The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 99
She bit her lip as anger bubbled up like boiling foam.
Where could someone even hit on such small bodies…?
Feeling like curses would escape her lips, she suppressed her fury with superhuman restraint.
‘They said he was caught causing trouble at the gambling den, didn’t they?’
Men addicted to gambling are the worst kind to associate with.
Gamblers will sell even their parents or children to fuel their habits. Judging by how he exploited these poor children, he’d undoubtedly repeat the same thing if released.
‘I’ll make sure he stays in prison for the rest of his life.’
Nina spoke in an intentionally cheerful voice to the children, who clung timidly to their brother.
“Hello, I’m the lady who served food at the central square earlier. Do you remember seeing me?”
“Y-Yes, the pretty lady.”
It seemed that anyone who handed out food was seen as a kind person in the children’s eyes.
They were shy, but at least there wasn’t fear in their gazes. Judging by their recognition of her, they must have received food earlier. At least they weren’t starving, which was some relief.
“Let’s not stay here any longer—we need to move somewhere safer.”
A home should be the safest place in the world.
This place, however, wasn’t safe at all.
A front door that opened with the slightest push, a roof full of holes that couldn’t keep out the wind or rain, and a stench so awful it stung the nose.
And that wasn’t the end of it—the lack of security was another glaring issue.
The children had been lucky to survive so far, but the slums were no place for unprotected children to endure.
Nina knew this better than anyone after wandering the streets herself for two years.
She couldn’t let these children stay in such a place.
***
Nina returned to the imperial palace as the sun was setting.
After entrusting the children to the Bayern family’s villa, stopping by the coffeehouse to tie up loose ends, and finally coming back, her body felt completely drained.
Having worked nonstop for four days, she felt like she could sleep standing up.
It was the last day of the charity event.
That evening, at the banquet, Her Majesty the Empress would announce the winner.
Unlike the first day, this wouldn’t be a formal banquet but a light dinner and ball.
The imperial family knew the nobles used the charity event as a social gathering, so this was their way of giving them a chance to relax after their hard work.
But Nina planned to briefly show her face to hear the results and then retreat to a private room.
With exhaustion weighing her down, she wanted nothing more than to merge with the sofa and never move again.
“…So for now, I’ve placed the children at the villa. I thought you should know.”
Ash, who had been adjusting his tailcoat in front of the mirror, turned to her and asked.
“Have you made arrangements with an orphanage?”
“No, I plan to stay a few more days and look into it slowly.”
“…Does that mean you’ll be going down separately?”
“Yes. My condition isn’t great, so traveling with you might be difficult.”
After working tirelessly for four days without properly recovering from travel fatigue, her body was in no shape to make the trip.
Depending on her recovery, she thought she might stay in the capital for three or four more days or even up to a week.
“I’ll take five knights with me. If I’m short on numbers, I can hire mercenaries. And while it’s not confirmed yet, we’ll likely need to host the Crown Prince and Princess for a few more days, so I’ll stay until that’s done.”
Ash let out a mirthless laugh and turned back around.
She had made this decision thinking it was considerate, so why did he seem so annoyed?
If she forced herself to travel with him in her current condition, she might only end up holding him back.
‘Wouldn’t it be more convenient to go separately anyway?’
Taking five knights wasn’t an unreasonable request, so she wouldn’t be causing any trouble.
And with that number, her safety would be sufficiently guaranteed.
Bandits wouldn’t dare attack a mounted knight—especially one wearing full armor.
Engaging in combat with knights on horseback was suicide.
They lacked the mobility to outpace mounted knights.
Even if they tried to attack, they wouldn’t be able to aim for any weak points.
And if they attempted an ambush with arrows but failed to take out every knight, they’d be slaughtered in retaliation.
No one would be reckless enough to take such a risk, so why was he so upset?
It didn’t seem like it was out of worry…
As she watched him roughly adjust his clothing again, her head tilted slightly in confusion.
Erica
He’s clearly jealous and worried she’ll get close to the crown Prince. However, instead of being kind to her, having an open conversation, and trying to win her over so she stays, he continues to be rude, insult her, and show unnecessary anger. Does he HONESTLY believe that by doing those things she will want to stay?! I get that Nina feels guilty by her past, but I truly hope she starts to stand up for herself next time! Let him know what it feels like to have HER angry at HIM for once!