Why Is My Husband the Villainous Schemer! - Chapter 14

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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 14
I extended my hand toward Linea.
The child grasped it more naturally than before, holding firm.
All the while, Linea’s gaze remained fixed on the Dress she wore and her gleaming Shoes.
She tried not to show it, but her eyes sparkled so brightly that it was obvious she was delighted.
‘Every coin spent was worth it. Heh.’
I checked the time and spoke to Linea.
“If we eat nearby now and head to House Anexa, the timing will be perfect.”
“We’re eating too?”
“My stomach is growling so loudly I really want to eat. Aren’t you hungry?”
I remembered how Linea had tugged gently at the hem of my Dress while we were paying, clearly anxious.
Her mother-in-law talked so much about money in front of the child that the girl had grown to understand that even a single meal cost something, and the burden weighed on her.
“I’m a little hungry, but it’s fine.”
The moment she spoke, her stomach growled so loudly it was unmistakable. At the same time, her cheeks flushed crimson.
I bit my lips firmly to contain myself.
If I laughed now, the distance between us would only grow again, wouldn’t it?
I quickly changed the subject.
“Oh, that must have been my stomach. I’m absolutely starving. Come on, let’s get something to eat!”
In the end, Linea followed me by the hand to the Fine Restaurant.
This place must be new to her too.
No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t help but resent the current House Delmore and my mother-in-law.
“This is really delicious.”
Linea spoke up more than before, praising the taste.
I beamed at her, eyes crinkling.
“Eat as much as you like. It’s all yours.”
“Thank you. P-please, try this too!”
Thinking we’d grown a little closer, Linea worked up the courage to push a plate of lamb toward me.
The moment it touched my tongue, I was so surprised by how delicious it was that my eyes widened—and she’d barely eaten any of it before giving it all to me.
For some reason, I felt as though I’d received something precious, and I thanked her for it.
“Thank you.”
Even now, at this restaurant she’d never visited before, she ate everything without complaint and with such relish.
‘Come to think of it, it wasn’t just money. Mother-in-law told her that girls need to have good manners from an early age, so she fed her less too.’
Even as my heart grew heavier, I smiled faintly at Linea.
After finishing our meal with Linea, we boarded the carriage again, bound for Anexa Manor.
“What do you like, Linea?”
Since we’d never had much time alone together before, I wanted to learn about Linea’s preferences, things that didn’t appear in the original story.
Linea hesitated at the unfamiliar question, taking her time to respond.
I waited with patience.
But the answer that finally came was exactly what I’d expected.
“……I’m not sure.”
“Really?”
Well, you can’t know what you like or dislike without having experienced things.
I brightened my tone deliberately, so Linea wouldn’t withdraw into herself again.
“Not knowing is a good thing. It means you have plenty of opportunities ahead to discover what you like.”
At my words, Linea lifted her head and looked at me.
I smiled at her as warmly as I could.
“I know I must seem strange and hard to trust. But I’m your stepmother now, and I swear I will never leave you, no matter what.”
“…….”
Linea didn’t answer.
But I could tell. She’d opened her heart to me, at least a little.
Because she’d unclenched her lips, which had been worrying at themselves.
“It’s not that. ……I believe you.”
“Really?”
The child nodded vigorously, her small head bobbing.
Watching that little head shake, I felt a warm, proud smile bloom across my face.
“Thank you. For believing in me.”
Here was a child who’d suffered yet could still open her heart to an adult. Suddenly, she seemed remarkable to me.
I never could have done the same.
“We’ve arrived!”
With those words, the carriage came to a stop.
I extended my hand to Linea again and asked, “Ready to go in?”
“Shall we?”
* * *
Linea entered the manor holding her stepmother’s hand.
Anexa Manor, which she’d visited before, looked different from last year.
It seemed to have been refurbished, with new decorations and flowers throughout.
Normally, when Linea came here, she would be dressed the same as always, ill-suited to the atmosphere.
But this year, something was different about Linea. She wore a new Dress, and…….
For the first time, like other children with their mothers, she arrived holding her stepmother’s hand rather than her grandmother’s.
If she were honest, she hadn’t wanted to come.
After all, even if she showed up, children her age would have no interest in her, and she could plainly see them glancing and whispering.
Linea, who’d grown up reading the room, could never have been unaware that she was an outsider here, something foreign to this world.
Though her appearance had grown similar to the other children, she knew her inner self remained unchanged.
‘What will really change?’
It would be nice to make even one friend.
But she couldn’t quite summon the courage to approach anyone first.
That was when it happened.
“Hello there!”
* * *
“Good afternoon, everyone!”
Asha, meanwhile, entered the Conservatory where the Tea Party was being held with a radiant smile and greeted the assembled guests.
“From this year onward, I’ll be joining you as Linea’s guardian.”
After all, everyone knew about the scandal—House Delmore’s patriarch had died of sudden apoplexy a month ago at his mistress’s house.
And they all knew about the young widow from that household too.
Since everyone already knew Asha anyway, rather than introduce herself formally to each person, she simply smiled brightly.
Still, people’s eyes held uncertainty as they looked at her.
House Delmore’s reputation wasn’t particularly good to begin with.
The previous matriarch of House Delmore, Urigella, had come as a guardian and spent the entire day talking about herself.
Granted, High Society had a rather mercenary bent, but there were standards of basic courtesy.
However, Urigella had earned a reputation for lacking tact.
“Oh my, Lady Delmore. Your Dress today suits you wonderfully. Blue is such a rare color to wear well.”
But Asha was different.
Contrary to the rumors circulating about her, she offered genuine, enthusiastic praise.
And fortunately, the Countess of Anexa, who was hosting the Tea Party today, received Asha with kindness.
“Lady Delmore, did you and Linea match your Dresses intentionally? It’s absolutely lovely.”
“Oh, how did you know?”
Asha delighted in the surprise, and the Countess of Anexa nodded, offering more praise.
“Linea looks so adorable in pink too. And that pin in her hair—isn’t it the height of fashion right now?”
“You have excellent taste, Countess Anexa. I actually brought matching Jeweled Pins as gifts.”
Asha had been studying High Society diligently.
The Countess of Anexa was particularly well-regarded these days and had an extensive network.
Otherwise, she’d never have hosted the children’s first Tea Party at her residence.
Asha was determined to win the Countess’s favor.
She wanted to appear eager to befriend her, but not so much as to be burdensome.
And the key was to provide a natural reason to draw closer.
A thoughtfully chosen gift that matched current fashion was the first step.
“Once I put one on Linea, I realized that pretty girls really do look even more charming decorated with these pins.”
Asha released Linea’s hand, which she’d been holding.
Then she gently stroked Linea’s hair, drawing the Countess’s gaze.
The Countess of Anexa smiled softly at Linea.
Linea seemed surprised but accepted Asha’s touch gracefully.
After having drawn sufficient attention, Asha presented the gift she held in her other hand to the Countess.
“That’s why I wanted to give this to you as a token of my gratitude for inviting Linea.”
“Oh, there’s no need for that.”
Since it was a Jeweled Pin of considerable value, the Countess demurred politely.
To her refusal, Asha spoke with practiced charm.
“When I saw your daughter last time, I thought she was quite lovely and of excellent character. And actually, our Linea is also quite thoughtful and composed for her age, so…….”
In short: introduce your daughter to my daughter, won’t you.

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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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