Why Is My Husband the Villainous Schemer! - Chapter 12

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 12
‘How meticulous that person is.’
In other words, he’d deliberately settled the bill to ensure there’d be another meal together.
I shook my head slightly.
“There’s no stopping you.”
“Beyond that, honestly, I don’t want to freeload off someone I care for. To be frank…….”
He spoke with a note of self-deprecation.
“The truth is, I’m far more desperate for time with Asha than Asha is desperate for time with me.”
“That sounds a bit odd. I was grateful today too—thanks to you, my work went smoothly without any problems.”
I should have realized it earlier when he said he was going to the restroom.
“You won’t have to do this in the future.”
“I understand. But it troubles me that right now, we have no reason to meet unless I buy us a meal.”
Carsel maintained his brazen composure.
“So I’ve been trying to create such a reason.”
“This time only, then.”
For now, my plan was to gather information about Duke Libandel from the Information Guild first, and if anything seemed amiss, I’d cut ties without hesitation.
He nodded obediently.
“I’m truly fortunate that Asha is such a kind person.”
Even as I felt strongly that I’d been duped, I eventually rose from my seat.
“That was delicious.”
After all, without Carsel’s help, I wouldn’t have closed that contract so smoothly.
“I’m really grateful to you, ……Carsel.”
I offered my thanks with a small smile.
Then Carsel studied me for a moment with unreadable eyes before……finally tearing his gaze away.
“Why?”
“It’s nothing. May I escort you home? Or is there somewhere else you need to go?”
“No. I’d like to head back early and rest today.”
I’d finished a major task, and tomorrow I had an important matter to attend to.
It was one of the crucial events for Renea, so I couldn’t afford to be absent.
‘I’ll need to be up and moving early tomorrow morning!’
As Carsel and I emerged from the restaurant, the Black Carriage drew near as if recognizing us.
With his help once more, I returned to the Del Moore Estate.
Taking Carsel’s hand as he descended first, I climbed down and bade him farewell.
“Thank you for today. In every way.”
He hesitated, his lips parting soundlessly several times before he finally spoke.
“Asha.”
He called my name with newfound ease.
“From now on, I won’t appear carelessly in front of your home unless you call me first.”
“Ah……, yes.”
It seemed he’d decided I found him burdensome.
In truth, I had been somewhat flustered.
But today everything had worked out well, so the atmosphere remained warm enough.
He continued, looking down at me.
“So I’ll wait.”
Unable to respond, I could only look up at him as Carsel whispered his final words.
“Until the day you call me first.”
In that moment, the scent of Carsel’s cologne brushed past my nose as he stepped back.
My mouth half-open in surprise, I remained rooted to the spot as he climbed back into the carriage.
The coachman descended, shut the door, and the carriage soon rolled away.
I stood there for a moment in a daze before hastily shaking my head.
Get your head on straight! This is no time to be swayed by a man!
“I need to wake up at six tomorrow, so I’d better wash up and get to bed early.”
Muttering to myself, I deliberately turned my gaze away from the departing carriage and entered the Del Moore Estate.
* * *
The next morning at seven o’clock.
True to form, the moment seven struck, my mother-in-law unlocked my locked bedroom door and let herself in.
Leading in a maid, she strutted about with triumph and raised her voice.
“You! The sun’s already high in the sky and you’re still lying about lazily asleep……!”
“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
I was already dressed and put-together, and I smiled cheerfully at her.
I’d known she’d come at this hour.
May marked the beginning of the Social Season in earnest.
Which meant the young lord of the Del Moore Household and my mother-in-law both became busy.
And that’s why she’d left me to board here in this house.
Asha Del Moore’s actual role in the original narrative was closer to that of a nursemaid.
My mother-in-law thought that teaching a girl the bare minimum of etiquette was sufficient.
But for appearances’ sake, social activities had to be observed, so I’d taken on the role of accompanying Renea and managing her schedule.
‘My mother-in-law is quite concerned with others’ eyes.’
Renea’s spring Social Season activities would begin with the Tea Party hosted by the Annexa Count Family, with whom the Del Moore Household had some connection.
And the original narrative did include a conflict between my mother-in-law and Asha Del Moore on this day.
Because I knew of the incident beforehand, I was spared from any embarrassment this morning.
I kept my expression serene as I spoke to my bewildered mother-in-law.
“Today Renea has a mandatory Tea Party to attend, isn’t that right? I’ve prepared everything in advance, so don’t worry.”
“What on earth……!”
Despite my mother-in-law’s obvious fluster, I smiled brightly without concern.
“It’s three o’clock this afternoon, correct? We’re going to the Annexa Count Residence?”
“Y, yes.”
“Then would you mind stepping out? I need to prepare.”
“Er……? O, okay.”
As I rose from the bed with a grin, my mother-in-law flinched and began backing away cautiously.
I knew something I absolutely shouldn’t have known, and she was thoroughly alarmed.
Moreover, every maid in the Del Moore Estate was a sycophant devoted to my mother-in-law.
So how did I know this information?
‘She can only suspect that one of her own people is a spy.’
For my mother-in-law, who demanded that everything in this household be under her control, this was a deeply unsettling situation.
The maids exchanged suspicious glances with one another.
I spoke to them once more.
“And Mother, after Renea’s Tea Party ends, shall we go together to the Dinner Party at the Murin Marquis Residence this evening—just the two of us, nicely?”
“……How do you know my schedule?”
“Oh! It’s because I’m always paying such close attention to you, Mother!”
I smiled brightly and artlessly, scrunching up my eyes.
“There’s nothing about you I don’t know.”
As I stared intently at her, my mother-in-law’s earlier bravado completely deflated.
“You’re truly strange. People say you’ve bewitched your own husband—that’s why he dropped dead!”
I put on an innocent, sorrowful expression.
“How could you say such a thing to a widow grieving her suddenly departed husband?”
My mother-in-law shuffled backward.
I spread my arms toward her and spoke.
“Now that you mention it like that, it suddenly feels real that he’s gone. Please, comfort me.”
“Nonsense! I should leave now.”
“Mother! Please hold me!”
Faced with my unconvincing display of affection, my mother-in-law abandoned the maid and beat a dishonorable retreat from the room.
With the commander fleeing in terror, the maids followed suit, rushing out after her.
“What a shame.”
Left alone in my empty room once more, I simply smacked my lips wistfully.
My mother-in-law was handled well enough. Now I needed to look after Renea and head to the Tea Party.
I’d earned the money for this very day.
I grinned, lifting my lips into a smirk.
At last, it was time to customize my favorite character!
At ten o’clock in the morning, I knocked on Renea’s door.
Renea already knew I’d be her companion today.
“Are you dressed, dear? Shall we go now?”
I asked in an animated voice, and through the door came a sense of hesitation.
The girl feared her grandmother’s commands above all else.
She must have known that today she’d have no choice but to face me.
“Renea?”
But today, even if I wanted to give her time, the schedule was tight.
As I knocked several more times, urging her, Renea finally cracked the door open.
The girl looked thoroughly cowed.
I lowered myself to one knee and met her eyes as I greeted her.
“Hello, Renea.”
If Renea had had cat ears, they would have stuck straight up on her round head, betraying her fear completely.
“We need to go to the Tea Party at the Annexa Count Residence with me today. Are you all ready?”
“A, not yet. Since it’s at three o’clock…….”
“Before then, there’s somewhere we need to go together. Let’s head out and get some food! I’ll buy you something delicious.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————