My Husband Yearns For Me After My Death - Chapter 10
When Denisia slowly lifted her gaze.
Why wasn’t she afraid of him, even though he acted as if he would kill her?
Perhaps.
His hollow gaze. His cheeks, sunken and gaunt.
They evoked her sympathy. That was enough to stave off her fear.
“Until her last moments, Grace worried about you, Margrave. She said there would be no one to help you if she died.”
“What are you talking about?”
“She vaguely knew about her physical condition. That childbirth might be difficult. That’s why she told me. To someone who could also suppress the madness, just like herself.”
Dietrich’s madness was hereditary.
He confided to her that his mother, known to the public as frail, actually suffered from madness, and he had inherited it. Normally, it wasn’t an issue, but on nights when the red moon rose, the symptoms gradually surfaced.
On nights when the sky was filled with the color of blood, Dietrich became a beast lost in madness.
He would harm himself, claiming to feel pain from wounds long healed. Everything that got in his way had to be destroyed before he could calm down.
He couldn’t distinguish right from wrong, so on nights with the red moon, Dietrich confined himself. To not trouble anyone, he spent the night in the dungeon beneath the castle.
Until Grace noticed his madness.
‘I need to stay by his side even more.’
Denisia clenched her fist. For Dietrich’s sake, the second contractual marriage had to happen.
“…Suppress the madness? You’re saying that you can?”
He asked with a skeptical attitude.
No one but Grace had been able to cure it. Even renowned doctors had given up on his madness.
It seemed too far-fetched for someone who could barely manage her own health.
“I can do it. I can’t say how, though.”
“Spilling others’ secrets readily, yet you choose to keep your own under wraps.”
“…I’m sorry. All I can say is that the Margravine was aware of it.”
Spiritualists were few and far in between. Ackellard’s ability to maintain its lineage without belonging anywhere was also due to them having a prominent spiritualist bloodline.
Therefore, she couldn’t possibly introduce herself as a spiritualist. Mentioning it would risk not only herself but also her innocent family being investigated.
“Information about Grace and the madness. Aren’t these two reasons enough for you to help me?”
“……”
“I’m not asking to live under your thumb. By the time my family disowns me, that’ll be enough.”
“…Ha.”
Dietrich chuckled, a smirk that could be taken for scorn twisted in front of her.
“Enough with the vague talk.”
Dietrich spread his fingers with an indifferent gaze.
“Let’s limit the term to two years. After that, I’d like a clean divorce.”
“You’re agreeing to help?”
“If it proves unhelpful, I’ll terminate the contract right away, at any given moment.”
Two years was enough time for her to repay her gratitude to him and to see her child to her heart’s content. Denisia nodded.
In any case, this body wasn’t likely to live much longer.
“Let me clarify that just because it’s a contractual marriage, don’t expect me to play the role of your husband. And don’t expect any convenience as the Margravine.”
“We’re entering a contract marriage with clear conditions. I can navigate my way forward on my own.”
“You will not have to worry, Margrave. I can take care of myself.”
Suddenly, Grace’s response crossed his mind. The similar answer from the lady before him reminded him of Grace.
‘No. It’s a coincidence.’
The unintended search for similarities with Grace. All of it. To be swayed by a mere contract. Dietrich roughly ran his hand through his hair.
Every part of her. Whether it’s her hair or her face, it’s all completely different.
He felt foolish for drawing Grace from someone whose appearance shared not a single similarity from head to toe.
“But I’d like you to promise me one thing.”
“What is it?”
“I’d like us to have a family meal together once a week. It’s important for outward appearances.”
“Family…”
“Yes. Without anyone missing.”
Denisia emphasized her last statement. This way, she hoped to see her son during mealtimes. She inwardly contained her excitement, not letting it show on her face.
“…That should be fine.”
“It is fortunate that our interests are aligned.”
Denisia clapped her hands together and smiled.
“Then, may I ask that you arrange a place for me to stay?”
