The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Minerva decided to feign ignorance of Daykin’s anxious heart. ‘Such yearning is a part of growing up, something to look back on fondly someday,’ she thought, stroking his hair. “I must get to work now. Stop tormenting the servants and stay put. It’s not good to be alone for too long.”
‘I plan to ditch them even more thoroughly today.’
Daykin hid his true intentions and obediently nodded. Normally, he would have retorted with a casual, “Yes, I don’t want to,” before turning back to his room. But his mind was so preoccupied with the girl and the bracelet that he returned to his room quietly without a word. Even as Minerva left, his gaze remained fixed on the bracelet.
‘I want to lose those fools and go see her.’
Without even realizing it, Daykin’s thoughts naturally drifted to Ailee as he searched for an opportunity to slip outside.
***
Due to his father’s health, their move to the countryside had postponed Daykin’s usual lessons. He should have been attending etiquette classes, and receiving instruction in economics and politics—essential education for the heir to a grand duchy.
Daykin rose leisurely and carefully placed the bracelet case in his pocket. He summoned a servant and peeked his head out the door.
“I’m tired and going to sleep now. Make sure no one enters my room.”
“Certainly, Young Master.”
He retreated back inside. Escaping was remarkably easy today. This was partly due to Daykin’s skillful methods, but also because the staff had been reduced to a bare minimum to keep the Grand Duke’s illness a secret.
Only the most trusted individuals and essential staff remained at the manor. The rest were at the main residence, awaiting their master’s recovery. In short, it was the perfect time for another escape, just like yesterday.
Daykin retraced yesterday’s route, moving swiftly. He needed to be back before nightfall. Unlike yesterday, he slipped through the secret passage with practiced ease, avoiding the mishap of getting dirt on his clothes.
Before approaching Ailee’s house, Daykin carefully surveyed the surroundings. He strained his senses, trying to discern if anyone was inside. No voices could be heard, and no movement was visible through the windows. It seemed deserted. He straightened his clothes and smoothed his hair a few times, the blond strands obeying his touch.
‘I made sure to look presentable today, unlike yesterday’s disheveled state.’
His undeniably handsome face, despite its thinness, was revealed. His clear blue eyes, the color of an autumn sky, were laced with nervousness, but even that seemed appealing. As Minerva had said, with a little more weight, he would be a contender for the most handsome man of the century. Yet, a strange nervousness prevented him from knocking.
‘Why am I so nervous?’
He hesitated at the door, finally concluding it must be the gift. He fiddled with the bracelet case in his pocket and took a deep breath.
He finally knocked, and the door swung open as if someone had been waiting. His eyes met Ailee’s.
“Kin!”
“You…” The sight of Ailee’s bright, fairy-like smile made his heart flutter, but only for a moment. His gaze was immediately drawn to her swollen eyelids.
***
‘Kin is here again!’
I’d been waiting for him all day. ‘What if he doesn’t come? What if he’s forgotten me? What if yesterday was just politeness, and he doesn’t really want to see me again?’ I hadn’t moved from my bed, consumed by anxiety. I even cleaned up the broken vase, anticipating his arrival. I waited, listening for a knock.
‘My friend, Kin.’
Even though we only met yesterday, he felt like a friend I’d known for years. Today, he looked neat and tidy, confirming my suspicion that he was indeed handsome. I gestured for him to sit.
‘What do friends usually do together? I hope he doesn’t get bored and leave early.’ ‘Maybe he’d like to read one of my favorite books?’
While waiting, I’d carefully washed the teacups. Even though I hadn’t brewed tea often, I was determined to do my best. I turned to prepare the tea.
“Why are your eyes…?” Kin murmured, noticing my swollen eyelids. I turned back to face him. He looked at me with a mixture of concern and awkwardness, clearly debating whether to address my tears. “Was it them? Those brutes who splashed you with water yesterday? Those bast*rds…!”
“No, it wasn’t. It was my fault.”
It wasn’t my fault, but I didn’t want to reveal my shame to him. I didn’t want him to know that I was an easy target, incompetent, and lacking, a plaything for my siblings. I didn’t want to admit that I’d been punished because of their tricks. I wanted to appear normal in front of him.
Just Ailee, without the baggage of my family, my circumstances, or my abilities. Not the useless eldest daughter of the count, abandoned in this house.
‘It’s better to say it was my fault. That Mother and Father punished me for a reason.’ I forced a smile, trying to change the subject.
“I have two kinds of tea here. One is rosemary, and the other is…”
“What happened to your hands?”
Showing him the tea leaves had revealed my palms. Covered in bruises, they were clearly not normal. I quickly closed my hands, trying to hide them, but Kin was faster. “How can you brew tea with hands like these? They must hurt…”
