I Think My Husband Might Be a Murderer - Chapter 6

The wind tousled his golden hair, dyed red by the sunset.

Though he was currently facing heavy scrutiny, he was still the heir of the Schultz Ducal Family. His honor would soon be restored, and just as always, the embezzlement allegations would quickly fade from people’s minds.

No matter how much he had been indebted to my father, no one would question him if he chose to ignore me completely.

Then why?

I stared at him, puzzled. But no matter how long I gazed into those mesmerizing, ocean-like eyes, I couldn’t discern his thoughts.

After a long silence, I finally repeated his proposal aloud.

“You want me to take on the duties of the Schultz Ducal Household?”

“That is correct.”

“Even if I prove to be incompetent?”

He nodded immediately. That only made me more suspicious, and I clenched my fist slightly as I asked again.

“Why are you helping me?”

Instead of answering, he pulled out a cigarette case from his pocket. After placing one between his lips, he tossed the rest onto my father’s coffin. Then, with smooth, practiced motions, he lit his cigarette.

Noticing my frown, he spoke, “Apologies. We always smoked together.”

It didn’t seem like an excuse, but at least the impression of rudeness had been erased.

Still, my father never smoked. He must have been going through a difficult time.

As I was lost in thought, a low voice reached my ears.

“As I mentioned earlier.”

He inhaled deeply before exhaling a slow stream of smoke.

“I cannot stand by and watch the daughter of someone I was indebted to suffer. Petty Officer Prim helped me greatly, and since I cannot repay him directly, I will repay his daughter instead.”

It was a detached response.

Essentially, the one he owed was dead, so he was repaying the debt to me. To ease his own conscience.

That’s what he meant, wasn’t it?

It was an offer born from a noble’s self-serving perspective. He might think he was being considerate, but it reeked of arrogance.

Clutching the fabric of my black dress tightly, I asked while staring at his indifferent profile.

“Is there another reason you feel indebted? I don’t know much about military ranks, but I doubt my father could have offered significant help to a fleet commander. Or… is it simply out of pity for me?”

The Young Duke raised an eyebrow.

“No. The debt I owe your father is far greater than you assume.”

His sculpted face remained impassive, as if he were stating a simple fact. And it was true—he had no reason to lie to me.

But…

‘This is too burdensome of an offer.’

To work as a servant in a noble household, one needed certifications specified by the employer. Moreover, discretion was essential, making it exceedingly difficult to be hired.

In other words, only those from well-established families with sufficient wealth could even pursue such qualifications.

There was even a saying that it took three generations of upright living to serve in a noble household.

The Russell Marquisate was an exception due to their struggle to find employees.

I recalled briefly seeing a recruitment notice for the Schultz Ducal Household.

Fluency in foreign languages preferred. Preference given to certified professionals.

While I could keep my mouth shut, I certainly wasn’t fluent in the languages they required. And although I had been studying for a pharmacist’s license, I had no professional certification yet.

No matter how much I owed him, this was essentially a special favor.

I didn’t want to accept something that would weigh on my conscience.

Putting on a polite smile, I spoke, “Then, I must decline your offer. I assume I do have the choice to refuse?”

His well-defined forehead creased even further.

“I thought it was an offer you couldn’t refuse. May I ask why you declined?”

“I feel that I’ve already received more than enough help from you, Colonel.”

“That can’t be.”

The Young Duke let out a brief chuckle.

It was a laugh of disbelief, as if he found it absurd that I would think he had done nothing for me.

And his sincerity became clear in his next words.

“Miss Edith Prim.”

The Young Duke took a deep drag of his cigarette before exhaling slowly.

“I have yet to put even the slightest effort into helping you.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Of course, the job I offered you is the same. It is merely fair compensation for you.”

I was at a loss for words.

His polite demeanor and respectful tone somehow carried an overwhelming arrogance.

“That’s…”

Had we not been standing before my father’s coffin, I might have been tempted by the offer.

But my father had taught me to live with integrity. He had warned me never to accept kindness without question, to always keep a healthy level of suspicion.

I watched the burning tip of his cigarette before shifting my gaze to his striking, detached face.

His upright posture and restrained expressions reminded me that I was speaking with a noble.

I bit my lower lip, took a deep breath, and finally answered, “But if I weren’t the daughter of Petty Officer Prim, I doubt you would have made this offer. I’m truly grateful, but I do not wish to accept it. I plan to find my own way, without relying on anyone’s help.”

His next question caught me off guard.

“What if I asked you as a favor?”

It was as if he had expected my refusal.

“…A favor?”

“I have the wealth and power to repay my debts. But despite that, I am standing here, humbly asking you.”

He paused briefly before continuing, “Miss Prim, you are well aware of how my reputation stands in Müssen.”

The Young Duke ran a hand through his wind-tousled hair, his brow furrowing slightly.

It felt almost irreverent to think this in front of my father’s coffin, but Johannes Schultz was an objectively handsome man, the kind that could make anyone swoon. If not for his limited range of expressions making him appear cold and distant.

“From the way people casually gossip about my whereabouts, you can see how far the Schultz Ducal Family has fallen.”

He flicked his spent cigarette onto the dry grass and crushed the ember underfoot, leaving a faint scorch mark.

I watched his subtle change in demeanor before slowly answering.

“Yes, I’m aware.”

No matter how privileged he was, how exceptional his looks and status, as a noble under constant public scrutiny, he had no choice but to care about his reputation.

I had known this, but hearing him acknowledge it felt different.

He tilted his head slightly and studied me.

“That is why I need a trustworthy employee. And I believe you would be the most suitable.”

“…How could you trust me so easily?”

“Your father spoke of you often. He said you were a rare, upright young woman.”

His voice was unnervingly devoid of warmth despite the words.

“What…?”

“I trust Petty Officer Prim. Therefore, I trust his daughter, and I hope you will trust me in turn.”

After a brief pause, the Young Duke took a step closer, closing the distance between us.

With an outstretched hand, he gently pulled down the veil that had been partially lifted.

With my vision cleared, I met his deep blue eyes directly.

“I believe you will not disappoint me.”