The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 62

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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 062
This mansion, now so unshakably solid, would soon become an exceedingly dangerous place for Hayden. Those who were allies would become enemies, and enemies would become allies. It would descend into utter chaos. That was what it meant when a person of power departed.
I wished for Hayden to become someone as warm as the temperate climate of the Southern Region. I wished for that child’s childhood to be filled with sunlight. That was why I had to prepare a way to safely extract Hayden from this place, no matter how dire the circumstances became.
Crukt Mountain in Carencia was said to be difficult for outsiders to access due to the treacherous path. If I took Hayden there, I could buy some time.
Enough time to raise Hayden safely and send him back here. Forgotten by everyone, just like that.
Cherez gazed at me for a long while. The wind scattered through his hair, and then his gaze turned forward. His sharp jawline was bathed in the light of the setting sun.
After a moment of thought, he spoke.
“There’s a villa on Crukt Mountain that my mother used to own. Only I know of it. When I was very young, my mother took only me there. Everyone who knew of that place is long dead, so now it will be a place known only to you and me. I’ve been maintaining it, so it should still be usable. I’ll give it to you as a gift.”
“…Really?”
Isn’t that an inheritance? He’s giving me something so precious just like that? Should I even accept this?
“Because I want to give you the best. It’s your first request, after all.”
Cherez turned to face me. A soft smile bloomed in his eyes. He whispered in a low voice. It was a voice that suited the sunset settling over the garden perfectly.
“I look forward to the day I can meet you and Hayden there again.”
I feel the same way. But that day will never come.
I parted my lips as if to speak, then swallowed the words instead. Instead, I nodded with a bright smile.
“Thank you, Cherez.”
“But if that happens, it would be difficult to call it a request of your choosing.”
Cherez stroked his chin. His eyes sparkled with playfulness.
“I’ll think about what you might need.”
I nodded. What mattered was the safe house.
“Have you thought about who will go with you? It’s dangerous for just the two of you.”
“Yureain, for one.”
“A good choice. What about Borgus?”
“I think Sir Borgus should stay at the mansion. Shouldn’t someone remain here?”
“Good. Borgus will be able to walk the tightrope like a bat.”
“And two knights, plus Robin as a physician.”
“A reasonable number. Hmm.”
Cherez turned his head to gaze at me.
“Somehow it feels like you’ll be gone for a long time.”
Cherez had good instincts. His eyes narrowed slightly.
“…Until you come to fetch us? Then you’ll just have to return quickly.”
“You’re right.”
Cherez let out a quiet laugh.
“I said something unnecessary.”
Cherez rose from the bench, picked up his sword, and extended his hand to me.
“Let’s go inside before the sun sets. The spring breeze turns cold quickly once the sun goes down.”
I took his hand and stood facing him. His calloused hand gently enfolded mine. I was gradually becoming accustomed to this sensation.
I truly didn’t know if that was good or bad. No—I wanted to avoid thinking about it. Until the day came when I would long for this touch and this hand.

* * *
And at that very moment.
There’s a saying in this world: the fastest hands belong to a baby.
Most incidents unfold in just three seconds.
It was those three seconds when the Maid held the kitchen door open while bringing in ingredients. She turned her head to place onions on the shelf, then turned back again.
The Maid’s eyes flew wide open. A cute, soft little child stood in the middle of the kitchen.
It was Hayden. His short, chubby legs planted firmly on the ground looked decidedly precarious.
“Y-Young Master?”
She couldn’t fathom how he’d made it this far. Considering the distance from the corridor to the kitchen. Had he really come alone?
The Maid let out a shriek.
“Y-Young Master Hayden is here!”
Hayden’s eyes sparkled, unbothered by the Maid’s cry as if he’d already discovered something. His gleaming round eyes swept across the counter and spotted unwashed grapes. Hayden giggled.
“Myah!”
Hayden deployed his four-legged crawling technique and charged toward the counter. The Maid stood frozen, watching the child’s antics. Hayden grabbed the counter and pulled himself upright, then stretched out one hand. His chubby fingers grasped a single grape.
The Head Chef, who had rushed in just in time, gasped.
“Young Master! Those haven’t been washed yet…!”
The Head Chef dashed over and snatched the grape away. The grape vanished from Hayden’s hand. Hayden stared blankly at his empty palm. It had been there just a moment ago. His mouth formed a perfect square.
One second.
Two seconds.
“Waaaaaahhhhhhh!!”
The Head Chef’s face went pale. The Maids froze in place. The Head Chef, now ashen, hurried back with clean grapes on a plate.
“H-Here you are! Young Master! These are clean! You can eat these!”
The Head Chef hastily pressed grapes into both of Hayden’s hands. Only then did Hayden stop crying and stare at the grapes through hiccups. His cheeks bulged as he popped a grape into his mouth.
With each movement of his mouth, grape juice dribbled down. It was fortunate he was eating them skin and all.
Hayden settled down right there. Grape juice continued to drip onto his protruding belly. Unconcerned about his soaked clothes, he pulled the bowl of grapes toward himself and ate enthusiastically.
The Head Chef asked the Maids.
“Where is the Duchess?”
“She should be coming. She has to be.”
Hayden laughed with his cheeks puffed out like balloons.
“Ehehehe.”
It was a triumphant laugh. The Head Chef felt his heart melting.
The real problem came next.
Even after eating his fill of grapes, Hayden didn’t leave the kitchen but turned his attention elsewhere. He crawled under the counter.
“Young Master!”
Hayden discovered a pot lid under the counter, seized it, and brought it down against the floor.
Clang.
Startled by the loud noise, Hayden tried again.
Clang clang.
Clang clang clang clang clang!
“Young Master!”
Everyone was anxious that Hayden might hurt himself under the cooking counter, but they stood there helplessly, merely shuffling their feet.
‘Do something about this.’
‘What am I supposed to do!’
‘What about your younger cousins!’
‘They’re only two years younger than me!’
The Maids jabbed each other in the ribs. Then, hearing the commotion, Roana came rushing in. A savior had arrived in the Kitchen.
Hayden was having the time of his life, striking the floor repeatedly with a pot lid.
“Tadedeede! Bpa! Bpapapapa!”
Roana burst into laughter without thinking.
Honestly, you can’t take your eyes off him for a second.
“Hayden.”
At the sound of Roana’s voice, Hayden lifted his head and beamed at her, still clutching the pot lid.
“Kyuin!”
Hayden squealed and crawled back out from underneath. Roana lifted Hayden into her arms. Even then, he kept a firm grip on the pot lid in one hand, burying his head against her shoulder.
This lid appeared to be today’s trophy.
“I’m so sorry, Head Chef. I truly apologize.”
“Oh, no! I’m just relieved the young master is safe!”
The Head Chef’s voice trembled. His face showed genuine relief. Roana tried to take the pot lid from Hayden, but was refused.
“Hayden.”
“Bppa ba!”
He shook his head in refusal.
“No means no.”
“Taeeeee!”
“…Fine. Let’s take it with us, then.”
Roana sighed. Lately, she found herself giving in far too easily.
“I’ll return this to you later.”
“By all means!”
As Roana carried Hayden out of the Kitchen, he held the pot lid aloft. He looked like a triumphant general returning from conquest.
“Goodbye, goodbye. That’s right!”
Hayden waved the hand holding the pot lid leisurely as he left the Kitchen.
Yureain, who had been waiting in the Corridor, alternated her gaze between Hayden in Roana’s arms and the pot lid in his hand.
Yureain shook her head. Yet a smile played at the corners of her mouth.
“If the young master weren’t of the Bereidan Duchy’s bloodline, he could have made an excellent chef.”
“He didn’t cook. He performed music.”
Yureain burst into laughter. Hayden had the pot lid clenched between his teeth, his face smeared with saliva and grape juice. What a troublemaker. Roana wiped his cheeks clean.
“Let’s go take a bath. What is this filth all over you?”
“Tadedeede!”
“No means no.”
Roana pressed her lips to his innocent cheek.

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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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