The Returned Husband Refuses to Divorce - Chapter 22

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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 Temple…….
This banquet was essentially an internal affair of the Territory for the Evanhardt Knights, so the diplomatic delegation was not large.
The proper victory celebration would be held in the Capital several months hence.
Accordingly, the Temple had chosen to send only one high priestess and a few junior priestesses to serve as attendants, rather than dispatching a large contingent.
……And Ines was acquainted with most of the Temple’s high priestesses.
‘Was the one coming this time Helien?’
Helien Bron.
A woman in her mid-thirties who had followed the elite path since childhood, she was a prominent figure of the Temple.
“I think it would be best if I attend to her.”
Though the Temple proclaimed equality, the priestesses were implicitly ranked.
And Helien Bron was unmistakably among the highest.
‘She’s directly under the Pope.’
In the North, only Ines possessed the mastery of Temple protocol necessary to receive someone of Helien’s caliber. So this was a task she alone could undertake.
……No matter how reluctant.
“Will you be all right?”
“I’m sorry?”
Ines blinked.
“Of course. It’s Temple business. I should do it.”
But Jecad’s expression did not ease.
“You need not insist on it.”
The words took her by surprise, leaving her momentarily speechless.
“This isn’t a matter of choice. I’m a duchess and a Temple-born woman—it’s only fitting that I receive the guest.”
“Such matters are irrelevant.”
Jecad stopped in his tracks and met her gaze directly.
“I have no intention of forcing upon you anything you do not wish to do.”
It was a strange thing indeed.
Ines’s life had always consisted of duty or prohibition, nothing more.
No one had ever asked what she wanted.
“Really, it’s fine. I want to be useful too.”
She smiled, though her words were tinged with falsehood.
“And if I don’t step forward now, people will think it odd. They’ll say the duchess isn’t fulfilling her obligations.”
Especially at this banquet, how Ines conducted herself would determine whether she could be properly recognized as a duchess.
Jecad had likely suggested they receive the guest together for precisely this reason.
Jecad regarded her silently for a moment.
Then, without prolonging the conversation, he resumed walking.
“……Very well. But please tell me at any time if you have a change of heart.”
Ines exhaled in relief.
‘Thank goodness he didn’t press further.’
A fleeting shadow crossed her face before vanishing.
The truth was, she was genuinely uneasy about this.
Helien Bron was the priestess who had overseen the education of Saint candidates—she was, in a sense, Ines’s mentor.
Everything Ines knew of protocol and knowledge came from her instruction.
……Instruction that had been rigorous and merciless.
‘It’s fine. She’s not my superior anymore.’
She had deferred to Helien when she belonged to the Temple, but now, as a duchess, there was no reason to fear her.
As they drew near the Reception Room, Jecad halted before entering.
“If it becomes difficult or you find you don’t wish to continue, you may stop at any moment.”
Could Jecad possibly know something?
Ines wondered for a moment, but it seemed unlikely. Temple matters were never revealed to outsiders.
Yet his evident support for her eased her tension.
“I understand. Thank you for your concern.”
Jecad gazed at her steadily, as though committing her smile to memory.
* * *
The Imperial delegation had arrived.
“Ah, it has been ages. Duke Evanhardt.”
The man’s name was Roderick Carlisle—one of the Capital nobility and an intimate of the Emperor.
‘A more consequential figure than I expected.’
The Carlisle house had risen rapidly since Roderick assumed leadership; the man himself mattered more than the family’s established prestige.
The impeccably groomed middle-aged man smiled warmly and extended his hand.
“Haven’t we only recently crossed paths in the Capital?”
“Over a month has passed already, so it feels like ages ago.”
Roderick laughed heartily.
“Your face has brightened considerably, Duke.”
The conversation was unguarded. Given what had happened with Enrique before, Ines found herself wondering if Jecad might actually be quite close to the Emperor’s side.
“So this is the Duchess.”
Roderick then placed one hand over his chest and bowed formally.
“It is an honor to meet you for the first time, Duchess Evanhardt. I am Roderick Carlisle. I am delighted to make your acquaintance.”
Ines tilted her head lightly.
“Pleasure to meet you, Count Carlisle.”
As Duchess, this was her first official guest, and she had worried—but the warmth in his manner put her at ease.
“Well then, let us enjoy some pleasant conversation after so long!”
Roderick guided the talk with an unfailingly genial demeanor throughout.
He possessed a gift for keeping others entertained with light wit while never overstepping a line.
“Now that I think of it, His Majesty speaks of the Duke quite often these days.”
“Nothing flattering, I imagine.”
“Ha! Just as I’d expect you to say.”
Roderick laughed with genuine warmth.
“He used to follow orders so well, but the moment the war ended, he was off doing as he pleased—complaining all the while, mind you. And now, departing so hastily for his Territory? What was the rush?”
“Is there some reason there shouldn’t be?”
“None whatsoever. Though His Majesty felt rather slighted. He wondered how his old comrade could treat him so.”
Ines sipped her tea quietly, listening to their exchange. She found it curious to see Jecad conversing with such ease.
That was when it happened.
Knock, knock.
“Pardon the interruption.”
The woman who entered was the head maid.
She hesitated for a moment before approaching Ines and lowering her voice.
“My lady, there is a matter requiring your attention.”
“Mine?”
“Yes. It concerns the preparations for receiving guests from the Temple.”
Ah.
Ines nodded at once.
“Very well.”
Rising from her seat, Ines turned to Roderick for permission.
“Would you excuse me for a moment?”
“Of course. Please don’t concern yourself.”
Roderick waved his hand with a smile.
“If anything, I’ve kept you far too long. Rattling on endlessly, as it were.”
“I’ll be back shortly.”
Jecad made to stand as well.
“I’ll come with you.”
“No, thank you.”
Ines quickly stopped him.
“It’s just nearby. Only a quick confirmation is needed.”
Jecad seemed displeased but did not insist further. Ines followed the head maid out of the Reception Room.
Fortunately, the matter proved to be simple enough.
Ines gave the head maid several specific instructions in accordance with Temple protocols.
‘I should hurry back.’
No matter how little there was to say, she couldn’t leave their guest unattended for long. As Duchess, she had a duty to maintain appearances.
Ines quickened her pace.
The Corridor was quiet as she made her way back.
Most of the household staff had gone below in preparation for the evening’s festivities, so there were fewer people about than usual.
‘It does seem to be going smoothly so far.’
She had worried somewhat about the unsettling atmosphere among the servants lately, yet nothing untoward had occurred.
Then again, they disliked only Ines; they revered Jecad like a god. Since this gathering was for him and his knights, they would be careful not to spoil it.
It was just as she turned the corner of the Corridor.
Tap-tap.
The sound of heels striking the floor reached her ears.
Ines looked up absently.
The Temple’s uniform caught her eye first.
Pristine white and gold.
A familiar emblem.
‘A Priestess?’
Had she arrived already?
According to Jecad, there was still time.
Even as these thoughts crossed her mind, Ines’s gaze lifted — and froze.
……
The woman before her had seen her too.
Hair the color of burnt umber, drawn back with meticulous precision.
The robes of a Priestess without a single thread out of place.
Eyes sharp as they had always been, unchanged by the years that had passed.
Helien Bron.
In that instant, Ines’s mind went blank.
‘Ah.’
She couldn’t breathe.
This was wrong.
Just moments ago, she had been fine……
Ines repeated it to herself over and over: she was no longer a young Saint candidate.
She no longer needed to watch Helien’s mood, or seek her approval.
And yet.
“Ines.”
The instant she heard that familiar voice, her body went rigid.
〈Stand up straight.〉
Her spine straightened of its own accord.
〈Chin up.〉
Her jaw clenched.
〈You’ve failed again.〉
Her fingertips turned cold.
〈How do you expect to become a Saint if you cannot manage even this?〉
……
She needed to breathe.
But her chest felt sealed shut, and the air wouldn’t come.
“It has been a long time.”
Helien was there, regarding her with eyes that were terribly, achingly cold.

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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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