I Think My Husband Might Be a Murderer - Chapter 5

The man I thought was missing was standing right in front of me. Yet no one seemed to realize that he was supposed to be missing.

How could anyone recognize someone they didn’t know had disappeared? And if others didn’t know, how did I?

It would take a long explanation. If a stranger heard, they would frown and bombard me with endless questions.

I wasn’t any different. The fact that I alone recognized him while others didn’t left me staring at him in shock.

“The date for the joint funeral will be announced soon.”

That was the last thing he had said before we parted, after he had helped me multiple times at the naval headquarters.

“Is it really okay for you to be walking around like this?”

I asked him a rather foolish question. The Young Duke furrowed his brow slightly.

“I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t.”

“But the navy officers would recognize you, wouldn’t they?”

He didn’t answer. Feeling a little awkward, I lowered my gaze and began talking unnecessarily.

“Ah… I came here to find a job. Luckily, there was still a position available, so I’m scheduled for an interview in a week. At the Russell Marqu—”

I couldn’t finish my sentence because he suddenly pulled me by the shoulder.

Looking up at him in confusion, I heard the grumbling voice of a middle-aged man behind us.

“Hey, why are you blocking the entrance?”

His voice was full of irritation. Clicking his tongue, he lowered his hand from where it had been raised in the air.

“She must be your sweetheart, but keep her in check! Next time, there won’t be any leniency!”

With a sharp glare at me, he strode into the post office.

I had nearly been shoved aside. Looking at the sharp corner nearby, I swallowed hard.

It was my first time experiencing such treatment.

Müssen, the peaceful city known for its kind and easygoing people, was beginning to change before my very eyes.

Gathering my wits, I spoke, “…Thank you.”

At the harbor, at the naval headquarters, and now at the post office—

For some reason, I kept ending up indebted to him. I forced an awkward smile and continued speaking.

“I must be talking too much. You must be busy, so you should—”

“This doesn’t seem like a suitable place for a conversation.”

He cut me off in a quiet voice.

“…Excuse me?”

I furrowed my brow and looked up at the Young Duke. Was he saying he wanted to continue talking with me?

“Didn’t you have business at the post office?”

“It wasn’t important. So, where did you say you were looking for work? I don’t think I heard it properly.”

Wearing a refined smile, the Young Duke extended his hand toward me. I stared at his large hand in puzzlement before instinctively taking it. He then led me forward with just the right amount of force.

Why was he curious about my job?

Even after walking for a while, I couldn’t find an answer. Then, suddenly remembering his question, I quickly answered.

“I haven’t secured a job yet, but I have an interview in a week. At the Russell Marquisate.”

I felt his arm tense slightly under my hand. He stopped walking.

“The Russell Marquisate in Böhlen…?”

“Yes. The pay is good.”

“I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“If you’re saying that because of Lady Russell’s strict nature…”

Just as I was about to continue speaking, a loud voice interrupted.

“Official notice!”

Someone shouted from the direction of the square. Their voice was urgent. Both of us turned our attention toward the source of the sound at the same time.

“An official notice from the military has arrived! Please confirm!”

My face darkened instantly.

If it was an official military notice, it meant one thing—the announcement of the joint funeral for the fallen soldiers.

***

Snowflakes drifted down lazily on a somber Wednesday.

The joint funeral for the fallen soldiers was held.

Together with the surviving soldiers and the bereaved families, I mourned my father and the others who had lost their lives.

I was tossing lilies beside my father’s coffin, which lay in a deep grave, when someone approached me. There was only one person who would stand by my father and me here.

Johannes Schultz.

But I didn’t have the energy to acknowledge him. I simply continued to toss lilies, staring blankly.

Just when I thought he would remain silent, he spoke.

“I was close to Petty Officer Prim.”

“……”

“I believe it is time to convey the last words he left behind.”

I stopped my hand mid-motion, holding my breath. I couldn’t say a word. My breathing came out in jagged bursts, my eyelids quivering as I shut my eyes tightly.

His calm voice, carried by the wind, reached my ears.

“He said he truly loved you.”

I clenched the fabric of my dress tightly. My entire arm trembled, and my fingertips turned pale.

“He said not to grieve too much, to live happily, and that someday, you would meet again.”

“……”

“That was his final message.”

Though I hadn’t witnessed my father’s last moments, I could vividly imagine how they must have been.

Tears threatened to spill, so I lowered my head.

I wanted to ask what exactly my father had died of, how his final moments were.

The questions swelled up inside me, but I feared that if I spoke, the tears I had barely held back would burst forth.

Biting my lips tightly was the only way I could keep myself together.

‘Meet again?’

Miracles like that do not happen. My father was gone.

I would never see him again.

“My deepest condolences.”

His low voice pressed down on me, as if telling me it was time to let my father go.

I closed my eyes, staring at the lilies piled atop the coffin.

***

I had thought I had shed all my tears, but it seemed there were still many left.

In the end, I wept again.

In front of Johannes Schultz.

It wasn’t until my vision blurred and my eyes could barely open that my sobs subsided. By then, the military cemetery was empty.

The sun was setting in the west, painting the sky crimson. Under that red sky, he stood.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I always end up making a scene in front of you.”

I removed the black veil covering my face and wiped my tears with the handkerchief he had given me. The Young Duke shook his head slightly, as if to say it was fine.

“I heard you lived alone with your father. I also heard you were studying pharmacology.”

I looked up at him in surprise.

“My father even told you that? You must have been quite close.”

He nodded silently.

At least my father had someone by his side at war. That was a small relief. He hadn’t been completely alone.

As I gave a faint smile, he spoke again, still gazing at my father’s coffin.

“This may be presumptuous of me, but I wouldn’t recommend working at the Russell Marquisate.”

“If you’re saying that because of the Marchioness’s strict nature, I appreciate the concern, but I’ve already made my decision.”

“No, I meant that it would be difficult to live in a foreign place. I’d like to offer a more practical form of assistance.”

Assistance? Was he pitying me?

I frowned slightly and turned to face him. He also turned toward me, meeting my gaze.

“If this is out of sympathy, then I must decline. You’ve already helped me enough.”

“Sympathy… That would be a reasonable assumption.”

“What?”

There was still no discernible emotion in his eyes.

“Apologies, but that is not the case. I cannot simply stand by and do nothing for the daughter of someone who helped me greatly. Besides, there happens to be a suitable position nearby.”

Nearby? A job offer did interest me, but I was too embarrassed to show it, so I feigned indifference.

“Where?”

Looking back now, perhaps this was his first proposal.

With eyes colored by the hues of the sunset, the Young Duke made his offer.

“What do you think about working at the Schultz Ducal Household, Miss Prim?”