Why Is My Husband the Villainous Schemer! - Chapter 26

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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 26
Carcel’s mother seems to be the type who raises her son rather strictly.
Still, it’s not as though Carcel is lacking in anything.
Of course, he does look quite intimidating.
And the way he charges straight ahead, ignoring all obstacles—that took some getting used to at first.
But thinking about it, he doesn’t seem like someone accustomed to dealing with people!
Still, he’s doing his very best in his own way!
Even now, he’s desperately shielding his face with his palm, hoping that we would find him and the Duchy comfortable.
‘He must know that Linea is my priority whenever I think about my relationship with him.’
Carcel led us forward again, guiding us toward the Mansion.
“If you climb these stairs, you’ll find a shortcut that leads directly into the Mansion. Please be careful not to trip.”
The Mansion was so vast that the staircase itself was quite long and steep.
I thought it would be more dangerous to hold hands while climbing, so I released Linea’s hand and let her go first.
As Carcel watched us, he began explaining enthusiastically about the meal prepared for today.
“I asked them to prepare a separate lunch menu for your daughter. They said they’d chop the vegetables finely and keep the seasoning light, suitable for children.”
“Really? They’d go that far?”
Seeing something like that, I wasn’t sure whether to call it doing his best or simply being meticulous.
He held his palm to the side of his face and turned only his head toward us as he continued speaking.
“Since there’s no lady of the house, the cook has had little reason for social gatherings or much work to do, so he’s been especially thrilled about developing a children’s menu.”
“I’m glad it’s not been a bother then.”
I nodded as I said so.
But that was when it happened.
Linea, who had been walking ahead up the stairs from the Garden toward the Mansion, mistepped halfway up.
“Aaah!”
“Linea!”
Linea had been excited since earlier.
‘I should have warned her.’
Of course, I was running forward from behind, trying to catch Linea—
Thump.
Even though Carcel was farther away and had been walking ahead, he somehow swept up Linea, who was falling behind him.
“What?”
His hand was covering his eyes, so he shouldn’t have been able to see properly.
Carcel turned his body toward me, who was blinking in shock.
“There’s no need to worry. I’ve caught your daughter.”
He held Linea as though she were no heavier than a feather, and his expression seemed perfectly calm.
Carcel seemed like a father who had instinctively sensed his child was about to get hurt.
I asked with a startled face.
“How did you even know? You couldn’t have seen anything.”
“I’m confident that my physical abilities are second to no one.”
That does sound about right.
I realized belatedly that my fingertips were trembling. So I hid my quivering hands and hurried over to Linea.
“Thank goodness. Linea, are you alright?”
Unlike Carcel, who remained unperturbed, Linea looked shocked—not just at nearly falling, but at finding herself suddenly in his arms.
“Eep!”
“You’re okay, Linea. You didn’t get hurt?”
Carcel turned his head desperately so that Linea could see me.
Then Linea looked at me and nodded.
“I’m fine.”
“Thank heavens, sweetheart. On stairs this high, a fall could be quite serious.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize—just be careful not to hurt yourself, alright?”
I gazed at Linea’s bright face and let my worry show.
“Yes! I’ll be more careful next time.”
Linea fidgeted with her fingers, her face showing remorse at my words.
I gently patted Linea’s hair.
I breathed a sigh of relief that the child hadn’t been hurt.
By the way, Carcel remained absolutely still throughout our conversation.
Even though Linea is small, she’s already ten years old.
I find it somewhat taxing to hold her for long, yet Carcel still showed no sign of effort whatsoever.
“Carcel, isn’t she heavy? She’s not a newborn, after all.”
“It seems your daughter is as slender as you, Asha. There’s hardly any weight to her.”
His matter-of-fact expression suggested he meant it sincerely.
“Since Linea might stumble again, could you hold her just until we reach the top of the stairs?”
“Of course.”
He began climbing again without any difficulty, Linea still in his arms.
I kept pace with him as we ascended, when he asked me something quite seriously.
“Would it be advisable to undertake renovation work to scale down the house for your daughter?”
“I’m sorry?”
“The Garden and the house seem excessively large compared to you and your daughter’s size. What if she were to be injured when I’m not around?”
“Are you asking that in all seriousness?”
He seemed to regard Linea and me as the most fragile things in the world.
I was so taken aback that I objected to Carcel.
“Yes, Linea nearly tripped on the stairs just now, but neither she nor I are so delicate that we shatter like porcelain dolls!”
“Then I should have someone assigned to protect you both at all times.”
“We haven’t even decided to marry yet, and besides, Linea can hear all of this!”
Even though I’d already hinted at things to Linea, it was still embarrassing.
Linea was nestled in Carcel’s arms, watching us intently and taking in every word of our conversation!
I shook my head vigorously, irritated by his suggestion.
“Anyway, don’t you dare think about modifying the house or anything like that for our sake.”
“Understood. There’s no need to worry.”
Carcel replied readily and continued.
“It’s generally customary for the lady of the house to decide on the overall interior and exterior design. I lack aesthetic sensibility, so I’m honestly not confident in such matters.”
Just as he finished speaking, we reached the top of the stairs.
He carefully lowered Linea down, bending at the knees.
Linea gave him a light bow in gratitude.
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. Should you ever need anything, you’re welcome to use me as a carriage.”
“Oh, no! That’s absolutely—!”
Had the brief contact somehow put her more at ease?
Linea shut her eyes and shook her head desperately in refusal.
I laughed at Linea’s response.
“The Duke is just teasing you because he thinks you’re cute, Linea.”
“Oh.”
Linea’s innocent expression showed she finally understood.
Carcel, for his part, wore a faint smile as he asked.
“Shall we go inside now?”
“Yes!”
Once we stepped inside, my eyes were dazzled.
“Wow…….”
Though I have little to compare it against, even the Annexa Estate wasn’t as ornate as this.
The interior was furnished with warm-toned furniture and delicately carved decorative pieces in Rococo Style, arranged alongside an abundance of blooming spring flowers.
I was left speechless.
Linea was the same. Honestly, when would a child ever have reason to see such a house?
Linea gazed around with her mouth hanging open.
And Carcel was watching our reaction from the corner of his eye.
“……Do you dislike it?”
Misinterpreting our shocked response, he asked quietly.
I came to my senses and hurried to answer.
“No, no, that’s not it—no one told me the interior of the Mansion was this beautiful!”
“Should Asha become the lady of the house, you’re welcome to redecorate the interior however you’d like.”
“Oh no! I don’t know much about interior design either. Right now I’m just in awe.”
“I’m relieved.”
Carcel let out a small laugh. He seemed somewhat reassured.
“A delicious smell.”
As I unconsciously murmured at the scent of food wafting from somewhere distant, he asked me politely.
“Would you like to have dinner first?”
“That sounds fine. We only ate lightly this morning. I think Linea must be getting hungry soon too.”
I took Linea’s hand, which was captivated by the ornate interior.
Following him to the Dining Room, the servants waiting there opened the doors for us.
The long table was piled high with what certainly didn’t look like merely three servings of food.
“Gasp!”
“As I mentioned, the cook was rather enthusiastic and got a bit carried away.”
“He certainly seems to have been very excited.”
I muttered softly, feeling already sated before even eating.
“Shall we begin eating now?”
No one sat at the head of the table; instead, we sat facing Carcel.
The food that filled the table not only smelled delicious but was plated with such elegance that it conveyed a sense of refined taste.
‘Even the fine restaurant I brought them to at Oliveto would look shabby compared to the meals eaten here daily.’
Without my asking, the servants approached on their own accord, serving me the dishes I desired and attending to my every need.
“I could just eat it myself…….”
He seemed ready to feed me if the situation called for it.

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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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