HPMC 10

 Chapter 10

My husband slowly curved his eyes at me.

It looked like he was trying to persuade me, but it was so awkward that it didn’t suit him at all.

“Once you go inside, I’m sure you’ll like it as well. It’s rare to find a property like this mansion where even the furniture and household items are perfectly included.”

“……”

“And those sheep over there are also ours.”

“…What? The sheep too…?”

I turned to where he was pointing. Dozens of sheep we had seen on the way here were grazing on the grass.

“N-no way…”

“I was surprised too. Isn’t it incredibly generous? The previous owner said he was grateful that we bought the house and threw them in as a bonus.”

“……”

Is that really something to praise?

It’s just a handout to some fool who’s going to live with a ghost.

For all I know, those sheep might be possessed too.

I felt dizzy all over again.

Unaware of my condition, my husband continued,

“Tomorrow morning, I’ll grill one for you as a token of my appreciation.”

“…Who will?”

“Who else but me?”

“…What?”

I was so shocked that I nearly forgot my fear of ghosts.

“You? You’ll do it yourself?”

“Yes.”

“But you can’t even kill an ant!”

It wasn’t just because he couldn’t handle weapons—he simply refused to take a life.

Even though he ate meat, he couldn’t bring himself to kill an animal himself, perhaps because he was too soft-hearted.

“…Ah.”

He looked like he hadn’t thought of that.

He stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, then spoke seriously,

“Well, even if you kill an ant, there’s nothing to eat from it anyway.”

…What?

My husband is strange.

I stepped through the front door feeling like I’d been shot.

The man who couldn’t even harm the tiniest creature was now talking about slaughtering a sheep and grilling it?

Saying he doesn’t kill ants because there’s nothing to eat from them?

Those were words my husband could never say.

I couldn’t believe how much a person could change.

Still, I forced myself to calm down.

‘…Right. This is the first time since our marriage that he’s done something so admirable.’

This deserves ten praise stickers.

If not for him, we would’ve been kicked out of the inn and ended up on the streets.

Even if he’s acting strange, I should be grateful… definitely.

I steadied myself and stepped through the open door.

I felt nervous and uneasy.

Not just because of the ghost.

What would the inside look like?

I couldn’t help but be curious.

Since it was a farmhouse with sheep, I expected a simple interior made of dark wood.

It looked old, so there would probably be worn-out spots here and there.

No way it would have fancy chandeliers or artwork, but since someone lived here until recently, at least there shouldn’t be cobwebs or dust.

“……”

Swallowing dryly, I looked inside like a newborn seeing the world for the first time.

The first thing that caught my eye was an elegant, iridescent glow like mother-of-pearl.

Squinting slightly from the brightness, I searched for its source.

To my shock, the floors and even the staircase leading to the second floor were covered in marble that shimmered like inlaid shell.

From the outside, you would never imagine such brilliance filling the interior.

“W-what is all this…?”

Was the previous owner a millionaire?

I stepped further into the lobby and looked around.

A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, reflecting a pink sunset glow as if light itself was pouring down, while the candlesticks and doorknobs were silver.

It couldn’t compare to the duke’s mansion I used to live in, but this place had its own charming, cozy sense of wealth everywhere.

“Oh my… it’s so beautiful…”

We had lost everything and been cast out, yet somehow, like a miracle, we found a new home like this.

I couldn’t deny the emotion and awe swelling in my heart.

With sheep roaming outside and perfect scenery, I truly loved this house.

‘Maybe… is there a way to live peacefully with a ghost too…?’

As I clasped my hands to my chest, lost in blissful thoughts, my husband spoke,

“I thought you’d all like it.”

I turned to look at him blankly.

The moment I saw him, I almost had to close my eyes.

He was radiating a brilliance I had never seen before.

He had always been handsome, but this was something else—an actual glow seemed to emanate from him.

“Alex, you…”

“……”

“Thank you. I never thought you’d actually find us a house. And such a wonderful one at that…”

I managed to speak, my voice trembling as if I might cry.

He looked at me awkwardly, then gave a small, equally awkward smile.

An indescribable feeling filled my chest.

His sister—and even his mother—hadn’t believed in him.

Honestly, neither had I.

But he found us such a beautiful home…

I had resented him for trying to run away from this hopeless reality, leaving me behind.

Yet seeing him return with a new home made all that disappointment and sorrow melt away.

Creak…

As I stood there, teary-eyed, facing him, the front door slowly opened.

My heart nearly dropped, thinking it might be someone else—but then I saw a face peeking in.

It was my sister-in-law.

…Ah, she came back.

Before I could fully relax, my mother-in-law shouted,

“Eloy!”

“…Ahem!”

My sister-in-law awkwardly cleared her throat and stepped inside, looking elsewhere.

There were dried tear marks on her cheeks, as if she had been crying.

‘She came back sooner than I expected.’

I had worried she might truly run away this time, so I was relieved.

She glanced around casually at first, then her eyes slowly widened.

“What is this place…?”

Then she jumped as if shocked.

“It’s amazing!”

“Now then, let’s look around the house. There are many rooms, so pick whichever you like.”

“Alright, Alex. But everyone must be hungry—can I prepare a simple meal first?”

“…Yes. Please do.”

“……”

Fortunately, the family seemed to be in a good mood.

Seeing them like the house put Alex at ease.

They had almost ended up on the streets, but now they had a place to stay.

They weren’t really his people, but he couldn’t just abandon such vulnerable family members.

‘Still… it’s only a matter of time before they realize I’m not the real Alexis.’

That thought crossed his mind as he walked toward the bathroom.

He had already almost been exposed twice.

All he did was speak normally, yet they suspected him because he spoke too well. He merely said he’d slaughter a sheep, and Louise was shocked.

Each time, he somehow managed to brush it off, but who knew what might raise suspicion next?

At this rate, they would soon discover he wasn’t the real Alexis.

‘It was impossible from the start to hide it.’

If he knew what kind of person Alexis was, he could imitate him—but that wasn’t the case.

With a heavy sigh, he entered the bathroom and began taking off his clothes one by one.

Thud, thud.

His shirt and trousers dropped behind him.

The bathroom felt like a museum exhibit—“Experience a 19th-century bath!”

Still, he was grateful it wasn’t even older.

He turned on the faucet to fill the tub, then walked over to the mirror.

Even in the slightly cloudy reflection, Alexis’s sculpted features were clearly visible.

No matter how many times he looked, the resemblance was uncanny.

He slowly turned his body side to side, examining himself closely.

His narrowed eyes studied every detail.

And then, he noticed the differences.

Skin as pale as if it had never seen sunlight, and a smooth, flawless body as if raised delicately in a greenhouse.

Completely unlike his own, which had been darker and more muscular.

‘So he was a duke’s son… he really does look like a pampered noble.’

Judging by his wife and family’s reactions, he probably couldn’t even speak properly.

Didn’t hunt. Couldn’t kill. What could he even do?

He sighed inwardly and stepped into the bathtub, now more than half full.

The tub was far too small for his height, forcing him to bend his legs tightly.