Why Is My Husband the Villainous Schemer! - Chapter 47

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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 47
At my words, Carcel drew me deeper into his embrace.
His arms felt more comfortable than anywhere I had ever been.
To my faltering voice, he whispered back in a tenderer tone.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of leaving unless you ask me to go.”
His voice, meant to reassure me, was remarkably gentle.
With a low, affectionate murmur—as though coaxing something into being—he spoke against my skin.
“There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
For now, I just wanted to believe him.
I gave a single nod.
I felt Linea’s gaze from behind me, and in that instant, a flash of reason broke through.
“I’m—I’m sorry. I just… lost myself for a moment.”
I pulled away from Carcel, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Looking around now, I realized there were quite a few people here.
I’d nearly forgotten that.
He released me and spoke soothingly.
“It’s dangerous to be out on the streets this late. I should have bought you a Communication Device long ago.”
“There you go again.”
“What could I possibly refuse you?”
Carcel made me a proposal, his tone earnest.
“Asha, I don’t say this with any ulterior motive, but would you consider staying at my house for a while?”
“Ah…”
In truth, I had already planned to impose on Carcel’s hospitality, shameless as I am.
I was grateful he asked first.
So I nodded and thanked him.
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. Leave your luggage here.”
“Don’t lose this, whatever you do. It’s all evidence.”
“Don’t worry.”
As I held out the bag, Carcel took it and extended his hand to me.
“And how is your daughter?”
He turned to Linea, her eyes puffy, clinging close behind me, and asked gently.
Linea nodded, rather timidly this time.
“Good. Watch your step.”
And so Linea and I made our way to Carcel’s Mansion.
* * *
Linea was exhausted from the day’s ordeal and the crying that followed.
Once she felt safe, the child washed up and fell asleep so soundly she didn’t even notice me leaving the room.
I quietly closed the door behind me and moved deeper into the house.
Carcel was waiting for me.
When I entered the adjoining room, he set aside the documents he’d been reading and stood.
“Asha.”
“Carcel, thank you for everything tonight.”
“I apologize for not telling you about the surveillance beforehand.”
“It’s all right. You must have had your reasons.”
At my words, Carcel gestured to me.
I followed his hand and settled comfortably onto the sofa.
After washing up, the tension finally drained from me, and I could sit at ease.
“First, let’s talk while you eat.”
“Ah…”
I hadn’t mentioned that I’d skipped meals today.
Carcel handed me the Tomato Stew and bread that had been prepared nearby.
“Since it’s before bed, I prepared something light. Your cheeks looked slightly hollow today—it seems you’ve been skipping meals.”
“Thank you.”
It was impressive that he noticed a difference of less than a kilogram.
As I ate, Carcel continued.
“The reason I placed that surveillance on you was that your in-laws had already been watching you themselves.”
“They were watching, and… this is delicious.”
“According to my investigation, they found it suspicious that you suddenly had income.”
Of course.
My mother-in-law’s nature being what it was, she wouldn’t hesitate to have me followed.
“Worried something might happen, I instructed them to report immediately if you were in any trouble.”
“Thanks to that, I have somewhere to stay tonight. I don’t even know how to thank you enough.”
“Please continue to rely on me.”
I caught him avoiding my gaze before he continued.
“In any case… the evidence you’ve gathered seems more than sufficient to tip the scales in our favor.”
“That’s a relief. And there’s this too.”
I pulled out the Recording Magical Device I hadn’t yet given to Carcel.
“Do you remember this?”
It had happened before I returned to the Marquis’s house that night.
* * *
Isar had been hidden away for a long time before suddenly appearing.
In the meantime, Carcel and I had been conversing quietly.
“What do you want to be doing five years from now?”
“…Don’t you already know what I desire?”
…
The look in Carcel’s eyes as he regarded me seemed almost rough.
‘You want to marry me,’ I thought.
Finding his gaze too much, I turned away hastily and acknowledged Isar’s arrival.
“You’re here.”
“…You two seem to be having fun.”
He’d seen everything.
I caught the hint of disdain in Isar’s eyes and laughed despite myself.
“Why? Should I include you?”
“Absolutely not. Anyway, I’ve looked around…”
Isar’s expression shifted from his earlier nonchalance to something quite serious.
“It seems worth attempting.”
“Then you’ll respect me as your employer, won’t you?”
“Mm.”
He apparently disliked that idea.
With a low sigh, Isar ran his fingers carelessly through his hair.
“I’ll do it. But don’t think you can toy with me. This is a field I know better than you.”
“Of course. So you’ll sign the contract?”
Isar nodded once.
Then he spoke.
“The internal Detection is already complete. I just need to begin the Excavation. I’ve already found where to start.”
“Right away?”
“It’s buried so deep underground that ordinary Mages would have trouble detecting it. But I’m different.”
“Is it even possible to detect something that deep?”
I let out an exclamation. Isar’s expression showed exasperation at my amazement despite being the one who’d done the work.
“If you don’t trust me, spend more money and extract a sample yourself.”
“I do trust you. I just didn’t realize you were this capable.”
‘Although I already knew,’ I thought.
Since he still believed I didn’t know he was the Tower Master, I’d have to play along.
Isar’s bored expression opened up again.
“I’ll go to the Marquis’s estate to sign, then I’m leaving.”
“Wait, before that—could I ask you to sell me something once the contract is signed?”
I laughed, a bit sheepishly.
Isar’s eyebrows rose sharply.
“I heard it’s not a commercialized product, but Mages can make it easily, right?”
“Sign the contract first.”
“Of course.”
And the item I’d asked Isar for was none other than—
“A Recording Magical Device?”
With a casual gesture, Isar sent the contracts they’d exchanged somewhere unknowable, then asked with bewilderment.
I nodded eagerly.
“I want to purchase one right now.”
“It’s not difficult, but why?”
Carcel answered his blunt question with gravity.
“Asha doesn’t act without reason, so I’m sure she has her grounds for asking.”
“Whatever…”
Isar waved his hand through the empty air once more.
This time, a small object appeared that I’d never seen before rested in his palm.
“There’s a reason the Magic Tower restricts export of its already-invented items. There are always those who would misuse such things with malicious intent.”
Despite his unusually serious tone, I nodded in agreement.
“I understand those concerns. But it’s necessary only to secure evidence that my daughter is being abused by her grandmother.”
Upon hearing my words, Isar’s head tilted slowly.
“So you need this to obtain that evidence?”
“Yes, since there’s no direct physical violence, I need concrete evidence.”
Carcel also reinforced my statement.
“The former mistress of House Delmore is cunning. For Asha to prevail, she’ll need evidence of that caliber.”
“House Delmore… aren’t you their adopted daughter?”
Isar seemed taken aback that he knew even the circumstances of a mere count’s household.
I understood why he looked that way, but I answered as naturally as I could.
“If I leave Linea behind, that child will suffer abuse and have to endure at least another ten years in that family.”
“So you’re even willing to bear the trouble of taking an adopted daughter with you?”
“Even if you don’t understand, I do what I must.”
“Mm.”
After a moment of apparent deliberation, Isar set the Magical Device he’d been holding on the table.
“Fine, do as you see fit. I won’t take payment—just consider it a loan until I decide otherwise.”
“Thank you.”
At my gratitude, Isar waved his hand dismissively as though he found the thanks tiresome.

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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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