Marriage with a Suspiciously Demure Husband - Chapter 104.2
Chapter 104.2
As she stretched, Kairos opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. Perhaps he hadn’t actually intended to say anything, and Hazel had simply projected her own anxieties onto him. After accepting fresh clothes from Hizan, she turned back to find the maid speaking softly.
“Madam, news about the purification stones.”
Apparently, Annie had contacted them during the night. While attending to Hazel, Hizan relayed the news: the purification stones had shipped that afternoon and would arrive in five days, at the earliest.
“Five days?”
“Yes, assuming there are no complications along the way.”
“Right. With the gates closing whenever monsters appear, we should probably allow a full week, just in case.”
Lately, delays had become increasingly common, not just for purification stones but also for merchants’ goods and essential supplies traveling to and from the north. The Duchy hadn’t been significantly affected yet, but the villages would face hardship unless they increased their reserves.
Dealing with the monster incursions was already stretching their resources thin.
“Yes, that seems wise.”
“Then, I can take my time inspecting the warehouse. Everything’s already prepared.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Exactly five days later, just as Annie had predicted, the purification stones arrived at the Duchy.
“…They’ve seen better days, haven’t they?”
Hazel gestured to the battered crates. The deliveryman, his face pale with exhaustion, frantically brushed at the scuff marks and bowed deeply.
“My apologies, Duchess! I brought an escort to protect the shipment, but we ran into monsters last night near one of the villages. However, I assure you, the contents are perfectly intact! You can check the count yourself!”
He presented the delivery manifest along with the crates of purification stones, setting them carefully on the ground.
“One hundred stones per crate, I see.”
“Yes, packed for easy counting and safe transport.”
“As long as the stones are undamaged, the crates don’t matter. Could you have these brought inside? Place them in the underground warehouse, and I’ll inspect them later.”
Hazel handed the deliveryman his payment.
“You must be exhausted. Thank you for your trouble.”
The deliveryman’s eyes widened, and he stepped back.
“Oh, no, that’s not necessary. The delivery fee has already been taken care of.”
“Really?”
“Yes, of course. You paid generously. There’s no need for further payment.”
“Well then, safe travels on your return journey.”
“Thank you for your patronage!”
With another deep bow, the deliveryman departed. Hazel’s day continued at a brisk pace. Mrs. Tene informed her of a visiting lace artisan, and then a shipment of winter provisions arrived, requiring her attention. Before she knew it, it was lunchtime.
“Hazel.”
“Oh, you’re back early.”
“Things wrapped up sooner than expected. How was your day?”
Hazel had been about to head down to the warehouse to check on the purification stones, and the timing of Kairos’s arrival seemed perfect. She’d already told him about the five hundred stones, so she suggested they go together.
“….”
Kairos seemed to hesitate, scratching his brow. He extended a hand towards her.
“Where are we going?”
Hazel asked as she took his hand, but he didn’t answer, just continued to rub his thumb over her knuckles. His expression was troubled, indecisive. He was usually so decisive, so efficient. Finally, he spoke.
“…I’m not sure this is the right thing to do.”
“What do you mean? What’s wrong?”
“You have a visitor.”
“A visitor? I wasn’t expecting anyone. Is it the Princess?”
“No. They’re waiting in the reception room.”
“I don’t have any appointments… who is it?”
Hazel racked her brain, but no names came to mind. Anyone from the knighthood or the Imperial Palace would have sent prior notice. For a moment, she wondered if it was Annie, then dismissed the idea as absurd.
Annie was terrified of Kairos and wouldn’t dare come here unannounced. Despite her repeated questions, Kairos remained silent, simply leading her by the hand.
‘Who could it be?’
He led her to the reception room, his hand gripping the doorknob with a strange tension as if bracing himself for an unpleasant encounter.
“Who is it? Someone you dislike?”
He managed a strained smile. Then, he opened the door. Still completely bewildered, Hazel stepped inside. And promptly froze in astonishment.
Two familiar figures greeted her.
“It’s been a while.”
“It has. How have you been?”
Hazel stared at the pair, speechless.
‘What are you two doing here?!’
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