The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 74

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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 074
When Cherez departed for the battlefield, Borgus would assume responsibility for administering the affairs of the Bereidan Family in his stead. Fortunately, Borgus was within the mansion today.
I sought him out in his study, where he worked alone.
“Sir Borgus.”
Today, Borgus appeared unusually sharp—clearly he hadn’t slept. Neither had I, for that matter.
“A message has arrived from Count Bruate.”
“Ah. Has he discovered something, then?”
“No. He says it’s difficult to convey information when he himself is under suspicion. However, Countess Caslit has given them instructions.”
I explained what Countess Caslit desired and how we might exploit it. Though it took considerable time, Borgus listened calmly until the end.
When I finished, Borgus nodded slowly.
“Is there no danger in this?”
“There is no safety in anything we do now.”
“…I trust the Duchess’s judgment. I believe you have chosen this course because it is the best option available.”
I never thought I would hear such words from Borgus. His eyes were brimming with trust in me.
To be trusted so completely was somewhat burdensome, though.
“However, there is something I need. I wonder if you, Sir Borgus, could protect Count and Countess Bruate.”
“You mean after everything is resolved?”
I nodded.
Borgus narrowed his eyes and stroked his jaw thoughtfully.
“I will protect them with my name. However, if they are under suspicion, we must doubt the very information that comes to us henceforth.”
“I share that concern.”
Borgus exhaled deeply—a short, heavy sigh.
“But there is no other path. The Pharmacist’s testimony, Countess Yotlrey’s information, Count Bruate’s intelligence—all of it points to the same conclusion. The plot to terrorize the Servants of God must be genuine.”
“How they intend to approach the Servants. That’s the missing piece.”
“…I will do my utmost. So that your efforts are not in vain, Duchess.”
“I want you to come through this safely, Sir Borgus.”
“I will endeavor to do so.”
We exchanged awkward smiles. Who could have imagined we would ever reach such a point? It was a far cry from those days when he raged, insisting he must test me because he couldn’t trust me.
Then Borgus withdrew something from his pocket—a small wooden token bearing the seal of the Bereidan Family.
“It is a pass, crafted by order of the Duke himself. It will prove useful in moments of crisis. I wondered why such a thing was necessary.”
As I accepted the pass and placed it in my bosom, Borgus paused before continuing.
“My lady.”
“Yes.”
“I have been truly sorry for all that has transpired. And grateful as well. I pray we shall meet again in better health.”
As I turned to leave, Borgus added one final word from behind me.
“When you are in need of aid, please seek me out without hesitation. I will assist you in any circumstance whatsoever.”
The mark I would leave on the carriage was one only Borgus could recognize—evidence that Hayden and I had escaped safely, meant for his eyes alone.
Only then could Borgus properly protect the Bereidan Duchy.
The day of our departure drew ever closer.

* * *
Late afternoon.
After confirming that Hayden was getting along well with Yureain, I called for Linnen.
Linnen’s face looked somewhat better than it had in the afternoon—she seemed to have matured just a little.
“Linnen, sit down.”
Linnen perched on the edge of the chair.
“First, the Count and Countess Bruate will be protected by Sir Borgus.”
Linnen exhaled a long breath and nodded, her relieved expression still utterly childlike.
She smiled faintly and continued.
“And while I’m away, I’m entrusting this Mansion to you.”
Linnen picked up her pen.
[Where are you going?]
“But I promise I will return.”
I said nothing more. It would be safer for her to know nothing else.
Linnen stared at me for a long moment. She rarely cries, even when she seems on the verge of tears. Childhood transforms into adulthood in an instant.
Linnen’s pen moved across the paper.
[Thank you for trusting me. I will protect everything faithfully.]
Linnen pressed hard with her pen, writing each character with deliberate care.
[Please take care of my parents.]
That single line contained everything Linnen was. I reassured her and sent her away.
Alone, I gazed at the crimson moon. It hung there, dyed so vividly red it could not grow darker, as if declaring that the time had come. Even from here, I could see the thin black crack along the horizon widening steadily.
Tomorrow, Cherez would depart. The thought constricted my throat.

* * *
I’d done everything I could, yet my heart refused to settle. Ah, this was maddening. I couldn’t sit still for another moment.
I exhaled deeply and forced myself to stand. Hayden was currently having his meal with Yureain, who had volunteered to help ease my anxious mind. I wished a month would pass quickly. Better yet, I wished six years would simply vanish in an instant.
My leg bounced nervously with tension before I finally rose. What was Cherez doing?
I made my way to Cherez’s Room and knocked.
“Come in.”
Cherez’s Room was the largest in the Mansion, yet it contained surprisingly few possessions—merely essential furnishings and a single sword hanging on the wall. It was as though the space itself reflected his character.
I glanced around casually before stepping forward with careful deliberation.
Cherez was writing something at his table. Several letter envelopes lay scattered across its surface.
“What are you writing?”
“My will.”
My heart plummeted at his matter-of-fact response.
Cherez looked at me and the corners of his mouth lifted. The moment I saw the amusement in his gaze, I realized he was teasing. How could he joke about such a thing?
“I’m joking. These are official documents to send to each House. I’m writing them with complete sincerity.”
“Don’t make jokes like that. My heart nearly stopped.”
Cherez closed his eyes and laughed. His lips curved upward.
“There’s no reason I’d be writing a will now, Roana. My will is already safely stored in the Safe. Should anything happen to me, it will be revealed to the world.”
Cherez set down his pen and turned his chair to face me. With each word he spoke, my heart sank further, yet he remained composed. I pressed my lips together firmly.
“What did you write in your will? Since I’ll never need to see it anyway, just tell me.”
“Later. Then I can show you when I return.”
The night of the crimson moon arrives every year. But according to the original story, after seven years of warfare, for some reason the crimson moon ceased to appear for a time.
Then the original story began, and when Hayden turned twenty-four, a great war erupted. After that, the crimson moon never rose again.
Through that event, the cause of the crimson moon’s appearance would be eliminated.
If Cherez were to return alive, or if some other variable were to emerge—
The crimson moon might continue to rise. And yet, I desperately hoped Cherez would return.
“Please do exactly that. Such jokes really aren’t funny at all.”
Cherez studied me before changing the subject.
“Where is Hayden?”
“Yureain has him. It’s almost time for his bottle feeding.”
The early evening meal was prepared as though it were a final feast—the Head Chef had made every dish Cherez favored. The Maids, concealing their troubled hearts, repeatedly polished the armor displayed along the Corridor.
Though no one spoke it aloud, the entire Mansion held its breath, suppressing the dread of tomorrow that drew ever closer.
“Do you want to see Hayden?”
Cherez nodded. Then I should go get him!

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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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