The Monster Duke Was Fooled. I’m Terminally Ill

Chapter 43

After finishing my conversation with Viscount Lessa, I ordered a generous meal for him. It wouldn’t hurt to leave him with the impression that I treated him better than Marquis Kazak or Prince Cain ever did. It was pretty easy, considering Prince Cain would never have looked after Viscount Lessa’s well-being.

As I was giving instructions to a maid, I heard a deep voice behind me.

“You’d better take care of your meal.”

“Oh, you scared me!”

I turned around, clutching my pounding heart. Julian was walking towards me from the end of the hallway. I touched my neck awkwardly and laughed.

“I was just about to go for dinner.“

“Let’s go together.”

“You too, Julian?”

I thought it was a natural question, but Julian didn’t respond. I blinked, and Julian, standing still like a statue, asked.

“Is that a problem?”

Despite his appearance, this man could be surprisingly sensitive. I smiled softly and linked my arm with his.

“Let’s go. What’s on the menu today?“

“I don’t know.“

“Not knowing such an important thing, you must be more prepared when asking your wife on a date. Remember that for next time.”

Julian wasn’t the type to play along with my nonsensical jokes. He simply gave a faint smile and indulged my teasing.

“I’ll remember.”

And I liked that about Julian. The only regret was that he was too tall and his rank too high for me to pinch his cheeks.

Julian and I sat across from each other at the dining table. I thought it would look like Julian was watching me eat without having a meal himself. However, the butler started moving trays and blocking other servants from entering the dining room.

I held back from asking, “Are you really going to eat with me?“ fearing Julian might run away.

When the soup was served, Julian removed his mask and placed it beside him. I could clearly see Julian’s bare face as I had seen at the villa. The faintly glowing rare gemstone on his forehead emitted a dim light. Watching the butler adjust the mask, I asked worriedly.

“Does it hurt?”

Julian immediately understood my question and answered.

“If it did, I wouldn’t be able to bear it.“

“That’s a relief.”

He didn’t show any pain when I touched it. Since he was born with it, it seemed there was no pain. It would have been unbearable if there had been, so I was relieved.

I took a sip of the soup with a spoon and looked at Julian again.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

I shook my head with a smile.

“Because I enjoy having meals with you.”

It genuinely felt good, like I had a new family.

After finishing the soup, I put down my spoon. Since Julian wasn’t very talkative, the conversation wouldn’t continue if I kept quiet. Wanting to keep talking to him, I casually mentioned one of my plans.

“I’m thinking of planting a few people in the Eriant estate.”

Julian asked, seemingly surprised.

“Is it okay to tell me that?”

Just then, the next tray was brought in. I watched the food being placed in front of me with satisfaction and continued the conversation.

“You said you’d protect me, didn’t you?”

I wasn’t the type to refuse anything given to me. Especially if it was from Julian, I would gladly accept it.

The butler approached and poured wine, and I nodded in thanks with a smile.

“If it gets out that I did something, you can defend me.“

“Alright.“

“And what will you say to defend me?“

“I’ll have to think about that.“

“What’s there to think about? Just say that your wife was excessively concerned with beauty and was jealous of Ari Eriant.”

Julian laughed softly and shook his head, finding my words absurd. I smiled and playfully rebutted.

“Why? Are you worried it would tarnish your reputation?“

“No.”

Julian spoke with utmost seriousness.

“Because my wife is more beautiful than Ari Eriant.“

“What!”

I couldn’t help but raise my voice. Even though there were only three people in the dining room—Julian, the butler, and myself—my reaction was far from polite. I covered my mouth and cleared my throat.

“That’s ridiculous…”

I wanted to scold Julian, but my face turned red, and my words fumbled on my tongue. After stammering for a while, I finally burst into laughter out of embarrassment.

“Don’t say such strange things!”

I couldn’t remove my hand from my mouth, not knowing what to do. Julian frowned, looking as if he couldn’t understand my reaction. His face seemed to say, “Why are you reacting like this?“ which flustered me even more. I fanned myself, feeling utterly baffled.

“Have you ever seen Lady Eriant?“

“I have.“

“Then how can you say such a thing, even as a joke?“

“Joke?”

Julian raised his wine glass, genuinely puzzled.

“Why would it be a joke to say you’re more beautiful than Ari Eriant?“

“Well…”

I recalled the first time I met Ari. It was even before my return.

She had a face similar to Shuan’s but with a soft and infinitely warm aura. When Ari appeared at a party, everyone, regardless of gender, would sneak glances at her. The jewelry and dresses she wore quickly became trends and sold like hotcakes.

‘Why did someone like her become Prince Cain’s mistress? She could have confidently become a princess.’

Lost in thought, I suddenly realized Julian was staring at me intently.

“In any case, saying I’m more beautiful than Ari Eriant is too much. Just say I’m pretty; that’s more than enough.”

Julian still seemed to not fully understand, but he nodded obediently as I suggested. He could be surprisingly compliant at times.

I smiled and took a bite of my food. The meat’s juices gently enveloped my tongue. After swallowing, I exclaimed excitedly.

“Wow, this is so delicious. You should try it, Julian.”

However, instead of eating, Julian stood up from his seat. He extended his hand towards the butler, who, without a word, handed him a white handkerchief.

“Julian? What…?”

I instinctively moved to cover my nose, but Julian pressed the handkerchief to my nose faster. Glancing down, I saw red blood seeping through the fabric. A nosebleed? In embarrassment, I tried to move my hand, but Julian gently restrained it.

“Stay still.”

My embarrassment wasn’t just because I had a nosebleed. It was because it happened in front of Julian. Even if he already knew about my health issues, I wanted to hide this as much as possible.

“I’ve just been swamped lately. It’s just fatigue.”

Julian sighed at my words.

“I know.“

“It’s true.”

Instead of replying, Julian turned to the butler.

“The doctor?“

“The summoned doctor has not yet arrived at the grand duchy. Should I call the resident doctor?“

“Do so.“

“It’s just a nosebleed. There’s no need for a doctor…“

“Remember our promise.”

I had no comeback for that. My voice muffled by the handkerchief, I lamented softly.

“The food was really delicious today…”

The butler immediately responded.

“We will prepare it again after your examination.”

I finally smiled.

“Thank you.”

I tapped Julian’s hand with my own, which was held by him, and looked up at him.

“Julian, you should eat with me then.“

“You are quite…“

“Pretty, right?”

When I gave him a look that said, “You just said that,“ Julian rubbed his forehead briefly and then couldn’t suppress a smile.

“Yes. Now, take this.”

Julian sighed as if he had no choice and gently pressed the handkerchief against my nose. I couldn’t help but laugh, holding the handkerchief with both hands. Then, Julian effortlessly lifted me from the chair. The butler approached and helped Julian put his mask back on.

I found the situation amusing and couldn’t stop laughing. Julian, seeming a bit exasperated, asked,

“Why are you laughing so much?“

“Why do you laugh so little?“

“I haven’t thought about it.“

“I know why. I’ve had many reasons to laugh. And considering you’ve been smiling more lately, it must be thanks to your wife.”

Julian chuckled at my cheeky comment. See? Thanks to me, he’s smiling more.

I tilted my head back and checked the handkerchief. Fortunately, the bleeding seemed to have stopped. I felt embarrassed to clean up the blood before Julian, so I kept holding the handkerchief.

Julian quickly ascended the stairs and soon reached my room. He gently placed me on the bed and carefully covered me with a blanket. Shortly after, there was a knock on the door, and the doctor entered.

“I’m here to examine you, Your Grace.”

The doctor asked for permission and began the examination. I didn’t expect much since he wasn’t the new doctor Julian had brought in. True to my expectations, the doctor gave a predictable diagnosis.

“It seems the journey to the capital has tired you out. Some rest should make you feel better soon.”

Having no expectations, I nodded indifferently.

“Understood. You may leave.“

“Wait.”

It wasn’t me who stopped the doctor but Julian. I looked up at Julian, puzzled. After a moment of contemplation, Julian waved the doctor away.

I sat up and leaned against the headboard.

“Why did you call the doctor?”

Julian didn’t answer, instead sitting on the bed and feeling my forehead and cheeks to check for a fever.

“You don’t have a fever.“

“The doctor said I just need some rest. Why did you ignore me?“

“… It’s nothing.“

“Not answering is a bad habit.”