I Healed my Husband, the Leader of the Underworld

These [..] are for flashbacks.

 

Looking back now, all I remembered was working hard to survive.

This was the case in both my past and current life.

I followed the regular educational path and got into a decent university in Seoul. By the time I got used to college life, graduation was approaching, and without much thought I dove into the job-hunting world.

Despite countless failures, I managed to land a job after going through harsh competitions. After that, I diligently saved money to buy a house.

Even during relaxation therapy, Koreans would be thinking about how to save money to buy a house, and that exactly how my life went.

And even after coming here, the habits I had from my past life seemed to have stuck with me.

Once I regained my senses, I worked hard and did my best in whatever I had to do, without knowing where I was heading.

There were always students who overshadowed everyone, with their overwhelming talent, in the fiercely competitive college entrance exam that I studied so hard for.

And, here too, resided a female protagonist who I can’t never beat with my unstable healing powers.

However, while I could still make a living despite not ranking first in my college classes, it was different here. In this world, if I couldn’t be as capable as the female lead Diana……

Oh, well.

I stood still for a moment, taking in the grand corridors of Roam mansion surrounding me.

The ceiling paintings so dazzling that they hurt the eyes. There were endless chandeliers and a beautiful scenery beyond the windows.

All those things reminded me of the trip I took to Europe with my friends, after barely saving up some money from the part-time jobs I did during college.

Was it the Palace of Versailles?

I remembered how I was swept away by the crowd, meandering through luxurious corridors just like this one, among countless tourists.

‘That’s how it was; I thought, tightly gripping the little bottle in my hand.’

I was alone in those corridors this time, and the hostess of the place.

Although, the spaciousness of the area, combined with the fact that I’m standing here by myself brought an overwhelming sense of solitude that words couldn’t describe.

[Unlike those bastards who dare to betray Roam, I can trust my wife.] Siegfried’s voice suddenly echoed in my head.

My husband now gave me the love the real Milena had always wanted, and he did it very sweetly. It’s clear he wished to bind me to him so that so that I could never betray him or leave this place.

My efforts to survive had strangely been working out too well.

[You’re unstable.]

But this precarious exchange of goods between us was not permanent.

As Siegfried said, I was unstable.

There was a limit to what I could accomplish in only two years by myself, and I acknowledged that.

As I came back to reality, I looked around to find myself in that place once again, facing the gaze of Mrs. Loam in that portrait.

I said I couldn’t keep my promise.

I muttered inwardly.

I’ll figure it out, though.

I bit my bottom lip tightly.

It’s worth a try.

I clenched the vial in my delicate hands.

It would be frustrating, but not unbearable. And while the possibility of success was not high, it wasn’t nonexistent.

I’ve already come this far.

Today, I have made Roam’s servants, the people who used to ignore me, kneel before me.

I also got this; I thought as I glanced at the vial Lancel gave me; it was warm from the warmth of my hand.

His kindness was remarkable.

In such a ruthless place, genuine kindness a rarity.

But as that thought faded, a more unsettling one took its place.

Did I look weak to the point of needing his help?

The assistance given to the weak was often spontaneous but temporary.

I had to create my own way out.

I need to try my best and then, whenever the time comes….

Only after all the preparations have been complete, would I be able to make my escape or do whatever I needed to do.

For a moment, I envisioned not a boring Rochester mansion or the dreadful Roam estate but a secluded house on the outskirts of a peaceful island.

It was a deviation.

A path I had never even considered before.

In both past and present lives.

And as a result, the mere thought of it felt so liberating.

If I were to sell the jewels my husband gave me, I could certainly escape to some faraway place and live comfortably there.

The feeling of a new possibility literally took my breath away.

So far, things have been luckily going smoothly, so I didn’t have to take extreme measures just yet.

And the most fortunate thing was….

Siegfried.

My gaze shifted to my husband standing next to his mother in the portrait.

Despite his affectionate efforts, I do not love him.

For a moment, I made eye contact with the Siegfried in the painting, then I turned my head and walked away.

And as always, my posture was perfectly upright.

* * *

“Did you say this could help the madam full integrate into Roam?” Andrew Harrison asked, looking at the handsome man reflected in the full-length mirror.

Siegfried Roam, dressing up for the dinner, was undeniably charming to anyone who could see.

His blue eyes, visible underneath his well-groomed dark hair, were as sharp as those of a wild beast, and the tall nose extending below them was flawless. Beneath finely drawn lips that rarely smiled was a strong jawline.

Then, as he draped a neatly tailored suit jacket over him, Harrison stated,

“If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have hesitated, Your Grace.”

“… My wife.”

The man’s lips, so perfect and firm, parted.

“She tried to run away from me.”

“Is that so?” Harrison pondered for a moment before adding. “In that case… Wouldn’t it be better to start by becoming a more supportive and secure protector than the Marquis of Rochester?”

“…….”

“If she’s trying to escape, affection alone may not be the answer. Even raising a bird requires more than just a cage (1). And..”

Harrison paused to spray perfume on his wrist, then Siegfried slowly rubbed his wrist against the nape of his own neck. even amidst this, his well-toned shoulder muscles were clearly visible underneath the well-fitted jacket.

“It seems she was lonelier than everyone else.”

“… Yes. That’s what Marquis Rochester said.”

“Yes? So wouldn’t be better if your Excellency could become her sanctuary?”

With those words, Siegfried walked down the empty corridor. He footsteps halted in front of a giant portrait that seemed to cover to wall from the ceiling to the floor.

As his eyes glanced at his mother’s face, the words spoken just minutes ago by Andrew Harrison rang in his ears.

[Although the madam possesses great healing powers, she was not cruel enough to use them to prolong Mrs. Roam’s suffering for her own benefit.]

His eyes, which had a glimmer of longing for a moment, turned to face his mother directly.

[But that doesn’t mean she is not smart. She is competent enough to take care of lord Lancel and has a compassionate heart. What could be more heartbreaking for such a person than a lonely, sick patient?]

A refined smile, adorning Siegfried’s lips, was reflecting on the glass of the painting.

[Since both of you have lost your mothers, sharing this pain seems like a good starting point.]

As the familiar door drew near, Siegfried knocked on it in a slow rhythm.

And when a response was immediately heard, his smile deepened.

Lately, whenever he returned to the mansion, it made him feel good to find signs of his beloved wife.

* * *

As soon as I entered the room, the first thing I did was to check if Siegfried was inside.

And after confirming that his absence, I sat on the bed and breathed out a sigh of relief. Then, I pulled out the jewelries he had bought me.

My face was reflected in the numerous beautiful gemstones, that were worth my whole life. Within a day of receiving them, I had lost interest, and threw the jewels inside my vanity drawer. Yet right now, they couldn’t have been more precious.

The last time I thought about running away from this place, I left behind the “Eternity of the Abyss” my husband had bought me.

As soon as Siegfried saw me, he pulled on my hair to scan my neck, and immediately knew.

I could never forget the gentle breath that had touched my neck in that moment.

The suffocating atmosphere that my fingertips and skin still remembered sent shivers down my spine.

It felt as if he would sink his teeth into my neck at any moment, and revealed the blue veins hidden beneath my pale skin.

Since that day, I resolved not to leave any trails that would arouse suspicion of my escape.

With trembling hands, I reached for a dazzling diamond, and just when the cold surface barely touched my fingertips……

Knock. Knock.

A precise knocking sound echoed throughout the room, and I flinched, taking a sharp breath.

“Milena.”

And as soon as I heard his voice, my breathing involuntary quickened.

My face, reflected in the jewels, turned pale.

As I bit my bottom lip, I was barely able to look at the myself in the dresser’s mirror.

A fragile woman, with a barely controlled expression, looked back at me.

“Come in,” I answered.

I watched the woman’s lips part, and the door being pushed open through the expensive mirror.

And before long, Siegfried’s face, wearing a charming smile, appeared.

“How are you been well?” he asked as he stepped behind me, bowing his head.

As he drew closer, his masculine scent rushed into my nose. It was stronger than before, as if he had just applied some cologne.

Then, he slowly pressed his lips against the nape of my neck.

“… Yes,” I replied.

Seeing Siegfried’s gaze moving towards the jewelries, I added, “I was wondering what to wear…”

“Is that so?” He chuckled softly.

Then, he picked up them, and asked, “What’s this?”

A delicate gold chain, adorned with a small ruby, dangled between his fingers.

“Lancel gave it to me.”

“Is that right?”

As his voice deepened, brushing against my ear, I ignored the slight tremor in my hand and picked up the diamond necklace.

“This one is prettier.”

Without saying a word, he took it off, then placed it around my neck.

And when he finally let go, I had to make an effort to ignore the soreness I felt in my neck. I’ve heard that there were many people who almost broke their neck with a necklace, but it wasn’t something to talk about right now.

Then, after brushing an imaginary speck of dust of the diamond, he said, “You’re more beautiful.”

“…….”

“It suits you well.”

As he said that, he met my gaze in the mirror.

“If my mother were still alive… she would have been equally pleased.”

If she were alive; I repeated inwardly.

The old lady’s last words still vividly echoed in my ears.

[Please, promise me to keep my secret… as long as you live.] she had begged.

[I promise.]

Then, with a face more at ease than ever, she had closed her eyes.

“I miss her too,” I replied calmly as if I knew nothing.

If someone were to ask why I didn’t use my powers to save Mrs. Roam, my only guiding light in the face of an upcoming doom, I would have no word to offer.

This was because of the promise I made to her.

Even if I were to leave this place, there was only one thing that I would keep to myself until the end.

“Truly,” I added.

So, even if he were to express resentment towards me, i must ensure that this secret would follow me when leaving this place.

As I got lost in thoughts, memories from when I had just opened my eyes here flashed in my mind.

Everyone has a hidden side.

Even the strongest of all had a vulnerable side that others never saw.

 

 

 

 

1-The reference to a cage implies restrictions or limitations. The idea conveyed is that even when carrying for something as simple as a bird, it’s essential to consider their freedom and well-being beyond just emotional attachment. Which mean it’s even more important when taking care of another human being. The statement emphasizes the need for a supportive and secure environment, acknowledging that love alone might not address all aspects of the person or situation.