The Returned Husband Refuses to Divorce - Chapter 14

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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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3.
“My lady, it’s time to wake.”
At the sound of her maid’s voice, Ines blinked slowly open.
‘Ah.’
Morning again.
Warm sunlight streamed through the window, wrapping around her body with gentle softness.
After lingering a moment in that warmth, Ines gradually rose from bed.
Beside her stood May, her newly assigned personal maid from a few days prior, bowing respectfully.
“I’ll prepare your washwater. Please wait just a moment.”
Ines accepted May’s service somewhat awkwardly. It had been so long since anyone attended to her that it felt strange.
“I’ll go have breakfast. You should rest.”
May answered quietly that she would.
Her manner was so formal it bordered on cold. Ines studied her maid for a moment before stepping out.
‘Will he already be there?’
It had already been a week since she’d begun dining with Zekard.
Though they had agreed on a set meal time, Zekard invariably arrived before Ines.
He said it was fine, but seeing him wait like that, she couldn’t help but hurry.
At last Ines reached the Dining Hall.
“You’ve arrived.”
Zekard smiled gently when he spotted her.
Ines flinched.
Unbidden, she recalled yesterday’s rudeness.
‘…Why on earth did I do that?’
Even if he was a stranger, they were still married. What was there to make such a fuss over?
Somewhat deflated, Ines greeted him quietly.
“Good morning.”
But Zekard spoke to her with his usual warmth, as though nothing had ever happened.
“Your complexion doesn’t look well. Did you perhaps not sleep properly last night?”
“Oh… no, that’s not it. Thank you for your concern.”
Ines accepted the bread he offered, watching his face carefully.
‘Is he truly unaffected?’
Perhaps she was simply too timid and worrisome. Normally, once apologies were exchanged, the matter ended there.
But as the meal drew to a close, Ines realized something.
He was being extremely careful not to let their bodies touch.
“Why are you doing that?”
Noticing her hesitation, Zekard asked with a puzzled expression.
“It’s nothing.”
Ines forced a smile and chewed the last piece of bread slowly.
‘I really should apologize again…’
An unfounded guilt weighed on her.
“Do you have any particular engagements today?”
At Zekard’s words, she pulled herself from her thoughts.
“Nothing in particular.”
“I see.”
Zekard’s face brightened subtly.
“Then might you spare some time for me?”
“…Pardon?”
Caught off guard by his unexpected proposal, Ines faltered, and his expression dimmed once more.
“I apologize. I was too abrupt. I failed to consider your feelings adequately.”
“No, no. It’s fine. I was only thinking for a moment.”
Ines hurried to reassure him.
“I don’t usually have much to do around this castle. If there’s anything you need, please feel free to say so.”
At that, something shifted in Zekard’s eyes—they grew sharp and keen.
“Now that you mention it, I should begin passing on the duties of Mistress of the Household to you. I’ve been remiss in that regard. I’ll arrange to show you around soon.”
“Mistress of the Household… duties?”
Ines was thoroughly taken aback.
‘He means to entrust me with that?’
Duchess or not, she was only here for a year.
Surely it wasn’t wise to hand over something as crucial as the castle’s management to a fleeting visitor?
“Of course. If not the Duchess, then who would do it? You must be the one, Ines.”
The way he deliberately mentioned her name, leaving her no escape, was subtly masterful.
“But I….”
“You are my wife, are you not?”
Ines was about to say “No, it’s just a contract,” but she caught sight of the household servants nearby and fell silent.
Zekard gazed at her with a smile playing at his lips.
“I trust you, Duchess.”
Her words caught in her throat.
“…I understand. I’ll do my best.”
He seemed to regard this contract far more seriously than she had anticipated.
‘I suppose it can’t be helped when a title is at stake.’
Yet for all that, entrusting such an important position to a woman he barely knew struck her as incomprehensible.
“But what was it you needed time for today?”
“Ah, there are some people I wished to introduce to you.”
“Introduce….”
An ominous premonition seized her as she turned the word over in her mind.
And sure enough.
“Allow me to introduce you formally. This is Ash Ranford, my deputy and vice-commander of the Knights.”
What greeted Ines moments later was despair itself.
‘He looks equally at a loss….’
Had nothing happened at all, it might have been bearable, but the theft incident from a few days prior had left both of them uncertain how to conduct themselves in each other’s presence.
“…I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. Ash Ranford. I look forward to working with you.”
He bowed respectfully, no doubt because Zekard was present.
“It’s good to meet you. I look forward to it as well.”
After their stilted exchange of greetings, Zekard smiled with satisfaction.
“Then let me introduce the other Knights as well.”
And he proceeded to introduce every single member of the Knights to Ines one by one.
‘Is he really planning to do this to everyone?’
Unable to bear it any longer, Ines ventured a timid protest.
“Couldn’t we perhaps introduce them all at once?”
“No.”
Zekard’s tone was oddly resolute.
“Everyone must clearly know who the Duchess of Evanhardt is.”
Only then did Ines grasp the true purpose behind this laborious undertaking.
‘He was looking out for me.’
People had tried to conceal their reservations, but it seemed Zekard had seen through them regardless.
This was indeed important work.
If a lord as respected and trusted as Zekard Evanhardt vouched for Ines himself, even the most dissatisfied among them would have no choice but to accept her.
Yet the more she went through the introductions, the more clearly it appeared to Ines’s eyes.
……Dark clouds were gathering within people’s hearts.
“I think introductions to this extent will suffice.”
Having ensured that Ines was introduced to every Knight present, Zekard left the Training Grounds with her.
The two walked through the castle grounds, talking as they went.
“It won’t be easy at first. For now, let us begin with simpler duties.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Once you’ve settled in, I’ll gradually grant you authority to participate in the administration of the domain.”
“…I’ll do my best with that as well.”
The more she listened, the stranger it all seemed.
‘Why is he entrusting the domain to me?’
Zekard’s plan looked less like handing Evanhardt Castle to her, and more like placing the entire Northern Region into her hands.
It felt odd to say so, but shouldn’t a lord be more careful about that?
‘After all, I’ll be gone a year from now, so I suppose he was simply thinking of my reputation.’
The contract would be over before any serious duties were even delegated.
……surely.
Ines tried her best to ignore the unease settling in her chest.
“I have an engagement today, so I’m afraid I must take my leave. It’s a pity there are still so many places I haven’t visited.”
“Oh, don’t worry about me. Please, go ahead.”
“I’ll make time soon to visit the other areas.”
There was no real need to hurry, but….
Yet Zekard wore the solemn expression of someone fulfilling a sacred duty.
“I shall give it my utmost effort.”
Something about that expression struck her as amusing, and Ines found herself smiling without quite meaning to.
“Thank you for being so kind to me. Zekard is truly a good person.”
At that, Zekard faltered.
‘Did I say something wrong?’
Ines caught the shift in his mood and stiffened slightly.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
“……I am not a good person.”
His face looked so forlorn that Ines rushed to respond.
“That’s not true. You’ve shown me such tremendous kindness.”
Yet his expression remained unchanged.
Zekard forced a smile and spoke gently.
“Please rest. I will see you again later.”
Ines watched his retreating figure in silence.
……Why was he being so kind to her?
For reasons she couldn’t name, her heart stirred uneasily.
Ines pushed the thought away and resumed walking.
She was hurrying back toward her room when it happened.
“……Sob. Sob-sob.”
A faint whimper drifted from somewhere nearby, and Ines stopped in her tracks without thinking.

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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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