Married to a Man who Wants to Kill me

 

“Why?”

 

In response to his inexplicable behavior, the word “why” reflexively escaped my lips. He raised an eyebrow and spoke in a languid tone.

 

“Just because.”

 

“……… Huh?”

 

To say, “Just stay a little while longer,” was the kind of thing that could be said in a private, intimate setting. It didn’t fit at all between Lethenia and Ian.

 

I wonder if it’s him who’s sick, not me. I started to feel a slight unease about his unpredictable attitude. He stared at me, his expression tense, without a trace of warmth. A heavy, unwelcome tension settled in my chest.

 

After a few moments of silence, he spoke first.

 

“It’s been a long time since you came to me first.”

 

In retrospect, my visit must have been quite unexpected for him. Under normal circumstances, I would never have sought him out.

 

Even when I was sick, I didn’t show my face once, and even if I had business with him, I would have sent a letter or a person to solve it. He stared at me in a strange way.

 

Somehow I had the feeling that he was wondering why I had come.

 

I studied his complexion warily, searching for the right words.

 

“Ah……. It’s just that the audience day is coming up soon…….”

 

“And?”

 

He asked with an intensity in his eyes that suggested he wanted a different answer. I wondered if he felt that the audience day wasn’t a sufficient explanation.

 

I couldn’t tell him honestly that I came because of the love potion, so I decided to make another excuse that I had been thinking about.

 

Maybe it’s the most natural excuse in my situation right now.

 

No, to be honest, it was not an excuse, but a real question.

 

“And…… I was wondering about Theo and Lady Delua.”

 

As soon as Theo’s name came out, his eyes sank darkly. In an instant, I felt the mood turn sour.

 

He smiled slightly and raised his head slightly.

 

“I see you were wondering about that.”

 

“…….”

 

“I’m seriously thinking about it. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for Lord Claflin to marry the princess of Delua.”

 

It wasn’t an unexpected answer, but the words sent a chill down his spine.

 

As expected, from the Emperor’s perspective, it seemed that Theo marrying the Princess of Delua wasn’t a bad idea.

 

Of course, I said that I would not prevent Theo from marrying her if he wished.

 

But that was only if Theo wanted to. If I were to be more honest,…… I also hoped that if the time came for him to tie the knot with someone, it would at least be after I was gone. I wanted to stall for time, if only for a little while, because just the thought of watching the person I loved get married to someone else was painful.

 

“What if he doesn’t want to?”

 

One corner of his mouth quirked up into a wicked grin.

 

“Well, is that important?”

 

There was a strange chill in his voice, almost aggressive.

 

The spirit, or rather Alexis, had told me that they weren’t in that kind of relationship, but it didn’t matter.

 

If the Emperors of both nations chose to do so, they had no choice but to comply. With that thought, the embers in my heart that had been dormant for a moment flared up angrily.

 

Anger boiled up inside me at the thought of Theo being used. I snapped at him, my tone a little furious.

 

“You promised not to touch Theo.”

 

“Are you sure he doesn’t want to?”

 

“That’s…”

 

His sudden question clouded my words. I hadn’t heard anything directly from Theo about the princess yet.

 

As soon as Erita came to Asha, she grabbed him and didn’t let him go, so he couldn’t even go to the Empress’ Palace for a few days.

 

“If he really doesn’t want it, how should we see the fact that he’s been constantly by the princess’ side and hasn’t even shown his face at the empress’ palace?”

 

His provocative words seemed to tear my heart out. Somehow, tears welled up as if about to burst.

 

As painful as it was, I couldn’t help but despise this man who only spoke painful truths. But soon, I gathered my resolve and said to him firmly,

 

“Anyway, you can’t decide such an important issue without asking the opinions of the parties involved.”

 

“This is a matter of national interest, and whether he likes it or not, Lord Claflin must obey the imperial decree.”

 

“What about your promise to me?”

 

“There are exceptions to everything.”

 

I glared at him fiercely at the brazenness of his words, spoken as casually as a greeting.

 

“It was a deal. If I tell you about the spy…….”

 

“That information is useless.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Because the slave was killed before I could do anything about it.”

 

I stood frozen for a moment, unable to say anything else to his words. Did James really succeed in escaping Brilland’s farm?

 

To get away from Asha, he would have had to take a boat. But Brilland Farm was quite a distance from the docks.

 

Furthermore, Xenos slaves are heavily monitored on Asha.

 

It was certainly strange that James had managed to escape undetected.

 

‘I wonder if he’s still with Asha.’ 

 

If it’s not Ian, was it the Duke of Bledel? But the Duke is still unable to get out of his sick bed, struggling with his illness…

 

For a moment, I was lost in thought, and then I realized that Ian was sitting in front of me with a nonchalant expression on his face.

 

Then my questions about James were buried in Lethenia’s fiery emotions.

 

“I provided you with accurate information. You’re just late.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“…….”

 

“I’m very late.”

 

The words slipped out as if he were talking to himself.

 

“Anyway, I’m sure you’re looking into something important with that information as a lead, but you’re telling me it didn’t help you at all?”

 

“That’s why I’ve turned a blind eye all this time.”

 

“What?”

 

He stared down at me with an expressionless gaze, then spoke in a low voice that seemed to cut through the deep anger.

 

“That bastard keeps hanging around you.”

 

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, his eyes grew fierce, like an animal watching its prey.

 

I couldn’t understand him showing such intense hostility toward Theo.

 

Slowly, my breathing became hot with anger.

 

“Is that what you call it?”

 

He tilted his head slightly and gave a mysterious look. He looked at me in a way that made me think he was both angry and distressed.

 

Then, out of nowhere, he said my name.

 

“Lethenia.”

 

“…….”

 

“He can’t be with you if you’re like this.”

 

I frowned at the inscrutable remark. He stood up slowly and walked over to where I was sitting.

 

As he got closer, my heartbeat quickened. It felt like a tiny demon was shaking my heart from within.

 

Reflexively, I looked away. Before I knew it, he was right next to me, and he lifted my head with his fingers, forcing me to look at him.

 

His eyes swept over my eyes, then my nose, then my mouth, and then he spoke.

 

“Because the more you do this, the angrier you make me.”

 

His eyes seemed to have a liveliness to them, but for some reason, that liveliness didn’t feel directed towards me.

 

A subtle tension filled the silence. He didn’t withdraw his touch. He stared down at me as if contemplating something.

 

Emotions that were difficult to contain began to simmer like a volcano about to erupt.

 

Knock knock!

 

An attendant walked in and said in an embarrassed tone.

 

“I…… His Majesty the Emperor, Miss Bedos is here to see you.”

 

“Send her back.”

 

Ian replied, slightly annoyed. I was a little confused to see him treating his beloved mistress as if she were an annoying vendor.

 

I’d sensed it before, but things weren’t looking good between the two of them. Without leaving his seat, the entourage spoke in a troubled voice.

 

“That…… she said that you don’t see her right now. She won’t leave…….”

 

Ian closed and opened his eyes slowly and let out a deep sigh. I decided it was time to speak up.

 

“Well, Rosetin’s here, so I’m going now. I’ll talk to you later.”

 

Ian didn’t say anything in response. I took that as an affirmation and walked away.

 

When I opened the door, I saw Rosetin standing in front of me with a tray of tea. I could smell the faint scent of tiffin on the tray she was holding.

 

Tiffin is a tea that is supposed to help with fatigue and sleep. It seemed like she was concerned about him pushing himself day and night for the past few days.

 

Rosetin’s cold eyes met mine as she gave me a brief bow.

 

I gave Rosetin a curt bow and turned away. Behind me, I could hear the servant’s awkward voice.

 

“Miss Bedos, His Majesty is occupied with urgent matters at the moment and asks you to come back later.”

 

“That’s what he told me last time, which is why I’m here again.”

 

“Anyway, for now…….”

 

“But hasn’t the Empress just come to see His Majesty?”

 

At the mention of the word ‘Empress’, I unconsciously stopped in my tracks and turned my head to look at her.

 

Rosetin’s complexion was flushed with anger to the point where it seemed like she might hurl the teacup she had brought at any moment.

 

“I’ll say it again. I will not move a step from this spot until His Majesty meets me.”

 

Rosetin seemed to have made up her mind, her aggressive voice unusually sharp.

 

She bit her lip as if she wasn’t going to back down. Strangely, I found myself feeling a little sorry for her.

 

In any case, I thought it best to keep quiet for now. I had no desire to get involved in the love quarrel between the protagonists.

 

All the way back to the Empress’ palace, my mind was filled with doubts about the love potion.

 

 

 

𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒐-𝒇𝒊