MSDH CH 02

Chapter – 02

I just wanted to build him a villa as a first wedding anniversary gift.

Compared to everything he had given me, a single villa was nothing—but it was a special day, so I wanted to make him happy with the money I worked hard to earn.

But I never imagined I’d discover my husband’s true identity in the process.

After that, while he was away, I searched the entire mansion for evidence.

I couldn’t exactly follow him to his workplace and investigate there.

So I searched all 100+ rooms in the five-story mansion, collapsing from exhaustion several times along the way.

After searching and searching, I finally found something—hidden in the innermost compartment of a double drawer in his office desk.

A detailed profile containing every single one of my movements from the capital, Elcard, all the way to this place, Ferrarium, along with several documents related to me.

It was so detailed that it looked like only part of the whole.

If his desk hadn’t been structured exactly like mine, I never would’ve found it.

It had been tightly locked—I nearly had a heart attack stealing the key while he slept.

Even after going through all that trouble to find it, I ended up putting everything back as it was, afraid I’d get caught…

Honestly, I still can’t believe it.

Even this morning, he picked out my clothes, dried my hair, and brushed it for me.

Wasn’t that love…?

I pressed my thumbs against my forehead, forming a diamond shape with my hands as I groaned.

He’s Kailus Hadid.

Not Noah Edisi—but Kailus Hadid.

Now that I think about it, people did say that baron had an absurd amount of money. How did I not realize?

I was completely blinded.

Kailus Hadid.

In , he is the hidden mastermind, the villain, and practically another main character who puts the protagonists through trials.

And among all his traits, the most attractive one?

He is unimaginably rich.

The richest man in the empire—and said to be extremely ruthless, vicious, and cruel.

Unlike me, Hazel Love, who was supposed to die early from overwork, he’s a character whose presence dominates the story until the very end.

He’s the kind of dangerous person no one should ever get involved with.

And among all people…

I absolutely, definitely should not be involved with him.

Because…

I scammed him before.

Not blatantly, though.

Since I had read the original story, I used a bit of future information and skimmed some black money his subordinates had been hiding.

There were wanted posters for a while, but since I wore a mask, I was never caught—and I made my way down to Ferrarium.

“No matter how I think about it, something’s off.”

The day I first met him truly felt like fate.

It was exactly one month after I arrived in Ferrarium and opened my mercenary guild.

It was also the day I saw yellow butterflies welcoming spring.

The first time an S-rank client came to my guild—and the same day another S-rank mercenary, aside from me, showed up and successfully signed a contract.

That morning, I ate my favorite scone with peach compote.

And when I cracked an egg to fry it, it had two yolks—like a sign of destiny.

The moment I closed the guild doors, he appeared at the perfect timing, greeting me as a client.

And right then, the spring breeze brushed past, gently swaying his soft hair.

“…That’s how it was.”

That’s how it happened. I can still remember it so clearly.

I fell in love with Noah at first sight—and he felt the same.

Not long after, he confessed with a red rose in hand, and I almost cried.

Three months later, when he proposed with a diamond ring as big as my eye, I thought—I’ve succeeded in this life.

“Sniff…”

Honestly, I’m still confused.

My husband Noah has brilliant black hair like the night sky—

But Kailus Hadid supposedly has dull, lifeless black hair!

My husband Noah has elegant red eyes like the finest ruby—

But Kailus Hadid’s eyes are described as blood-red!

How could they possibly be the same…?

Right? How could they?

I haven’t found any other proof yet, but if he really is Kailus Hadid, then he must have come to kill me.

But I can’t just run away immediately.

Right now, he knows far too much about me.

He even knows my real name and personal details.

And I don’t want to lose the mercenary guild I built with so much effort.

I thought about asking for forgiveness—but someone who issued a wanted notice to kill me wouldn’t forgive me.

I need to find a way.

I escaped death by overwork—I can’t end up dying brutally instead.

But if I abandon everything and leave, I’ll starve sooner or later.

And if he keeps this hidden forever, I’ll probably die from anxiety and stress.

…Is my fate just death?

“Director.”

“….”

“Director?”

At the voice calling me, I snapped out of it and looked up.

I was sure I was alone, but before I knew it, my secretary Nigella was standing there.

“…Ah. Yes?”

“I called you several times, but you didn’t respond, so I came in. May I give my report?”

Ah, right—I told her to report today.

“Yes.”

“This month’s compiled request completion report and revenue statements. As you can see from the statistics, compared to this time last year, A-rank and S-rank contracts and completion rates have increased tenfold. At this rate, we may even double this number by the first half of next year. What do you think?”

“Tenfold?”

I asked in shock, and Nigella smiled proudly.

“Yes! It’s all thanks to your insight. Your husband has also provided a great deal of help. However, the only drawback is that we haven’t received any X-rank requests yet. Those require a team of at least three people, so it might be best to expand after some time. Increasing our exclusive mercenaries should come first.”

“…Hmm, that sounds right. Even single requests are overwhelming right now.”

Nigella was someone Noah had introduced when I expanded the business.

He said she was very capable—and he was right. She helped grow the business tremendously.

…Wait.

Then does that mean Nigella too…?

Fear began creeping in again.

But she had never once acted suspiciously.

“Ah, Director. Are you still planning to go on your date this afternoon as scheduled?”

Nigella adjusted her monocle and asked.

“…Date? What date?”

She looked puzzled and quickly checked the schedule from her jacket pocket.

“Hmm, today is Tuesday. You clearly instructed us to clear your afternoon because you had a date with your husband.”

Ah, right. Noah even said he’d come pick me up—and I completely forgot.

Hearing about the weekend trip must have shaken me that much.

Anyway, I shouldn’t let Nigella notice that I’m suspicious.

“Ah, right. Yes, that’s correct. My husband is coming to pick me up.”

“You must be happy.”

“Of course. Noah is the person I love most in the world… after all. You should leave work early today too, Nigella.”

“Me as well?”

“Yes. There’s nothing urgent today, right? Let’s see… no deadlines either, so the other employees can leave early too. It’s good to have days like that sometimes.”

“Thank you, Director!”

Nigella left with a bright smile.

I collapsed onto my desk.

“…What do I do about this date?”

More than anything, the reason I hesitate is—

Because I truly, deeply love him.

How many people could leave a man they believed to be their lifelong partner in an instant?

Some might be able to cut ties cleanly.

But not me.

I ran a hand through my hair in frustration.

Maybe if I prepare slowly, my feelings will settle too.

Maybe the betrayal and fear will eventually outweigh the love.

…This might be my last happy date.

No—today, I’ll just enjoy it.

……

“…I’m so screwed.”

I buried my face in the desk again.

At exactly 11:50, Noah’s carriage stopped in front of the guild.

He had never once made me wait—and today was no different, even though I came out ten minutes early on purpose.

The moment the carriage stopped, the door swung open, and his long legs stepped down.

He’s my husband.

Not Kailus Hadid—my lovely husband.

I took a deep breath, stretched my mouth wide, and put on a bright smile.

“Noah!”

At my cheerful call, Noah quickly approached.

“Hazel, why are you out here already?”

“To see my husband even a little sooner.”

His slightly surprised expression softened into a deeper smile. With narrowed red eyes, he gently brushed my cheek.

“How could you think something so lovely?”

He extended his arm, inviting me to link arms with him.

Smiling, I naturally slipped my hand into his arm.

“Let’s go. I let the employees leave early today. I have good news.”

“Good news?”

“I’ll tell you on the way.”

With Noah escorting me, I stepped into the carriage.

Inside, it was filled with so many beautiful flowers it made my eyes widen. A basket sat on the seat.

He’s even busier than me, and he’s never late—so when does he prepare all this every time?

“When did you prepare all this? You’re always busy.”

“Do you like it?”

“Have I ever told you that my husband is the most amazing man in the world?”

Noah chuckled softly.

I sat down and opened the basket.

Inside were cream puffs, filled with cloud-like cream and giving off a sweet scent.

Out of all the desserts Noah personally made for me, this was my absolute favorite.

Just imagine it—a tall, broad, handsome man wearing an apron, baking bread and cakes.

Truly perfect…!

I happily picked up a cream puff—then hesitated.

…Is this also an act? Could it be?

But this was something Noah did almost every day.

It was one of the reasons I always looked forward to finishing work.

A wave of gloom washed over me, but I hid it.

I took a bite of the cream puff. The fresh, sweet cream melted instantly on my tongue.

“……”

…Damn, it’s delicious.

I felt like I might cry.

His kindness lifted me to heaven, then suspicion dragged me back to hell, only for the sweetness to carry me up again.

Since yesterday, my emotions had been fluctuating wildly.

At this rate, I might really go crazy.

Even as the carriage started moving, his gaze remained fixed only on me.

“Do you want one too, Noah?”

I held out a cream puff to him.

Leaning casually with his legs crossed, resting his chin on his hand, Noah smiled and reached out.

But his hand didn’t go for the cream puff—it went to my lips.

His fingertips brushed against them, and then he extended his red tongue, licking the cream off his finger.

“I’ll have this instead, Hazel.”