The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 87

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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 087
Today was Hayden’s birthday. Time flowed even in this place. And the child continued to grow.
It was the second day since the Battlefield had entered a lull.
Inside the Military Barracks, only Cherez and Wills remained, debating the nature of what existed within the vortex. The surroundings of the barracks were shrouded in profound silence. The Beach, bathed in crimson moonlight, held an ominous quiet.
Cherez dragged his gaunt face across his palm.
Wills offered a crude cup filled with warm tea. It had been among the supplies Chloe sent.
‘Goodness! How can a nobleman not drink tea? It’s unthinkable!’
I could almost hear Chloe’s sharp voice. Cherez let out a soft laugh.
Chloe was a remarkably capable person. Not long ago, it was only Chloe who contributed to replenishing our forces. She had purchased mercenaries and sent them.
Unlike those who merely spoke empty words, Chloe was a true loyal servant to the Southern Region and the Bereidan Family. Just like Wills standing before me.
“Wills.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you know what day it is today?”
Wills tilted his head in confusion. Keeping track of dates on the Battlefield was not an easy task. Days stretched on without even a sense of reality. Wills shook his head heavily.
“I… cannot recall, sir.”
“It’s Hayden’s birthday.”
Wills’ eyes widened.
“It feels like just yesterday he was a newborn, and now he’s already two years old.”
“…Time has passed so quickly.”
Cherez exhaled deeply.
“I wonder if he’s walking properly by now. How much his speech has developed. Whether he still loves pigs.”
Cherez chuckled softly.
“Roana is probably celebrating Hayden’s birthday right now.”
It was merely speculation since I could not see them. But Roana possessed a warm heart, so it seemed unlikely she would let Hayden’s birthday pass without acknowledgment. Cherez smiled bitterly.
“Yet…”
Cherez turned his gaze outward. His eyes seemed to look not at what was before him, but at something far away. His pupils gleamed.
“I don’t even know when Roana’s birthday is.”
Cherez laughed at himself.
Wills wore an expression of not knowing what to say. Cherez did not seem to expect a response either. He was lost in his own emotions now. Perhaps wandering through some day from the past.
Cherez murmured in a low voice.
“At some point, I became curious. What season was Roana born in. What does she like, what does she want to do. What does she desire. But I never once asked her properly.”
Wills laughed awkwardly.
“When you return, you’ll have the chance to ask.”
Cherez lifted his head to look at the Military Barracks ceiling. The crimson moonlight seeped through the fabric, casting everything in red.
“Sir.”
“Speak.”
“You must ask her when you return. When her birthday is, what she likes, what she wants to do.”
Cherez turned to look at Wills.
“It would be too regrettable to die knowing nothing, having done nothing.”
Cherez smiled bitterly. Somehow it felt as though I should not do anything. Why was this night of the returning crimson moon so terrifying this time. The thought that I might not return alive. It was a question even Cherez could not answer.
But returning, I found myself wanting to do something.
It felt as though there was something I needed to accomplish.

* * *
At that very moment.
The Red Moon Palace was divided into two factions.
One centered around Countess Caslit, and another centered around Countess Malate. They despised and loathed each other, yet shared the same roof.
Despite the Temple terror attack, no evidence had been found in the ashes, so Countess Caslit had never even been suspected.
As a result, the Liansherus Society occupied one pillar of the Red Moon Palace.
The Liansherus Society, hand in hand with traitors including Oliver, had seized control of the Red Moon Palace’s administration. Thus, Countess Caslit rose to the position of Head Maid of the Red Moon Palace.
All resources and personnel within the palace passed through Countess Caslit’s hands.
Linnen found herself working beneath her.
“Redo this. I cannot fathom that you once served as the Duchess’s aide.”
Countess Caslit hurled a stack of documents onto the desk with a thud. Two days of Linnen’s efforts scattered uselessly.
Linnen stared at Countess Caslit with vacant eyes.
“Finish it all before this evening’s meeting.”
This absurd torment continued relentlessly.
As Countess Caslit openly tormented Linnen, the Maids and others joined in as well.
Linnen’s meals did not arrive, and she was awakened from early dawn to perform unreasonable tasks. Things that should never have happened were now occurring.
Maids were tormenting Linnen, a noblewoman.
‘What kind of aide is a mute who cannot speak? It never made sense from the start. The Duchess stepped down, didn’t she?’
Those who wagged their tails obsequiously before Roana quickly changed their faces. Yet despite this, Linnen could not leave this place. She could not abandon the task Roana had entrusted to her with such faith.
Now Linnen was Borgus’s eyes and ears. To discover what movements Caslit made and whom she met.
Countess Caslit kept Linnen at her side for one reason alone—the possibility that Linnen might know the whereabouts of Roana and Hayden.
Countess Caslit wore a bitter smile as she trampled the papers that had fallen to the floor, tilting her head.
“Shall I speak of your parents?”
Linnen’s face slowly hardened.
“Your parents must be more valuable than the mistress of Bereidan.”
Linnen clenched her fists. Count and Countess Bruate were imprisoned by Countess Caslit.
“They are alive. For now.”
Countess Caslit pulled a chair over and sat, her eyes narrowing as she spoke softly.
“Don’t you wish to see your parents?”
Of course she did. But Linnen believed in Roana’s resolve to save Count and Countess Bruate, and in Borgus’s promise, which inherited that will.
With reddened eyes as if holding back tears, Linnen pressed her gaze forward and clenched her lips tightly. At the sight of her, the corners of Countess Caslit’s mouth rose.
“How much longer do you think your parents will live? Think carefully about it. Until you complete all of this.”
Countess Caslit tapped her fingertips against the documents on the table—tap, tap—then passed by Linnen without hesitation.
Left alone, Linnen unclenched her fists. Crimson nail marks were etched across her palms.
In this place, Linnen had learned not to cry. And to endure fear as well. Linnen too was becoming an adult.

* * *
Beneath the Red Moon, the seasons turned with unfailing regularity.
Though the sky remained crimson, the air grew warm, and the sound of water flowing through the valley below the mountain grew louder.
Summer had arrived.
In that time, Hayden’s growth had become noticeably visible.
His vocabulary expanded considerably as well. The child was growing with each passing season.
And we, too, were gradually adapting to this place.
Today was the day I had planned to go fishing with the village children and Jake.
The valley lay about twenty minutes down the mountain road from the Villa. Clear water flowed between the rocks, its surface reflecting the crimson light until even the water itself seemed tinged with blood, yet fish still thrived within it.
Jake had arrived first and secured a spot. The children were with him.
“You’re here! Dorpin, let’s catch even more fish today!”
Our bonds with the villagers were growing stronger with each passing day.
Jake grinned brightly and waved his hand.
Hayden grasped my hand and toddled down toward the valley.
“Hayden!”
The children waved toward us. Hayden, still in diapers, waddled forward with unbridled enthusiasm. Dorpin quickly caught the child before he could tumble headfirst. With a child now capable of running, there was not a moment to let one’s guard down.

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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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