The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 7

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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 007
Of course, there was resistance.
“Still, she is Hejest’s daughter. Blood runs thicker than water, does it not? If we’re not careful, we could suffer greatly. I believe we must place our trust in those we can trust.”
Borgus’s words held merit as well.
Hejest had done everything in his power to diminish Bereidan. He had always aimed his arrows at Bereidan.
Hejest had long coveted the prosperous and expansive lands of the Southern Region.
“Moreover, Southern High Society would never acknowledge Hejest. The Duchess could become a liability rather than an asset.”
To that extent, Bereidan and Hejest were hostile toward one another.
Cherez broke his silence and spoke.
“Then we’ll do this. Let’s hasten the selection of a lady’s maid to attend to Roana. From among the daughters of the Vassal Houses, choose the cleverest and most perceptive young lady and place her at Roana’s side to watch over her closely. As for Southern High Society…”
Cherez’s eyes gleamed coldly. He knew better than anyone that they outwardly showed him respect while looking down upon him.
“Can things get any worse than they are now? If Roana fails, then we reach the worst outcome. I’ll summon those involved and have them face judgment. My way, as it has always been.”
Cherez’s methods differed little from those of the military. He would crush Southern High Society’s resistance with force.
For now, that was the best course available. Borgus nodded as though he had no choice.
Cherez smiled bitterly.
“It seems there may be less cause for concern than expected. She doesn’t appear to be in separate contact with Hejest.”
Yureain spoke, recalling how Roana had worn a subtly joyful expression as she dismissed the maid.
Though she couldn’t fathom why the attendants sent from Hejest had abandoned Roana so readily and departed.
Cherez reached his conclusion.
“Then we’ll proceed through Roana.”
Of course, all of this was only possible if Roana accepted his request. If she refused, Hayden would go without proper care for some time, and Cherez might well make enemies of the Southern noblewomen.
Cherez recalled the first words he had spoken to Roana when she arrived in the Southern Region. He had told her to do nothing, that she need not fulfill any rights or duties as the Duchess. Now he found himself in a position where he had to overturn those words entirely.
His mouth turned bitter.
‘How shameless of me.’

* * *
“The Duke requests your presence, madam.”
Why was Cherez calling for me? Was it because of my quarrel with the Nanny yesterday? He’d told me to stay quiet and do nothing, but I’d stepped in anyway—was that it? My sense of justice had surely become a liability.
I should have remained like a ghost, present yet invisible, and then slipped away.
Since he’d already dismissed the Nanny, wasn’t he now telling me to leave as well? The thought made my chest tighten with sorrow.
Where was I supposed to go when I had nowhere else in the world?
Tense with anxiety, I made my way to Cherez’s study. There he sat alone, his expression grave as he waited for me.
I swallowed hard, exchanged a light greeting, and took my seat.
Nervousness made me clasp my hands together.
Before the master of this house, I became infinitesimally small—a mere commoner. The boldness I’d displayed yesterday had long since evaporated.
Please, I prayed silently, don’t cast me out.
“Roana.”
“Yes, Cherez.”
I offered a quick smile. A smiling face was better, surely.
Or was it? Should I look remorseful instead?
“I’ve called you here because I have a request.”
A request…!
So he was asking me to leave after all…!
“I’d like you to look after Hayden for a while.”
Cherez exhaled a sigh, his expression troubled. Yet even that expression suited him perfectly, as if painted by an artist’s hand.
No wonder Hayden was such an extraordinarily beautiful young man—it was all in the blood.
But he wasn’t asking me to leave; he was entrusting Hayden’s care to me? To me?
My heart, which had been racing with anxiety, now began to pound with anticipation.
“H-Hayden? To me?”
“I know you’ve never cared for a child before. Still, I’ve concluded it’s better to entrust Hayden to you than to anyone else. Considering everything you’ve shown me thus far.”
“I have experience with children!”
This was a golden opportunity to become indispensable to the Bereidan Household. If I became irreplaceable, Cherez wouldn’t be able to cast me out on a whim.
“You have experience? When?”
“Ah, well. I’ve observed children being raised.”
“Now that you mention it, I believe I heard that Hejest’s Eldest Daughter had recently given birth.”
I was floundering for an explanation when Cherez conveniently filled in the missing pieces himself.
Of course. Roana had nieces and nephews. The timing made sense—Hejest’s children, who were rivals to the male lead in the original story, should be about the right age by now.
I nodded quickly, my expression awkward.
“My sister—I mean, my elder sister was very devoted to child-rearing. She wanted to raise her children to the highest standard. I learned a great deal by observing her.”
Since I hadn’t seen them after possessing this body, I didn’t know what my sister looked like or how she truly was. And it was clear that Roana hadn’t been treated particularly well within the Hejest Family.
In such circumstances, would she have even gotten along with her sister? But Cherez wouldn’t know what had transpired within Hejest.
Besides, Cherez seemed to accept my explanation.
“That makes sense. Hejest always wants to have the very best of everything.”
His expression grew slightly cold, but regardless… he seemed to believe me.
“Then you can look after Hayden for a while? Of course, the maids will assist you. You can’t be expected to care for him alone all day.”
I could spend all day caring for Hayden if needed. Truth be told, I’d already realized how poorly living like a ghost suited my nature.
Where’s the harm in trusting someone with a task?
“I can do this well! Please just trust me!”
“…I’m grateful you’d say that. If there’s anything you need as compensation for this task, tell me. I’ll buy you whatever you want.”
Bereidan really does have a generous heart…
I could think of this as childcare allowance, couldn’t I?
“Thank you, Cherez. Really!”

* * *
It was Cherez who should have been thanking her. She had readily agreed to take on the task of caring for Hayden, which was no simple matter. Yet watching Roana smile so brightly, he could tell her gratitude was genuine.
‘It might be good to dispel your preconceptions about the Duchess.’
Yureain’s advice came to mind.
Preconceptions. Every member of Hejest he’d encountered thus far had been cut from the same cloth. He’d seen their true nature even when he stopped by the Imperial Capital to inherit the Duchy.
‘He’s merely a young man with no interest in practical affairs, Your Majesty. Please allow Hejest to manage Bereidan Territory. I can secure the loyalty of the Vassal Houses.’
‘The new Duke, who has only known the Battlefield, will be unfamiliar with administrative duties. Failing to properly discharge his responsibilities would be disloyalty, Your Majesty.’
They had insulted his Elder Brother—who had devoted his life to defending the Empire and fighting the Demonic Beasts—and coveted Bereidan. And Hejest possessed no qualifications whatsoever!
Bereidan had been granted the vast Southern lands because it deserved them.
The Bereidan Family had rendered immense service in driving back the Demonic Beasts and establishing the Ellenbesth Empire. It was Bereidan who had slain the last Demonic Beast in the Southern Region and raised the fortress walls.
The Hejest Family hadn’t even existed in those days. Moreover, Hejest would lack the strength to face the Nights Beyond that came every year!
Those without qualifications, filled only with greed.
And they dared claim he lacked ability?
Cherez had received the same education as his Elder Brother in childhood. It meant he had already completed his heir’s training.
Since becoming Duke, Cherez had thoroughly proven his capabilities. He had demonstrated he was no ignorant boy.
Furthermore, he had made certain that Hejest paid a sufficient price for all the scheming it had perpetrated thus far.

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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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