Why Is My Husband the Villainous Schemer! - Chapter 79

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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 79
Carcel answered firmly. Then, as if to drive the point home, he added another nail to the coffin.
“Absolutely not.”
“Isaar gave me the same answer. Birds of a feather, I suppose.”
“I find that offensive.”
He knitted his brows.
“In any case, that man brought me a rather unusual Fragrance Pouch. He’s certainly worthy of his title as Mage Tower Master.”
Upon hearing this, Carcel asked the Emperor earnestly.
“Has it been effective, Your Majesty?”
“I’ve taken countless medicines, but I’ve never seen results this swift.”
“……Did he explain the ingredients to you? Surely it’s still something Your Majesty ought to know about.”
“I hear you gave him the materials to research it, Carcel.”
At that, Carcel seemed lost in thought for a moment.
“It appears he used Lavender…….”
“It does have a lavender scent.”
“It’s Lavender discovered near Asha’s Mana Stone Mine.”
I asked Carcel a question.
“You mean that sample you took back then?”
“I gave that sample to Isaar to research, just in case. But it seems……he conducted the research and never reported back to me.”
“That’s so like Isaar.”
But wait, more importantly than that!
“So that Lavender was effective for sleep?”
“I’ve heard Lavender is good for insomnia, but I had never seen practical results from it.”
“Actually, that day — Linea was unusually exhausted, remember? She could barely stay awake.”
But I’d thought she was simply tired from running about and spending so long in the carriage.
“I didn’t bring it back, but I think there was a tiny amount of Lavender mixed into that Flower Crown she wore.”
“Since Linea is a child, even a small amount might have produced that effect.”
The Emperor, who had been listening silently to our conversation, interjected.
“So the Lavender blooming near that Mana Stone Mine proved effective against insomnia?”
I opened my mouth carefully.
“In truth, the flowers growing near there had a peculiar blue shimmer to them, so Carcel said he would bring some back.”
“And Isaar gave it to me.”
“Perhaps……Your Majesty and this Lavender simply suit each other well.”
Even as I said this, my gaze wavered considerably.
‘But this incident wasn’t in the original novel at all……?’
Through to the end of the original work, the Emperor never appeared as anything but a figure suffering from neurasthenia and insomnia.
And this Emperor bore none of the oppressive nature described in the novel.
Just then, Carcel spoke.
“Mana Stones are ore with condensed energy, so there have been cases of plants being altered in nearby areas. Of course, no effect has ever been proven.”
“Then did Isaar conduct a human experiment on me?”
The Emperor, who had never been subjected to such treatment, spoke as if dumbfounded.
I hurriedly shook my head.
“Given Isaar’s nature, he would only have presented the Fragrance Pouch to Your Majesty once he was confident of its safety.”
“If this Fragrance Pouch proves effective for my insomnia, and we can produce proper Mana Stones within a month…….”
The Emperor fixed me with a steady gaze.
“It seems the Countess and the Imperial Household could strike a favorable bargain.”
At those words, my eyes widened.
“Are you saying the Imperial Household would accept delivery if the quality is satisfactory?”
“There’s always demand for Mana Stones. The highest-quality ones are perpetually in short supply for the projects currently underway.”
“Then I shall show you the results within a month, Your Majesty.”
Thinking of the future where Linea might become Empress, I needed to build a solid relationship with the Emperor.
To me, openly displaying my ambition with eyes gleaming to seize the opportunity, the Emperor merely gave a single nod.
“Just the current projects requiring Mana Stones span everything from transportation networks connecting regional strongholds via Teleport to military logistics.”
“Yes!”
“But given this is a grave matter of state, you must be able to deliver only the highest quality within the deadline……I wonder if that’s possible.”
“I’ll work Isaar to the bone if necessary! I’ll even bring prototype samples!”
At my passionate declaration, the Emperor graciously gave a favorable response.
“Your enthusiasm is admirable. I trust you, the Marquess, will fill in any shortcomings?”
Carcel answered as if he’d been waiting for this.
“I’m not certain whether Asha has any shortcomings, but should she require assistance with the business side, I would be delighted to help.”
“Very well. For now, we shall take our leave. I’ll call for Isaar later to hear more details about this Lavender.”
With that, an unmistakable Dismissal Order was issued.
Carcel and I bowed and withdrew from the Audience Chamber.
The moment the door to the Audience Chamber closed, I exhaled deeply.
“Whew, I thought I was done for.”
“With me here, there’s no need for Asha to be nervous. I would never have allowed anything to happen.”
Carcel extended his palm to me with a gentle smile, his eyes crinkling warmly.
“Will you take my hand?”
I grasped his hand lightly, mindful of the eyes around us.
There was something about holding that calloused palm that brought reassurance.
“Still, thanks to everyone’s effort, I wasn’t subjected to interrogation with a Lie Detection Mage Tool.”
“How did Asha know such a thing existed? You already seemed aware of it earlier.”
“I heard rumors. And I thought, surely someone of high station would have something like that.”
“So that’s why you thought the Ring was being fitted for interrogation purposes.”
As I nodded, Carcel smiled and continued.
“Later, tailors sent by the Imperial Household will come to take your measurements.”
“I never imagined the Grand Hall of Ministers would insist on a wedding because of the Crown Prince’s safety.”
“The larger the event, the greater the vulnerability.”
Indeed, in the original work, Lucian nearly fell to assassination several times during festivals and large social gatherings.
Those were the only windows of opportunity.
“Carcel, are you heading home now?”
“I have some work piling up. I should go home and handle the remaining duties.”
Carcel seemed to be gauging my reaction carefully.
“It’s fine. It’s not like Carcel’s been busy just for a day or two.”
Besides, he probably hasn’t been able to work these past few days with Linea being ill.
“But come to the bedroom at night, will you?”
“I shall.”
Carcel nodded readily.
As we continued our gentle conversation,
“Aren’t you the Marquess Carcel?”
A deep voice calling out to Carcel reached us.
Only then did I turn my attention to the man approaching from ahead.
“Ah, Grand Duke Dishulie, it is an honor.”
Carcel greeted him first, and I followed suit with a bow.
Grand Duke Dishulie.
‘The villain from the original novel!’
This man was truly the mastermind behind everything.
Most of the assassination plots against Lucian had been orchestrated by Grand Duke Dishulie.
The Grand Duke tapped his Walking Cane, ornate with antique gold fixtures, against the marble as he openly appraised me from head to toe.
His gaze carried the unmistakable weight of deliberate assessment.
He spoke slowly, with a mocking edge.
“So this is the Countess who stirred up such a fuss at the Ball.”
‘Ah, he’s the type that becomes genuinely exhausting when entangled.’
Sensing trouble, I bowed first in greeting.
“I’m ashamed to have caused such a disturbance.”
“Yes, you ought to be ashamed.”
The Grand Duke laughed spitefully.
“A protruding stone always gets hammered down. And no matter what, you’ve taken the daughter of a dead son, so there’s been plenty of talk behind closed doors.”
He made a snorting sound and continued.
“I worry whether the Marquess, by overlooking this, has had his judgment clouded by a woman.”
Then Carcel bared his teeth in a smile that matched his opponent’s.
“I trust my wife’s judgment.”
“I don’t think it’s wise to assert everything so unconditionally.”
“There’s no need for your concern. I know my wife better than anyone — your meddling wrapped in false concern is unnecessary.”
I was genuinely startled by Carcel’s unusually aggressive tone.
‘I’ve never seen Carcel make such a fierce expression or speak so mockingly before.’
So Grand Duke Dishulie truly was the villain.
To draw such an expression from Carcel, no less.
Carcel then naturally guided me away from the spot.
“Asha, you must be tired. Shall we go?”
“Ah. Yes!”
I smiled watching Carcel, who paid no heed to whatever the Grand Duke said.
“We’ll take our leave now.”
“Now then. In all my years, I’ve never seen anyone who ignored my advice come to a good end.”
We passed by the Grand Duke as he spoke.
“Let’s go home.”
Carcel and I left his nonsense behind and headed for home.
Full of the joy that the major matters had finally been settled.
Unaware that what was right before our eyes, we still could not see.

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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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