I Ended Up Saving the Duke Who Was Meant to Die - Chapter 2.5

The fingers holding my wrist loosened slightly, and he gently rubbed my pulse point with his thumb.

“Ah…”

He traced down my arm soothingly, then showed an even deeper smile than before.

Before I knew it, he had climbed on top of me, completely capturing my arms in his embrace.

It didn’t hurt. He was just holding me lightly. However, my heart raced as his eyes changed from how they were moments ago.

“You might not be able to leave this room today either, just like yesterday.”

Ah.

Between his black hair falling down like a curtain, it seemed like lava was boiling. It might be thrilling to be devoured by that flowing lava.

But since my body ached as if I’d been beaten, I nodded obediently.

“Aren’t you in pain?”

“….”

“Should I heal you? At least it’s fortunate nothing’s broken.”

Severus’s expression became subtle at my words. Sometimes when my holy power became excessive and my strength was amplified, I could produce strength comparable to an adult male.

“Healing broken bones, or treating organs damaged by blades, or reattaching torn flesh takes more time.”

Since he only had scratch wounds, I could heal them quickly. Compared to treating the priests who returned from missions, this was simple. Most cases required prolonged contact for healing to progress, so it took time and the healing wasn’t perfect.

When I first met Severus, he was nearly dead, so I used deep contact to reduce the time.

“Have you healed such bodies besides mine?”

“Yes, many.”

The priests who went outside often returned with their bodies more than half destroyed.

Actually, returning at all was fortunate. Many disappeared and were forgotten.

Those who stayed at the temple strived constantly to maintain their usefulness. We grew up learning that was necessary and believed it was natural.

“That won’t happen here.”

That won’t happen?

How could that be?

I’ve seen countless people die in the mansion.

“If what happened before happens again, you should run far away from my side.”

“…Run far away? Why?”

“So you can be free. Isn’t that why you married me? I know you had no choice but me to protect yourself.”

“…So you knew.”

“Irene, I’ve survived countless battlefields and nobility conflicts in this empire. How could I not know?”

“….”

The more I learned about him, the stranger he seemed. If he knew, why was he letting himself be used?

“Feel free to use me as much as you want, just take care of yourself.”

“As much as I want? Aren’t you afraid of how far I might go?”

Severus gently raised himself up. Through his robe, his firm thighs were visible. The muscle definition was clear, like that of a horse.

“You said we’d be together until death, but surely you won’t kill me.”

“….”

I turned my head to look at him while still lying down.

Turning to my side and resting my head on my arm, I pondered his words. I had no hobby of killing defenseless men, nor did I want to harm people.

“…Irene?”

He looked at me as I remained silent. His handsome face, sharp jawline, and prominent Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed.

“That’s an interesting way to think about it. I suppose killing would technically mean being together until death.”

I marveled at his words.

Severus was quite an extreme man.

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of killing you.”

“No intention of killing… I see.”

There were restrictions since it was the opposite of healing. They said it would be accompanied by pain like being thrown into fire, with the whole body burning up.

“I won’t kill you, so rest assured.”

“No intention of killing… won’t kill… could kill but won’t…”

He muttered quietly. Though he seemed somewhat confused, I left him be.

‘He seems to believe I have such power.’

There was no need to correct him. Some fear was necessary, after all. It wasn’t bad to be a somewhat frightening wife to him.

“…Irene, I’ll do my best.”

Severus clasped his hands respectfully.

***

Unlike the temple, the Duke’s villa was full of strange things.

For instance, I couldn’t understand why people would enter my room first thing in the morning. In my drowsy state, I hadn’t properly registered someone coming in. As a result, when I hazily looked toward the door, I immediately grabbed the maid who was dropping her silver tray and pulled her into the room, making her lie face down. The maid pressed to the floor, cried out, “L-Lady Irene! We c-came to help with your grooming!”

The other maids who had been following saw their colleague pinned to the floor, crying.

Eventually, Albert came to my room due to the unexpected commotion.

“No one here intends to harm you, my lady.”

“…It was just a defensive reflex because they rushed into the room early in the morning.”

Albert sighed deeply at my words. The trembling maids looked up at him, seeming wronged.

After Severus left the room early in the morning for work, I went back to sleep. I was tired, and the unfamiliar freedom felt so good that I didn’t want to leave the cozy blankets. At the temple, we lived by fixed rules, waking up together every morning. Though Irene had been relatively free, individual activities weren’t allowed.

Michaelo always accompanied her, and eyes that watched her followed.

But here it was different. No one monitored her, and she was left to do as she pleased. The only problem was the maids who suddenly barged in today.

“The maids have a duty to check if the lady has awakened in the morning.”

“Why? To check if I’m still alive?”

“…Pardon?”

The head butler made a bewildered expression. I tilted my head, wondering if I’d said something wrong.

“If not that, why do they need to check if I’m awake?”

“So we can prepare your breakfast and assist with your grooming.”

“So I need help from others even for things I can do alone.”

Come to think of it, Severus had also asked if I needed a maid’s help when bathing. I couldn’t understand why they needed others’ help for such small tasks when they had perfectly functioning hands and feet.

“I have hands too. I’m not a child, so I can manage on my own.”

He placed his hand on his forehead and muttered, “Good heavens.”

“It seems you’ll need education to adapt to the Duke’s household. I’ll inform the Duke about this.”

Forget what I said about being free. From Albert’s words, it seemed there were rules here too. I nodded reluctantly with a disgruntled expression.

“Well then, may we assist with your grooming?”

“…I don’t like others touching my body. So I’ll do it alone.”

“My lady, there are no duchesses who do things by themselves. It’s behavior that brings shame not only to others but also to the Duke.”

I really couldn’t understand. But I didn’t want strangers touching my body. Except for Severus.

“Then call Severus.”

“Pardon?”

“He can help me instead.”

Albert made a blank face for a moment before his eyes darted around in thought. Then he spoke to me gravely.