The Strongest Man’s Fake Wife Wants to Live Chapter 44

Pesha clicked her tongue and watched the situation unfold.

She thought she wouldn’t even need to intervene because Owen, offended by the invitation, would take care of things himself.

But her prediction was wrong.

“Would that be all right? My wife doesn’t tell me much about her family, so I’ve been curious about quite a few things. This works out nicely.”

“Really? Then that’s perfect! I was just wondering whether my daughter was doing well in her newlywed life, too!”

What? They were actually going to have a meal together?

Pesha’s mouth fell open as she doubted her own ears.

Duke Rydell smiled warmly and was already about to call for a servant.

That was her only remaining opportunity.

Pesha abruptly stepped between the two men.

“Wait a minute. Since when have you cared about me, Father? You must have plenty of other appointments, so you should attend to those first. We’re leaving now.”

“What? Are you planning to humiliate your father in front of your husband right now?”

He had sold her off without a second thought, and now he expected to be treated as her father. It was so absurd that she couldn’t even laugh.

“I said I’m inviting my son-in-law to have a meal with me. How dare you rudely butt in!”

When Duke Rydell suddenly raised his voice, Owen’s brow furrowed.

Noticing his displeasure, Duke Rydell cleared his throat and hurriedly composed himself, trying to smooth over the fact that he had shouted at Pesha.

“Ahem…… You’re making your father feel embarrassed. Anyway, unless you have a particular reason to refuse, let’s have a meal together. Your father has a lot he’d like to ask you. Tell them to prepare immediately.”

Having decided everything on his own, Duke Rydell turned and walked ahead.

Pesha stared at his back in disbelief.

Go back to that house again?

She had spent her childhood trapped inside Duke Rydell’s residence. If anything, she was sick of the place; it was certainly not somewhere she wanted to return to.

It brought back unpleasant memories, and there was no reason to introduce Owen to a home where she had never once been happy.

When Pesha remained where she was instead of following Duke Rydell, Owen spoke.

“If you’re uncomfortable, we can refuse and leave.”

“……”

Pesha looked up at Owen.

His remark about his wife not often telling him about her family sounded far too much like something a real married couple would say.

This man apparently had some business with Duke Rydell, but it was difficult to ask him to explain the details here.

After thinking for a moment, Pesha shook her head.

“No, it’s fine. Let’s just go.”

Whatever scheme he had in mind, I’ll make him regret inviting me.

‘Does he think I’m still the little girl who used to tremble at his every command? This is the perfect chance to shatter that misconception.’

Her eyes gleamed coldly as she changed her mind.

 

***

 

The heavy iron gates of Duke Rydell’s residence slowly opened.

The rhythmic clopping of the knights’ horses echoed along the long stone road.

Resting her elbow against the carriage window, Pesha calmly surveyed the familiar yet unfamiliar scenery.

‘It’s been less than a year since my wedding, yet the time I spent here already feels like it was ages ago.’

Duke Rydell’s residence looked somehow even more splendid and well-kept than she remembered.

It still didn’t feel like home, though.

In truth, to Pesha, this place was closer to a prison than a home.

There was no way she could be happy to return.

The one consolation, at least, was that unlike at the Imperial Palace, she wouldn’t have every little thing she ate or wore reported to someone.

Surprisingly, that was the only good thing about returning to her family home.

The carriage stopped in front of the residence, and the door opened smoothly.

As the two of them stepped down from the carriage, the servants and maids who had lined up in advance all bowed deeply in greeting.

Even as they greeted them, they secretly stole glances at Owen and exchanged looks with one another.

Apparently, seeing such a famous person in person was quite fascinating.

At least the butler maintained his composure and addressed Pesha.

“Welcome home, my lady. His Grace is already waiting in the dining room.”

“Is that so?”

“I’ll escort you to the dining room.”

“No, that’s fine. It’s not as if this is someone else’s house. I’ll find my own way. Instead, prepare somewhere for the knights to rest.”

Pesha cut him off coldly and walked past the butler toward the dining room.

When the dining room door on the second floor of the main building opened, the rich, savory aroma of soup and the smell of roasted meat wafted out.

At the far end of the long dining table covered with a white tablecloth sat Duke Rydell, waiting for them.

And beside him was an unwelcome face.

Her younger brother, Jeremy.

The moment she saw him, Pesha frowned and took her seat without even greeting him.

Duke Rydell’s expression stiffened.

But Jeremy poured wine into his father’s glass, filling it to the brim as he tried to appease him.

“Father! This wine is especially good today. Let me pour you a glass.”

Duke Rydell, who had been about to say something with an uncomfortable expression, reluctantly accepted the glass his son had poured for him.

He also gestured toward Owen, offering him a glass.

“Count Namoi, you must be tired. Have a drink. There’s nothing like alcohol for easing the fatigue of a long journey.”

Owen, who had taken the seat beside Pesha, stopped the servant who was about to pour him wine with a hand and said,

“I don’t particularly enjoy alcohol, so I’ll only have a little.”

“What? You used to be a mercenary, and you don’t drink?”

“I only drink when I need to raise my body temperature in cold, high-altitude regions.”

At his answer, Duke Rydell shook his head in amazement.

“Then what kind of fun do you have in life? Are all swordsmen like that? My eldest son Jeremy is a promising swordsman, but he’s quite the heavy drinker.”

At those words, Jeremy’s face brightened as he eagerly stole glances at Owen.

Ever since he was young, Jeremy had been unable to hide his excitement whenever he heard about Owen’s exploits.

He regarded Owen almost as an idol—the man who had turned seemingly impossible disadvantages around and led the Empire to victory whenever it was driven into a crisis.

Perhaps Jeremy’s influence had also played a part in Duke Rydell bringing Owen into the residence.

Taking the opportunity to mention Jeremy, Duke Rydell introduced him as well.

“Ah, I’ve neglected to introduce you. This is my son, Jeremy. He’s an extremely talented and excellent swordsman. You’ll be surprised when you see his swordsmanship.”

Jeremy then put on a display of humility that didn’t suit him at all.

“Father, please don’t say that. My skills can’t even be compared to Count Namoi’s.”

“Would you mind taking a look at this boy’s skills sometime, Count? Your advice and encouragement would be a great help to Jeremy.”

“Really? Count Namoi is going to teach me?”

“Look at how excited you are. Go ahead and show off your abilities as a swordsman.”

Father and son reached their own conclusion before even getting Owen’s agreement.

Watching Jeremy, who was both shy after meeting the person he admired and desperately eager to impress Owen, Pesha couldn’t help but let out a derisive laugh.

She had no choice but to speak up.

“Father, why do you call Jeremy a swordsman? It’s been ages since he gave up swordsmanship.”

“Gave up? When did I ever!”

He probably wanted to show only his best side in front of the Owen he admired, but Pesha had no intention of letting him do that.

“Isn’t that true? How can you call someone a swordsman when he dropped out halfway through the swordsmanship studies you went to all the trouble of sending him abroad for, and now spends his days doing nothing but lazing around? Aren’t you ashamed to even say it?”

Just as Jeremy was huffing and puffing, about to make an excuse, Duke Rydell became angry first.

“What are you talking about? Jeremy is a talented boy! He’s merely taking a short break right now. Young men wander a little when they’re young. That’s only natural.”

“You do know that because he’s been on academic leave for three years, he’ll be expelled from the academy if another six months pass, right? I hope he manages to finish this so-called wandering within the next six months.”