The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 42
Chapter 42
“Still, well done.”
“….”
“You remembered my words, to kill anyone who would harm you.”
“You…”
He answered with a casual “Yeah,” waiting for my response. His gaze, intensely focused on my lips, was strangely seductive, and I involuntarily caught my breath.
‘When did he change so much?’
Kin never used to look at me like that. He’d always be flustered, yelling at me to stop saying or doing such things.
Unsure if the person before me was real, I instinctively reached out and poked his cheek. He caught my hand, turning his head to kiss my wrist.
He deliberately chose the wrist with the bracelet; otherwise, he wouldn’t be rolling it between his fingers, tickling my skin. Even though I was the one who raised my hand, that thought crossed my mind.
“Ailee, I’m back.” His face glowed as he smiled languidly.
‘Why is Kin here?’
My mind was still reeling, unable to process the situation.
‘Am I dead already? They say your brain shows you illusions before you completely die. Is this a hallucination?’
“You don’t seem happy to see me, but this expression is lovely too.”
“You…what are you doing? I, I want to leave.”
Wait, should I be using formal language? I had thought of Kin when I heard about the marriage, but it was just a fantasy. I never dreamed he would be someone of such high standing.
Admittedly, my lack of proper education meant I didn’t fully grasp the power and influence of the Blashur Dukedom. However, it was clear that it outranked the Lizziana County. Even a one-year-old would know that.
And for Kin to be the infamous Duke? It was so incongruous, it was baffling. Who spread such rumors, leading to this predicament? I never imagined Kin would be the subject of those whispers!
A monster, they said… impotent, they said. While I couldn’t confirm the latter, the former was utter nonsense. Him, a monster? Him? Even after five years apart, his current demeanor proved he could never be a monster.
I averted my gaze, deciding to use formal language, awkward as it felt. Now that I knew he was the Duke, I needed to speak accordingly. Even if our conversation would likely end today.
“I, I’ll be leaving…”
Kin chuckled.
“Why is the Duchess, my equal, using formal language? Are you suggesting we both use honorifics?” His tone was clearly teasing. And to use honorifics with each other?
Him and me? I imagined Kin, the Duke, addressing me with respect and honorifics. It sent shivers down my spine. Not only was the idea of conversing formally with Kin unimaginable, but for me to receive such respect from the Duke, even if it was Kin, felt incredibly strange. I shook my head, and Kin replied casually.
“So, we’ll continue to speak informally. I like that.”
Whether he liked it or not was hardly my concern. We were only going to see each other today, and I needed to get out of here.
I started to back away. The candlelight flickered with my movement, our shadows dancing across the ceiling, distorting the gold-threaded canopy that shimmered above.
It suddenly struck me: this was the bridal chamber. Our wedding night. My face burned. I hadn’t felt this way at all when I entered, and this abrupt shift in mood was incredibly irritating.
I tried to make a quick escape, but my arm was still trapped in his grasp, foiling my plan with embarrassing ease. “Leaving your husband on our wedding night? How disappointing.”
The formal speech was about to slip out again, but I knew he’d cling to it all night. Switching back to informal speech, I retorted, “This… this isn’t right. Look… Kin?”
After all, as Kin had pointed out, I was the Duchess for today, his equal in rank.
“Yes, Ailee. I love you.” He answered my call with a baffling declaration of love. The unexpected response made my face flush even hotter.
Kin seized the opportunity, grinning as he stepped closer. Gentle, warm lips brushed against my forehead, my eyelids, then down to my chin.
The ticklish, unfamiliar sensation made me pull back. Kin’s eyes followed my every move, a playful glint in them. “My wife seems to know quite a lot. Perhaps it’s time you showed me?”
“Sh-Show you what?”
“What you promised to teach me.”
What did I promise to teach him? What? The truth was, a specific memory had surfaced the moment he’d spoken.
‘I’d tried to hide my embarrassment by grabbing a book and spouting nonsense to Kin.’
I’d told him kisses weren’t enough to make a marriage, that compared to the wedding night, kisses were nothing.
Shaking my head, I feigned ignorance, hoping he wouldn’t remember. But Kin was a step ahead. “I still have the book my wife so kindly gave me. I’ve been wondering if that’s your… preference. I could fetch it if you don’t remember.”
“No!”
The horrified shriek escaped before I could stop it. He looked utterly delighted at my reaction, his gaze burning into me, making my ears feel like they were on fire.
Moments ago, I’d been facing death, yet I’d forgotten all about it, completely entangled with Kin. He showed no sign of stopping, continuing to close the distance between us.
“Why not enlighten your ignorant husband?” Kin whispered, his eyes crinkling with amusement as he pressed a kiss to the ends of my hair.
