The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 7
Chapter 7
The Countess Lizziana had three children, so it was said. One, rumored to not be a magic wielder, had never made a social appearance due to ill health. The other two were supposedly the unparalleled prodigies of the family.
‘As if they could compare to me in my youth.’
Daykin smirked, brimming with casual arrogance. He wasn’t wrong. Even among the magically gifted members of the Grand Ducal family, his innate abilities were remarkable, unmatched by anyone.
“Silly, didn’t you hear? Our older sister was banished.”
“Well, maybe they sent her gifts in secret.”
‘Idiots. You’re the silly ones.’
They were blind to the jewel right in front of them. Daykin pictured the girl’s sparkling face. He worried about her expression after being subjected to their taunts.
“She’s been exiled here for almost a year. Gifts? And who would give her a birthday present anyway?”
‘It was her birthday…? And she was crying like that…’
On her birthday, she’d even tried to offer hospitality to uninvited guests. Daykin recalled Ailee’s timid manner as she wiped the teacups. A strange heat flushed his face.
‘What’s this? A surge? No, it doesn’t hurt.’
While Daykin puzzled over his physical state, the conversation continued.
“Aren’t you hot, sister?”
A premonition of dread froze him.
Splash!
The sound of water filled the air. Water pooled at the girl’s feet, then overflowed.
‘Are these brats insane?’
Daykin almost bolted, but regained his composure just in time. Leaving now would ruin everything. He remained hidden, frustrated by his own helplessness.
“There, sister. All cooled off.”
“Doesn’t being drenched like that make you feel like a water mage? Lucky you. Having magic was your dream, wasn’t it?”
“Right, dream come true.” Their mocking taunts continued, laced with sarcasm.
Ailee, soaked to the bone, couldn’t open her eyes for a moment. She blinked rapidly, struggling to see. Finally, her eyes fluttered open, stinging from the water.
“Well, we should go. We’re supposed to help prepare dessert.”
“Try to remember that feeling, sister. Hold onto the sensation of the water. Maybe you’ll actually become a mage. See you later.”
Ailee remained silent, barely breathing. Lane and Lizzy, giggling, turned to leave.
Through gritted teeth, Ailee murmured, “This isn’t funny.”
Lane and Lizzy stopped dead in their tracks. Lizzy wore a look of disbelief, as if she’d misheard.
“What did she just say?”
“She said it isn’t funny. It’s childish.”
Lane and Lizzy exchanged glances. Their pride stung, their eyes locking onto Ailee. As Lizzy opened her mouth to retort, Lane, a look of amusement on his face, held her back.
‘She thinks she’s all high and mighty now that we’re going to the Academy. We may be gone during the day, but we’re still here at night.’
Lane narrowed her eyes, watching Ailee’s quiet endurance of Lizzy’s verbal assault. They needed something more… impactful.
‘Ah, yes. That would be perfect.’
Young, but already taking after his father’s cruel streak of tormenting the weak, Lane began to work while Ailee’s attention was fixed on Lizzy. Finishing within seconds, Lane grinned and called to Lizzy.
“Lizzy, let’s go. If she thinks it’s boring, we’ll find amusement elsewhere.”
“What? You want to let her get away with talking back to me?”
“Yes. I’ve thought of something much more entertaining.”
Lane winked and tugged Lizzy’s arm. Hesitant, but intrigued, Lizzy finally relented.
“If this isn’t fun, you’ll be the one to regret it.”
“Oh, I assure you, it will be.”
The twins left Ailee’s room. Ailee stood there, fists clenched, utterly forlorn.
The moment the door clicked shut, Daykin scrambled out from under the bed.
***
“Are you alright?!”
‘It’s all over.’
I’d hoped to make a new friend, but perhaps I was too greedy. Had I angered the gods? I’d been drenched, and my secrets were exposed.
My eyes, still stinging from the water, fixed on the boy. Dust clung to him from his hiding place under the bed. I wished he’d been a teleporter and hadn’t heard any of it.
His constant inquiries about my well-being were irrelevant. Something else weighed heavily on my mind.
“…Did you hear all that?”
The boy’s flurry of movements stopped abruptly. Unless he was deaf, he must have heard. Why had I even asked? What answer did I expect?
He tried to look casually towards the bed, but since he was about my height, his awkward attempt was obvious.
“What? I was asleep under there. I must have been exhausted from being dragged all the way here.”
“….”
“Really. I woke up when I heard the water.”
‘What? A lie.’
I gave him a disbelieving look, and he started to backpedal.
“See? Drool marks.”
“Those are tear stains from earlier.”
“No, I wasn’t crying!”
‘…Liar.’
He claimed he hadn’t cried, hadn’t heard. Still, a sliver of hope remained. “Are you sure you didn’t hear anything?” I asked again, desperate for him to say no.
