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

Episode 29

 

It is said that there was an incident in the past where someone from the Blighton family went berserk during a war, turning the area into a wasteland.

 

There were so many casualties that day that the empire successfully sealed the power of the Blighton family to prevent their power from skyrocketing out of control.

 

However, the seal was not sufficient to suppress the magic the Blightons possessed forever.

 

Sometimes, the seal would be released, and their power would surge again.

 

From the empire’s perspective, the fortunate thing was that they could somewhat contain the surging power once the seal was released.

 

The holy knights and priests of the temple joined forces to barely contain the surges.

 

But there was no guarantee that someone who had gone berserk once wouldn’t do so again.

 

Therefore, it was deemed impossible to manage further, and the easy choice was to eliminate the target.

 

Those who spread rumors cleverly exploited the emperor’s lack of sympathy or patience for the Blighton family.

 

They believed that if rumors spread that Lloydin’s seal had been released and he had gone berserk, as always, the emperor would make the easy choice.

 

So, they clandestinely spread rumors from behind to trap Lloydin in a predicament.

 

“Then how did you prove that the rumors were false?”

 

“As I said before, the truth of the rumor itself is not important. What matters is who spreads the rumor and how many people believe it.”

 

When I told my father that the rumors about Lloydin weren’t true, he said the same thing as he did today.

 

“Like those who tried to blame the Blighton Duke, people here also spread believable rumors, just like that.”

 

“What rumors?”

 

“They said there was internal strife among the demons due to power struggles, making it easy for them to claim victory.”

 

Ah.

 

Understanding my father’s words, I nodded slightly in agreement.

 

In reality, the reason Lloydin returned quickly from the suppression was Ian.

 

He had to come back quickly for his brother, who was at risk of erupting with unstable magic, and it was his desperate determination and power that quickly resolved the situation, not an excessive use of force.

 

However, if he were to speak the truth, people would surely accuse Lloydin of exerting excessive force.

 

My father’s decision not to justify based on the truth was extremely wise and prudent.

 

Moreover, presenting a method to unexpectedly quickly suppress the demons and highlighting the reason why they had to kill each other using that method was the best choice.

 

“But did people easily believe that?”

 

Surely, people’s thoughts wouldn’t change easily after the fake rumors about Lloydin had already spread.

 

As I looked at my father with a worried expression, a dignified smile appeared on his face.

 

“That’s why I went to the palace today.”

 

“You mentioned there was a noble meeting at the palace today.”

 

“Yes. I only said a few words at that noble meeting.”

 

Curious about what it was, I focused intently on my father’s words, not wanting to miss a single detail.

 

“I said I couldn’t believe that the Blighton Duke went berserk. And I heard from somewhere about the internal strife among the demons.”

 

Ah, I see.

 

Now, every aspect of the situation became clear in my mind.

 

My father was the second most powerful person in the empire after the Emperor.

 

If such a person believed a rumor, others had no choice but to accept it.

 

Power is inherently such a thing.

 

My father was not originally someone who used power to pressurize or coerce others.

 

But perhaps he judged that this time, there was no choice but to resolve it in that way.

 

It was to prevent their easy choice.

 

“Thank you, Father.”

 

I bowed my head towards my father and expressed my gratitude.

 

“Thank you so much for listening to my request and resolving it.”

 

“My child, I am your father. What can’t I do for my daughter? Ayla, lift your head.”

 

As I raised my head, my father looked at me with a solemn expression.

 

“Never bow your head anywhere. You are Richard Anaïs’ only daughter, and you must never forget that I am always behind you. Do you understand?”

 

“Yes. I will, Father.”

 

With gratitude, I smiled widely at my father, and he returned it with a kind smile that he only showed to me.

 

* * *

 

The next morning, as soon as I woke up, I headed to the Blighton Manor with good news.

 

While strolling through the garden, I recounted every detail of the conversation I had with my father the previous day to Lloydin without missing a single thing.

 

“I’m not sure how to express my gratitude to Duke Anaïs.”

 

“I already expressed my thanks to Father sufficiently. But if you want to do it yourself, you’ll have the chance to see him soon.”

 

“…Am I really allowed to attend that day?”

 

“Of course. Since Father announced our wedding will be announced that day, the Duke must come. Otherwise, I’ll have to be there alone. Should I do that?”

 

“…No. I will attend.”

 

“Yes. I’ll be waiting, so you must come.”

 

Here, that day was none other than my parents’ 30th wedding anniversary celebration.

 

Except for our family and Lloydin, nobody knew that Lloydin and I were meeting.

 

If someone had seen the carriage with the Anaïs Duke’s crest bustling around the Blighton Manor, it would have surely spread rumors, but it didn’t, and there was a reason for that.

 

It was because of the location of the Blighton Manor.

 

The Blighton Manor was located far from the center of the capital.

 

So, nobody knew who came and went there, and nobody cared.

 

Anyway, while thinking about how to announce the marriage news, we decided on that day because there was a party coming up soon.

 

Although my parents suggested it might be better to do it on a different day, their decision was firm.

 

“By the way, it would be nice if the Young Lord could attend. Is there any sign of him waking up today?”

 

With a worried expression, I asked about Ian’s condition, and Lloydin slowly nodded.

 

“It’s the same. But since his magic has stabilized, I believe he will wake up soon.”

 

“Yes. He will definitely wake up.”

 

We continued our conversation while strolling through the garden and eventually sat down on a bench in a corner.

 

Just as the sun set, the sky, which had been clear blue without a cloud all day, was dyed crimson with the sunset.

 

“How’s your body?”

 

A pleasant, low-pitched voice rang in my left ear.

 

“I’m doing very well. I still can’t help feeling anxious about falling asleep at any moment, but I’m satisfied that I’ve lived the past month fully. My time has always been just a fraction of what others have.”

 

Days would typically pass quickly once I fell asleep, and especially last time, I couldn’t wake up for a whole week.

 

For me, a year wasn’t the same as it was for ordinary people. While for ordinary people, a year consisted of 365 days, for me, who spent half of it sleeping, a year was barely even 180 days.

 

When Lloydin looked at me with pity, I smiled at him instead. As long as this man was here, there was no need for sadness with this cursed illness forever.

 

“You are my benefactor. I will truly do my best in our married life.”

 

“…I will also do my best. Because this marriage is not just a transaction for me.”

 

“What do you mean…”

 

It wasn’t a transaction? What did he mean by that?

 

The meaning behind his words made me hesitate to ask, and I couldn’t say anything.

 

Although he didn’t kneel in front of me this time, he gently pulled my hand and pressed his lips to the back of it, just like last time. His eyes staring at me as if seeking something made me unable to move for a while, and I was quietly drawn to him.

 

Strange.

 

It feels like something has changed.

 

This shouldn’t be happening, my heart shouldn’t be racing like this.

 

After hastily refusing Lloydin’s suggestion of having dinner after the walk in the garden, I immediately returned home.

 

Then, without having any dinner, I locked myself in my room, trying to calm down my restless heart.

 

‘Pull yourself together’

 

This is just… Well, it’s because the duke is so handsome.