The Returned Husband Refuses to Divorce - Chapter 11

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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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Holy Power.
A rare gift only the chosen few could wield.
In the Holy Empire Ethila, Holy Power was the blessing of God and evidence of miracles.
Contrary to what the world believed, Ines possessed Holy Power as well.
‘Though hers was rather different from everyone else’s.’
Thanks to the unique capabilities of her own Holy Power, she had navigated countless crises unscathed.
And the most meaningful of those abilities was…….
‘The ability to see the dark intent in others’ hearts.’
Silence hung in the air.
“Just now…… what did you say?”
Ines answered calmly.
“I said I would stake my name as Duchess upon it.”
Everyone fell silent, caught off guard by the unexpected force in her words.
Yet Ines did not shrink back an inch.
‘That man had a shadow of malice clinging to him.’
A shadow of malice.
That was what Ines called it.
The form of malice shifted subtly depending on its nature.
What she had seen emanating from Hans moments ago was unmistakable proof that he was lying.
‘If I let it pass, he’ll only cause worse trouble someday.’
And all likelihood, that malice would eventually turn toward her as well.
Over the past five years, Ines had learned to recognize countless dangers this way.
When she lacked the strength to confront them, she retreated; when retreat was impossible, she prepared as thoroughly as she could.
It was one reason she had survived alone in this castle, without a single ally.
“This is madness!”
Hans cried out in agitation.
“Sir Knight, I am innocent! Why should I be investigated?”
When Ash, the one with authority, said nothing, Hans took it as a sign he had a chance and protested louder.
“This is unthinkable. Such a thing would have been impossible when Selena was here! How could you take the word of that woman over…….”
“Mind your tongue, Hans.”
Ash’s eyes turned cold.
No matter how little regard he held for Ines, Hans had crossed a line.
At that icy warning, Hans flinched and clamped his mouth shut.
His manner was now entirely different from how he had treated Ines—deferential, cautious.
‘So he never truly thought of me as someone above him at all.’
She was unsurprised.
“What will you do, Sir Ash?”
She met his gaze directly and spoke with crisp clarity.
“Will you disregard the request of me, Ines Evanhardt, the lawful and sole wife of Duke Evanhardt?”
A heavy silence descended.
Evanhardt.
The weight of that name was absolute in this castle.
Ash frowned as if in thought and kept his mouth firmly closed.
“…… Understood. I shall comply.”
His answer came as expected.
“Sir Knight!”
Hans let out a cry of anguish.
The servants murmured among themselves, but Ash remained unmoved.
‘Still, he won’t overlook Zekard as a subordinate, it seems.’
Had Ines not spoken as the Duchess, he would have ignored her to the end.
‘In the end, there’s nothing in this castle I can resolve entirely by my own power.’
Ines thought cynically, then spoke with measured calm.
“Begin the investigation. Now.”
* * *
The results did not take long to surface.
“It’s a frame-up! An injustice!”
In Hans’s quarters, a heap of objects he had been secretly pilfering emerged.
‘Did he never imagine he’d be caught?’
Then again, who could have blamed him for his confidence?
His accusers were Ines and a common servant—a mere child.
“I swear, I’m innocent! He’s the one who framed me!”
Hans jabbed a finger at Leo, his voice cracking with desperation.
But of course, no one believed him.
“Silence!”
The knights clicked their tongues in contempt, beat him soundly, and dragged him away.
The other servants watched and whispered among themselves.
“I never would’ve thought Hans was actually a thief……”
“He didn’t seem the type……”
Even as they spoke, their eyes flickered toward Ines.
Ines stood watching it all with perfect composure.
That serene yet unyielding face made Ash’s head throb.
‘Was that woman really right?’
In truth, Ash had harbored ill feeling toward Ines from the very start.
Countless rumors swirled about Ines Chartier, wife of the great war hero Duke Evanhardt.
An innocent-faced seductress.
A witch who bewitched men with her beauty and consumed them whole.
A jealous, shrewish wife.
The empire teemed with vile and sordid gossip about her.
Of course, he didn’t believe all of it.
But he couldn’t dismiss it entirely either.
‘I heard things about her at the Temple myself, after all.’
The Evanhardt Knights had stopped in the Capital before arriving at this domain on their return.
There, at the Temple, he’d heard her slandered.
The priests made no effort to hide their contempt for Ines, who had not awakened Holy Power.
And then there was the Saint, Elise……
“You speak of my sister.”
Her beautiful face twisted in a subtle, unsettling way.
The Saint was the most perfect woman Ash had ever laid eyes on.
Her heart was pure, and every movement was graceful as a painting.
She truly embodied the phrase “one blessed by God”—a figure of absolute perfection.
So when he thought of Ines, who supposedly envied and resented the Saint, his judgment colored everything he saw.
That was why he’d behaved so hostilely, despite Zekard’s warning.
But now……
Just then, Ines turned her head.
“Sir Ash.”
At her call, Ash stiffened.
Yet he understood well that this was his moment to apologize.
Ash bowed respectfully.
“I apologize. My poor judgment caused you trouble. I offer my sincere apologies.”
Ines met his eyes with an unflinching gaze.
‘Still the same.’
He was more formal now, but only because he’d admitted his judgment was wrong—nothing more.
He still did not acknowledge Ines as the Duchess or as his commander’s wife.
After a moment’s thought, Ines spoke.
“Report the facts of this matter to the Duke as they stand.”
Ash looked at her with mild surprise.
“That Hans stole something, that I demanded an investigation, and that evidence was found as a result.”
“……Understood.”
“But there is one thing you should know.”
Ines’s gaze turned cold.
“I have no intention of holding your rudeness today against you separately. However, that is not because I forgive you.”
Ash’s expression hardened.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean exactly what I said. If I wished, I could make something of this. I could formally report to the Duke how you defied my orders and instead held me accountable—and escalate the matter as I saw fit.”
Because of the succession question, Zekard needed to demonstrate publicly that he treated Ines as a proper Duchess.
If he learned of this incident, he would not take it lightly.
Likely he would make an example not only of Ash, but of everyone present.
‘But what good would that serve?’
Ines spoke with quiet firmness.
“Your petty power struggles with me are nothing but wasteful—they help no one.”
It would be satisfying, certainly, to force Ash to his knees right now, leveraging Zekard’s authority behind her. But what then?
And after that?
‘This path leads only to deeper conflict.’
Beyond that, it would only breed resentment among the knights and servants toward Ines.
They needn’t become friends, but things couldn’t afford to worsen.
Either way, they’d be seeing each other’s face for the next year.
“I trust today’s events have made my meaning sufficiently clear. How you judge me is entirely your choice.”
Ines met Ash’s gaze directly, her eyes unwavering.
“But don’t let that judgment interfere with what must be done. Should something like this happen again, I won’t simply let it pass.”
And with that, Ines turned and walked away, her words complete.
Ash watched her retreating figure for a long time.
……
Strange.
This woman was supposed to be that person from the rumors.
Ash’s expression hardened almost imperceptibly.
Dark eyes that ordinarily revealed nothing now flickered with an unmistakable confusion.
In the depths of his heart, an inexplicable emotion bloomed—strange and unbidden.

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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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