I Think My Husband is a Murderer

“I was wondering if there was one word that could define Sergeant Isaac.”

 

Is it really that difficult?

 

“If you are choosing your words to please me, there is no need to do so. Just tell it like it is.”

 

After thinking about it for a while, I expected something big to be said, but I got a surprisingly simple answer.

 

“An honest and upright person.”

 

Although it was nothing special, it was a modifier that perfectly described my father.

 

‘Your father was consistent even in the military.’

 

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding. I asked, trying to hide my trembling voice.

 

“So how was the last one? Have you been in a lot of pain…?”

 

Johannes’ hand stopped. He dropped the cigarette he was burning into the wine glass. The shortened cigarette butt got wet in an instant. I stared intently at the tobacco company emblem engraved on the end of the butt.

 

‘Are there any stories that are difficult to answer?’

 

From what I have observed, this is one of Johannes’ few habits. The moment when the appearance of a soldier who has been on the battlefield for a long time is revealed, something a member of the Schultz family would never do. He was good at hiding his emotions, a behavior rarely seen in him, and he usually came out when he was asked an unexpected question. Or it’s difficult to answer. 

 

Like now.

 

However, as soon as he could think of this, his original face returned in an instant.

 

“I don’t really remember.”

 

“…What exactly did you have?”

 

“Food poisoning, or in severe cases, cholera. The symptoms were like that.”

 

I reflexively distorted my expression.

 

“So those are the symptoms? You didn’t know the exact name of the disease? How can that be? And it’s just food poisoning…! Is there no proper doctor?”

 

The emotions I was trying to suppress came out uncontrollably. It was truly nonsense. What on earth did the military doctor do? If I had been by your side, you wouldn’t have passed away in vain…!

 

“This is usually the case in harsh environments such as battlefields. People lose their lives even from minor illnesses.”

 

“How could that be-”

 

“Only Docilia’s army this time. That’s why we lost.”

 

“Yes…?”

 

When I did not understand, Johannes added in a calmer voice.

 

“The external reason is tactical failure. The real reason is the lack of military supplies.”

 

His head went blank. Before the war broke out, Docilia was one of the countries on the road to success thanks to technological advancement. Trade was also active, making them quite wealthy. But how can there be a shortage of supplies? I grabbed my head because I couldn’t understand anything.

 

“This is nonsense. Docilia was on the verge of victory.”

 

Johannes still had an impassive expression on his face, as if he was talking about someone else’s business.

 

“Then, even if someone embezzled military funds-”

 

I couldn’t continue speaking. This is because a thought that should not exist and that makes no sense occurred to me. I checked the tightly closed glass door to see if anyone could hear me. Fortunately, people were enjoying the reception, and it seemed like no one was eavesdropping on our conversation. I asked, praying and hoping again and again that it wasn’t the case.

 

“Is that so?”

 

My thoughts continued to linger. But it should never have been the thought that came to my mind. What if the royal family, who took advantage of the war to embezzle tens of billions of dollars, enriched themselves and created victims to cover up all the public criticism when they lost the war? What if the victim was Duke Schultz? No matter what happened, it shouldn’t have happened.

 

Johannes, who was looking at me, picked up a wine glass with a cigarette in it without saying yes or no. Reading the answer in his actions, I closed and opened my eyes for a long time.

 

“Why on earth ddn’t you tell me such an incredible thing?”

 

I asked with a trembling voice.

 

“It has nothing to do with you.”

 

The voice he spat out was sharp.

 

“How am I not involved? My father is dead!”

 

“If you think about it that way, you have to reveal to everyone a fact that has no physical evidence. There are countless people who died in battle.”

 

So you were dealing with that huge fact on your own? I forcefully swallowed the words that rose up in my throat. My eyesight became dizzy. My vision was so dark that I didn’t know if it was because I was drunk or because I heard shocking words. As I stumbled and held on to the railing, Johannes grabbed my shoulder and held me up.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“I’m okay.”

 

I removed his hand and spat out an apology.

 

“…sorry. Because you asked me that on a good day.”

 

Although she became Johannes’ wife, it was all just a facade. Even if she is a real wife and not a facade, I don’t know how much she can be involved in her husband’s affairs. Moreover, what can I say when the person involved, Johannes, is so aloof? As I was absent-mindedly leaning on the railing, Johannes spoke in a soft tone. The sharpness was hidden.

 

“There is nothing good or anything you can do if you worry about things that have already passed.”

 

He was right. I clearly understand. Even so, I still felt strange. I felt like the situation would only get worse if I continued like this, so I tried to suppress my emotions and change the subject.

 

“Yes. I know. I understand what the duke means. Rather…”

 

I turned my gaze to the wedding hall and trailed off. This is because noble ladies are gathered at the window where no one was a moment ago, looking in this direction.

 

“There are quite a few people who are very interested in your wife.”

 

Johannes, who was not unaware of the stares that were not even trying to hide, said.

 

“I know, right. It may be that the intention is not to get my husband’s attention through me, but to get my husband’s attention through me.”

 

Although he did not know the minds of all nobles, he had a certain understanding of human nature. People who seek power exist everywhere. It will be the same for you too. They must be people who want to covet the power of the Schultz family, which still has something to contend with. He said as I was trying not to look at the door.

 

“Or that there are expectations of us.”

 

“I’m looking forward to it…?”

 

As I frowned, Johannes, leaning against the railing, tilted his head.

 

“It will look like a fight now. It’s not really wrong.”

 

“That can’t be right.”

 

“Other than that, his face is too dead. I think there was someone here just a little while ago who thought it would be a good idea to be clear.”

 

Johannes’ straight eyebrows rose.

 

“Wouldn’t it be considered a love quarrel? I would just consider it a brief affair.”

 

“Well. Still, it seems like you managed your facial expressions when you were with Edward Windsor. Or did Windsor take your fancy?”

 

“No way!”

 

The voice got louder. I changed my expression as I looked at the noble ladies. Was he originally like this? I tilted my head and looked up at Johannes. I’ve been feeling like he’s been testing me for a while now or… 

 

‘Are you trying to harass me?’

 

But that can’t be true. Why would he bother me? I slightly shook my head and continued speaking.

 

“…I see. I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave any room for doubt on the wedding day.”

 

Kissing is so obvious now. Choosing an action that might be appropriately misunderstood, I slowly raised my hand to Johannes’ cheek. And when he smiled brightly, his expression hardened.

 

‘Ah. Maybe you’re in a bad mood because I was being presumptuous a little while ago.’

 

Arbitrarily disappearing with Edward Windsor. That may be why it became strangely sharp.

 

“Sorry. It may be unpleasant, but for me, this was the best thing to do.”

 

It was strange to say this while smiling, but I didn’t want to instill bad feelings in someone who had to look good anyway. I awkwardly asked Johannes, who didn’t say anything.

 

“I think they’ve pretty much shown what they want, but what should we do now?”

 

“Why are you asking me that?”

 

As I narrowed my eyes, he grabbed my hand and pulled me. The distance narrowed in an instant.

 

“You can see all the facial expressions and…”

 

“…”

 

“You are now the mistress of the Schultz family, Edith Schultz.”

 

A hot touch touched my earlobe, which had become cold from the cold air. Finally, he brushed his flowing hair behind his ear with a gentle hand.

 

“That’s up to you, Madam.”

 

“…ah.”

 

A brief moment of realization came to me. The mistress of the Schultz family. A title that seemed far away just a moment ago was suddenly placed before my eyes. I felt like all the alcohol had gone away. I was both surprised and devastated by the fact that what I thought of as my position could be moved around by a single word from Johannes Schulz.

 

“I guess so.”

 

However, he responded calmly without showing such feelings. I walked away from Johannes and gave the ladies a smile that was neither too small nor too much. Then they opened the balcony door and approached as if they had been waiting.

 

“Princess!”

 

Unlike other noble ladies, they had no moderation whatsoever and only decorated themselves extravagantly.

 

“Duchess, how long have you been learning etiquette?”

 

“It feels natural, as if he was originally an aristocrat. I guess elegance is something you have to be born with. You two get along really well.”

 

Sweet words flowed from the mouths of those wearing fancy jewelry. But I felt much better than before. As Johannes said, their interest seemed to be me, not being liked by him. Wherever I go, if there are people who hate me, there are bound to be people who like me. These seem to fall into the latter category.

 

‘At least on the outside, isn’t it?’

 

Sir Gunner said that even among the ladies there were secret factions. So the ladies who approached me in a friendly way were probably… 

 

‘They would be women from the lower aristocracy, middle class, or working class. As the times change, Madame is not the only noble lady who was born as a commoner.’

 

Although she did not marry Johannes in order to befriend and enjoy the company of noble ladies, Lord Gunner said that as his duchess, she had a duty to maintain smooth relations with them. So making a good impression is not a bad choice. I listened to their chatter and responded with a polite smile.

 

“If it’s okay with you ladies, I’ll invite you to Castle Evanstein next time.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes, of course. It’s okay… Joe, Johannes?”

 

I was about to ask politely, but when I saw the ladies’ reactions, I quickly changed my tone to a more comfortable tone. Johannes looked at me with soft eyes. It was a face that hid all the remaining sharpness. He spoke in a gentlemanly tone.

 

“If you wish, madam.”

 

A painted smile appeared on his lips.

 

“…thank you.”

 

As soon as I gave an awkward greeting to Johannes, the noisy reception hall suddenly became quiet due to someone shouting.

 

“It’s a murder case. They say a murder occurred in the middle of the square!”

 

Silence immediately filled the banquet hall, and everyone’s eyes turned towards the direction from which the voice was heard. Mussen, the most peaceful city in Docilia. The title that seemed like it would never change was broken today, on my wedding day.

 

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Translator Note:

Pleased to see you again!! Next 15 chapters will be translated by Bree so… Hello and see you in chapter 46 😉