The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 24
Chapter 24
The first thing he did upon returning to his room was bury his face in his bed.
“I must be the only crazy person who proposes out of the blue like that.”
He hadn’t even properly acknowledged his own feelings, yet he’d gone and proposed, talking about promises and such.
If asked if he regretted it, the answer was an absolute no.
‘With her looking at me like that, how could I not say those things?’
If there was any fault, it lay with his reason, completely captivated by Ailee. Ailee was blameless. The problem, if there was one, was with himself, lost in his infatuation.
Daykin berated himself, then lifted his head.
“She seemed to enjoy eating together more than receiving the bracelet….”
If that were the case, he didn’t have time to wallow.
“I wonder if she likes blue pie….”
Blue pie, or more accurately, blueberry pie. His father called it “blue pie,” and the name had stuck with him.
“When you find someone you love, make them this blue pie. What nobleman would step into the kitchen to cook for the one they love?”
His father had personally taught him the secret recipe. He wasn’t confident in other dishes, but he was sure of this one, having learned it directly.
It was the first time he would truly be making it for someone, but tomorrow, he had to make the very best blue pie for her. And for that, he needed practice.
Daykin got up and headed to the kitchen.
* * *
The morning birds chirped loudly. While someone was anxiously baking a pie, and someone else was curled up in bed reading, Lizzy, ready for the academy, glared at Lane with a sullen face.
“Hey, it’s no fun now that she’s grounded. What’s so entertaining about this?”
“Seeing her scared and apologizing was fun, wasn’t it?”
“That was fun, but it’s so boring now.” Lizzy mumbled, still seeming dissatisfied, wrinkling her nose.
“There’s a party tomorrow to welcome the new students. And the academy entrance ceremony is next week. Just be patient.”
Lane, the mastermind behind Ailee’s month-long grounding, feigned innocence as he tried to appease Lizzy.
Lizzy remained unimpressed, responding with a noncommittal “Hmm.” Lane shrugged, glancing at her.
“If we tease her more, she’ll get scared and run away from home. Or Father will kick her out.”
“We can stop them if that happens.”
“Hmm, hmm.” Lizzy propped her chin in her hand, making strange noises, then suddenly jumped up. “No, I can’t stand it. Let’s go tease her now.”
“If you really want to tease her, I have a great idea.”
Lane didn’t stop Lizzy. In fact, a brilliant idea had struck him, and he offered it to her. Lizzy’s eyes widened as she listened.
“…That way, she definitely won’t get upset or kicked out. And it’ll be fun for us to watch.”
“Exactly.”
“You’re insane.”
“So are you, sister.”
They exchanged these pleasantries and stood up. Lizzy and Lane’s eyes gleamed with anticipation and excitement.
* * *
Knock, knock. Someone was at the door. The clock showed it wasn’t even noon yet.
‘Who is it? A maid? But she just took away the breakfast dishes.’
‘Could it be Kin?’
‘Kin always comes after lunch.’
Having met him only twice, it was a stretch to use the word “always.”
The window was on the opposite side of the door, making it impossible to see who was there. I debated whether to put on the bracelet, then tucked it into my book as a bookmark. I quickly placed the book back on the shelf and cautiously opened the door.
“Who is it…?”
“Sister, I have a favor to ask.”
Lizzy stood before me, her face downcast. Beside her, Lane watched me with an unreadable expression.
Instinctively, my hands trembled. I quickly hid them behind my back, desperate to conceal them. I forced my reluctant lips to part, repeating the mantra in my head: ‘Obedience is a virtue, obedience is a virtue.’
“…What is it?”
“My necklace is stuck in that tree over there, and I’m too short to reach it…. You’re tall and slender, so I thought you could get it for me.”
“You could ask a maid.”
“I can’t let Mother find out. There’s a party tomorrow, and the academy starts soon. She’ll scold me for misbehaving.”
Afraid of being scolded for misbehaving? My throat felt like it was filled with sand. I wanted to scream, to refuse, to tell them I was grounded and couldn’t risk going outside.
But I couldn’t. I unconsciously tried to clench my fists, but the blisters on my palms prevented me.
“If you get Lizzy’s necklace, we’ll tell Mother that we’ve made up with you.” Lane added, his gaze impassive. ‘Now they’re resorting to persuasion.’
They needed to entertain themselves by teasing me, but they were afraid that I might run away or get kicked out if they pushed it too far.
Their actions suggested they were eager to see me gone, yet they always intervened whenever an incident occurred, preventing my parents from expelling me. It was clear they had no intention of actually getting rid of me.
They just needed a toy to play with, a toy that wouldn’t cause too much trouble.
I was used to their antics, but their intentions were transparent. I hated them. I was sick and tired of them, yet a part of me still yearned for them to treat me like a human being, just once.
Even animals eventually turned on their owners after repeated abuse. Why did I lack such resolve? Why did I still harbor these foolish hopes?
“…Fine. Where is it?”
“Thank you, sister!” Lizzy’s face lit up with a smile as she exclaimed, “I knew you’d help!” I tried to maintain my composure as I followed them.
