Sickly? Husband's Contractual Wife

1. Episode

 

No one in the world would feel the sweetness of tea drinking with my mother-in-law.

 

“Yeah, is Taegi still not here?”

 

Pfft.

 

I spat it out without drinking the tea.

 

The fountain of tea that shot up into the air flew straight to the elegant and noble lady sitting across from me.

 

“……”

 

I stared at the elegant face of the lady who got hit by my fountain.

 

Before and after getting hit by the water, there was no change in the expression of my mother-in-law, the lady.

 

There were just droplets of water running down her face.

 

The droplets ran beautifully from her elegant forehead to the tip of her nose.

 

The water that ran down finally started to drip from her nose.

 

Drip, drip.

 

Other than the sound of water dropping, nothing else could be heard in the room.

 

A silence that felt like time had stopped continued for a while.

 

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

 

I got up from my seat after a long time.

 

Camilla quietly reached out her hand to me as I hurriedly looked for something to wipe.

 

She took out a handkerchief and gently dabbed my wet cheek.

 

I stared at her in a daze.

 

Her extremely elegant and restrained movements had something that could kill a person’s spirit.

Oh, is that the ‘Blue Blood’?

 

I exclaimed once again.

 

Every little action, even a single word, was overflowing with elegance.

 

Even when she was scolding me.

 

“I told you. Our household needs a successor.”

 

At Camilla’s words, I snapped back to attention.

 

I straightened up from my slouched position, crossed my legs neatly, and then replied.

 

“Yes, that’s… right.”

 

My voice sounded strained, making a sound like a duck quacking.

 

Quack.

 

As I choked back my embarrassment, another quack followed.

 

When I met the cold gaze of the lady, the quacking intensified.

 

Quack, quack.

 

Seeing her un-ladylike behavior, the noble lady frowned for a moment, looking displeased.

 

“Anyway…”

I could tell what the omitted words were without hearing them.

 

I quickly took a sip of my tea and pressed my lips tightly together.

 

As my throat tightened and the quacking subsided, the lady spoke.

 

“It’s been almost 2 years, 2 years since you entered this house. We’ve provided all kinds of tonics, and I’ve specially selected and arranged for the best astrologers, so why…”

 

The lady stopped speaking as if she couldn’t understand, and looked at me with a pitiful glance.

 

I barely managed to calm the quacking, but I hurriedly covered my mouth with my hand, fearing it would start again.

 

Seeing my reaction, the lady looked even more disdainful.

 

“What luck do you think you have to claim the position of a noblewoman? Do you dare to think you have the qualifications to stand by my son?”

 

Again, again.

 

I already knew the next words that would come.

 

One, two, three.

 

“So, it was you who chose him. From a renowned family with a prestigious reputation, you, from a backward corner that can’t even compare to our household!”

 

The lady’s voice emphasized the exact parts that needed to be highlighted.

 

Even in her moment of anger, her manner of trampling on people with such elegance and nobility was almost awe-inspiring.

 

“I chose you purely based on your family’s childbirth history. Otherwise, why would I have brought you into this house? In a household that boasts a prestigious history that rivals the royal family!”

 

Thud.

When the lady pushed the table, the teacup momentarily floated in the air before settling back down.

 

At the same time, my butt also lifted off the chair for a moment before coming back down.

 

“But seriously, what have you done since coming to this house? Have you fulfilled your ‘duty’?”

 

“….”

 

I had nothing to say, my mouth closed tighter and I just hoped for this moment to pass quickly.

 

“You haven’t forgotten our agreement, or rather, our deal, have you?”

 

“Of course not.”

 

Camilla stared at me for a while, then slowly leaned back against the chair.

 

“Don’t forget our ‘deal.’ I brought you into this house because I believe in the power of your lineage.”

“….Yes.”

 

“I believe in your promise to bear a successor. Your younger siblings, who have followed after you, are also being taken care of under that condition.”

 

“Of course, I haven’t forgotten.”

 

I vigorously nodded my head.

 

But inside, I was thinking something else.

 

‘I didn’t make that deal,’ I could barely swallow those words.

 

It wasn’t quite that extreme yet.

 

And when it came down to it, I couldn’t deny that I had accepted ‘that deal’, it was none other than me, Selene.

 

It’s just that the me from back then and the me now are a bit… different.

 

But I couldn’t tell anyone about that state.

 

As the nightmares of the past two weeks resurfaced, a sudden chill ran through me, and I shuddered.

 

“…Are you cold?”

 

Camilla, seeing me shiver, asked in a strange way, as if she had seen something odd.

 

It wasn’t a concerned voice.

 

She was more concerned about the teacup in my hand.

 

“No, not at all.”

 

I quickly smiled and raised the teacup.

 

It was an action to not upset Camilla, but it seemed to have the opposite effect and disturbed her.

 

Her forehead creased, and she opened her mouth to speak while looking at me.

“Useless.”

 

“….”

 

Even though the words were almost violent, I could only bite my lips and remain silent.

 

In truth, I desperately want to speak.

 

The end of my lips itches and I can’t bear it.

 

I feel wronged.

 

So Selene, the Duchess of Ifrit, feels wronged.

 

Why is that?

 

“No, excuse me.”

 

I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

 

“You have to look at the sky to see the stars.”

 

…That’s why.

 

How can I say that I’ve never even touched your son’s fingertips, or rather, I’ve touched them figuratively, but I’ve never even had a drink with him!

 

“…”

 

So instead of speaking out loud, I bit my lips.

 

Opening up this kind of private life between a married couple is never desirable.

 

“No, that’s absolutely not allowed.”

 

Above all, if the Duchess were to find out about this fact, I would be in a very precarious situation.

 

So I chose not to reveal that I’m no different from before I got married.

 

The Duchess of Ifrit, or rather, my mother-in-law, Camilla Ifrit, who elegantly raised her teacup again, looked at me and said.

“You look like you have a lot to say?”

 

It was as if she was saying, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

 

“Yes… um, you?”

 

Smoothly picking up the words that almost slipped out and smiling, I looked at Camilla with a smirk, but she didn’t press further.

 

“You seemed completely crazy until recently, but today you seem a little less crazy.”

 

I quickly responded to the words that interrupted my thoughts.

 

“Thank you for saying that.”

 

“I didn’t particularly say it as a compliment, did I?”

 

Instead of saying “I didn’t particularly say it as a compliment,” I smiled again.

 

I was half out of my mind for the past two weeks, so anyone would have thought I was a “crazy woman.”

 

So I didn’t particularly mind.

 

“We need to get a successor as soon as possible. It’s already been two years.”

 

Camilla immediately began her second lecture.

 

I just nodded along as if I were barely listening with one ear.

 

Now, I had even developed a way to accompany her without really listening to each word.

 

“Yes, yes, of course.”

The reason she was so insistent on her son’s successor was only one.

 

That was… thump, thump, thump.

 

The sound of someone running echoed through the hallway.

 

The sound was getting closer to the room where Camilla and I were.

 

My heart started to thump, thump in response.

 

It wasn’t a good sign.

 

Bang, crash.

 

The door swung open without a knock.

 

The one who came running in was the butler.

 

“Madam! Young madam!”

 

I immediately stood up.

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

Camilla’s face turned pale as she sensed something ominous.

 

The butler was the same.

 

“His, his Grace, his Grace… ugh.”

 

The middle-aged butler, gripping the doorframe, shouted without taking a breath.

 

“His, his Grace has collapsed again!”

 

Clang.

 

The cherished teacup of the Duchess hit the floor.

 

“What did you say?”

 

* * *

 

As soon as we arrived at the Duke’s room, we saw Duke Ifrit lying on the bed, struggling to breathe.

 

The situation was more serious than I had anticipated.

 

On the white sheets, his flushed face made him look like he could die at any moment.

 

“Ahmed!”

Camilla ran to where her son lay, calling out his name.

 

She sat down by the bed, looking pale and unsure of what to do.

 

“Why, why all of a sudden… Ahmed, can you hear me? Come to your senses.”

 

Her words seemed to fall on deaf ears.

 

He twisted in pain, gripping the sheets so tightly that his bones showed through, letting out groans.

 

“Ugh… Ugh.”

 

His voice was filled with unbearable pain, as if it could break off any moment.

 

“Ah… Ugh.”

 

I stood a few steps away from the crowded bed, listening to his moans.

 

Suddenly, something splashed onto my dress, cold water sprayed on it.

 

“Ahh.”

 

The maid who brushed past me turned back. It was Emma, Ahmed’s personal maid, holding a bowl of water.

 

“If you keep standing here, it will be inconvenient for us when we tend to the master. You’re in the way, so why don’t you leave?”

 

Emma annoyingly said to me and went straight to Ahmed’s side.

 

I hesitated for a moment, then walked over to where he lay.

 

Standing by the bed, Ahmed’s face looked even more vivid.

 

“Ugh… Ugh…”

His contorted face was so painful to look at, it felt like I could feel his pain too.

 

If only I could feel the pain instead of him during these seizures.

 

The pain seemed so unbearable every time it happened, I almost wished I could take it on instead.

 

Even though our marriage was loveless and nothing but a facade.

 

Ahmed’s hand reached out, slicing through the air.

 

Snap.

 

I instinctively grabbed his hand.

 

It was an impulsive action, and I was the most surprised by it.

 

Looking around in confusion, Camilla had her face buried in the sheets in prayer, Dr. Raymond was busy examining him, and the maids were running around with towels.

 

It was an awkward situation where neither of us knew whether to let go or hold on tighter.

 

We weren’t on the kind of terms where holding hands felt natural.

 

In fact, it felt like I was going against his will…

 

Grip.

 

I was startled by the sudden strength in his grip.

 

It was a force too strong to be from a sick man.

 

‘What kind of strength is this?’

Well, the Duke of Ifret is from a family that owns the best knights in the empire.

 

It means that from his ancestors to their ancestors, they all boast the best swordsmanship in the empire.

 

Naturally, his blood must be flowing with the power of his ancestors.

 

I looked down at the hand I was holding.

 

The skin was so flawless, it almost looked like porcelain, with blue veins faintly visible.

 

It was the hand of a man with a strong and sturdy build, despite being very pale.

 

And it was very cold.

 

So cold that it sent shivers through the skin it touched.

 

I turned my gaze back to Ahmed’s face.

 

His beautifully sculpted face and body looked drenched in sweat.

 

To see such a beautiful person enduring such terrible pain every time.

 

For a moment, a pang of sadness rose deep in my chest.

 

…But it does hurt a bit.

 

“Ah… Ouch.”

 

Actually, quite a lot.

 

Tears welled up in my eyes.

 

“Oh my, young miss, don’t cry.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

Lorna approached and gently wiped away my tears with a clean towel.

 

“Master will be okay.”

Lorna looked at me with a worried expression and said,

 

“As usual, you’re such a crybaby.”

 

Tears were already welling up in her eyes.

 

“Lorna, is it really, is it really that bad?”

 

I replied with a trembling voice.

 

Oh, it hurts so much.

 

“Whether it is or not.”

 

Lorna said, her voice also trembling.

 

Meanwhile, the hand I was holding felt like it was about to break free from the pain.

 

I continued to cry, and Lorna kept wiping away my tears.

 

“Ugh…”

 

As the groans grew deeper, the strength in his hand increased.

 

And with each passing moment, more tears flowed down my face.

 

“Please.”

 

I looked at him and said desperately,

 

“Ahmed, hang in there.”

 

Ouch.

 

No, not there.

 

“……”

 

Did his bone break?

 

The tingling sensation that ran through my whole hand made my vision blur.

 

“Ple…ase…”

Tears poured down from my eyes.

 

Lorna wiped away the tears from my eyes again.

 

“Madam, don’t worry. He’ll get better.”

 

“Th…hank you.”

 

I said with effort, trying to smile.

 

Suddenly, there was a thud.

 

* * *

 

“You’ve passed the crisis.”

 

After some commotion, Raymond put down the stethoscope and let out a long sigh.

 

“Ah…”

 

Camilla staggered and slumped down.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

The Duchess leaned on the doctor’s support and stood unsteadily.

 

Seeing her completely different from when she had tea earlier, I thought to myself, she’s truly a mother.

 

“You’ll be fine if you rest. I’ve prescribed some sedatives, so please get some rest.”

 

Raymond approached and supported Camilla, who was weakly leaning on the bed.

 

“I’ll escort the Duchess.”

 

Raymond held Camilla’s arm, and she leaned on him as they left the room.

 

“Please take care.”

 

I tried to get up to see them off, but I was pushed back down by some force.

 

“……”

I looked down to find the source of that strength.

 

Ahmed was holding my hand so tightly that I thought it might be stuck.

 

It didn’t hurt as much as before.

 

The grip wasn’t as strong as before.

 

But I couldn’t free my hand with my own strength.

 

The part where the blood was constricted was turning dark red, while the areas where the blood wasn’t flowing turned white.

 

“I can’t let go of his hand.”

 

I tried to twist my hand for a moment, but his firm grip didn’t budge.

 

In the end, I gave up and slumped down on the road.

 

“……”

 

I carefully examined Ahmed’s face as he slept.

 

His breathing had calmed down, and his face had regained its original color as the fever subsided.

 

It was like the face of an angel who had come down to take a nap.

 

There were faint tears in his eyes due to the pain, making it even more… Oh, wait.

 

“Huh?”

 

His eyelids, which were tightly closed, were half-open, revealing the deep blue irises inside.

 

Suddenly, the man was looking at me with eyes that seemed to contain all the hatred in the world.

 

“Oh, you startled me.”

 

I thought my heart was going to drop.

 

When did he wake up?

 

I placed my hand on my chest and took a deep breath.

My heart was pounding faster than before.

 

Ahmed looked at me as if he had something to say and pursed his lips.

 

I immediately lowered my head and brought my ear close to his lips.

 

“Why, is it still hurting? Where? Should I call Raymond again?”

 

I urgently asked, waiting for his response.

 

As I brought my face closer, I could see his eyelashes trembling like the wings of a sleeping butterfly.

 

“Yes, speak. I’m listening.”

 

His lips started to purse again.

 

Pale complexion and a limp body.

 

Even in this moment, he looked handsome.

 

“Get lost.”

 

Ah, his personality is a bit dirty, but…

 

I blinked a few times.

 

It took some time for his words to sink in and inflict some emotional harm.

 

“I said get lost.”

 

He repeated once again as I stood there in a daze.

 

“……”

 

As soon as I came to my senses, he lashed out at me with harsh words.

 

Cancel that whole angel thing. Cancel it.

 

I almost snapped at that moment but managed to hold it in.

 

I am a noblewoman.

This man is my husband.

 

And he’s a sick patient.

 

‘Do not get angry with sick people.’

 

I repeated the prayer in my mind as if reciting it.

 

“……”

 

A chilly silence came over us, so close that I could feel his breath.

 

“What are you looking at?”

 

He asked with a frown, and I silently answered in my mind.

 

‘You, you.’

 

His eyes staring at me were shining a bright blue, like a freshly caught fish.

 

“Can you let go of this?”

 

He shook the hand that was holding onto me.

 

I was really angry for a moment at his expression as if there was some garbage stuck to him.

 

You’re holding on so tightly, can’t you let go?

 

“……”

 

Of course, he didn’t say anything this time either.

 

But I really felt wronged.

 

He grabs my hand as if he’s going to crush my bones, and now he wants to let go.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

He shook my hand again.

 

It was a gesture of handling something trivial, like shaking off dust from clothes or shooing away an annoying fly.

“…..Yes.”

 

I slowly released the hand I was holding.

 

Snap.

 

As soon as his tangled fingers were released, he took his hand away and started rubbing it as if he had touched something filthy.

 

The hateful look in his eyes towards me was still present.

 

“Get lost.”

 

And he said again.

 

If he had the strength to get out of bed, he would have thrown me out of the window right away.

 

I took a deep breath again.

 

‘This person is a patient.’

 

Just by looking at his temper, he certainly didn’t seem like a weak body, but I knew he wasn’t faking it.

 

For now, his stability was the priority.

 

I couldn’t afford for him to collapse again.

 

I decided to calmly persuade him.

 

“Ahmed, you absolutely need to stay calm. Raymond said you shouldn’t get startled or angry…”

 

“Say it again? Get lost.”

 

He moved his greenish lips and spat out harsh words once again.

 

Listening to him speak with such care, I bit the inside of my cheek.

 

Yeah, it’s worth it to endure this.

 

I had no choice.

Having received such treatment for a day or two, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger.

 

“No matter how hard you try, you won’t get what you want from me. Don’t even dream about it.”

 

But I found his words quite irritating.

 

“Who do you think you are?”

 

His eyebrows twitched at my blunt retort.

 

He narrowed his eyes and stared at me.

 

I knew the reason for this.

 

It must be his first time getting this kind of reaction.

 

Come to think of it, there was no need to suppress the creeping darkness in my mind.

 

There was no one in this room, not even Lady Camilla, who could restrict my actions.

 

I could keenly feel the tense gaze of the maidservants behind me.

 

For them, seeing me in this state must be a sight they’ve never seen before.

 

How dare I.

 

How dare Selene.

 

Speak so lightly about the Duchess, as if she were nothing more than a mere shell left behind by Camilla.

 

“What…?”

 

He looked at me with an incredulous expression.

 

In that moment, his clear blue eyes became even more visible.

 

I suddenly remembered Camilla’s words about how difficult it was to find the right color to depict those blue eyes in a portrait. I couldn’t tell if it was pride or regret in her words.

 

“What did I say? Why are you getting all worked up as soon as you wake up? Still feeling the effects, huh?”

His blue eyes stared at me as if they were seeing a bug from another world.

 

“Stop being so difficult because it’s bad for your health. Go back to sleep and take your medicine.”

 

I picked up the bottle of medicine I had placed nearby.

 

“Here, take it.”

 

Ahmed was looking at the medicine I offered as if it were a deadly poison.

 

At this point, I started to feel a bit of a grudge.

 

Yeah, you just want me to leave, right?

 

“Do you want me to feed it to you?”

 

I leaned slightly in his direction and whispered softly.

 

At the same time, I tried to put on a sweet smile.

 

“Come on, open up.”

 

I held the bottle of medicine in front of his lips.

 

Ahmed’s face twisted quite visibly in response to my coquettish voice and gestures.

 

How about that? Can’t stand it, huh?

 

I can’t blame him for reacting like that when I’m doing things I never did before.

 

I smiled with a deep sense of satisfaction in my heart.

 

And as my smile widened, Ahmed’s forehead furrowed even more.

 

“I heard you’re crazy. Are you really insane?”

 

Yep.

 

You should try being in my shoes.

 

It’s enough to drive anyone crazy.