The Househusband Was a Hidden Monarch

Chapter 4

The registration process was fast and cold. Two signatures, a few official stamps, and just like that, Cassian Vane became a married man again. 

He walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau beside Zora with his hands in his pockets, his expression carrying that usual bored calm as if he had just finished buying groceries instead of entering another marriage. 

People moved around them, busy with their own lives, while a thin red booklet now sat in his hand like proof that fate had a strange sense of humor.

Outside the building, Zora stopped and pulled out a bank card before handing it to him. 

“Five million as promised, ” she said simply. “Take care of yourself.” 

Cassian creased his brow slightly as he accepted the bank card from her and for a brief second, he studied her face, wondering if there was something behind that calm expression.

“You’re… giving this to me just like that?” he asked slowly.

Zora nodded. “It was part of the agreement.”

Cassian let out a small breath through his nose. “Agreement, huh… You sound like you just hired a driver.”

“I prefer clarity,” she replied without emotion. “It avoids unnecessary misunderstandings.”

He clicked his tongue softly. “So you’re not worried I might run away with your money?”

“If five million can make you disappear,” she said coolly, “then I made the right decision marrying you first.”

Cassian almost laughed.

Before he could say anything else, she continued in that same steady, no-nonsense tone. “This is my address.” She turned her phone toward him, letting him glance at the location. “The house is large enough. You can move in today if you want.”

He raised a brow.

“Living together already? That’s fast. Should I prepare myself mentally?”

“Don’t misunderstand,” she cut in. “Our marriage is in name only. There will be no emotional expectations. I won’t interfere with your life and you won’t interfere with mine. We are simply solving a mutual problem.”

Cassian shrugged like it didn’t matter.

“Relax,” he said lazily. “I just got out of one marriage. I’m not exactly rushing to audition for husband of the year. Besides… I doubt you’re my type.”

Zora's eyes widened but she immediately cloaked it.

“You don’t need to pretend,” she said. “You’re free to meet other women. I won’t ask questions.”

“That generous?” Cassian smirked. “Careful. I might start thinking you actually like me.”

At that moment, her phone rang.

Zora glanced at the screen and her expression changed slightly, becoming more serious. She turned a little to the side and answered.

“Yes… I’m on my way,” she said shortly.

She ended the call and looked back at him.

“I have something urgent to handle,” she said. “Go to the address when you’re ready.”

Cassian folded his arms. “That’s it? No welcoming ceremony? No ‘take care on the way home, dear husband’?”

Zora was already turning toward her car.

“Don’t get used to titles,” she replied calmly. “We both know what this marriage is.”

Her heels tapped sharply against the pavement as she walked away. Within seconds she got into the car and drove off, leaving Cassian standing alone outside the registration building.

Cassian stood there watching the car disappear, a bitter smile forming on his lips. 

“Impressive,” he muttered. “I got dumped immediately after she got the Mrs title. That’s efficiency.” 

He scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Maybe she’s afraid I’ll suddenly fall in love and start writing poems… or maybe she thinks I’ll try to move into her room tonight. Women these days really assume a lot.” 

He sighed and looked around the busy street. He had no cash on him, which meant taking a taxi was a wild dream at the moment. His brand-new wife had just sped off like she was escaping a crime scene. Talk about trust.

Then he glanced down at the card in his hand.

“Well,” he said with a crooked smirk, “five million is still five million. For this kind of deal… I’d marry twice.”

Cassian was about to start walking when a familiar engine sound approached again. 

A sleek black car rolled to a smooth stop right in front of him. The rear door opened and the old man from earlier stepped out with practiced elegance, his face carrying a faint smile that looked suspiciously amused.

“Master,” he greeted with a respectful nod before his eyes moved to the red marriage booklet still in Cassian’s hand. “Congratulations.”

Cassian narrowed his eyes slightly. “For what?”

“For your efficiency,” the old man replied calmly. “Only you could get divorced in the afternoon and remarry before sunset. Truly… a legendary achievement.”

Cassian stared at him for two seconds and then he scoffed.

“You came all this way just to gossip?” he said lazily. “Should I prepare a speech? Or do you want me to sign autographs too?”

The old man chuckled softly. “I’m simply stating facts. Most men take years to recover from a divorce. You… upgraded your marital status within hours. If word spreads, the entire city’s bachelors might form a sect to worship you.”

Cassian rolled his eyes.

“Get to the point,” he said. “What do you want?”

The old man’s expression turned more serious. “It’s about the banquet tonight. The one I arranged to officially award your ex-wife the Skyline International Strategic Development Contract.”

Cassian’s gaze sharpened slightly. That contract was massive, a multi-billion project involving land development, logistics networks, and long-term investment rights.

It was the kind of opportunity that could push a rising company straight into the ranks of top-tier corporations.

“If you wish,” the old man continued, “we can cancel it immediately. One word from you is enough.”

Cassian didn’t even think for long.

“There’s no need,” he said calmly.

The old man blinked.

“Let it go on.”

A faint smirk appeared on Cassian’s lips.

“I helped build her stage,” he added lightly. “It would be rude not to attend the show.”

The old man understood immediately. A subtle smile returned to his face as he reached into his coat and handed over a gold-edged invitation card.

“Your seat is already prepared,” he said.

Cassian took the invitation and glanced at it briefly before slipping it into his pocket.

“Good,” he muttered. “I was worried tonight would be boring.”

The old man bowed once more. “Then I will not disturb you further, Master.”

He turned and returned to the car. Within seconds, the vehicle pulled away smoothly and disappeared into traffic, leaving Cassian alone again on the sidewalk.

Cassian stretched his shoulders lazily and looked toward the direction Zora had left.

“Ex-wife banquet,” he murmured. “Remarriage bonus… This day is getting expensive.”