The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 41
Chapter 41
My eyes, heavy with exhaustion, suddenly snapped open.
‘Why are they praising me? And the master waiting for his wife? What’s that supposed to mean?’
I stared at the maids, confusion evident in my gaze. Their cheeks flushed a delicate pink.
‘…Wait, why are they blushing?’
“It’s an honor to serve such a mistress. We’ll make you look your absolute best today.”
‘This house is a little strange.’
A shiver ran down my spine, but I feigned ignorance and followed them.
***
Inside the bath, the maids’ hands moved busily. As they reached toward me, the memories of the Count’s household made me flinch. Tense, expecting a hidden pinch like the maids there would inflict, I was startled by a soft voice.
“The master, His Grace the Duke, isn’t a bad man. Don’t be so scared, my lady.”
“If anything happens, we’ll stand up for you. Just tell us.”
‘How could they possibly stand up for me? And we’ve just met, why would they take my side?’
I studied their faces. It was slightly amusing to see such determination in what I assumed was mere politeness. The strange atmosphere compelled me to sink deeper into the water. The water rippled as I curled up.
‘Everything is suspicious.’
‘What do they want from me?’
Did they really need someone to… explode together? If so, why not just bring in anyone and be done with it? Why go through the trouble of a lavish wedding? It made no logical sense. So what was their true motive?
Lost in these suspicious thoughts, staring at the bathwater, the bathing time came to an end. The maids offered their hands, and I hesitantly took them.
“Now for the final touches. If you’re tired, you can rest your eyes for a moment.”
Worried about being dressed in something… uncomfortable for the wedding night, I was relieved to see a typical chemise and a long silk robe laid out.
Gentle, delicate brushstrokes followed against my skin. After the bath, my body felt languid. It was understandable, after a long wedding day and meeting so many strangers. I drifted off, only to be roused by a maid’s voice.
A veil was placed over my face again. Different from the daytime one, this allowed for much better visibility.
“This is the perfume you requested, my lady. We’ll escort you to the bedchamber now.”
The sight of the glass bottle jolted me awake. Thankfully, it was in a beautiful container. I nodded, clutching the bottle.
The maid walked two steps ahead, and I followed, wary. Stopping before a door I presumed led to the bedchamber, she bowed and retreated.
I watched her disappear, ensuring I was alone, then gripped the bottle tightly. Click. I opened the door. Thud. The door clicked shut behind me, having only been slightly ajar.
A dimly lit bedroom, candles strategically placed to set the mood, a luxurious perfume scent that made all other perfumes I’d encountered seem cheap, a spacious room, a large bed… and on that bed, a large figure.
Even blurred by the veil, his face seemed strikingly handsome, his gaze fixed on me.
‘Why is the Duke already here?’
A bad feeling washed over me, a chilling sensation spreading through my body. I subtly hid the bottle in my long sleeve.
My hands trembled at being alone in a room with a stranger. I’d thought I had nothing left to fear, facing imminent death, but that seemed to have been a grave miscalculation.
‘Should I run?’
Yet, against my will, my feet carried me forward.
As I approached the bed, the figure, already seated, gently took my wrist and pulled me down beside him. I swallowed nervously, sitting before the Duke. His hand slowly rose, finally lifting the veil from my face.
And there, before my eyes, was…
“…Kin?”
“Hello, my wife.” He gently caressed my cheek with his thumb.
“I told you I’d come for you.” His voice, sweet and melodious, didn’t suit the image of a monster. I gaped at him.
“You…” I recognized him instantly. How could I not? This was Kin.
I’d often imagined what Kin would look like as an adult. But this was beyond my expectations.
‘I vaguely imagined he’d be handsome, but…’
The familiar face, now more refined, smiled at me. His small stature as a child hadn’t done his features justice; now, he’d grown… dangerously attractive.
Seeing my silence, Kin, perhaps mistaking it for anger, apologized, his eyes downcast.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
“….”
“But I had a feeling you’d run away if I did, wedding or not.” He’d hit the nail on the head.
“Promises are meant to be kept, right?” Kin chuckled, twirling a strand of my hair.
“Hmm, by the way, this poison won’t kill me.”
‘That wasn’t for you, it was for me…’
Wait, when did he find it? It was in my sleeve just a moment ago. I stared at him, dumbfounded. His large, calloused hand gently stroked my hair.
