Why Is My Husband the Villainous Schemer! - 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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Episode 11
In front of someone so blunt, I found myself momentarily speechless.
“Do you… know what love at first sight is?”
“Love at first sight? How much would that cost?”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
Whatever I say, he seems ready to do anything.
Did he really fall for me at first sight? Or does he have some other ulterior motive?
The thing is, after talking with Carcel, he didn’t seem like a con artist.
‘I wish we’d never gotten entangled in the first place, but at least we signed the contract today because of it.’
Having lost my faith in humanity after dealing with all manner of absurd people, I’d learned to read someone at a glance.
Whether they were good or bad.
But with Carcel alone, I couldn’t tell.
When we talked, he seemed like a decent person who simply didn’t know how to treat women and was just misunderstood.
But his appearance…!
That face of his—looking like some crime boss from the underworld—was clouding my judgment.
His mere presence transformed this ordinary restaurant into something like a remote workshop hidden in the forest where illicit work took place.
I chewed my lip anxiously.
‘Does he genuinely care for me?’
If I felt only a simple attraction to him, I would have proposed a transaction. But this time was different.
Why of all people!
I couldn’t bring myself to broach the subject of a contract marriage with a man who might actually have feelings for me.
…Of course, there was also that tiny, lingering worry that I’d touched the wrong person and might end up buried in a ditch in the middle of the night.
As I hesitated, wrestling with what to say, Carcel calmly spoke.
“Of course, I’m not saying I love Asha with all my heart right now.”
“Right, of course?”
But my relief was premature.
He offered a clear answer with a slight smile.
“I’ve simply fallen for you at first sight.”
One and the same thing!
I let out a small sound and fumbled for words.
“Is it because of what I confessed in the past?”
“When I received your confession… I’m sorry to say, but it didn’t move my heart in any particular way.”
“Then when exactly did you fall for me at first sight? There was no reason to.”
This man had unusual tastes.
Carcel laughed.
“When I saw you again, that’s when.”
But why did he fall for me then?
At his reasons that made no sense, I blinked.
Sensing my questioning gaze, as if I were asking “why,” Carcel answered readily.
“I don’t know the reason. I simply understood, in that moment, what the dictionary definition of love at first sight truly meant.”
“I see.”
“More specifically, I’d say it was the bright vitality in Asha’s eyes, the thoughtfulness woven through her words and actions, and that fawn-like smile of yours—they were beautiful.”
A fawn? What kind of fawn?
His gaze grew distant, as if recalling the moment he first fell, and then Carcel broke into a sudden smile.
That unconscious smile captivated me for a moment.
“…Asha?”
Carcel tilted his head, noticing me staring at him.
“You have the look of someone wanting to flee because you’re feeling pressured.”
I’d been seen through.
I’d seriously considered just getting up from the chair and backing away while saying goodbye.
I gave him an honest nod.
“A little, yes.”
“I was trying to hold back because I care for you, but it seems I’m showing it anyway. I’m sorry.”
He apologized with an awkward expression.
In that moment, something became certain.
‘That man may not be a con artist, but he’s definitely either a lifelong bachelor pretending to be one, or a total playboy.’
He’d said he wasn’t used to dealing with women and this was his first date.
But honestly, everything he’d done so far was skillful.
I’d even suspected whether he was a con artist targeting women!
“If my feelings are too burdensome, I’ll approach you more slowly.”
Even now.
Here was this man who looked dangerous, speaking to me in such a soft, deep voice.
How could I possibly believe he’d never been with another woman?
Carcel made eye contact and smiled faintly.
“I need to make sure that Asha feels comfortable with me and can trust me.”
There was something particularly weighted in the way Carcel spoke those words slowly.
His red eyes, fixed on me from across the table, wavered like blood in water.
While his strange aura stirred caution in me, I also felt drawn to him.
A man who looked so dangerously menacing was showing me such gentle kindness.
My heart fluttered.
“Um, Carcel…”
Just as I opened my mouth, uncomfortable with the tension, a server approached and set the food on the table.
“One charcoal-grilled whole chicken and two bowls of today’s soup, coming right up! Enjoy your meal!”
Suddenly, a delicious aroma wafted from the food before us.
Even though I’d eaten thanks to Carcel earlier, my mouth watered at the savory smell.
“Thank you for the meal.”
“Yes.”
Thanks to Carcel not pressing me about what I’d been about to say, the awkward atmosphere eased somewhat.
He was the quiet type during meals.
But if there was one peculiarity, it was how expertly Carcel wielded a knife.
‘How on earth is he deboning that chicken so well?’
With nothing but a fork and knife, he separated the bones and meat from the whole bird in what felt like seconds.
Then, having neatly arranged the chicken leg meat on a small plate, he set it before me.
“It seemed unladylike for you to eat with your hands, so I’ve separated the meat for you.”
Having witnessed that spectacular chicken dissection, I opened my mouth and asked.
“How did you debone it so cleanly? The skeleton is bare!”
Carcel answered casually to my amazement.
“It’s not particularly difficult. If Asha wishes, I’ll debone anything for you—just ask.”
“…You’re talking about chicken, right?”
Put the knife down when you say things like that.
It sounds like it means something else entirely.
“I’ve never done anything like that to a person, so you needn’t worry.”
Carcel said so with a smile that reached his eyes.
Rather than dig deeper, I began eating the chicken leg meat.
After finishing the chicken deboning, Carcel took a spoonful of the soup.
And his eyes, which had shown little interest in the food until now, widened in surprise.
I found his reaction amusing and laughed brightly.
“What do you think? It’s delicious, right?”
“Just as you said—it’s the kind of broth that clears the soul. The taste is simple, yet the umami…”
He nodded and continued eating the soup.
I also returned my focus to the meal.
Aside from when Carcel briefly left for the restroom, we ate enthusiastically for about twenty minutes before finishing.
At the same time, he greeted me first.
“That was delicious. Thanks to you, I’ve discovered a great restaurant.”
“I’m glad it suited your palate.”
Just as I was about to stand, Carcel spoke.
“Before we go, Asha, there’s something I’d like to ask.”
“What is it?”
I tilted my head, and he asked.
“Don’t you need my help?”
“Pardon?”
“That land you mentioned. There’s something special about it, isn’t there?”
At that, I drew in a sharp breath.
‘Of course, I figured people would find it strange that I wanted to buy such unremarkable land and then split the profits, but…’
I never expected him to pick up on it so quickly, that there was something about that land!
“No, that’s not—”
“As you know, I’m not short on money. Whatever lies on your land, I have no desire for it.”
I broke into a cold sweat again and deliberately avoided his gaze.
Carcel continued carefully.
“And I think it’s only natural that you don’t trust me. But at the same time, consider this:”
“What?”
“You develop that land and gain something profitable from it, while I provide you with the connections or information or assistance you need.”
I just kept blinking.
“…Why?”
“Because I want something from you, Asha.”
Carcel leaned forward and fixed his gaze on me.
With a smile playing at his lips, he said.
“Your time.”
“My time is rather expensive.”
I had planned to look into Carcel’s identity more thoroughly before deciding whether to propose a contract marriage.
So I’d redirected the conversation, but he went even further.
“I thought it might be like that, so… I’ve already paid for today’s meal.”
“What?!”
“You said you’d buy me an even fancier meal next time. So I figured I’d eat your food then.”
Carcel continued with a mischievous tone.

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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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