The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 65

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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 065
According to the original account, just before war breaks out, this bell—which has rung of its own accord for centuries—falls silent. That silence is nothing less than an alarm bell announcing that the seal of the Southern Region has been broken. It warns through its very quietude.
Cassian, the Priest, spoke to me as I kept my head bowed.
“My lady, your prayers have grown quite lengthy. Are you hearing the voice of the Goddess?”
At Cassian’s question, I lifted my head. How could that possibly be? I laughed awkwardly and shook my head.
“No, Priest. I was thinking about how many people would be needed to keep this bell from stopping. I wondered if it could be made to move artificially. Then wouldn’t the hidden door remain sealed as well?”
At my answer, Cassian’s eyes narrowed. His gaze held the quality of looking upon a foolish grandchild. Could a person with such eyes truly betray?
It was truly unknowable.
“That is impossible. Unless the Goddess herself descends directly.”
“What a pity. Does the bell ever corrode or break?”
“Such a thing has never occurred. Who would dare lay hands upon a sacred relic?”
When that impossible thing becomes possible, despair begins. I gripped Cherez’s hand tightly without thinking.
“I must pray that Saint Urenis remains with us forever.”
“Wise words, my lady.”
I stared at the bell until my eyes burned, then looked away.

* * *
Meanwhile, on the surface, Hayden’s festival was in full swing.
Yureain’s arm muscles had been crying out since morning from lifting Hayden, for as crowds gathered like clouds for the festival, the timid child had wrapped his short, plump arms around her neck in an iron grip and refused to let go.
“Young master, you may come down now. It is safe here.”
Despite Yureain’s soothing words, Hayden shook his head vigorously with a whimper. The confidence he usually displayed while commanding the Mansion’s kitchen had vanished entirely, leaving him shrunken and small in the forest of unfamiliar faces. This too was an unexpected sight.
But as night deepened and fireworks—the festival’s grand finale—began beyond the Temple Square, the situation reversed completely.
Boom! Whoooosh.
Brilliant violet sparks burst like blossoms across the pitch-black sky, cascading down in torrents. Golden dust scattered like the Milky Way, and Hayden’s head, which had been buried in Yureain’s embrace, snapped up instantly.
His eyes widened in wonder, unbothered by the thunderous explosions. It was remarkable that he had remained awake at this hour at all.
“Young master, those are fireworks. They celebrate the Festival of Saint Urenis. Those flowers of fire are also called flowers of hope, for it is said the Goddess sent fire down to the earth.”
Yureain whispered softly.
“…!”
For a fourteen-month-old child, the fireworks were nothing short of a revelation. The night sky’s brilliance was imprinted directly upon Hayden’s wide eyes. Lost in wonder for a moment, he began pointing at the sky with both hands, bouncing on his feet.
“Pah! Pah-pah! Pah-pah-pah-pah!”
Hayden’s voice burst forth with unbridled excitement. With each burst of light, his entire body responded. His bottom wiggled, his small hands pounded relentlessly against Yureain’s shoulders, and he poured out babbling cries that were nearly screams.
“Pah-pah—! Pah-pah-pah-pah!”
Hayden was utterly intoxicated by the festival’s fervor.
The night of Saint Urenis’s Festival deepened. Listening to the last distant boom of fireworks, people each made their wishes.
And within those wishes, darkness too was pooling.

* * *
Countess Caslit pressed her hand firmly against her chest as she followed the Duke and Duchess down the corridor.
“I assure you, we can only go this far. Anything beyond is impossible. Only those who have received permission may lay eyes upon the bell.”
The Priest guiding her turned with an anxious expression.
How many times would he need to confirm this?
“Of course. I merely wish to affirm my faith. What greater honor could there be than drawing even slightly closer to the traces of Saint Urenis? I believe I have demonstrated such devotion all this time.”
“Indeed, sister.”
Countess Caslit smiled faintly.
“You cannot proceed any further from here.”
The Priest gestured.
“To venture deeper, one requires the spiritual power of the High Priest or above. This is where I must leave you.”
Countess Caslit’s lips twitched. Approaching the bell, encased within those towering stone walls, was proving far more difficult than she had anticipated.
‘The chaos of the Southern Region will become a festival for the North. I trust you understand what must be done.’
Petunia was someone capable of doing anything for what she desired.
‘I intend to return to the Southern Region far more than what I have lost.’
Countess Caslit’s heart pounded with an almost painful intensity.
‘Sacred relics restore themselves naturally, after all. We merely need to buy time, however briefly.’
Countess Caslit’s eyes widened.
‘I place my trust in you without hesitation.’
The stone walls reflected in Countess Caslit’s pupils. The song emanating from within seemed to warn her—as though it knew precisely what she intended to do.
Countess Caslit bit her lip firmly.
‘Is your own glory more important to you, or the glory of the Empire? That choice belongs to you.’
A choice.
At that crossroads, Countess Caslit made her decision.
‘I must find a way inside.’
The High Priest, Cassian. She would need a means to approach him.

* * *
It was late at night.
With Hayden asleep, I had lit only a single small candle. He had been so excited by the fireworks that he collapsed into sleep the moment we returned, unwashed.
I gently removed the pacifier from Hayden’s softly breathing mouth.
“Mmm…”
Hayden’s hand immediately reached out, fumbling about until he found the pacifier and put it back in his mouth.
“My.”
When had he grown so much? I poked one of his plump cheeks playfully and straightened up. It was time to wean him off the pacifier.
Since he woke every night, it had been quite some time since I combined our bedrooms to avoid the inefficiency of putting him to sleep in different rooms each time.
Perhaps that’s why he’d grown even more attached.
Hayden, lost in sleep, smiled softly. He truly was an angel when he slept.
I sat beside Hayden’s small crib.
Sleep would not come. The bell I had seen today refused to leave my mind.
A sacred relic.
That massive bell I had glimpsed in daylight—shining within its barrier—would not depart from my thoughts.
My heart raced.
The thought kept returning: if I could protect that bell, perhaps Cherez might return alive.
“Is it possible, Hayden?”
But I had only fragments, no complete picture. I couldn’t even fathom how to destroy the bell.
I exhaled a short sigh.
No matter how I looked at it, this was like heading a ball on bare ground.
I wanted to grab Countess Caslit by the collar and interrogate her. Why couldn’t I just lock her away and question her? Ugh!
I was going to become a criminal anyway.
That was when it happened.
“Mmm.”
Hayden stirred.
I reflexively turned and reached toward him.
Hayden opened and closed his mouth, fussing. His teething had been persistent. Fortunately, I had prepared something in advance—a pacifier soaked in cold water.
My secret weapon.
I wrung out the excess water and placed it in Hayden’s mouth. Startled by the cold sensation, he paused for a moment before beginning to suck on it again.
I slowly patted his chest as he sucked on the pacifier, opening and closing his eyes.
“Shhhh…”
I played white noise as well. If he woke now, it would be a disaster.
Hayden’s cheeks twitched around the pacifier, and his small hand grasped my finger.
His hand brushed across my wrist, and the bracelet there caught briefly on his tiny fingers.
It was the bracelet Cherez had given me. I truly wished Cherez were not dead.
Even if it meant heading a ball on bare ground, I didn’t want to regret later for never having tried.
“You feel the same way, don’t you, Hayden?”
As if understanding, Hayden gripped my hand tightly even in sleep.
Yes, I’ll do this for Hayden’s sake.
Let me try saving him once!

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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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