Please Kill My Husband - Chapter 57

I can easily guess what kind of worries are filling that grumpy head of his.

Benjamin twisted the corner of his mouth slightly and made a suggestion for his friend.

“I’m thinking of returning to the capital tomorrow. My vacation ends today. You’re leaving in 5 days, right? If so, why don’t you come with me instead?”

When Aden stared blankly as if it was nonsense, Benjamin moistened his lips with water.

“Actually, the Crown Prince told me to bring you along when he returns. That guy seems to have thought you might not participate in the hunting competition.”

“Still an arrogant man, I see.”

“That’s true, but isn’t it not bad to come with me? If you’re worried about work in the palace, don’t worry. I’ve been busy these past few days and finished the important things. You just need to wrap up the minor details, and we can leave tomorrow without any problems. Oh, and.”

Benjamin smiled and tucked in his chin.

“Lady Ludmila is planning to stay at the annex of the Turval Count’s mansion. Since you’ll have to stay there too due to the townhouse repairs this time, you’ll probably be able to see her as soon as we arrive.”

“……”

“What do you think?”

The grumpy attitude disappeared without a trace, replaced by confusion. In fact, it was unnecessary to even ask.

Aden’s answer was already decided.

And Aden knew it too. With what intention Benjamin had said those words. What his true motive was.

The prideful Aden didn’t want to give Benjamin the answer he desired.

Seeing him with eyes twinkling as if urging him to speak quickly, Aden felt it wasn’t worth killing his pride to obtain.

“This is ridiculous.”

Aden swallowed a hollow laugh and put down his cutlery.

When Aden, who was expected to naturally agree, showed a cynical attitude, Benjamin’s eyes widened as if surprised.

Aden also picked up the glass filled with water, emptied the half-full contents, and roughly wiped his lips with the back of his hand.

Seeing the slightly angry appearance, Benjamin realized his mistake. Did I provoke that prideful guy too much?

“What exactly do you think of me? Did you think I would immediately agree to follow if you spoke like that?”

“……”

Aden frowned and stood up from his seat.

While Benjamin closed his lips in embarrassment, Aden picked up his coat and jerked his chin.

“I was planning to head to the capital tomorrow anyway, even without such provocation.”

“…?”

“So, don’t think about provoking me with unnecessary nonsense. I was going anyway.”

Aden emphasized the word ‘anyway’ and put on the coat he was holding.

“I was going to tell you I’d be leaving tomorrow. You just happened to mention it first.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“I’ll be leaving early, so prepare in time so you’re not late.”

Aden continued speaking until he left the restaurant, turning around with a final request.

The door opened and closed again. Benjamin, who had been staring blankly at the sight, burst into the laughter he had been holding back.

“He sure has a talent for saying ‘I understand’ in such a harsh way.”

Benjamin shook his head slightly and quietly rose from his seat.

Kedilen narrowed his eyes as he read the report.

The situation of the Erdi Marquis family, which had been fluctuating up and down like waves due to recent newspaper articles.

As they became embroiled in controversy due to the Ludmila assault incident, the image of the Erdi Marquis family was gradually hitting rock bottom.

The external image that had been built up through more than a decade of hard work was falling too easily, like descending a steep hill.

Kedilen no longer denied that it was thanks to Ludmila that the Erdi Marquis family maintained its position as a pioneer leading the new era with elegance and nobility.

Although he had thought Ludmila was just the Marchioness at best, in reality, she was the core of the Erdi Marquis family.

Using the business built on the information Ludmila brought and the external gaze and image she created as a stepping stone to get this far, yet overlooking it.

It was a huge mistake.

If this state continues as time passes, forget about the next goal of becoming the head of the Ministry of Finance; he might have to give up even his current position as Minister of Commerce.

Moreover, at times like this when the new nobility should be consolidating their power more firmly, they were trying their hardest to take his place, sensing an opportunity.

It was more painful than ever that they were not the kind to submit to authority, power, past fame, and honor.

Although current projects were proceeding without disruption, they were facing difficulties in future investments and business.

At most 5 years, at least 3 years. If no measures are taken, Erdi will collapse. Kedilen had to accept this cruel reality.

The only way to prevent this was to go back to the past.

That meant Ludmila had to return to his hands.

Although her return wouldn’t immediately resolve all doubts and restore past glory, it would still improve the situation compared to now.

It’s said that you only realize the emptiness of a place after someone leaves.

Kedilen felt deep self-deprecation for neglecting his wife all this time and for his actions that led to it.

“Your Excellency, Countess von Vyrn has arrived.”

A quiet report drifted to Kedilen’s ears as he remained motionless, his gaze fixed on the report.

Coming to his senses, Kedilen’s expression brightened at the welcome name. His sister was his eternal ally.

Coming to see him without prior notice surely meant there was something worthy of it.

Pleased, Kedilen stood up saying, “Bring her in.” It was then that the door opened. His sister, Celia, who entered, had a face no different from usual.

“Elder sister.”

Kedilen, welcoming his sister with a bright smile, guided her to a seat.

Celia, who sat down with a gentle smile, politely declined Kedilen’s order to bring tea.

“I’ll be leaving soon. No need to bring tea.”

“You’ve come after so long, won’t you stay for a meal at least?”

Celia shook her head with a faint smile at the uncharacteristic whining.

Kedilen clicked his tongue in disappointment and nodded, waving his hand as he took his seat.

After dismissing the servant, Kedilen looked at Celia and carefully opened his mouth.

“So what brings you here? Have you perhaps found out where Ludmila is?”

“How nice it would be if that were the case. Unfortunately, it’s not that.”

“It’s alright. It’s not an easy task to find someone determined to hide in this vast land, so it can’t be helped.”

Celia, who had been staring intently at Kedilen’s sigh-mixed complaint, tightly gripped her collar.

Unlike her smiling face, her complexion was dark.

Celia let out a low sigh as she avoided Kedilen’s gaze, who tilted his head in puzzlement. There’s nowhere to run even if she escapes.

Faced with this bleak reality, Celia heaved a long sigh and turned her head to face Kedilen, who was in the middle of saying something.

“For now, my plan is to deny the assault but admit that Ludmila has disappeared. There’s something to explain later about Ludmila’s disappearance, but if we admit to the assault, it will surely cause problems…”

“Kedilen, I have something to say.”

“…Elder sister?”

Kedilen, who had been reciting his future plans, furrowed his brow at Celia’s voice and reaction that cut off his words.

As he tilted his head slightly, Celia exhaled briefly and opened her mouth as if having made a decision.

“I don’t think I can help you anymore from now on.”

“Pardon?”

A voice sharp as a blade fell on Kedilen’s ears as he was wondering what his sister would say.

Kedilen, who reflexively questioned, looked at Celia with confused eyes.

He needed time to understand what he had just heard, but Celia stood up from her seat as if unwilling to allow even that.

“I wanted to help find Ludmila, but I think I might die first if I do.”

“What do you… Did Count von Vyrn say something perhaps?”

Deep sympathy was felt for her poor brother who was displaying his keen perception in the wrong place.

If only he had shown it towards Ludmila instead of her, things might not have come to this point.

“That’s right. Did that fellow again… Elder sister, don’t worry. I’ll take care of…”

“No. There’s no need for you to step in. This is entirely an internal matter of the von Vyrn family, and your interference would be beyond rude, it shouldn’t happen.”

If it had been the previous Erdi Marquis family, it wouldn’t have been a problem, but now with several sparks on their body, if even a drop of oil fell, the fire they had just extinguished would surely ignite again.

Celia ruthlessly pushed Kedilen away.

“This is all I wanted to say. I won’t say anything else.”

There was no room for platitudes like ‘I support you’.

Previously, she thought it wouldn’t matter even if she was expelled from von Vyrn if she could find Ludmila by any means.

But now that the situation had changed, the only person who could look after her was herself.

The Crown Prince had turned his back after securing his own profits, and her brother and family, whom she thought were reliable, were now meaningless.

With no reliable corner left, if she were to be expelled by displeasing her husband, her future would surely be a thorny path.

The survival instinct that at least she should live made her not hesitate for a moment in making this selfish decision.

“Elder sister! Do you mean to abandon me now!?”

“……”

“How… How am I supposed to endure if even you do this…”

It was natural for Kedilen to cry out, as Celia had been the only refuge for her brother who had nowhere else to lean on. Now that even she was withdrawing her hand, Kedilen’s outcry was inevitable.

“…I’ll be going now.”

But that was his circumstances.

Suddenly, she recalled Ludmila’s contemptuous gaze when she saw Celia and Kedilen conversing. Why was that gaze coming to mind now?

Deliberately ignoring her brother’s resounding voice, Celia mercilessly turned her back on her own blood.

To survive.

Celia didn’t feel a moment’s hesitation in unleashing a mad dog, granting it dangerous freedom.