I Raised My Husband Wrong

Each person has their own energy.

When reaching a level like Libertisha, one can feel the energy so clearly that they’d be able to see it.

She would use this energy to read people.

If only she had realized that ability sooner, she would’ve been able to feel and avoid the steaming, sinister aura coming from Uncle Wilfred.

Unfortunately, it was a rare ability that she had come to realize only after crossing the line between life and death on numerous battlefields.

It was also for this reason that she recognized Kaius to be the Duke of Valtale as soon as she saw him.

‘He resembles him.’

Red hair, scarlet eyes. Even if it weren’t for that, she would have seen through him in a heartbeat.

The boy, or rather, Kaius, had an aura that bore a striking resemblance to his father, the previous Duke of Valtale.

However, if Duke Valtale had the energy of a tiger, Kaius… was more like a little cat.

Sensitive, alert, and sharp.

Kaius clenched his fists and strode down the hallway at a brisk pace, but no matter how fast he walked, he was still only half as fast as Libertisha, so it was easy to keep up with him.

Libertisha, who had been following behind him, spoke up.

“Where are you going now?”

“The drawing room.”

“Why?”

“To quickly confirm the business you have here and kick you out.”

“You’re being too much.”

Libertisha quietly clicked her tongue.

He definitely looked like an eight-year-old child, but why couldn’t she find any childlike cuteness in his words or actions?

‘Well, I think I can see why His Majesty assured me that he would be a handsome man in ten years.’

Libertisha glanced down at Kaius’ face as he walked ahead of her.

It was uncharacteristic of someone so young to have such a sharp jawline and nose.

As well as the straight lashes and scarlet eyes that emitted a strange, mysterious glow.

Even Libertisha, who lacked aesthetic sense, was convinced. This boy was going to be a handsome man who would stir up the system.

“ … Though he’s still just a kid.”

“What?”

He has good ears.

Seeing Kaius react sharply to her small murmur, Libertisha pretended to not notice and shifted her gaze.

Just then, the butler spotted them from across the hall and chased after them.

“Duke! Where on earth have you been! I’ve been looking for you!”

“Seems like you were.”

“Did you disappear on purpose because we were looking for you? The knights sent by His Majesty the Emperor are waiting for you, so it would be very troublesome if you disappear like this…”

“It’s fine.”

Kaius said, interrupting the butler from his nagging.

“Since the knight who came was even more ridiculous.”

“What? Oh…”

The butler then noticed Libertisha who had been following behind Kaius. She gave him a small smile and nodded her head.

“I heard that he was in a dangerous place, so I brought him back.”

“Oh, I see. Thank you. This kind of thing… I’m afraid to say that we haven’t been able to properly serve the Duke yet.”

“Don’t you dare blame me. I’m telling you this guy was even more reckless.”

“Duke, the palace knights are His Majesty’s sword and shield. You should be a little more polite.”

“I don’t mind. In fact, I’m glad that the Duke treated me so comfortably.”

“Oh no.”

The butler looked dejected. A knight’s pride seemed to be too strong for words.

When nobles said they were “treated comfortably”, it was no different from saying that they were treated rudely. The butler looked at Kaius with a sorrowful gaze.

“Duke, we don’t mind you doing that to us, but…”

“I’m telling you that’s not the case here! I’m so frustrated that it’s driving me crazy.”

“No, it’s fine, really. The duke wasn’t being rude. It just seems like he pursues freedom quite strongly–”

“You, be quiet!”

“Duke!”

“Ugh.”

Kaius stomped ahead in frustration. Hearing the butler sigh, Libertisha let out a small laugh.

He was still a child, after all.

***

The drawing room, which had been noisy in the absence of its master, became quiet as soon as Kaius opened the door and entered.

Everyone heard stories about the new duke being young, but they all looked quite surprised to see him in person.

“Hmph.”

Kaius plopped down on the sofa as if he was accustomed to such gazes. As he leaned back on the sofa, noticing that his legs lifted slightly off the floor, Libertisha stifled the laughter that threatened to escape her and sat down.

“So, what did you come here for?”

“I’ve come to deliver the previous duke’s belongings.”

Libertisha took out the box she had brought.

When she opened it, a shiny red pendant appeared inside.

At the sight of the red pendant, the butler’s and Kaius’ expressions instantly changed.

The butler covered his mouth in surprise, and Kaius’ expression hardened.

“His Majesty told me to deliver it to you.”

Egan interrupted. Behind him, the Knights of the Crimson Moon chimed in.

“We are His Majesty’s closest knights.”

“For him to command us, it means he considers us special.”

“His Majesty the merciful Emperor.”

As the Knights of the Crimson Moon chattered, Libertisha remained silent, watching Kaius’ expression.

Kaius slowly reached out and took the pendant into his hands. He stared at it, unable to look away, as if he were being sucked into its red glow.

But he didn’t seem to convey the feelings of having gotten his precious parent’s belongings back.

Rather, Kaius’ spirit was rampaging uncontrollably. He looked like a person full of anger.

Unlike Libertisha, who remained silent upon noticing his energy, Egan opened his mouth without second thought.

“His Majesty wants the new Duke Valtale to wear this pendant specifically for the upcoming imperial ban–”

“ … don’t need it.”

“–quet. What?”

“I don’t need it. Take it back.”

Clang.

Kaius dropped the pendant he was holding without emotion.

The pendant slipped out of his hand and landed on the floor’s carpeting.

“Duke!”

“What the…”

The butler standing behind Kaius looked like he was about to faint.

Egan stood dumbfounded for a moment at the unexpected situation, then rose to his feet with a scowl on his face.

“Apart from it being one the duke’s belongings, it is also a gift from His Majesty! To openly insult it is equivalent to insulting His Majesty!”

“Is it not a grave insult to order a funeral without a corpse, and then return one pendant only after doing research on it?”

“Th-That… That was just in case!”

“I said I don’t need it. What don’t you understand?”

Kaius’ irritated voice rang through the drawing room.

Everyone held their breath except for Libertisha.

For a moment, Egan’s face had reddened, as if he was ashamed to have been pushed around by a child’s energy.

“No matter how young the duke may be, to be so disrespectful to those of us who were sent here by His Majesty the Emperor’s orders is nothing short of being disrespectful to His Majesty himself!”

Unlike Egan, who was chattering away by the minute, Libertisha was quiet. She was still as she picked up the pendant from the floor, and stared at it.

The pendant still shone with its reddish hue.

The butler who was restless. The young duke who did not budge even with the presence of two high-ranking knights sitting in front of him.

As well as the vice-commander of the Crimson Moon Knights who was being pushed around by that young duke.

With a sigh, Libertisha took the pendant and stood up.

“ … Well, if that’s the case, then I’ll come back another time.”

“What?”

Egan looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“What do you mean by that? You’re just going to go back like this?”

“That’s right. Now, stop being so undignified and get up.”

“Wh-Who are you to be talking about being dignified…”

“Just because we’re in different orders doesn’t mean I’m not your superior. Get up. That’s an order.”

Her tone was cold.

Egan didn’t want to hear her orders even in death, but when she spoke so firmly, he had to obey.

He clenched his fists and rose to his feet.

Unlike when she had first met Kaius, Libertisha greeted him with great dignity and politeness.

“Then we will be taking our leave for today.”

“ … ”

“I will come back another time.”

Leaving the silent Kaius behind, Libertisha led the knights out of the duchy.

Until they were gone, Kaius remained silent.

***

Kaius was dumbfounded and spoke up in a bewildered voice.

“ … Why are you here again?”

“I said I’d come back.”

Her proud reply left him speechless.

It was only yesterday that they had parted ways because they had hurt each other’s feelings.

He had expected her to come back with a few days’ notice, but he had not expected her to come back within a day.

“Yeah. Okay. But everything aside…”

Kaius’ head tilted upward.

On the high branch that had been his seat until yesterday, Libertisha was perched there and reading a book.

Why are you up there?