The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 76

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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 076
As expected.
Hayden had grown tired of playing with Cherez’s fingers and leaned forward, burying his head against Cherez’s chest before his eyes began to flutter closed. Cherez naturally patted the child’s back in soothing rhythm.
About three minutes passed. Hayden’s breathing gradually evened out.
Cherez let out a hollow laugh.
“In just a moment.”
“He’s still a baby, after all. But seeing how well he plays and sleeps—isn’t he just precious?”
Cherez gazed at the sleeping child’s face for a long while, then gently stroked the boy’s head as he spoke softly.
“I’m grateful you’re here beside Hayden.”
At those words, my nose stung with emotion.
Does he know my heart mirrors his own?
In my unfortunate life, Cherez and Hayden were my fortune. I had crossed dimensions and undergone this possession just to meet them—or so I believed. Cherez was the person who told me he wished my everyday life could feel like a festival, and Hayden was the person who loved me unconditionally.
And since I possessed this body, I had met people who believed in me and truly understood me. I had been saved—though Cherez would never know this.
So he could never fathom this ache of not wanting to lose him, nor the desperate longing for his return.
He would never know that a single ray of light given in darkness becomes something you can never forget.
Truly, thank you, Cherez.

* * *
It was dawn.
The sky burned crimson despite the darkness, making it impossible to distinguish dawn from night. I hadn’t slept a wink all night. Now the moon, gleaming in deep blood-red, was so vivid it was almost grotesque.
The Knight Order stood in formation before the Manor Gate. Even the torches burning in rows seemed dim beneath the crimson moonlight. Instead, the light reflected off their armor as though they were drenched in blood.
“Like some horror film.”
I murmured the words softly as I approached the gate, cradling Hayden in my arms. Linnen and Yureain accompanied us.
Hayden slept in my embrace, yet I wanted him to witness Cherez’s departure. I wanted to etch Cherez’s image into my memory for as long as possible.
“Hayden, open your eyes. Just for a moment.”
This might be the last time.
Hayden’s eyes fluttered open at my voice, heavy with sleep. His round eyes were brimming with drowsiness. He sucked on his pacifier and rubbed his tired eyes.
Cherez emerged from among the knights.
He wore black armor. The Bereidan Family crest engraved upon it seemed to burn with golden light. Amid the sea of crimson and black, Cherez alone shone with brilliant clarity.
Despite the weight of his armor, Cherez moved without a single wasted motion. His footsteps made no sound. Even his gaze had changed. His deep blue eyes, all emotion carefully contained, turned toward me.
When our eyes met, he smiled faintly. But even that lasted only an instant. Cherez approached us. His gaze shifted to Hayden in my arms.
“Da-da-da….”
Still drowsy, his voice was weaker than usual. Hayden nuzzled against my chest.
“Hayden.”
As Cherez bent down, his armor clanked with the movement. When he pressed his lips to the child’s forehead, Hayden’s eyes opened, still half-asleep.
Hayden reached out and touched Cherez’s armor. He flinched at the cold sensation, then extended his hand toward Cherez’s nose. His plump little fingers pressed firmly against the tip.
“Coo!”
Cherez smiled bitterly.
“You must be a good boy, Hayden. Grow up healthy and strong.”
“Coo-coo!”
Cherez grasped the child’s fingertips and shook them gently before rising to his feet. His gaze turned toward me.
Cherez hesitated for a moment, then bent at the waist and pressed his lips to my forehead.
“May the blessing of Saint Urenis be with you.”
Here he was, offering such prayers for me, of all people. I clenched my lips tightly.
That was the entirety of his farewell. His gaze left me and Hayden.
Cherez’s movements cleaved through the silence of dawn.
Behind his unyielding back, which did not turn to look behind, a black cloak fluttered.
Wills stood at the head of the Knight Order. Cherez mounted his horse and opened his mouth with a low voice.
“We depart!”
Cherez spurred his horse forward without hesitation, as though leaving no room for regret. Hundreds of hoofbeats began to move in unison. The earth trembled as crimson dust rose into the air. They would rejoin the other knights at the beach.
Cherez grew ever more distant. I could not leave that spot until the dust that had billowed up so thickly settled and silence returned. Not even when Hayden, cradled in my arms, fell asleep again and his breathing became steady and even.
I held the child close.

* * *
Cassian returned alone after prayers had ended. It was to confirm that High Priest Cuspis remained quietly buried in the underground Fasting Prayer Chamber.
While the priests were at prayer, he had managed to slip away from the Grand Prayer Hall under the pretext that someone was needed to guard the Temple.
‘And I intend to open the Fasting Prayer Chamber and escort the High Priest out.’
Since all the priests had agreed, it was hardly an unconvincing excuse.
Cassian descended into the basement with hurried steps. His heart was pounding wildly.
Cassian opened the firmly sealed Fasting Prayer Chamber, entered, and pushed the stone chest resting in one corner with trembling hands. As the tiles beneath it were revealed, bare earth came into view.
Cassian swallowed hard. Fortunately, there were no signs that anyone had disturbed it. So High Priest Cuspis would be sleeping safely within.
Cassian covered the tiles again and restored everything to its original state.
‘Everything is returning to normal. As though nothing ever happened.’
Once they announced that the High Priest had died in the explosion caused by the terrorist attack, all suspicion would be buried in the flames.
Cassian forced his wildly racing heart to calm, straightened his clothes, and emerged from the Fasting Prayer Chamber.
It was just as Cassian, having seized a lamp, climbed back to the upper level.
“Hah!”
Borgus blocked his path.
Borgus appeared without warning, accompanied by two knights, and his gaze fixed upon Cassian. Then he spoke in a low voice.
“There’s no one here, High Priest Cassian.”
“They are currently at prayer together in the Grand Prayer Hall. They plan to remain there for a week in prayer. I have merely returned briefly to escort the High Priest from the Fasting Prayer Chamber.”
As Cassian spoke, he hid his soiled hands behind his back.
Borgus slowly scrutinized Cassian from head to toe. Even that brief silence was unbearable for Cassian, whose lips trembled.
“The High Priest did not seem inclined to emerge just yet. If you wish to meet with him, you will need to return at a later time.”
Cassian’s heart felt as though it would burst from his mouth. He swallowed dryly and widened his eyes. No suspicion could be allowed. Such obsessive dread seized Cassian.
Fortunately, Borgus spoke matter-of-factly.
“…Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Borgus’s lips twisted into a smile. It was a smile devoid of any sincerity.
“You are aware that the Duke has set out on his campaign. So I stopped by to confirm that the Temple is secure.”
“Is that so? As you can see, this place is safe.”
“That’s a relief.”
Borgus had harbored suspicions from the moment he encountered Cassian alone in this place.
‘How remarkably convenient.’
Emptying the Temple before a terrorist attack. Moreover, the Temple doors, which were always firmly sealed, stood wide open. He had wondered which clever bastard was involved in the attack—but now it seemed obvious.
It appeared to be the man standing right before 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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