Episode 27
So, as we were about to return home together quickly, my brother gently pushed me aside.
“Brother?”
“It’s really okay. And Ayla, you also have a purpose for being here, right? Didn’t you come to discuss the decisions made with the Duke?”
“Huh? Oh, right. But, brother…”
“It’s not a big deal. I’ll go back first, so finish everything you need to do and come back.”
“Brother…”
Although I didn’t doubt my brother’s reassurance, it didn’t ease my uneasy heart.
“I’ll go back first. I’ll come back in a few days.”
“Please take care, and thank you very much.”
“No need to thank me. You can express your gratitude to Ayla. Well then, Ayla, make sure to come back not too late.”
“Yeah. Brother, as soon as you get home, don’t do anything and just rest, okay? Got it?”
“I will.”
So, my brother left the Blighton mansion, leaving me behind.
After bidding farewell to my brother, Lloydin and I headed straight to the study.
After taking our seats on the sofa, we faced each other.
“Considering the situation, it might be better to postpone the dinner we planned for tonight, as I mentioned earlier. It seems my brother is worried, so I should go home early.”
“Understood. Next time, I’ll properly host a meal. Let Young Master Anaïs join us too.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
“Did you experience any discomfort after returning home yesterday?”
“No, I was fine. I slept well and woke up refreshed this morning.”
“That’s a relief.”
Seeing Lloydin’s relieved smile, I brought up what I wanted to discuss.
“I told my parents the story of falling asleep here and waking up, thanks to the Duke. Do you remember that story?”
“I remember.”
“Duke and everyone else might have thought that no one could heal with magic, so my stories to my parents might have sounded absurd.”
“That’s right. Even I found it hard to believe that the magic within me could help anyone.”
“Yes. But my parents trusted me completely because they believed I wouldn’t lie.”
“I felt the same way.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. Lady Ayla, I never thought you would lie.”
I felt a moment of embarrassment seeing Lloydin’s trusting gaze.
It pricked my conscience knowing that I hadn’t entirely avoided lying.
“No, it was an unavoidable lie.”
That was the only thought that came to mind.
Other than admitting the truth, there seemed to be no other option. It was a story that nobody would believe.
After justifying it to myself, I spoke again.
“Anyway, fortunately, nothing like yesterday happened again, so now nobody doubts anything. It’s really strange. Falling asleep and waking up just like that. Maybe we were meant to be married.”
Things usually got resolved easily without any hindrance.
With a heart filled with joy, I smiled broadly at him.
‘Did I overdo it?’
“I guess destiny might be a bit too much? Well, maybe not destiny, but it’s certain that we have a connection.”
I mentioned the concept of “connection” as a step down from destiny.
“My illness can be cured with the power you possess, Duke, and because of that, we’re here facing each other like this.”
“Connection, huh, I see.”
Honestly, I felt a twinge of conscience at the thought that I had artificially created this connection, but I pushed it down.
“So, speaking of which, when should we have our wedding? It might be better to wait until Ian wakes up, but what do you think, Duke?”
“I also think it would be best to wait until Ian wakes up. But if we wait for that, it raises concerns about Lady Ayla’s illness being treated slowly.”
“That’s okay. If you have the time, Duke, you can just hold my hand like this every day. Besides, even if we get married, um, it’s a bit… uh…”
I was momentarily embarrassed and couldn’t continue speaking.
Beyond holding hands, other forms of physical affection like hugs, kisses, and intimate moments in bed flashed through my mind, making me blush in front of the man before me.
‘No, why am I thinking about that?’
I couldn’t bring myself to say more, blushing slightly and avoiding Lloydin’s gaze.
I was worried that he might sense what I was thinking.
“Lady Ayla mentioned something like that before.”
Afraid that the atmosphere might become awkward because of my strange imagination, I quickly tried to calm myself down. But somehow, his voice seemed a bit softer than before.
“She said just holding hands alone has an effect on her illness.”
“Yes? Oh, yes, I did.”
I nodded vigorously and looked back at him.
The smile that had lingered on his lips had disappeared.
‘Is that really enough?’
“Does holding Lady Ayla’s hand really completely cure her illness?”
“Well, that’s…”
I hesitated to answer, unsure of what he was trying to confirm from me.
Depending on what I say here, I had a premonition that it might change what he would do for me in the future.
‘What should I do?’
Honestly, I thought a hug would be nice.
No, maybe even more than that…
But asking him for something like that would be too shameless.
Lloydin is only marrying me for the sake of his family and his brother…
Of course, I decided to marry for the sake of my illness, but holding hands with him not only didn’t feel bad, but it felt really good.
Moreover, since the treatment would surely progress faster, if he did more than that, I had no reason to object.
Countless words swirled in my mind, pondering what to say to him.
So, without saying anything, I remained silent for a while until he spoke first.
“Someone who had similar symptoms to Lady Ayla’s went into and came out of a place infested with demons, and their illness disappeared as if they had washed it off.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“They were probably referring to the Black Forest.”
“I heard about the Black Forest from my brother.”
“Since there are countless demons gathered there, magic floats in the air.”
“Have you ever been to the Black Forest?”
Noah knew quite a bit about the Black Forest too, and it seemed like Lloydin was also familiar with the place.
Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked him.
“I’ve been there a few times for extermination.”
“Oh, I see.”
“So I’ve been thinking, if magic could be exposed more deeply and closely, wouldn’t Lady Ayla’s illness heal faster?”
Yes, exactly!
I was about to nod vigorously towards him, almost shouting that he was right, accurately deducing the information I knew. But I couldn’t do that, so I felt frustrated yet grateful and impressed that he noticed it.
“I’ve also had such thoughts, but I didn’t want to burden Lord Lloydin by mentioning it first. After all, just holding hands does provide some form of treatment.”
However, I tried to suppress the greed that was slowly rising in my conscience.
‘No one would want physical contact with someone they don’t desire,’ I reminded myself.
Get a grip.
I reconsidered the purpose of this marriage once again.
I cure my illness with his abilities, and he protects his brother and family through me.
There was no need for anything more.
Moreover, upon closer thought, this conversation wouldn’t benefit Lloydin at all.
It was undoubtedly his kindness that prompted him to speak to me first, knowing that.
‘He must have thought about it at least once.’
I had recognized his kindness since he offered help without even getting married last time.
“Then you’ve considered it at least once.”
“Well, yes… I suppose. But! I’m not trying to pressure Lord Lloydin. I think just holding hands will be enough. So please don’t force yourself to do something you don’t want to. I won’t force myself to do anything I don’t want to either as long as our deal continues.”
Having barely regained my composure, I said this with a determined attitude, even if he offered to help.
I didn’t forget to add the last sentence to ensure Lloydin didn’t feel uncomfortable.
It meant that I would do the same, so he could do the same.
Thank you for the chapter❤️