I Wish My Husband Were Dead - Chapter 8



Only Krnovel

Master and Disciple
2023.11.08.

Cordelia calmed her surprised heart and approached it cautiously.

“Who are you?”

“I’m sorry I’m late in greeting you. Hello. My name is Baron Langchat.”

Although she wasn’t sure if it was a person, it bowed very politely and greeted her. She opened her mouth with eyes mixed with curiosity and fear.

“Baron Langchat?”

“I am Leonard’s first servant and a symbol of loyalty and upright integrity.”

“Leonard? Are you talking about Leonard Attila?”

“Yes.”

“Leonard Attila, who complains about side dishes every meal and has no sympathy for women and children?”

“… … Ahem. Yes.”

Baron coughed in vain and turned his gaze to the distance. After confirming, Cordelia was finally able to approach him with a big smile.

“I see. Then what should I call you?”

“As you wish.”

“Yes, Baron. The reason you appeared before me is, um. Is the lord calling for me?”

“No. Leonard doesn’t know that I appeared before Countess Abrams. However.”

“Call me Cordelia. I don’t like it when you call me by that last name.”

Cordelia frowned. Baron lowered himself and immediately changed his title.

“I came here despite the rudeness to help Cordelia.”

“Helping me?”

“I will help you become Leonard’s disciple.”

He smiled meaningfully. He also seemed to be secretly confident that she wouldn’t refuse his offer.

“Why?”

However, he paused for a moment at Cordelia’s unexpected question.

“Why? I thought you would ask how.”

“If someone who has no interest in me suddenly offers to help me, shouldn’t I first figure out what their intentions are?”

The tone was casual, but the content was sharp and accurate. Baron was momentarily dumbfounded, then laughed.

“I see why Leonard keeps Cordelia close to him.”

“Keeping her close? The lord is the one who keeps me farthest from him in the world.”

“You know your true identity, but you’re still alive? That’s very surprising.”

“… … .”

This time Cordelia was speechless. It seemed that ‘getting close’ to Leonard was far beyond what she thought.

“So why does Baron want to help me? Since you came without the lord’s knowledge, you probably didn’t ask permission.”

“As you know, Leonard is currently in a very dangerous situation. Maximilian wouldn’t leave you alone if he found out you’re alive. Plus, Count Abrams, the owner of your body, is in a bad position, so it wouldn’t be surprising if you poisoned his food at any time.”

“Yes.”

“In other words, it means that they desperately need help here.”

“I thought so too. But seeing Baron here, my help doesn’t seem to be of much use.”

To be honest, I doubt Cordelia would be of much help to Leonard. In fact, the only thing she did to his request was throw a letter into the air.

“I often have to leave my master’s side for personal reasons. If Cordelia were to poison my master’s food while I’m away, I would lose my master twice.”

“… … So you don’t need my help, but you want me to not harm your master.”

“That would be more accurate.”

Baron said politely but firmly. Cordelia pouted.

“That’s too much. Where can you find someone as kind as me?”

“Of course, I know that Cordelia has a beautiful heart, but I lost my master once because I believed in the goodness of humans.”

Leonard was betrayed and killed by his own blood relative. It might be natural to distrust humans.

“I guess helping you become my disciple is an extension of that. I won’t do anything to harm him if I become his disciple.”

“You’re so clear-headed, there’s no need to explain my intentions separately.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to kill me?”

“… … .”

“Killing me and silencing me would be the cleanest.”

The way he said such terrifying words so casually resembled Leonard. Baron licked his lips and spoke honestly.

“It’s not that I didn’t consider that option, but I decided that it would be better to have a trustworthy assistant within the Count’s household. And I also want to live quietly without incident until my master returns to his original position.”

“Then are you going to tell me your weakness? I wonder if I can use that as an excuse to threaten you into becoming my disciple.”

Cordelia’s eyes sparkled when she said the word “threat.” Baron was a little flustered and his voice came out hoarse.

“Um, weakness… … Rather than that, I’ll tell you how to stay by your side for a long time.”

He lifted his chin as if he were doing a great favor. Cordelia frowned and replied,

“I don’t really want to stay by that man’s side for a long time. I just want to learn some minor magic and become a magic appraiser… … .”

“No!”

Before she could finish speaking, Baron glared at her and became angry.

“A magic appraiser! Are you thinking of getting a job? My goodness, if it becomes known that Leonard’s disciple is a magic appraiser, your reputation will fall to the ground.”

“Who would react the same way? Is that so surprising?”

“When Cordelia officially receives magic power, you will understand what it means.”

Baron shook his head and let out a shallow sigh.

“I will help you as much as I can. Besides, it won’t be that difficult since my master seems to think well of Cordelia.”

“You think well of me? Where on earth do you see me?”

This time, he really had a question. Whenever he said something, he would tell her to leave, so what was Baron’s basis for saying such things?

“You will understand what I mean later. Cordelia doesn’t have to do anything to become my disciple. To be exact, even if you do, my master won’t accept it easily.”

“Then tell me… … . Done, just tell me one weakness of yours. I won’t tell Baron.”

“There is a much simpler way.”

“What is that?”

“In order to take off a traveler’s clothes, you need the hot sun rather than the wind. Sympathy is the only way to melt your hard heart.”

Baron smiled meaningfully. Cordelia was about to ask herself, ‘What kind of sympathy can you have for that heartless man?’

“Young lady.”

A voice suddenly came from behind her, and the conversation between the two ended. Cordelia awkwardly turned around and looked back.

“Huh?”

“You were here.”

The servant in charge of the stables was there, not knowing when he had arrived. Cordelia covered her back with the trough and looked around. Fortunately, the Baron was already out of sight.

“Ah. I was just feeding Lottie some food.”

“This dog? But.”

The servant frowned and looked at Lottie. It seemed that he didn’t like the idea of ​​a dirty dog ​​wandering around the Count’s stables.

Cordelia asked with a kind face.

“What’s your name?”

“My name is Peter, Young lady.”

“Yes. Peter. Lottie is my favorite dog in this castle. He looks like the hunting dog my father raised when I was young.”

“Is that so?”

Peter looked bewildered by his mistress’s sudden explanation.

“So if I ever find out that you kick Lottie or treat her badly when I’m away, I might have you kicked out of the castle.”

Her tone was gentle and affectionate, but the warning was blatant. He immediately bowed down and begged for forgiveness. Cordelia, like any merciful mistress, readily forgave her servant.

“Yes, Peter. Why did you call me?”

“Oh, the lady is looking for you.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

She thought Leonard might be looking for her, but he was not. She left the stables, not hiding her disappointment.

* * *

Leonard’s attitude did not change even after meeting the Baron. In fact, he would push her away even more bluntly. However, Cordelia treated him with an even kinder face.

“Do you like the food today?”

“Shall I open the window a little more?”

“Is there anything else you want to send me?”

Leonard was slowly becoming accustomed to her presence.

“Lily just arrived?”

“Yes. They say she’s passing through the outer wall.”

Cordelia’s face, which had been maintaining her composure, cracked. I thought she’d be here next week, but she arrived so soon.

“That’s good news.”

“Oh my. The maids are really upset. They’re going to be here for quite some time, so I wonder how much more they’ll be harassed.”

When Emily grumbled, Cordelia smiled vaguely, neither positive nor negative.

As she walked down the hallway, she saw Helena’s back. Unlike usual, her steps looked quite cheerful. It made sense, since she was on her way to see her only daughter. Cordelia followed her quietly.

“Mother!”

“Lily. Let me see your face. Oh my. You’re half gone. Come often. How many months has it been?”

The mother and daughter chatted affectionately and relieved their reminiscences. Only after passing through the gate did Lily notice Cordelia standing next to her.

When their eyes met, Cordelia had no choice but to greet her first.

“Welcome, Lily.”

“Your husband is in bed, but he’s gotten so plump.”

“… … .”

“Does your fate look good? If Craig had been wrong, I could have kicked you out.”

“… … .”

“Oh, you’re unlucky. I shouldn’t have let you into this household.”

It would have been better to deal with Helena.

At least Helena ignored Cordelia as if she didn’t exist, and didn’t growl every time their eyes met.

Responding at such times would only tire her out physically and mentally. She endured the insults with ease.

“It’s okay, it’s nothing. ‘I’m just bending for the future.’