Marriage With A Suspiciously Demure Husband [Novel] Chapter 141

Marriage With A Suspiciously Demure Husband – Chapter 141

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"Hello, Rendil. I am fine. I've gotten much better."

"That is a relief."

"You must still have a lot of work. You are already a busy person, after all."

"Not at all. I am merely doing what needs to be done. Um, Duchess…"

Rendil hesitated, as if he had something to say to me.

Among the wizards of the Magic Tower, Rendil was the one I was closest to, and since he treated me rather amicably, he was easy to talk to.

He was usually the type to just say what he needed to say, so it was strangely out of character for him to stall for time like this.

"What is it, Rendil? Do you have something to tell me?"

"Well, it's nothing major, but are you still wearing that bracelet?"

"The bracelet? Ah."

I showed him the bracelet on my wrist.

The very bracelet Rendil had made himself and given to Cailus.

I was also still wearing the necklace I received as a gift from Cailus.

Rendil held his hand out to me. In his other hand, he offered a bracelet that looked identical but had a slightly different design.

"Um, if it's alright with you, how about exchanging it for this bracelet, even if it's just temporary? The effects are similar."

I tilted my head at his words.

"The bracelet?"

"Yes, I did make it at His Grace's request, but perhaps because it was made in a rush, it seems to lack refinement. I will exchange it for this one."

"Ah…"

Thinking that, I was about to take off the bracelet when I paused.

"Were you planning to give it to Cailus first?"

Stopping midway through taking off the bracelet, I asked Rendil.

"Ah, yes. Well…"

I could feel Rendil subtly avoiding my gaze.

I sensed even more suspicion.

"I think it would be better if I just kept this one. Honestly, it's enough to protect myself, and more than anything, it's been with me through a major ordeal. It holds meaning, so I like this one. Even if it's unrefined, can't I just keep using it?"

"You could… but."

At that, Rendil's expression instantly turned troubled.

Although I hadn't been awake for long and my mind was chaotic with so many things to sort out, I could at least figure that much out.

I could even remember all my foolishly hesitant actions right before the war, after all.

"And above all, no matter how unrefined it is, where would your skills go, Rendil? I still vividly remember the barrier you set up."

"Still, this one would be much better."

Rendil repeatedly offered me the new bracelet.

Keeping my bracelet on, I said.

"You are hiding something from me, aren't you."

"Pardon? Pardon? What, what could I possibly hide from you, Duchess. I do not wish to get on His Grace's bad side!"

"Then I'll just stick with this bracelet. Or, please tell me the honest reason."

Seeing Rendil act like this kept reminding me of how Cailus had insisted I must keep it on when he gave me the bracelet.

Rendil scratched his head. Then, looking troubled, he let out a sigh.

"Well, I did say I would tell His Grace if things ended well… However, here isn't the best place for it. A quiet place would be better."

At his slightly more serious tone, I nodded and led him to my study.

After closing the door, I spoke to him.

"Please, have a seat. I don't think we'll need tea, is that alright?"

"Yes, I must tell you and then be on my way."

I sat facing Rendil.

"Then, please tell me now."

Now that the danger was all over, I felt like nothing I heard would surprise me.

The Imperial Family and the Temple were likely too busy dealing with their own immense backlash for me to even lift a finger against them.

Rendil rubbed the corner of his mouth.

"There is a special protection magic cast on the bracelet."

"Is it different from a regular shield? This necklace also has a protective shield on it."

I pulled out the necklace to show him.

"The necklace is crafted with a mana stone containing a standard protection magic, a protective barrier. The bracelet you are wearing right now…"

"Yes."

"It is a shield that places the medium's life on the line. It is a rarely used magic, but I was inevitably asked to make it this time, so I thought it best to retrieve it…"

I furrowed my brow slightly.

"…Puts a life on the line?"

Rendil looked even more troubled.

I questioned him persistently.

"You said it was agreed that Cailus would tell me if this was successful. What is it."

"It is a magic that uses His Grace's life as collateral. It was designed so that he would take on the damage meant for the wearer of the bracelet instead. Well… I'm sure you understand what that means, Duchess."

"……"

I knew exactly what that meant without even having to ask.

I squeezed my eyes shut before opening them again.

"…But he was fine when I collapsed."

"That was simply because you lost consciousness after depleting all your dark mana, Duchess. It only required recovery, it was not a life-threatening situation by any means."

"So Cailus asked for that? He asked you to do that?"

Rendil reluctantly nodded his head.

"Now that the danger has passed, will you return it to me?"

"……"

I gripped the bracelet, took it off, and handed it to Rendil.

I didn't want to keep such a dangerous item on me any longer.

"If you destroy that, Cailus won't be in danger because of me anymore, right?"

Exchanging the bracelets, Rendil relaxed his expression as if relieved.

"Please do not be too harsh on His Grace. I truly did not want to make it for him either, but given how dire the situation was…"

I let out a sigh.

I didn't even have the energy to be angry.

I stood up from my seat.

"…Are you going to His Grace, by any chance?"

"I plan to."

"He truly did it for your sake, Duchess. He showed such sincerity that it even moved me to turn my back on the Imperial Family and help him with all my might. So please…"

"You're asking me not to be too mad?"

Rendil smiled awkwardly.

"Well, something like that. We all survived, didn't we."

At Rendil's suggestion to look on the bright side, I stood still before letting out a hollow laugh.

It was almost laughable how easily everything was forgiven and understood simply because we made it out alive.

"…Well, alright. However, next time, no matter how much Cailus begs you, please do not make something like this. You never know… what else he might do."

"I have no intention of doing so again either. It was incredibly draining to make it, after all. Let us make it clear that this was a truly exceptional case. Then, I will place my trust in you and take my leave, Duchess."

With those words, Rendil stood up, looking as though he really had been busy.

Since I was about to go to Cailus anyway, whether I was going to be angry or not, I was about to head out with him but paused.

"Rendil, excuse me."

"Yes, Duchess."

"Could I ask you one thing before you go?"

At that, Rendil sat back down.

"Yes, please go ahead."

"Is it possible to turn back time with magic? Can you do something like that, Rendil?"

"Magic that turns back time, you ask?"

"Yes."

Rendil rubbed the back of his neck and remained silent for a long time, deep in thought.

"It is difficult."

"Difficult?"

"It is near impossible. It only exists in theory, there are no successful cases."

"Even with your skills, Rendil?"

"It would be difficult even if the Master of the Magic Tower were here. Because it defies the laws of providence. Why do you suddenly ask such a thing?"

"I just suddenly became curious about it. Just, just because."

"If there were a successful case, I would be the one asking. How they managed to succeed. It would probably be a lifelong topic of discussion among wizards."

Figuring I wouldn't get any answers even if I pressed Rendil further, I simply nodded.

"Thank you. Well then, I should get going to see Cailus now."

"…Please go after I have made my escape."

After making that request, Rendil truly vanished in a flash.

It wasn't hard for me to find Cailus.

Because he was conversing with Syd right in front of the entrance.

I took a deep breath, gathered the hem of my dress, and walked toward him.