the seat across from her.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“Not at all, Duchess. It has been quite some time since we last met. You remain as beautiful as ever.”
“You flatter me.”
As Petunia lifted her teacup, Countess Caslit slowly opened her mouth.
“I had something to discuss with you anyway, Duchess. The Yotlrey Family continues to reach out. They wish to meet with you. It seems they’ve grown anxious since the Diane incident—their standing in High Society has become precarious.”
Countess Caslit held her breath, waiting for a response, and Duchess Petunia replied with unhurried composure.
“Why should I hold onto a card that’s already rotted?”
Countess Caslit’s words caught in her throat.
“There’s no possibility of their recovery anymore. That foolish Diane’s exposure was the mistake. To ruin a carefully laid plan in such a manner—that takes a special kind of incompetence. From the start, she was never suited for the position she held. We must release them before we rot alongside them.”
“But Count Yotlrey’s connections in Southern High Society remain intact.”
Countess Caslit did her utmost to advocate for the Yotlrey Family.
“Connections? Do you truly believe any remain?”
Duchess Petunia fixed Countess Caslit with a piercing gaze.
“Since the Diane incident erupted, has anyone approached the Yotlreys? They’ve all withdrawn. The only ones left are those like you who cannot afford to abandon them.”
Countess Caslit fell silent. She could not forget how Countess Yotlrey had been the first to take her hand when she first relocated to this territory.
Duchess Petunia cut through the moment with cold finality.
“I have no intention of meeting them. Tell Countess Yotlrey that I no longer know her. And you—sever your ties appropriately. Dispensing sentiment is your affair, but I cannot allow it to jeopardize my plans.”
“…Understood.”
But fear of Duchess Petunia far outweighed sentiment. Countess Caslit resolved to cut ties with the Yotlreys.
“And I myself must depart sooner than anticipated. I shall be leaving this territory before long. Still, it brings me comfort knowing you will remain.”
Duchess Petunia gazed out the window. In the distance, the Bereidan Duchy was visible.
“I was so preoccupied watching another household rot that I failed to notice my own rotting away. That girl Roana—she’s rotten too.”
Countess Caslit swallowed hard. Roana was the daughter of Hejest, who had become the Duchess of Bereidan.
Was she saying her own daughter had rotted?
A chill suddenly ran down Countess Caslit’s spine.
“The dog sent from Hejest has bitten its master. If possible, have assets transferred. You should be able to extract a portion of Bereidan’s wealth under Roana’s name. It might be wise to approach Roana and become her lady’s maid. Once the work is complete… dispose of her.”
All movement ceased in Countess Caslit’s body. All sound around her seemed to vanish. Her face betrayed disbelief at what she had just heard.
“I’ve already spoken with Morigan. He’ll handle the direct work. You’ll manage the cleanup.”
“…Understood.”
“And Hayden. That child should be used appropriately and then disposed of as well. He resembles his bloodline far too closely. The Bereidan line are all savage by nature. That’s in their blood. Creatures that cannot be tamed should be eliminated.”
Countess Caslit nodded slowly. If she was being ordered to kill her own daughter, what difficulty could there be in eliminating another family’s bloodline?
That was Duchess Petunia’s justice, if justice it could be called. Countess Caslit had already boarded Duchess Petunia’s vessel.
“You have funds I entrusted to you. Use them. Once I depart, you’ll act according to your own judgment. Secure additional funds through Beltria Textile Shop. And when the opportunity arises, acquire Beltria Textile Shop from the Yotlreys. It’s more difficult to forge entirely new paths.”
“Yes, Duchess.”
“And I believe you’re capable of accomplishing far more than you currently do.”
Countess Caslit fixed Duchess Petunia with an intent gaze, her body tense.
“Someone will need to fill Count Yotlrey’s position. Once he departs for the Battlefield, you’ll become the Head Maid of the Bereidan Duchy and seize control of the Southern Region. Can you manage it?”
Duchess Petunia’s eyes had grown cold and distant.
Countess Caslit swallowed hard.
The more roles she assumed, the greater the danger. Yet she could no longer withdraw.
“Yes, Your Grace. I shall do as you say.”
At Countess Caslit’s response, Duchess Petunia exhaled a low sigh. Meeting with Countess Caslit seemed to ease the frustration that had been suffocating her.
The anger and stress that had accumulated since meeting Cherez dissipated. And yet, strangely enough.
‘Why does this irritate me so?’
Duchess Petunia pressed firmly against her left chest. Something pooling within continued to torment her.
Duchess Petunia clicked her tongue softly.
‘Am I growing old?’

* * *
Immediately after speaking with Cherez, I sent a letter to Chloe proposing we meet.
Chloe responded as though she had been waiting for it.
“Roana! I’ve missed you so much!”
We were hardly on such terms.
“How difficult it’s been without you! I heard you’re still searching for an assistant, Roana.”
I’ve been perfectly content without you, Chloe.
The moment I arrived, it was a carpet bombing of words.
“And Mother told me that you helped arrange my marriage to Aisen!”
Now I understood the source of the intimacy Chloe was displaying toward me.
“I realize I failed to appreciate your sincerity all this time. From now on, I shall forever stand with Bereidan and you.”
“…Thank you.”
I laughed awkwardly. Rather than that, I hoped she wouldn’t torment Hayden or the young lady in the future.
The moment Chloe sat across from me in the reception room, she launched into an endless stream of chatter without drawing a single breath. Tales of changing her wedding dress fabric three times, of Aisen sending flowers daily with different varieties each time, of disagreeing with Aisen over the invitation font for the first time only to have her way prevail in the end.
I felt as though my ears might bleed.
“Aisen yielded. He must have belatedly realized that my choice was superior. It seems Aisen is becoming more like me, his standards growing increasingly refined.”
She was referring to that garish, tasteless invitation. Chloe’s exquisite taste remained unchanged, it seemed.
In any case, I was relieved she appeared to be doing well.
I nodded along, laughed appropriately, and offered timely agreement. Chloe would prattle on endlessly if someone would listen. But today, I needed her goodwill.
“Chloe, you attend many social gatherings these days, don’t you?”
“Of course! I must spread word of my engagement. People need to know how wonderful Aisen is. So many still don’t know him.”
Aisen would shed tears of emotion if he heard that.
“Do you attend Countess Caslit’s tea gatherings?”
“Of course. It’s tomorrow, actually. The atmosphere there is rather quiet, but I must attend any gathering where people assemble. There will surely be those who wish to hear my news.”
They were merely being polite when they asked. I suspect their true feelings differ.
I laughed good-naturedly and added,
“Chloe, would it be possible for me to attend the tea gathering with you?”
Chloe set down her teacup, her eyes brightening.
“I’ve been so occupied caring for Hayden that I thought it would be nice to get some fresh air, and when I heard you were attending the tea gathering, I thought it would be wonderful to go together.”
“Of course! I’ve been worried about Roana spending so much time alone anyway. She’ll end up being ostracized in High Society at this rate. Do you think there’s anyone else like me who’ll look after her? From now on, I need to take proper care of Roana.”
She doesn’t even realize that I’m the one doing the ostracizing.
In truth, how much could I possibly belong in this High Society? I’ll be leaving soon anyway.
As someone who wished to depart quietly, the fewer people who knew me, the better.
In any case, with Chloe being so cooperative, this would prevent Yotlrey from escaping the trap. And it would also give me a proper opportunity to search thoroughly within that trap.
“Then I’ll send a carriage tomorrow morning, Chloe.”
“No need. I’ll come pick you up. Aisen bought me a carriage. You have no idea how wonderful that carriage is, do you, Roana?”
How would I know?
Yes, whatever works.
Chloe had extracted my very soul from my ears in just ten minutes. And she calls that an ability?

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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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