The Wicked Wife’s Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 53

Nina furtively glanced at Ash as she sat down.

Despite being the one who suggested eating together, the man spread his napkin over his lap with a cold expression, making her lips twitch in annoyance.

‘…If he’s going to act like that, why did he even suggest we eat together? He could’ve just sent me away like usual.’

The coldness on her husband’s handsome face showed no signs of thawing.

‘Well, I guess it doesn’t matter…’

The brief excitement she had felt slowly began to subside.

The fact that he had asked her to dine together at all meant he was acknowledging that he had overreacted earlier in the day.

That alone gave Nina some peace of mind.

‘Should I take this opportunity to tell him I’ll be attending the school festival by myself?’

She sipped her aperitif, ignoring the curious stares from the maids, and fell into thought.

Ash had made a gesture of reconciliation, but what if bringing up a sensitive topic now ruined the mood?

Not that the current atmosphere was particularly good either.

Even strangers eating alone at a shared table would look friendlier than they did right now.

And if things went sour here, it would feel like having a final meal with an enemy before a battle.

‘I should just think it through first.’

Nina ran through possible scenarios in her mind. Judging by his typical reactions…

‘Duke, can we talk for a moment?’

‘I only suggested we eat together. When did I say I’d engage in conversation with you?’

He’d either cut off the conversation coldly or get up and leave, claiming she’d ruined his appetite.

If that happened, it would only fuel more rumors among the servants.

Given that they hadn’t yet identified the “rat” in the house, this would not be helpful.

‘There’s still time, so let’s just keep quiet today.’

Nina glanced at Ash, who was elegantly slicing his steak with a blank expression, and sighed softly in resignation.

At that moment, Ash put down his cutlery and spoke.

“…You said earlier, didn’t you, to take it seriously?”

“Sorry?”

“You said that Ian might be waiting for me. Isn’t that what you said?”

Nina’s eyes widened at the unexpected question.

She hadn’t expected him to bring up the same topic, let alone mention it first.

“…Yes, I did say that.”

She had told him to take it seriously, though she hadn’t expected him to actually listen. Had he really been paying attention?

Still in disbelief, Nina gulped down some water and waited for him to continue.

“Even if my relationship with that boy is more awkward than you realize, do you really think he might be waiting for me?”

The somber light in his gray eyes as he stared at the table, coupled with his half-subdued husky voice, revealed the depth of his internal struggle.

‘…Could Ian be thinking of Ash the same way he sees Count Azelot?’

Judging by the circumstances, it wasn’t impossible.

Ian had been surrounded by people like the Count, those ravenous for his inheritance.

And if Ian were of age, he would be the Duke of Bayern right now, not Ash, so it was highly probable.

If Ian didn’t trust Ash, it made sense that he would be grappling with this kind of dilemma.

Nina straightened her back, folding her hands neatly over her napkin.

She met his gaze, now fixed intently on her, and gave her answer.

“I know that you truly care for Ian. After all, I used to pay quite a bit of attention to you, didn’t I?”

At that, he let out a faint chuckle.

It wasn’t the mocking or disdainful laughter he had shown her before.

Her heart fluttered slightly at the sight of his smile.

Even though she had supposedly let go of her feelings for him in her past life and uprooted them entirely after reincarnation… perhaps it was because of his national-treasure-level face that she was briefly charmed once again.

Even though he was the man who had caused her so much heartache (though, to be fair, it was her own fault as well), she couldn’t help but be swayed, even if just for a moment.

Anyway.

“You are his guardian, aren’t you? And you’re even considering adopting him a year from now.”