The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Blashur, outwardly seen as the most favored noble family by the royal household, could also be viewed as the family under the most meticulous royal surveillance.
Thus, people both feared and revered Blashur, a family undeniably close to the crown, wielding an insurmountable power.
At the same time, some disparaged them with envy, whispering of them as ticking time bombs, never knowing when their demise might come.
The royal family and the Grand Ducal House had many secret agreements based on mutual interests. The Blashur family generally welcomed the compensations offered by the crown.
While the royal family was uneasy about Blashur, the heads of the Blashur family were largely indifferent to the crown.
‘Why bother with the headache of being emperor when we won’t live long anyway?’ was their primary reasoning.
Returning to the main point, Daykin, whose abilities had greatly stabilized through Ailee, didn’t actually need to participate in the war at this point.
However, due to a contract previously signed between his family and the nation, there could be no exceptions or cancellations, not even this once.
His mother was unaware of his condition, making it impossible to simply refuse. Furthermore, with his father incapacitated, he, the heir, had to participate in the war to ensure the family’s standing remained firm. This was also necessary to bring Ailee back…
“I’ll go.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“No.”
‘There’s a reason Mother is turning a blind eye to this outing.’
As soon as he arrived in the capital, he would have to finalize preparations and depart for a distant, foreign land.
Although it wasn’t her fault, his mother apologized with a fragile demeanor. Daykin’s heart already ached at the thought of their farewell tomorrow.
***
I gazed out the window at the tranquil garden. Mother, Father, and the twins were probably at the academy’s commemorative party today.
Grandmother might even be there, too, brimming with pride over the twins’ early admission to the academy. They were probably strutting around, feeling quite important.
The gardener’s cottage was far from the main house, so I rarely heard any sounds or signs of life, but with everyone gone, it felt even more desolate today.
‘But it’s okay.’
If I hadn’t met Kin, I wouldn’t have moved an inch from my bed on a day like this. But today was different.
I had Kin.
Humming a tune, I sat on the bed, swinging my feet. I should have felt embarrassed about yesterday’s incident, but those thoughts didn’t linger.
From the moment I woke up, my thoughts had been singular and consistent: I can’t wait for Kin to come.
***
A minute felt like an hour. I tried to read, but the words wouldn’t register. It was strange. No matter how sad I felt, I’d never been unable to read.
I ended up sitting on the bed, staring blankly for a long time, unable to read or do anything.
Knock, knock.
A familiar, soft knock echoed at a time when no one should have been coming. The only person who would come at this hour was Kin.
Kin was here!
Clutching the bracelet Kin had given me, I ran to the door.
“Kin!”
Kin paused, looking at me, then instinctively accepted the bracelet I held out.
“Put this on for me! I can’t do it with one hand.” I added, “I can do it with one hand, but with my injury, it’s difficult.”
I extended the arm not in a splint. Kin’s expression was pained as he looked at my arm, but he didn’t say anything.
“I’ll do it. Tell me if it hurts.”
Kin’s eyes fell to my wrist. Those beautiful eyes disappeared beneath long lashes. Kin had long lashes, too.
“I wanted to keep wearing it, but I thought the twins or someone else would take it, so I took it off.” I offered the explanation as Kin fastened the bracelet. Kin nodded in understanding.
“All done.”
“Thank you!”
As I admired the bracelet, Kin suddenly held out his hand. A small bottle rested in his palm.
“This is medicine for your bones and a salve for your wounds. Make sure to apply them. Heal quickly.”
Kin placed the bottle on the table. I nodded brightly, smiling.
Kin took a step back, his face somber. He looked at me, his lips parting slightly. Did he have something to say?
I decided to wait patiently for Kin to speak.
The wait was short.
“I’m leaving today.”
My expression hardened at Kin’s words. His somber demeanor must have been because of his impending departure.
I had anticipated him leaving, but not today. I had preemptively grieved the farewell while also rejoicing in his visits. But that practice had been utterly useless.
Even though I could still spend time with Kin today, this place already felt empty. Resentment welled up.
‘He could have told me after we spent the day together.’
But then again, if he had told me afterward, I would have been equally upset, perhaps even more shocked.
My joyful mood plummeted. But I didn’t have time to wallow. I pulled myself together and looked at Kin again.
