Why Is My Husband the Villainous Schemer! - Chapter 15

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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 15
Generally, if you want to be accepted into any group, you need to impress the leader.
Asha smiled knowingly.
“If Linea could spend time with a lady like Eloi, who serves as a model for everyone, perhaps our Linea would grow into such a refined young woman as well.”
The corners of the Aneksa Count House matriarch’s mouth twitched upward at the praise of her daughter.
Asha continued her subtle compliments about Eloi without pause.
“I’ve always regretted that Linea didn’t have an admirable friend her own age to look up to and learn from.”
“Hmm, well, our Eloi is a good child. Eloi! Come over here, dear.”
A tall girl in a blue dress stepped across from Linea.
“Eloi, as you know, this is Linea, the eldest daughter of the Delmore Count House. She wishes to give you a gift.”
Eloi gazed down at Linea with the same composed expression as her mother.
With her advanced physique for her age, she appeared nearly like an older sister compared to Linea.
Asha handed the gift she’d brought to the nervous Linea.
“Linea, would you like to give the gift to your friend yourself?”
“Oh, yes!”
Though she’d attended such social gatherings before, never once had Linea personally handed a gift to anyone.
Linea extended the gift to Eloi with trembling hands.
“Young Miss Aneksa, this is for you.”
“Thank you.”
She’d been certain that Eloi would dislike the gift.
Receiving it more kindly than expected, Linea found her courage and spoke.
“You’re so beautiful, Miss Aneksa, that wearing ornaments like these will make you shine even brighter.”
“You’re too kind. These suit the Delmore Count House young lady far better.”
Eloi did not reject Linea’s awkward attempt at conversation.
Instead, she turned to address Linea directly.
“You can call me Eloi—there’s no need for formality.”
“I’m Linea!”
Asha looked down at Linea, whose expression had grown considerably brighter than before, with quiet satisfaction.
As in the original story, Linea always wished for this.
—If only I had close friends and a reliable family, like everyone else.
From Asha’s perspective, Eloi was the person whose temperament suited Linea best.
She was calm like an older sister, stable in her emotions, and fair-minded.
Eloi made a suggestion to the shy Linea.
“Shall we go have some tea? The Cold Infusion Flower Tea served at the Aneksa Count House is quite popular in the capital.”
“I’d love to. I’ve really wanted to try it.”
Watching Linea, now brimming with vitality, Asha gently nudged the girl forward.
Linea soon followed Eloi toward where her friends gathered.
Observing them, Asha turned to greet the Aneksa Count House matriarch.
“Thank you for inviting Linea.”
“Not at all. It was clear that Linea is a kind child. With you, the Delmore Count House matriarch, here this year, things are much better.”
The Aneksa Count House matriarch had grown inwardly weary of Yuri Gella, who spent the entire day prattling on about her own accomplishments.
Asha, too, naturally began to follow the matriarch and be introduced to the other ladies.
Originally, Linea would have grown far more despondent during today’s Tea Party.
This is because Asha would scold Linea harshly in front of everyone in a deliberate display.
It was also partly a matter of venting frustration from a scolding she’d received from her mother-in-law that morning.
Asha shook her head internally as she considered this.
‘The problem is that because of this, the Aneksa Count House matriarch began to view the Delmore Count House unfavorably, sending invitations late or excluding them from gatherings altogether.’
As a result, Linea’s already limited social connections would be further severed, leaving her trapped in a closed environment with only her abusive family.
‘Eventually she meets the Crown Prince by chance, and he saves her, which sets events in motion.’
Today, in any case, Asha would have had no reason to humiliate Linea in front of others.
Still, she was grateful not to fall from the Aneksa Count House matriarch’s favor.
With so many close connections, if the matriarch took a dislike to her, few in the capital would wish to invite Linea to their gatherings.
Even as Asha conversed with the ladies, she continued to watch over Linea.
Linea still seemed unfamiliar with the setting, but she was making an effort to blend in with the other children.
With a sense of quiet pride, Asha was able to bring the Tea Party to a smooth close.
* * *
After returning Linea, whose expression had grown noticeably brighter, home, I set about my next task.
‘I need to verify whether Karsel Ribandale truly exists and whether his appearance matches the description.’
In truth, my effort to grow closer to the other ladies at today’s party was partly for Linea’s sake, but also to gather information about Karsel.
Apart from families like the Rakan Duke House, which embraced a mystique-first approach, the narrow circle of nobility was largely acquainted with one another.
I pushed open the door of the still-closed pub and stepped inside.
“Master!”
I waved to the Master of the Information Guild, who turned his head toward me.
“What brings you here today?”
“I’m not here to sell information—rather, I’d like to inquire about someone on my behalf.”
The eyes behind the mask glanced sideways at me.
I shook my head.
“He’s not a dangerous person. I’d like to know about the Ribandale Marquis. If possible, quickly.”
At the mention of the Ribandale Marquis, the Master’s eyes narrowed.
I proceeded to describe Karsel’s appearance, the first detail I wanted to verify.
“And I’d also like to confirm whether his distinctive features match: black hair, red eyes, tall and broad-shouldered, and handsome.”
“The Ribandale Marquis, understood.”
The Master set down the glass he’d been polishing and disappeared through the door leading to the kitchen.
After a moment of bustle, he emerged and approached me.
“You can review the information here before you leave. As for appearance, while there’s no portrait, the black hair, red eyes, and the fact that he’s a very intimidating yet handsome man all match.”
“Thank you. The payment is here.”
After handing over the money, I received the documents he offered and scanned through them rapidly.
‘Ordinary, isn’t he?’
The file even contained detailed information about Karsel’s wealth and his personal relationships.
And much of what was written matched what Karsel himself had told me.
I looked at the Master with skepticism.
“But you’re certain there were no engagements or romantic relationships?”
“Are you doubting the information-gathering capabilities of our guild?”
“No, it’s just that no matter how I think about it, he seems like the womanizing type…”
According to what was written here, Karsel had had no interaction with women whatsoever.
While there were no detailed records of his childhood, he’d apparently spent his youth at a foreign boarding school, entering High Society as an adult.
‘So he really was a lifelong bachelor after all.’
Based on this alone, there was nothing suspicious about his identity—he was exactly as he’d described himself.
I returned the documents to the Master and asked him another question.
“How’s your illness? You’ve improved some, haven’t you?”
In truth, it had only been a few days, so the treatment likely hadn’t had much effect yet, but I decided to ask anyway.
“To be honest, I didn’t believe it would work, but contrary to my expectations, each morning I wake with less chest tightness and feel more refreshed.”
“Just wait a bit longer. Once you reach the time to transition, I’ll also teach you the second stage of the treatment.”
At my words, the Master let slip a small smile.
“Is the Delmore Count House matriarch perhaps becoming a Diviner?”
“Ah, that’s a trade secret.”
I figured it would be best if he simply assumed I was.
At least I’d confirmed that Karsel was indeed the Ribandale Marquis. Now the next step was simple.
“Hello?”
I called the communication number written on the business card Karsel had given me to arrange our next meeting.
It might seem strange for a fantasy world to have telephones, but the precise term is Magical Communication Device.
The Caldtran Empire is set after the Industrial Revolution has already begun.
While the telephone was actually invented in the later stages of the Industrial Revolution, this world develops through Magical Engineering instead, so in some ways it advances even faster.
The Magical Communication Device is one such example.
Of course, the device I’m using now works like a public telephone—you deposit money to use it temporarily.
But wealthy people like Karsel can own one at home.
[I’m listening.]
The connection to Karsel was established immediately.
* * *
“My lord.”
Karsel slowly opened his eyes at the sound of Matt’s voice calling him.

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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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