Because I was Terminally Ill, I Married the Male Lead's Brother, and Now He's Obsessed with Me

Episode 28

 

“I won’t force you to do something you don’t like as long as our deal continues…”

 

However, his expression turned somewhat cold, and he pondered over what I had just said.

 

“Lord Lloydin?”

 

For a while, he remained silent, then his black eyes, resembling obsidian, stared at me intently.

 

“…Is it okay if I don’t dislike it?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

I understood his words perfectly well. It’s just that the atmosphere emanating from him seemed a bit strange, causing me to falter unconsciously.

 

“I asked if it’s okay to do it if Lady Anaïs doesn’t dislike it, and I don’t dislike it either. As long as our deal continues.”

 

Lloydin emphasized the word ‘deal’ as he spoke.

 

“Well, if neither of us dislikes it, then it’s okay. That’s only natural.”

 

It sounded like a naive question a child would ask when taking their first steps into the world.

 

‘Well, considering I’ve never really interacted with people properly until now.’

 

With a content smile, I explained in more detail.

 

“You should always ask the other person’s consent first, and if they agree, then you can proceed.”

 

“…Understood. I will make sure to do so.”

 

With that response, he finally averted his gaze, which had been fixed on me since earlier.

 

Realizing that quite some time had passed, I bid farewell to Lloydin and returned home.

 

* * *

 

After returning from Blighton Manor, I immediately went to find Brother Noah.

 

The sight of him returning alone, looking tired, kept haunting me.

 

Upon hearing that Brother Noah was in his private study, I headed straight there.

 

Knock, knock.

 

“Brother, it’s me.”

 

“Come in.”

 

As I opened the door and entered, I saw him sitting at his desk, reading a book.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

“I’m reading a book.”

 

“How are you feeling?”

 

“I’m feeling better.”

 

Whether his statement of feeling better was a lie or not, his complexion looked much better than before.

 

“That’s a relief.”

 

“Did everything go well?”

 

“Yeah. Brother, you know. Thank you.”

 

“For what?”

 

Sending him a grateful look out of the blue, Brother Noah asked with a puzzled expression.

 

“Just everything. Thank you for everything.”

 

No matter how many times I thanked Brother Noah in a day, it was never enough.

 

Perhaps what I did today showed how much I worried about Ian.

 

“If you’re thankful, then show it through your actions.”

 

Brother chuckled lightly and jokingly replied, “Got it. I’ll really treat you well, then.”

 

But unlike the joking tone of Brother’s words, mine were sincere.

 

“Never forget that sentiment for the rest of your life.”

 

“Yeah, I won’t forget!”

 

Although it would be best if it didn’t happen, I once again vowed that if anything were to happen to Brother, I would sacrifice everything for him.

 

“By the way, what book were you reading?”

 

Approaching the desk, I looked at the cover of the book in Brother’s hand.

 

“Exploring Various Places of the Continent? Hmm, a book about travel?”

 

“Yeah. It’s a book written by the famous explorer of the empire, Christian Maximus.”

 

“Wow, that sounds interesting. Can I borrow it after you’ve finished reading it?”

 

“Sure. I’ll lend it to you after I’m done.”

 

“Thanks. But are you planning to go on a trip?”

 

“I’m considering it.”

 

Asking if he was planning to go on a trip just because he was reading a book about travel might have been unnecessary, but his affirmative answer reassured me.

 

“When?”

 

“After you get married and your illness improves to some extent, and things around you stabilize, I plan to leave.”

 

“So soon?”

 

Although we didn’t always stick together since we lived in the temple, the temple was within walking distance, so as long as I had the will, I could see him on any given day.

 

On the other hand, going on a trip meant going to places far away from here.

 

If that were the case, even if I wanted to see him right away, I wouldn’t be able to.

 

“How long are you planning to be gone?”

 

“I’m not sure. There’s nothing definite yet.”

 

“I see.”

 

But even if I felt lonely because of the empty seat, I didn’t want to hinder Brother’s plans.

 

I didn’t know if Brother, who had lived as a priest for my sake, might need time to think about his future.

 

And all I could fervently hope for was that Brother would find something for himself on the road.

 

“After you come back, you must tell me where you went. Promise?”

 

“I will.”

 

With that, I concluded my conversation with Brother and returned to my room.

 

* * *

 

Time passed slowly, and about a month had gone by.

 

When I didn’t have anything special to do, I either helped my mother with wedding preparations or went to Blighton Manor to meet with Lloydin.

 

Every moment spent with him brought me joy.

 

Whenever we went to Blighton Manor, it had become so natural for us to hold hands throughout our time there that it felt like an ordinary thing for us now.

 

Because of that, I had managed to stay awake for a whole month without falling asleep.

 

‘Could it really be cured this quickly?’

 

Whether it was completely cured or not would only be known with time, but for now, each day felt incredibly happy, as if the illness had been washed away.

 

Brother Noah would come with me to Blighton Manor twice a week.

 

Ian’s condition didn’t seem to have changed much outwardly, but according to Brother, he was gradually improving.

 

Most of the instability in his magic had stabilized, and now all we had to do was wait for him to wake up on his own.

 

Upon hearing this, Lloydin and I felt a sense of relief, eagerly awaiting the moment Ian would open his eyes again.

 

Today, I returned home late in the afternoon after visiting Blighton Manor.

 

“Miss.”

 

As I got off the carriage and headed inside the mansion, the butler called out to me.

 

“The Duke is looking for you.”

 

“My father?”

 

“Yes. Please come this way.”

 

Following the butler, I pondered deeply about why my father called me separately.

 

“He said he was going to the palace today.”

 

Ah, I see.

 

Hoping that my thoughts were correct, I arrived at my father’s study.

 

“The Duke, Miss Ayla, has arrived.”

 

“Let her in.”

 

“Yes. Please come in.”

 

As soon as I entered, I saw my father standing near the window, looking outside.

 

“Father.”

 

“Have you come? Sit on the sofa.”

 

“Yes.”

 

As I sat down on the sofa, my father walked over to me and took a seat opposite me.

 

“So, did you have a good time at Blighton Manor?”

 

“I just got back from there.”

 

“Nothing unusual?”

 

“I spent time with the Duke as usual.”

 

“Noah informed me that Young Lord of Blighton still hasn’t woken up.”

 

When my father mentioned Ian, I let out a small sigh.

 

“I went to check on him briefly today, but he’s still asleep. However, Noah said that his unstable magic has returned to normal, so he should wake up soon.”

 

“That’s a relief.”

 

“Yes. The Duke will feel much better once he wakes up. He seems unable to eat properly due to worrying about his brother.”

 

“Are you very worried about the Duke?”

 

“Of course. He’s going to be my husband now.”

 

I replied with a faint smile.

 

Suddenly, I felt my father staring at me with a strange look.

 

“Why, what’s the matter?”

 

“Hmm. It’s nothing. By the way, do you know why I called you here?”

 

“Is it about the Duke? I heard malicious rumors about him before.”

 

“My daughter is indeed sharp. Yes, that’s right. I went to the palace today to resolve that issue.”

 

“Really?”

 

I couldn’t help but get excited at the incredibly good news.

 

“Child, are you that happy?”

 

“Yes! I’m really happy. How did you resolve it? Who spread those rumors in the first place?”

 

“Calm down, Ayla. I’ll explain it to you step by step.”

 

I tried to calm myself down and listened carefully to my father’s words.

 

This is what my father said:

 

Although there were hardly any nobles who viewed the Blighton family favorably, there were some who feared Lloydin and his family’s power, especially those who were determined to trample on them in any way possible.

 

To them, Lloydin’s swift victory in the previous monster subjugation was like a ripe fruit waiting to be plucked.

 

It didn’t matter to them whether Lloydin had actually done anything wrong or what had actually happened.

 

It wasn’t too difficult for them to plant the idea in people’s minds that Lloydin had done something, even if he hadn’t.

 

All they needed to do was catch one little tail and use it to crush Lloydin and the Blighton family.

 

Especially if there had been a huge incident in the past that had left people trembling in fear, it would have been even easier.