The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Before the breakfast table was fully set, I made a secret vow.
‘I’ll tell him I want a divorce during breakfast. A clean break.’
My heart ached, but this felt like the only way. Knowing that my marriage partner was Kin solidified the feeling that continuing this marriage was a mistake. I couldn’t stay married to Kin knowing I was going to die soon.
It would be cruel to Kin, who had brought me so much happiness. Even just sleeping peacefully in his arms last night, free from nightmares, felt like incurring a huge debt. I couldn’t burden him any further.
‘I can’t hold back a young man with such a bright future.’
With that firm resolve, I tried to formulate how to bring up the subject. However, the relentless procession of dishes arriving at the breakfast table flustered me, and I forgot my original purpose.
‘Wow, was breakfast always this extravagant?’
It wasn’t even in the dining hall. This was the first time I’d seen so many dishes for a meal in my room. Just as I was about to protest that I couldn’t possibly eat it all, a spoon suddenly appeared before my lips.
The culprit was Kin, and the spoon held mushroom soup, topped with something that looked like gold flakes.
“Ailee, ah.” He was even trying to feed me. Taken aback by the sudden offering, I instinctively accepted the spoonful. The next morsel he offered was smoked salmon garnished with chives.
‘This… this isn’t right. How can I be accepting food from him when I’m supposed to be breaking things off?’
Even as I thought this, the food was so delicious that I chewed contentedly. My body, betraying my will, was utterly frustrating.
“Delicious?” I glanced at Kin, who was grinning. He’d chosen to sit right next to me, instead of taking the seat opposite, propping his chin on his hand and watching me with a tilted head.
“Try this.” Kin offered me a piece of perfectly roasted duck on a fork. Its golden-brown skin and sweet aroma promised deliciousness even before I tasted it. But…
‘I don’t usually have much of an appetite for meat in the morning.’
Actually, I’d rarely had meat for breakfast, so I wasn’t really sure.
“Don’t you like duck?”
Kin’s quick observation of my hesitation prompted the question. He then stared intently at the duck, and I, feeling strangely compelled to explain, replied, “It’s not that. I just don’t usually have much of an appetite for meat in the morning….”
Kin examined my wrist and forearm, then said gravely, “You need to eat more. You’re too thin.” I hadn’t really thought of myself as thin. Was I?
Having had few others to compare myself to, I wasn’t sure. I followed Kin’s gaze to my wrist. I still couldn’t tell. Kin looked away and offered me another dish: honey-glazed pumpkin.
“Then try this.”
‘I have hands, you know…’ I wanted to say, but Kin’s relentless feeding had left my mouth too full to speak.
“How is it? Good?” I was too busy chewing to answer, unsure what to do. Kin seemed displeased by my silence.
“Not good?” His strangely crestfallen expression had me nodding vigorously mid-chew, resorting to non-verbal communication.
“It’s good? That’s a relief. Then try this.”
The meal continued in this fashion. It made it nearly impossible for me to speak. My mouth was always full, and even then, Kin kept talking to me. And if I didn’t react, he looked upset. I didn’t want to see him upset, so I kept responding, making it utterly impossible to bring up the divorce. I chewed silently, glancing at Kin, who was smiling contentedly, oblivious to my inner turmoil.
‘I want a divorce! And stop feeding me!’
Even with my mouth already full, Kin, in his inexplicable haste, kept offering me more food. It was hard to keep up with his attempts to stuff my already overflowing mouth. And then he’d say, “Eat slowly.”
My cheeks, puffed out from accepting Kin’s constant stream of food, prevented any retort. My mouth was full of savory croque monsieur. Chewing like a greedy little mouse, I raised a hand and pointed at Kin.
‘Aren’t you going to eat?’
Divorce was one thing, but I needed to make sure Kin ate something. He’d been urging food on me but hadn’t taken a single bite himself. I wouldn’t be around much longer, so skipping a meal wouldn’t drastically impact my life, but Kin was a newly appointed Grand Duke with a lot on his plate. He, not I, should be the one stuffing his face with food.
Fortunately, Kin seemed to understand my gesture, humming thoughtfully. Then, his eyes suddenly gleamed mischievously, and he gently took my fork-holding hand in his. My hand was completely enveloped by his. I’d never thought my hands were small, but compared to Kin’s, they seemed tiny.
