I Became the Husband of a Sword Demon

When I left the Caladborg Duke’s residence and headed toward the Central Region, my mind wasn’t cluttered with complex thoughts.

It was the letter from Rize about the side alley auction of the Failord and the two matters of Asulin’s mother, the ailing Caladborg Duchess, that consumed all my attention, leaving no room for anything else.

And given that there was nothing I could do concerning the matters involving the Duchess, it made my mind even clearer.

Even though it was an unusual marriage, legally speaking, Asulin was my wife, so she would be my mother-in-law. There was no need to say much more about it.

I didn’t think for a moment that my mother-in-law, who was supposedly ill, would look at me kindly. So, I tried to avoid any emotional involvement by leaving everything to Asulin when visiting here.

Asulin agreed without hesitation, which relieved me somewhat. But as soon as we arrived at the Duke’s Residence, I realized my promise with Asulin was shattered in pieces.

It wasn’t because Asulin broke our agreement, but rather because her health, contrary to what was stated in the letter, seemed quite good when we met at the Caladborg Duke’s villa.

No, it was more than just good; it was vibrant.

The moment I saw Asulin, she puffed up her cheeks slightly and opened her eyes wide, clearly showing her displeasure at seeing her daughter after a long time. It was clear that she was far from being in critical condition.

“Daughter, come here.”

Seeing her call out to Asulin with such familiarity and gentleness, I couldn’t help but feel bewildered. There was no way I could call the Duchess a patient.

As Asulin approached with a reluctant expression, mirroring my own confusion, it was evident how surprised she was too.

She had walked with heavy steps hearing the news of her mother’s critical condition, yet her surprise at seeing her mother in such good health was stark.

Still, she wasn’t just feeling perplexed. There was a hint of resentment directed at my father-in-law, or rather, the Caladborg Duke, as she looked at him heavily.

The Duke’s dignified demeanor, which seemed to never show any warmth, made his attempt to hide his embarrassment by averting his gaze even more striking.

He was a Duke at the pinnacle of nobility, one whom no one dared to challenge, not even the Imperial Court. Seeing him cower under Asulin’s resentful gaze was anything but common.

Perhaps Asulin’s urgency and resentment were a silent plea to prevent her father from forcing her to stay away from her mother, but her fervent hope did not stop her from completely approaching her mother and then directing her gaze towards the Duke.

“Haha… Our daughter, how sad this mother has been without hugging you for so long?”

As soon as Asulin came within reach, the Duchess began to pout, treating her daughter like a child.

Though it seemed mild enough, I still felt a pang.

“M-Mother…”

“Answer.”

“I’m sorry for not paying proper respects due to my busy schedule.”

“Do you always speak so formally to your mother?”

“Mom, I’m sorry…”

“Haha, alright.”

As Asulin effortlessly transitioned from speaking formally to her parents in a matter of moments, it made me reflect deeply.

Furthermore…

“Let’s hug our daughter once after such a long time.”

“M-Mom, then…”

“Your mother is angry.”

“…”

With just a few words, she easily subdued Asulin.

“Guhh—!”

From such slender arms, a sound emerged that I found hard to believe, as she embraced me tightly.

There… Didn’t you say your mother was critically ill?

Where was she ill?

Not only did she gesture for Asulin to come closer and hold her tightly with both arms, but also spoke with such authority that it was impossible to think she was ill.

No, she was definitely ill.

“Seeing our daughter like this makes my heart, which felt like it was wilting, recover instantly. How wonderful.”

Interpreting her words as her spirit having recovered from not seeing her daughter for a while, I understood.

Anyway, seeing her warmly embrace Asulin with both arms and not let go, I instinctively knew that one of the two concerns I had when coming here was resolved.

How could she be critical if she was so lively as soon as she saw Asulin?

Realizing that the major issue had been resolved smoothly, the doubts I had during my month-long stay at the Duke’s Residence began to dissipate as I witnessed the resolution of events.

‘This must be inherited.’

Even though the Duchess, who didn’t seem like a warrior at all, held Asulin tightly with both arms, it reminded me so much of how Asulin used to burrow into my arms every night.

Her posture of holding me around the waist was exactly the same.

Even though it didn’t seem like she was applying much force, she held me firmly.

“Mother…”

“Ah.”

“M-Mom, you have eyes too, you know…”

“No, I’ll keep this until my mood improves.”

Unless Asulin begged, she wouldn’t let go, and her embrace was that secure.

Anyone could see that the way she hugged me at night, causing me trouble, was something she had inherited from her mother.

Though it was comical to look at, the technical precision of her embrace was impressive, and it made me marvel. Yet, this admiration soon turned into a certainty that Asulin would soon perform a similar embrace with the same level of skill.

Shiver—

Grateful that no one here was looking at me, I couldn’t help but shudder with fear.

Asulin, please don’t treat me like a doll when you hug me in your sleep.

Even as I silently pleaded inside, hoping no one heard my silent cry.

—

The joy of reunion between mother and daughter, which seemed eternal, did not last long.

“Cough!”

A cold cough, sharp enough to make bones shiver, shook the temporary head of household meeting.

“Oh, my goodness, I’m glad I’m back to my senses. Haha.”

Only then did the Duchess finally realize and release Asulin from her tight embrace.

The Duchess’s face showed regret as she released her hug, and Asulin’s expression, barely escaping the Duchess’s kindness, mirrored the look I wore every morning after waking up.

Yes, how should I describe that look? Like an animal finally freed from a trap.

Though I didn’t want to admit it, I wore the same expression every morning, so I had no choice but to accept it.

Asulin… You’d understand if you experienced this too, right?

I wanted to scold Asulin gently as soon as we were alone, but…

“Hmm…”

The Caladborg Duke, fixing his gaze on where his wife and daughter had been moments ago, spoke softly.

“Annette, we’re not alone. If you continue this behavior in front of our ‘son-in-law,’ what will happen?”

His cold demeanor made his soft voice all the more surprising.

I hadn’t expected such tenderness from the Lord Commander, whose cold appearance suggested otherwise. The shock was compounded by the disparity between his voice and his appearance.

‘Did he just call me son-in-law?’

The shock of hearing him call me son-in-law made me speechless.

Even though it was a fact that I was legally considered the Duke’s son-in-law, I hadn’t imagined the Duke would refer to me as such, especially considering his disdain for this marriage.

“Nice to meet you.”

After greeting me warmly with a gentle voice, he continued.

“I’ve heard many stories about you through our daughter since the Succession War. As you can see, I am the master of this Caladborg residence, Carthas Blatt Caladborg.”

Seeing the Duke introduce himself with such warmth, despite his usual cold demeanor, I bowed in respect.

Indeed, unlike the former head of household, who lacked any human qualities, the Lord Commander’s presence exuded a refined dignity, as if he had forged himself into a sword.

Only now did I fully grasp the reality.

When I hurriedly set off upon receiving the news of the Duchess’s critical condition, I hadn’t thought there would be much for me to do at the Duke’s villa.

“Even though my daughter wrote extensively in her letters, it didn’t resonate with me. Now, seeing you, I realize my judgment was wrong.”

Meeting the Lord Commander’s gaze, which carried a subtle, enigmatic smile, I felt a growing realization.

More important than retrieving the Failord was the understanding that winning the favor of this era’s giant would ensure a smooth future for the rest of my life.

Hmm… How can I navigate this situation filled with variables safely?

Should I pray to a god I usually don’t turn to?

Gently—

As I pondered, I felt Asulin’s hand prod my arm lightly, and turning to her, I wondered if her mere presence could reassure me.

All sorts of thoughts swirled in my mind like flowers blooming and fading with the seasons.

But no amount of thinking could provide answers to all my worries.

In the end, the only conclusion was that in such situations, maintaining composure and doing one’s duty was paramount.

I focused on presenting myself appropriately, standing in a balanced manner that was neither stiff nor loose.

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