The Returned Husband Refuses to Divorce - Chapter 7

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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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Ines couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes, and her gaze drifted away.
‘Could the rumors be false?’
If that were true, she could almost understand his grievance. Even if it was all rumor, he’d been mistaken for an unfaithful man—one with a wife, no less.
But then why did he resent her so bitterly? He could simply have clarified things.
“……It seems there’s not a shred of affection left.”
Watching Ines’s confusion, Zeckard laughed bitterly. His murmured words were shadowed, for an instant, by misery and pain.
But it was only a moment—too brief for Ines to catch.
Soon, Zeckard composed himself, smoothing his expression with perfect control.
“I understand. I see what you’re saying, Ines. It appears I bear some responsibility for this situation.”
Zeckard smiled knowingly and spoke with elegant grace, as though he’d never been angry at all.
‘Thank goodness. So he understands now.’
Yet it didn’t take long for her to sense that something was profoundly wrong.
“I apologize for leaving you alone for so long. As your husband, I should fulfill my duties properly from now on.”
“……Duties?”
Zeckard’s smile twisted slightly.
“First, we ought to complete the First Night Ceremony, which has been postponed. I’m willing to proceed immediately.”
Ines gasped despite herself.
“What do you mean……?”
Zeckard explained in an even tone.
“As you know, under imperial law, a marriage is only fully recognized after the First Night Ceremony is conducted. In that respect, our marriage remains incomplete.”
That was precisely why Ines had been pushing for divorce so urgently.
Until now, his absence at war had allowed the matter to drift unresolved, but now that he’d returned, some conclusion had to be reached.
Either the First Night Ceremony would take place, or a divorce would.
Ines, who had never seriously considered the former, found herself unable to comprehend the situation.
‘What on earth is he saying?’
“I acknowledge my fault. Though war provided an excuse, I was indeed an inattentive and inadequate husband to you. The fact that you’ve been considering divorce is entirely my shortcoming.”
Zeckard’s expression grew genuinely sorrowful, as though his heart ached with regret.
Then he fixed her with an intent gaze.
“Now, as your husband, I wish to make amends for this failure. Will you give me one more chance?”
Was it her imagination that he seemed to be emphasizing the word ‘husband’?
Ines, growing flustered, answered hastily.
“You don’t need to do that.”
Zeckard’s eyebrow lifted sharply.
“There’s no need?”
His displeasure was plainly written across his face.
But the moment Ines flinched, he softened his expression as though his irritation had never existed.
“……It seems you’re quite angry with me. Small wonder, really. That too is my fault.”
“No, that’s not what I meant…….”
Heaven knew, among the thousands of scenarios Ines had imagined in her mind, this exact turn of events had not appeared once.
“Though it pains me that you’ve misunderstood me as having another woman, I’ll accept any punishment, for all of it stems from my own failings.”
Faced with that earnest gaze, her words caught in her throat.
‘What in the world…….’
Ines studied her ‘husband’ anew.
His face was certainly the same one she’d married five years ago, yet the person inside felt utterly unfamiliar—like a stranger.
‘Could he have been cursed on the battlefield? Did his soul get exchanged for someone else’s?’
The thought was absurd enough to cross her mind.
Although she hadn’t spent much time conversing with him five years prior, she was certain he hadn’t possessed such a temperament. He’d been more taciturn, sharper…….
Then Zeckard let out a soft laugh.
“Forgive me. I think I’ve been excessive. It’s just been so long since I’ve seen you, and I got carried away.”
With that partial retreat, Ines finally released a breath she hadn’t known she was holding.
“I fully understand your position. However, I don’t believe now is the time to discuss divorce.”
“……Why not?”
In that moment, Zeckard’s eyes gleamed with an odd light.
“Because I still have need of you.”
Need?
Zeckard began to explain to the bewildered Ines.
“I’m sure you understand why I proposed a Contract Marriage five years ago.”
Of course she did. How could she not?
That day would probably stay with her for the rest of her life. Though it had been a transaction, in that moment he’d been her salvation.
“As you said, we married out of necessity. At that time, I needed a wife for the sake of Title Succession. But the truth is, that matter has not yet been resolved.”
Zeckard continued slowly.
“As you already know, there is a final procedure in which the Temple approves Title Succession. They evaluate whether the heir is a ‘morally upright leader with a complete family.'”
Ines, who had been educated at the Temple as a Sainthood Candidate in her childhood, knew this well enough.
It was precisely because of that phrase—”a complete family”—that Zeckard had rushed into marriage five years ago.
But why was he bringing this up now?
“Surely not…….”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Zeckard nodded without hesitation.
“My Title Succession has not yet been completed.”
That couldn’t be right.
Ines was startled by this problem she had never anticipated.
“I only discovered this recently. Upon investigation, it appears the Temple has been delaying final approval for five years under the pretext of my military campaign.”
And it was not difficult to guess why the Temple had done such a thing.
‘It’s a check on his power.’
The ruling class of the Holy Empire Ethila was divided into three major factions.
The Temple.
The Imperial Family.
The Four Sacred Houses.
Of these, the Temple held the highest position in reality, while the other powers maintained balance among themselves.
Even the Imperial Family in this holy empire was merely a puppet of the Temple.
But recently, a fine crack had appeared in this balance.
‘Zeckard Evanhardt has accomplished too great a feat. Too great for even the Temple to ignore.’
Currently, the status of Zeckard and the Evanhardt Knights in the empire was extraordinarily high.
From what she heard, Zeckard had not merely held back the Monster Wave, but had destroyed the core of the Rift itself from which the demons poured forth. It was truly an unprecedented achievement.
“That would certainly be… troublesome.”
Only then did Ines fully understand why he could not divorce.
Now Zeckard desperately needed a wife. Without one, he would have to find some stranger and marry them.
Moreover, Ines was a person with very close ties to the Temple.
No matter that she had failed to become a Sainthood Candidate, the fact that she was of Sartier bloodline—one of the Four Sacred Houses—remained unchanged.
In this situation, if Zeckard divorced Ines, no one could predict what pretext the Temple might seize. The Temple would certainly brand him as an unprincipled wretch who abandoned the companion who stood by him in his hour of need.
“Just one year.”
Zeckard’s low voice echoed.
“Please stay by my side for just one year.”
When she met his eyes—those eyes rippling with an emotion she could not quite name—Ines could not answer hastily.
After a long silence, she finally opened her mouth.
“……I understand your circumstances.”
Ines chose her words with care.
“However, this matter requires further thought. Please give me time to consider.”
Looking only at Zeckard, she wanted to consent. Five years ago, he had saved her; now it was her turn to help him.
But at the same time, reflecting on those five years, she could not simply nod in agreement.
She did not resent Zeckard for his campaign, yet those painful years had not been forgotten. As long as Selena and the servants remained as they were, staying here demanded great courage.
“I understand.”
Fortunately, Zeckard answered readily.
That response was somewhat unexpected. Their contract condition had been “Zeckard’s Title Succession,” so he could have forced Ines to comply by invoking the contract…….
“Ines.”
Before leaving after concluding their conversation, Zeckard called her back.
Zeckard regarded her in silence for a moment, then slowly brought his lips to the back of her hand.
“Whatever choice you make, I will protect you.”
It should have been mere formality.
Yet strangely, that gaze remained etched upon her heart.

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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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