Why Is My Husband the Villainous Schemer! - Chapter 34

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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 34
Of course, Carcel had always thought Asha dazzlingly beautiful.
But today—wasn’t she going a bit too far?
Carcel narrowed his right eye slightly.
Perhaps the light was especially fine today, scattering so brilliantly that he’d mistaken the halo behind Asha for a trick of the sun.
“An angel…….”
But no—it wasn’t a trick.
The white dress Asha wore, made of a fluttering fabric and adorned with a pale blue ribbon, truly was radiant and pure today.
“Carcel, are you all right? Did I drag you out too much? I’m sorry.”
While he’d lost himself in admiring her, innocent Asha tilted her head in confusion, unaware of his thoughts.
Those bright eyes looking up at him from such a small, sparrow-like frame were so endearing that Carcel turned his gaze away first.
‘I want to hold her hand.’
With that thought, Carcel barely managed to hold onto his paper-thin patience before it snapped entirely.
He brushed away the warmth gathering at his eyes.
Asha, as if she’d expected exactly this, cried out.
“Your eyes were hurting after all, weren’t they? You’ve been blinking so much this whole time!”
“That’s not quite it.”
His mind swelled with praises he longed to pour over Asha, but the moment hadn’t come yet.
It would surely overwhelm her—feelings this heavy were too much for her to bear.
So Carcel turned his gaze back to Asha and spoke.
“Are you not warm? I’ve prepared a parasol.”
“The spring sun isn’t too harsh, really. Though having one would be nice.”
The sun had weakened past noon, but it was still bright enough that Carcel made the suggestion.
“Then I’ll hold it for you.”
Carcel volunteered as her servant, unfolding the parasol he’d taken from the coachman.
He angled it to shield her from the sunlight pouring down.
Then Carcel broached the real purpose of their outing.
“I let it be known that we’d be visiting the Lawyer’s Office today.”
“I thought it a bit strange, actually. Someone of your standing could have called a lawyer to your home.”
At her words, Carcel simply smiled.
Meeting the lawyer was merely bait. What he’d truly wanted was to walk through crowds in daylight with Asha.
To stroll the streets together like an ordinary couple, to go on a date in broad day.
He looked down at her and asked.
“Before we go, is there anywhere you’d like to stop?”
“Actually…… I have the contract with me, and I’m so nervous about it that I just want to get it done right away!”
So that’s what she’d been clutching so tightly to herself—the contract.
Carcel reached toward her bag.
“Then the office first seems best. And I’ll carry this.”
Asha, seemingly worried about pickpockets, puffed herself up and glanced nervously around. At this wary sparrow of a sight, Carcel made his offer.
Asha slid her eyes toward his face, then quietly handed it over.
She seemed confident that Carcel himself was hardly the type to fall victim to theft.
Amused by this, Carcel took the bag from her and held it securely.
Asha seemed uneasy that he was positioning the parasol only over her, and tried to stop him.
“You don’t have to go this far.”
“You look even lovelier than usual today, and it would be a shame if your makeup were to smudge. Would you permit me to hold the parasol over you for a while?”
At those words, Asha’s cheeks flushed a transparent rose pink.
She simply nodded lightly, then asked softly.
“You noticed I wore makeup today?”
Carcel replied with an expression of incomprehension.
“How could I not notice every change in you?”
Besides, his eye for detail was keener than most.
A double life depended on secrecy; noticing anyone who seemed suspicious or had changed was an essential skill for him.
“I……, it’s nothing.”
Asha, who’d been about to say something, simply opened and closed her lips like a goldfish, then fell silent.
The rosy flush of her cheeks was terribly endearing.
Carcel wanted to reach for her, but only tightened his grip on the bag.
The two arrived at the Lawyer’s Office shortly after.
* * *
―So once I sign, it becomes my sole property legally?
―Indeed, you needn’t worry any further.
The contract was handled swiftly since the lawyer had made all the necessary preparations beforehand.
Moreover, the lawyer had arranged for the transfer of ownership to be registered, so I didn’t have to do a thing!
After settling the contract matter cleanly with Carcel, I deposited the contract back at the bank.
Of course…… I also paid the taxes from the money I’d earned so far.
Now that the business was concluded,
he was still holding the parasol over me.
‘People must think I’m some precious young lady from a great house.’
I was dying of embarrassment.
“Is there anywhere else you’d like to visit? Shall we stop somewhere together?”
“Actually, I was thinking of buying some books and snacks for Linea.”
“Aren’t your legs tired? Shall I call for the carriage?”
“Oh, it’s just ahead!”
He must surely think of me as a glass doll.
Though given the difference in our builds, I suppose it’s fair.
“What sort of books does your daughter enjoy reading these days?”
“Linea’s still reading mostly fairy tales and simple educational texts. But I’m thinking of teaching her arithmetic and composition myself from now on.”
“Our house has quite a collection of related books. You’re welcome to visit anytime. The east wing has a library.”
“Why on earth does your house have a library?”
As we chatted pleasantly and entered the Bookstore, all eyes turned to us once more.
I approached a clerk and asked.
“Do you have any books on foundational studies for a ten-year-old child?”
“Of course—mathematics, science, history, the imperial language, basic etiquette, and much more. Which subject would you like?”
“All of them, please. And stationery and notebooks with designs a girl would enjoy.”
At hearing she’d be buying multiple items, the clerk’s face brightened.
“Of course! Your parents are quite dedicated to your daughter’s education!”
This time, instead of correcting her, I glanced sideways at Carcel.
His expression seemed indifferent, but the corners of his lips curved upward ever so slightly.
As the clerk wrapped the items, she spoke without pause.
“Nowadays, many young ladies learn various subjects beyond just art and music. I think it’s wonderful. You’re truly progressive parents!”
“Indeed—she’s a clever and lovely child.”
Carcel mentioned Linea casually.
The clerk, catching his cue, continued her barrage of compliments.
“It shows. Your wife is quite beautiful, and your husband is…….”
As if seeing Carcel’s face for the first time, the clerk lifted her head and fell silent, her mouth hanging open.
“……indeed a handsome man. In any case, here’s the package wrapped. Where shall I have this delivered?”
“Send it to the residence of the Count of Delmore.”
As I reached into my pocket for my wallet, Carcel quietly placed cash on the counter.
“This covers it. Keep the change.”
“Th-thank you very much.”
The clerk took the money between her fingertips as if questioning whether it had been earned through legitimate means.
I rebuked Carcel.
“Why do you keep buying for me? I can pay.”
“You’ll be my daughter’s mother in the future, so surely a sum this small for her education is something I may sponsor?”
“You don’t need to do that. I own land too!”
I proclaimed this proudly, puffing out my chest.
Though small compared to his vast fortune.
I know that even after the Mana Stone Mine is developed, I’ll never match his wealth.
Still, I have a considerable sum of a thousand Gold in my hands.
To repay it by next spring, I needed to start development immediately.
As we left the bookstore, I asked Carcel.
“Do you have time for some simple tea? I was thinking of heading home for the evening.”
The contract was cleanly handled, so I planned to begin serious mine development work from tomorrow.
In the meantime, I had to start Linea’s lessons, and I also needed to move about gathering proof of her abuse.
I couldn’t spend the whole evening on a date.
Carcel nodded readily enough.
“I should also……, something just came up, so it seems I too must have a quick cup and part ways.”
As he spoke, his eyes grew sharp, turned toward something distant.
“Are you very busy?”
At this question, Carcel turned his gaze back to me and smiled.
It was a savage smile, as if laced with poison.
“Not particularly. But a certain appointment seems to be forming.”
“I see. If it’s urgent, you can leave first. It’s a shame, though…….”
Unlike before, lately I found myself missing him.
Carcel laughed softly at the wistfulness in my tone.
His eyes, looking down at me, rippled with hunger.
He asked me in a low, languid voice.
“Would it be all right if I held your hand now, Asha?”

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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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