Why Is My Husband the Villainous Schemer! - Chapter 10

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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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Chapter 10
“The thing is, I should have taken you somewhere nicer if I was going to treat you. This place is a favorite spot of mine, but it’s cheap.”
But I’ve only been in this body for two months.
I’ve only been earning real money for one month at that!
It would’ve been more natural not to know a decent restaurant, yet here I was, offering to treat Carcel, and all I could manage was soup.
‘That was a mistake in judgment.’
This isn’t a date anyway, so it should be fine.
I’d lived so breathlessly—never had time to go on dates—that after getting this job, I’d finally thought maybe I could try dating. Then I died.
“I’ve never been to a restaurant with anyone else. …I’m sorry.”
The moment I apologized awkwardly for the slip, the intensity in his gaze deepened.
Instead of responding, he smiled faintly.
“So you’ve never been on a date with anyone else before, is that right?”
“A, a date?”
“A man and woman who were husband and wife just moments ago, riding in a carriage together, having a meal, and then being escorted home. Isn’t that a date?”
Well, technically no. But the way he put it made me feel like garbage for not thinking of it as one.
Seeing my hesitation, Carcel’s expression turned sad.
“I also have never dined at a restaurant with anyone else. I’m glad it was Asha who was my first… I thought this was a date.”
“Alright! Let’s call it a date!”
Surrendering, I heard Carcel finally laugh, a rich sound bubbling up from his throat.
“Asha is truly a good person. The way you give in to everything, even when I’m being unreasonable.”
“If you know you’re being unreasonable, then exercise some restraint.”
“If I don’t push like this, I have a feeling Asha will never give me a chance. I’m forced to be aggressive.”
Having said so, Carcel walked ahead, holding onto my hand that clutched his sleeve.
He knew perfectly well that I was keeping my distance from him.
Yet he’d just confessed that he was deliberately closing that gap, making his moves without restraint.
And it didn’t seem hateful to me, perhaps because—
‘Honestly, it’s probably because he’s handsome and knows not to cross the line.’
If he’d made his intentions obvious or fumbled around greedily, I would’ve ended things long ago.
Carcel never crossed the line I’d set for him.
And that was why his sudden touches and words weren’t uncomfortable for me.
Carcel pulled out the chair for me to sit in, gesturing with a nod.
“Ladies first.”
“Thank you.”
There was undeniable refinement in his every movement. His motions were economical, restrained.
‘There’s something military about the sharp angles of his form.’
Carcel looked up and asked me a question.
“What’s the best dish here? I’d like to try it.”
“The chef’s special soup, freshly baked bread, and marinated charcoal-grilled whole chicken are the best.”
Having come here many times, the menu rolled off my tongue effortlessly.
“Then I’ll have that.”
The way he answered while looking at me as if I were adorable made me feel oddly embarrassed.
‘No matter how oblivious I am, that’s definitely the look of someone who likes me.’
I haven’t had a chance at romance due to circumstances, but it’s not as though I lack experience with people.
“I, I see.”
I placed the order with the approaching server.
“Please allow about twenty minutes.”
“Of course.”
Suddenly, I had twenty minutes on my hands.
‘What should we talk about?’
This situation, which had become like a blind date, felt awkward.
This time—slowly establishing common ground with a stranger, finding their intersection with you—was always the hardest part.
Fortunately, Carcel asked me a question first.
“Are you planning to leave the Earl’s Household?”
“Ah, yes. You saw everything, so you must know.”
“I was honestly impressed. The way you charge toward your goals without hesitation—I genuinely admire that drive.”
“Well, actually, I’ve never been good at just sitting quietly at home. It’s become a habit. Even an hour of rest makes me anxious.”
I’d always lived chased by time.
I’d never had a second chance.
And strangely, Asha Delmore’s life had been the same.
Her birth family couldn’t afford to take her back, and if she returned, they’d likely sell her off to another marriage prospect.
Her future was predictable.
‘Even if Asha Delmore hadn’t died at the hands of Duke Rakan, her fate as a poor, displaced noblewoman wouldn’t have been pleasant.’
Either she’d have entered a convent and spent her life serving others.
Or she’d have had to work as a governess, going from house to house before she got too old.
Either way, she would’ve never escaped poverty.
“I was in a similar situation. Well, actually, I shouldn’t say that to Asha. I grew up wealthy and inherited considerable assets.”
“It does rankle a bit, thinking of those thirty-two bank accounts and five houses.”
Carcel laughed at my teasing tone.
“Actually, I mentioned it because I don’t know how to treat women, so I thought perhaps money might be attractive.”
His ears flushed and he covered his mouth with the back of his hand, looking embarrassed.
Seeing this, some of my wariness faded, and I felt able to be more honest.
“To be frank, I thought you were a strange person. Can I really be completely honest with you?”
“Let me assure you beforehand—I’m not a serial killer.”
“That’s not what I meant. I thought you were a con man.”
“…Me?”
Apparently, while he’d expected to be treated as a serial killer, the con man accusation had caught him off guard.
I counted off my reasons on my fingers, explaining methodically.
“First, you keep flaunting your wealth without my asking, and you’re always trying to buy me things. It’s strange, right?”
“That’s just…”
Carcel’s expression deflated.
I pressed on while the words were flowing.
“Con artists seduce people with flashy things and then pretend to be in trouble to get money, or they try to get you to invest. You know?”
“Now that I think about it, you’re right.”
What do you mean ‘now that you think about it’?
He’d apparently never even considered it, muttering softly. I let out a small laugh.
“Don’t ever do that again. Especially with women.”
“…May I be honest as well?”
I nodded at him.
Then Carcel moved his lips a few times before smiling and saying firmly.
“I have no intention of doing such things with anyone but Asha.”
“Um… yes.”
Hearing him speak so seriously, I glanced away and found myself thinking.
‘Why is he so interested in me? Just because of that confession?’
Sensing my discomfort, Carcel continued playfully.
“And if Asha wishes, I’d be willing to sign over those thirty-two bank accounts and five houses.”
At that, I mischievously extended both hands to him.
“Give them to me.”
“…Only if you marry me.”
“Hold on. We’ve barely had a conversation—are we already talking about marriage?”
“Isn’t having a conversation before marriage, then entering a wedding hall, just being lucky?”
Carcel asked as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
‘Oh right, this is a romance fantasy world.’
Not medieval, but transitioning into modernity—still a world where relationships between men and women remain conservative.
Just as it had been for Asha Delmore: if the parents agreed, people would go straight to a wedding without properly even having a conversation the day before.
“I’ve already done this once, so I doubt the Marquis Household would want me.”
I was subtly probing to see if he wanted something beyond mere emotion.
But Carcel opened up about his situation more readily than I’d expected.
“My mother wants to marry me off, but I’ve been refusing as the head of the household.”
“If I may ask, how old are you?”
“Twenty-four.”
It was prime age, but here it would be considered rather late for marriage.
Especially since I was only twenty and had been told marriage wasn’t early for me.
“She must be in quite a hurry then.”
“However, I made myself a promise long ago.”
He spoke as if sharing a secret with me.
“Not a single one of my ancestors married for love.”
“Not even once?”
“Not once. Not a single ancestor had any affection between spouses.”
“But how is that even possible, living under the same roof…?”
Carcel laughed at my murmur.
“That’s why I decided to break that curse. I will find a woman I truly love and marry her.”
“Ah…”
…Wait. This man just proposed to me!
I lifted my head to look at him, and Carcel nodded in agreement.
“That’s why I want to marry Asha.”
And with that, he’d declared his intentions!

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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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