I Wish My Husband Were Dead - Chapter 156



Only Noblemtl

Side Story 2. If You Love
2024.04.04.

Cordelia stopped fixing her disheveled hair and looked back.

“Oh my god. Is that all you want?”

“Just? Just imagining someone else in this space besides you is annoying.”

“Then do I really have to carry a tray to a restaurant until I die?”

“Was it that sad to run errands at a restaurant?”

Leonard chuckled.

“Okay. From now on, I’ll take care of my own meals, so don’t worry about it.”

“No, actually… … Leonard. Do you really not want to take on another disciple?”

“No.”

He firmly stated his refusal. There was not an inch of hesitation.

“I’ve told you several times, but I never intended to take on a disciple. You’re the first and the last.”

“Then what about me taking on a disciple? Is that not a good idea?”

Cordelia asked cautiously. Leonard raised one eyebrow and said,

“Is there anyone you want to take as your disciple?”

“No. Not really… …”

“Then why?”

“What happens to Acheron if we both die? Won’t all the research we’ve done up until now disappear into thin air?”

“Oh, really, do you care that much?”

Leonard’s voice softened again when he realized what she was worried about. He rested his chin on her shoulder and said,

“I’ve written the paper and left it as a reference, so future generations can look it up if they need it. Why worry about it after I’m dead?”

“It’s a shame. It’s just that such great research is ending with you, Master.”

When she first became a wizard, she didn’t know what it meant to become the youngest Sirius at the age of 18.

However, as time passed and she learned more about magic, Cordelia began to realize how far he had come.

His outstanding face and his background as Atile were nothing compared to Leonard’s accomplishments.

“Having a disciple doesn’t guarantee that he will continue to develop our research and continue to advance.”

“Of course, but it’s different from not taking on any disciples at all.”

“You’re being persistent today. Did the old men call you aside again and scold you?”

“That’s not it.”

After Cordelia became a high-level magician, the Sirius had quietly called her over. They had secretly pressured her to take on a new disciple, if not to take on a new disciple herself.

Of course, after Leonard found out about this, he caused all sorts of trouble, so no one had ever told Cordelia that she should take on a disciple.

“I was vaguely thinking of passing it on to my child, but I thought it would be hard for him too. In that case, I thought it would be better to find a disciple as soon as possible.”

“Cordelia.”

The smile disappeared from Leonard’s face.

The two had been married for over three years, but they had not been pregnant yet. In the early days of their marriage, neither of them had much to worry about, but as time went by, Cordelia became increasingly restless.

“We’ve only been married for three years.”

“I know. But I have to prepare for the unexpected.”

Although she pretended to be indifferent, Leonard could read his wife’s anxiety. He shifted his seat and faced Cordelia.

“And as I’ve said many times, I don’t care if I have children or not. You’re the only one I really want.”

“Then what about Attila?”

“When it’s time to pass the title on, you can find a suitable collateral and get it registered. Everyone brags about the sacred eight families, but no family has ever maintained a pure bloodline without adopting a single child. What’s important is not bloodline, but whether Attila’s values ​​can be inherited well.”

“I know, I know.”

Nevertheless, Cordelia continued to be concerned about the many names Leonard had named his children with sparkling eyes at the beginning of their marriage. This was because she could sometimes sense that her husband wanted children, even though he didn’t say anything.

When Cordelia’s face darkened, Leonard comforted her with a light kiss on her forehead.

“We’re both still young and healthy, so let’s think about things like succession and discipleship later. Okay?”

“… … That’s

right.” The words, “How long can I put it off?” were tickling in Cordelia’s throat, but she held them back.

* * *

“Are you concentrating?”

“… … .”

“Cordelia.”

“Oh, yes! I’m sorry, Lady Matilda.”

Cordelia, who had been staring blankly into space, suddenly came to her senses in surprise. Matilda said as she closed the thick book.

“Let’s stop here for today.”

“I’m sorry, I’ll really come to my senses and do it right. Just give me one more chance.”

“No. I’m just tired. I’m not the same as I used to be because I’m older. It’s hard for me to sit still for long periods of time.”

Matilda wrinkled her nose and got up from her seat. Her knees were bad, so she had to use a cane since last year. Cordelia quickly went to her side and helped Matilda up.

“You still look sharp to me.”

“It’s fortunate that you’re not senile at this age.”

“Senile? Don’t say that.”

The two of them moved to sit by the fire. Matilda stirred the firewood with her kindling and asked lightly as if it were a passing question.

“Is something bothering you?”

Cordelia tried to smile as she always did and say that it was nothing, but suddenly her chest felt too heavy.

Since becoming Lady Attila, there were few people with whom she could feel comfortable sharing her feelings. Even when she went to a gathering of the wives of the electors who were of similar status, they only talked about boring politics, and it was difficult to find someone with whom she could honestly confide. Moreover, after going through that with Lydia, it was hard to trust people.

Even though she exchanged letters with Rani, they were literally letters, so it was completely different from meeting face to face and talking. On top of that, Rani, who had now become a full-fledged high priestess, was so busy that she seemed to be overwhelmed with only three or four letters a year.

“Actually, I’m worried about a child.”

“A child?”

“Yes. It’s already been three years and I haven’t had a baby at all. Not even Leonard, but no one has pressured me or hinted at it. I keep feeling anxious. I think I might never be able to have a child.”

Cordelia let out the anxiety she had been holding in her heart. Since she had been pretending not to care and not saying anything, this alone made her feel like the lump inside her was slightly relieved.

“Are you continuing your marital relationship?”

“Yes? Oh, yes.”

She thought she would give some cliche and light consolation, but Matilda raised her glasses and asked a sharp question. Cordelia was a little flustered, but she answered obediently.

“On the fertile days?”

“Yes.”

“How’s the lunar cycle?”

“It’s regular.”

“Have you and Atile both had your health checked?”

“Yes. They both said there was no problem.”

That made me even more frustrated. I would rather dig into it to solve a problem if I found one, but when they said there was no problem, I was even more frustrated.

“Hmm.”

More systematic questions came out than I had expected. In addition, Matilda asked various questions related to the pregnancy, then turned around and started writing something on a piece of paper.

“Here, take this to Lisa.”

“Lisa? Who is Lisa and what is this?”

“This is a letter asking me to take good care of you, and Lisa is a doctor who specializes in infertility treatment. She’s a tight-lipped person, so you don’t have to worry about strange rumors spreading.”

“Huh? Is there a doctor like that?”

“Of course. She’s quite famous in this field. There’s someone from as far away as Yeratcus who’s looking for her.”

“I see.”

Cordelia couldn’t take her eyes off the letter Matilda had written for her. Her expression brightened, even though not everything was resolved yet. Cordelia bowed to Matilda.

“Thank you so much, Matilda. Thank you for caring so much. In fact, I appreciate you even listening to my worries.”

“Cordelia. Is this the reason you came here to learn about demon summoning?”

Matilda asked, carefully taking Cordelia’s hand. Knowing what she was worried about, Cordelia quickly shook her head.

“No. That’s not it.” “Well, that’s

good. But if things don’t go as well as you want after you meet Lisa, I hope you don’t follow the same path as Grita.”

It was a gentle but sincere piece of advice. Knowing better than anyone else what her mother, Grita Manson, had done to have her, Cordelia tightened her grip on her hand.

“Don’t worry. Demon summoning is just something I’m interested in and want to know more about. Even if I can’t have children, I won’t go that far.”

“That’s not certain. People become desperate when they don’t have something, and when that desperateness reaches its peak, they sometimes make foolish choices. Look at Lydia Elfenbaum. You know what she did.”

“Yes. I completely understand your concern. I promise. Even if I can’t have children, I won’t resort to the devil.”

Matilda’s face brightened a little as Cordelia made her solemn vow.