The Strongest Man’s Fake Wife Wants to Live Chapter 45

When Pesha refused to back down even an inch, Duke Rydell’s nose twitched before he suddenly shouted.

“Why on earth are you so jealous of Jeremy? Because I only sent Jeremy abroad to study? Haven’t I told you? There’s no benefit to a woman becoming too educated. And that research into those weeds you wanted to study would only hurt your reputation!”

So that was why he had sold her to the Emperor—because he was so concerned about his daughter’s reputation.

As Pesha listened quietly, Duke Rydell continued endlessly defending Jeremy.

“There’s nothing to gain from being jealous of your younger brother. Even commoners know that the eldest son comes first. Jeremy is the heir who will carry on our family, isn’t he? Count Namoi, you’re a man yourself, so I’m sure you understand what I’m saying.”

At that, Owen set down the glass he had been drinking from and spoke in an unconcerned tone.

“Of course I understand. Anyone would be worried about an heir who falls so far behind his intelligent sister. I believe it was an act of foresight on Your Grace’s part to educate an inadequate son for the sake of your family’s survival.”

“W-What exactly are you saying?”

His tone was polite and courteous, but the content not only twisted Duke Rydell’s words beyond recognition, it practically gilded Pesha’s face with praise.

This isn’t what I meant.

Before Pesha could even think that, Owen went on to offer his thanks.

“In any case, thanks to Your Grace thinking highly of me, I was able to obtain a wise wife like Pesha. Thank you.”

“Ahem.”

Duke Rydell cleared his throat uncomfortably.

Owen hadn’t intended to answer that way, but if Duke Rydell continued putting Pesha down, he would only be spitting in his own face and damaging his own dignity.

He didn’t like it, but for now, he had to back down.

Composing his displeased expression, he changed the subject.

“Well, let’s put that matter aside. There’s something I’ve been curious about regarding my son-in-law.”

“About me?”

“There’s been a lot of talk about Count Namoi in the capital lately. I hear that, on top of developing a medicine that eliminates monster contamination, you’ve recently expanded into the gemstone business as well.”

At those words, Owen slightly furrowed his brow.

It was Pesha who had become famous for her business ventures.

Even society praised Countess Namoi highly for her business acumen, yet Duke Rydell seemed to think Owen was the one behind all of it.

“You seem to have misunderstood something. I haven’t done anything. All of those businesses were started under Pesha’s direction, and that remains the case.”

Duke Rydell sighed as though he found that frustrating.

“Yes, I have ears, so of course I’ve heard the rumors. But there’s no way Pesha could have done such things, is there? That girl spent her childhood entirely inside this residence. All she learned was what she was taught by a few tutors. How could she suddenly become so talented in business? That leaves only one possibility, Count Namoi—you’ve been conducting these businesses under Pesha’s name.”

Having presented his own theory, Duke Rydell looked rather pleased with himself.

“I suppose you used Pesha’s name to avoid the criticism that would follow if a noble hero like yourself started doing business. But there’s no need for that in front of me. I understand everything.”

What exactly he supposedly understood, Duke Rydell had no idea himself. He had simply made his own assumptions and arrived at his own conclusion.

“But you can’t keep passing all of this off as the achievements of the Countess forever, can you? I can help you. If you just tell me what your next business venture is going to be, I—”

Owen suddenly let out a derisive snort.

“You have quite the imagination. Despite the high regard you’ve given me, I possess no talents beyond wielding a sword.”

“I know you’re a humble man. But that’s not what we’re talking about right now!”

“It isn’t humility. It’s the truth. Everything done under the name of Countess Namoi was accomplished directly by Pesha.”

“What?”

Duke Rydell had apparently assumed that Owen was merely using his daughter’s name and that he was the one actually directing the businesses.

The reason he had suddenly changed his attitude after looking down on her all this time was ultimately because the businesses seemed to be thriving, and he wanted a piece of the profits.

Dumbfounded, Duke Rydell looked at Pesha in confusion.

She responded with a sweet smile.

“Those studies into the weeds you used to think were worthless allowed me to create Seedroka. Amazing, isn’t it?”

“……”

While Duke Rydell was rendered speechless, her younger brother Jeremy, who had been watching the situation, suddenly cut in angrily.

“What kind of nonsense are you talking about? There’s no way someone like you could have started a business like that!”

“If you don’t believe me, go ask Duke Pontroy yourself. You’ll have to be prepared to be treated like an idiot, though. Oh, wait. You’ve already been doing that all along. Sorry?”

Unable to tolerate Pesha’s sarcastic tone any longer, Jeremy shot to his feet and approached her as though he were about to grab her by the collar.

“You crazy bitch……!”

But before his hand could reach her, Owen stepped in front of her.

His large frame and towering height were threatening enough even when he was simply standing still.

“Young Duke.”

Jeremy was panting, looking ready to lunge at her at any moment, but when he saw Owen’s cold, expressionless face, his momentum faltered somewhat.

“I believe you’ve had a little too much to drink. Please calm yourself first.”

“What? I’m not drunk!”

Jeremy shouted, but Owen didn’t so much as flinch. Tilting his head slightly, he continued in a low voice.

“If you’re not drunk, then I don’t understand why you’re behaving so roughly toward your sister.”

“That’s…… It’s normal for siblings to act like this.”

“Is that so? But what shall we do? Pesha’s surname has changed to Namoi, and she is now my wife before she is the daughter of House Rydell. If you’re not drunk, then I have no intention of standing by while someone treats my wife carelessly.”

Owen spoke with an air that left no room for retreat, and Jeremy’s face reddened with embarrassment.

“Damn it, fine. Let’s end the meal here. The swordsmanship lesson is clearly out of the question anyway, and watching that woman act so high and mighty is making my blood boil!”

Owen gazed at Jeremy for a moment before suddenly making a suggestion.

“No. Since ending the meal like this would leave a bad taste, why don’t I take a look at the Young Duke’s swordsmanship instead?”

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

Jeremy asked in surprise, and the uncomfortable atmosphere that had filled the table gradually began to melt away.

Duke Rydell looked bewildered, as though he hadn’t expected Owen to actually accept, while the face that had been flushed red with anger began to brighten.

“Really?”

“Yes. If nothing else, I think I may be able to help you somewhat with swordsmanship. And since Duke Rydell spoke so highly of your abilities, I’m also curious to see your skills for myself.”

At Owen’s polite tone, Jeremy immediately became as docile as a lamb and began stammering.

“Y-Yes! You can look forward to it. I was always among the top five in swordsmanship at the academy. But recently, I feel like my skills have stopped improving……”

“Don’t speak so doubtfully. You’re the sort of boy who can do anything when he puts his mind to it. Your only problem is that you don’t put your mind to it. As for your recent lack of progress, Count Namoi will surely break through whatever obstacle is holding you back.”

Duke Rydell nodded as he encouraged Jeremy.

Although Owen wasn’t the one behind the businesses, Duke Rydell seemed pleased that a man with such outstanding swordsmanship was willing to help his son.

Owen raised the corner of his mouth into a faint, sardonic smile and took a sip of wine first.

“Yes. I’ve seen many swordsmen who struggled with the same problem as the Young Duke, but there was one method that worked for all of them. I’ll teach it to you.”