The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 67

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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 067
I confirmed through Yureain that someone from the Imperial Court had left. Does she think everything that comes out of her mouth is truth? I hope she trips on her way back and breaks her nose.
In any case, the Imperial Court threw the Bereidan Family into the fire, and behind it all was my mother, Duchess Petunia.
I heard they’ve summoned the Southern Nobility again.
I still can’t tell which of them are trustworthy. The current me, Cherez, has no idea whatsoever of the betrayals they will commit in the future.
I took a deep breath and stood before the door. The heavy texture of the firmly closed wooden door touched my fingertips.
I felt like a student standing outside the office.
“Cherez, may I come in?”
The door opened.
The room, now empty even of Borgus, was filled with heavy air. Cherez stood at the doorway, his gaze fixed on me.
He smiled faintly.
“Come in.”
Thanks to people coming and going all day, sunset was now casting its light through the windows. The crimson-tinged sunset and the dim shadows within the Study blended together, creating an oddly solemn atmosphere. A large map lay spread across the table, with several small flags of different colors planted upon it.
I could see the weight resting upon Cherez’s broad shoulders. His eyes, trembling ever so slightly, turned toward me. In his reddened blue eyes lay a sorrow that defied explanation.
“…You look exhausted, Cherez.”
He exhaled deeply and rubbed his face. It was only natural—he must have been harassed by numerous people since dawn.
“I heard you haven’t been eating properly.”
I set down a soup I had simmered all night on the table.
“I thought it would be good if you ate at least a little.”
“Thank you, Roana. I don’t even know how the day has passed.”
Cherez gently pulled my hand toward him. On his wrist was the same bracelet I wore. Seeing it somehow made my heart feel full.
He sat me on the sofa and slowly began to eat the soup. I decided not to speak while he ate.
They say talking about work while eating causes indigestion.
I swallowed a sigh.
His pale, drawn face was truly pitiful to see.
He pushed the half-empty bowl slightly forward.
“You’re done? Eat more.”
When you go to war, you can’t eat like this.
“It’s fine. My stomach isn’t feeling well.”
I would be the same way too.
“Still, thanks to you, I managed to have at least one meal. It was delicious.”
I studied Cherez’s expression and fidgeted with the bracelet, then carefully opened my mouth.
“I heard someone from the Imperial Court visited today.”
Cherez’s expression hardened coldly and he clicked his tongue.
“It’s shameful to admit, but it wasn’t pleasant news. You can probably guess from what you’ve heard.”
“…I heard they’ve summoned the Southern Nobility.”
“It’s time to empty what’s been piled high in the storehouse.”
Cherez sighed.
“We can’t starve the knights who fight for their lives.”
On the Battlefield, even self-sufficiency was difficult. In the end, they could only wait for supplies while continuing to fight endlessly, and someone had cut off that lifeline.
“So here’s what I’m thinking.”
Cherez’s gaze fixed upon me with unmistakable intensity.
“I believe that one internal enemy can create yet another internal enemy.”
Cherez’s brow twitched slightly.
“That’s why in a situation like this, I think it’s important to grasp the hand of someone you can trust.”
“One internal enemy creates another internal enemy. You’re saying the Southern Nobility will betray me by following the Imperial Court?”
“I’m saying we can’t rule out that possibility.”
Cherez exhaled heavily and ran his hand roughly through his hair.
“I find that possibility repugnant as well, but it’s what concerns me most. Some of them still don’t acknowledge me.”
“But not all Southerners are like that.”
At my contradictory words, Cherez’s eyes dimmed.
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say. Explain it clearly.”
“What if we used the Ivelik Merchant Guild instead of the Empire’s supply lines?”
Cherez paused at my words.
I’d thought of the Ivelik Merchant Guild only this afternoon. Truth be told, I couldn’t claim responsibility for supplies when I could barely see past my own nose.
But it was outside the Imperial Court’s influence, and Hejest would never listen. Or rather, I thought of someone on my side who doesn’t listen to anyone at all.
Chloe.
“The Evelik Kingdom?”
“Yes. I heard that Aisen is establishing himself successfully there.”
In the original work, Aisen was portrayed as a successful businessman, and that reflected reality perfectly. Aisen was rapidly establishing himself in the Evelik Kingdom.
I’d already learned that the Bereidan Trading Company in Evelik was beginning to generate considerable profits.
“Isn’t it the only reliable external route to send supplies to the South while evading the Imperial Court’s eyes?”
A spark of interest flickered in Cherez’s eyes. He gazed at my face intently for a long moment.
Cherez laughed softly.
“Even dog dung has its use as medicine, they say.”
I hope I’m not that dog dung. Ha.
“Cherez?”
He turned his head and let out a hollow laugh.
“I never thought the day would come when I’d need Chloe in my life.”
Neither did I.
But in the original work, Chloe was the one who supported the Southern forces until the very end. Wasn’t that already proven?
If we took the wrong path, we could all starve to death on the battlefield. It was better to establish the right route from the beginning.
Cherez’s smile carried a sharp, exhilarating edge.
He rose to his feet, then suddenly grasped my chin and placed a light kiss on the tip of my nose. My eyes widened.
He spoke with his forehead pressed against mine.
“You are my good fortune incarnate. Thank you, Roana. I must cancel the assembly immediately and contact the Evelik side.”
He then kissed my forehead as well.
The shadow he cast over me was more solid than any fortress. Nothing could ever bring Cherez down.
Cherez straightened up at once and left the room. Only his lingering presence remained in his study. I touched my forehead and nose, then realized.
“Ha.”
I had been holding my breath all this time.
No, this is madness.
How could he suddenly strike like that? His afterimage didn’t linger in the room—it burned itself into my mind. Quite impressively, at that.

* * *
I wrote a letter to Chloe as well. Since she said she would regard me as a friend, I decided to reciprocate in kind.
I was grateful that Chloe genuinely cared for the Southern Region. Who would have thought such a day would come?
People’s lives were truly unpredictable.
But just when one crisis passed, another arrived. The Count and Countess Bruate had reached out through Linnen.
[The Liansherus Society plans to commit an act of terror against the clergy three days after the Otherworld Night arrives. They intend to plant the Northern flag over the blood of the South.]
Linnen’s face was etched with unmistakable tension.
Just as I thought. The Liansherus Society was behind it after all!
Everything aligned with my predictions, and chills ran down my spine. So it really was a person who desecrated the sacred relic.
My heart wavered—perhaps I had secretly hoped it wasn’t true. But could a person really commit such an act?
Wishing death upon everyone?
“Insane….”
I muttered without thinking. If they proceeded with such madness, Cherez would truly die. Exactly as they desired.
[What should we do, Duchess? Mother and Father both have watchers assigned to them.]
Of course they do. They wouldn’t be careless about something so enormous.
[Countess Caslit apparently doesn’t fully trust Mother and Father yet. Contact is difficult.]
That was something I had already anticipated.
“Thank you, Linnen. Tell them never to overexert themselves.”
Linnen stared at me with anxious eyes.
“It will be fine. I’ll find a way.”
Linnen hesitated before nodding.
Don’t worry. Your elder sister will resolve this.

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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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