The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 44
Chapter 44
The constant welling of emotion finally broke through. Tears didn’t fall, but my chest ached. I clutched Kin’s arm.
“Why would you marry someone who doesn’t even know party etiquette? You’re a duke! Why are you so fixated on a childhood promise?”
“That childhood memory kept me going all these years. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here today.”
“But you’re a duke! You have responsibilities,” I argued, the words spilling out before I could stop them. But I didn’t regret them. This was my chance. I was about to tell him I wanted to call off the marriage.
“I can give you anything, but not that. If you want out, you’ll have to kill me first. Then you’ll be free.” Kin’s voice was light, as if he’d just solved a simple puzzle.
“That’s ridiculous—”
“Then we’ll stay like this. Forever.”
I had no words left, no energy to argue. If I hadn’t been exhausted from the day’s events, the endless wedding preparations, I might have put up more of a fight. But body and soul were weary. I simply bit my lip.
He pulled me closer, tighter. I couldn’t tell if my head rested on the pillow or on his arm. My forehead pressed against his chest, and I could hear the steady, strong beat of his heart. His hand resumed its gentle stroking of my back.
“Don’t worry about such things. Just go to sleep.”
Grief was grief, but exhaustion was exhaustion. I hadn’t slept properly in days, ever since arriving at the Duke’s estate, constantly on edge at my childhood home. It was no wonder I was succumbing to sleep in the warmth of another person, a sensation I’d almost forgotten.
I fought to stay awake, my eyes wide open, my head raised. His sharp jawline was just visible in the darkness.
‘I’m dying, you idiot.’
I chewed on the inside of my cheek, searching for the right moment to speak, but the words wouldn’t come.
I thought I wanted to die, but perhaps I wanted to live. My resolve was crumbling with pathetic ease. I desperately craved this peaceful normalcy, even if it was fleeting. I wanted to savor this moment of comfort without revealing my secret.
‘If I tell him the truth, this brief peace will shatter, and I’ll be sent back home. I don’t want to go back. I’m so selfish.’
This was a fraudulent marriage. I was dying, incurable, and he’d married me knowing it.
I was disgusted by my own cowardice. But still, I couldn’t bring myself to speak. Trapped in my own internal struggle, I finally succumbed to sleep.
“Goodnight, Ailee.”
Kin’s soft voice was the last thing I heard before I drifted into unconsciousness.
“Ailee, you need to eat breakfast. Eat and then go back to sleep.”
I slowly opened my eyes at the sound of someone’s voice. Who’s waking me? There’s no one who would. Is this a dream? ‘If it is, I hope I never wake up.’ At least it means there’s someone, somewhere, to wake me.
As I blinked, lost in thought, something soft brushed against my cheek. I turned my gaze to where I’d felt the touch and saw Kin’s smiling face. Not young Kin, but a fully grown Kin. ‘Why is adult Kin here?’ Startled, I instinctively glanced down at myself, checking my attire. I don’t know why I checked my clothes first. It was just an involuntary action.
My pink chemise had ridden up to my thighs, and I wasn’t wearing anything else. It felt strange and embarrassing to have my shoulders so exposed to someone else. Other people wear party dresses without a second thought about that level of exposure, but I’ve never worn anything like that, which probably made it feel even more awkward. ‘What is going on?’
I stared at the scene in confusion until, suddenly, it hit me. Oh, right. I got married. To Kin, no less. To that crazy Kin. Why would you marry me, you idiot? I now noticed my silk robe, crumpled pathetically at the foot of the bed, discarded in my sleep.
Kin raised an eyebrow at me. “If you keep lying there looking at me like that, I won’t be able to hold back.” His beautiful blue eyes seemed to flash. Instinctively, I sat up and adjusted my chemise. Despite my efforts, the now-clouded look in Kin’s eyes didn’t seem inclined to clear.
He took my hand and pulled me towards him, his other hand lightly circling my waist. Then he gently pressed his lips against my collarbone, lingering longer than the chaste kisses he’d placed on my face the night before. Our eyes met at close range before his gaze drifted upwards. He let out a languid sigh.
“I need to feed you…” Right, I need to be fed. Having spoken and answered himself, he obligingly released my waist, though he made no move to let go of my hand. I didn’t particularly want him to, so I remained silent, simply watching him.
Kin smiled at me, a bright, clear smile. It was hard to believe this was the same man called a monster of war, a living time bomb.
“Now that you’re awake, shall we have breakfast?” He’d promised to do everything with me, and it seemed he truly intended to keep his word. I looked at him and, somewhat dazed, nodded.
