The Monster Duke Was Fooled. I’m Terminally Ill

Chapter 90

I woke up again at dawn. Julian, as usual, had been watching me while I slept. Unlike the first time, it didn’t feel embarrassing anymore.

In fact, the thought that he loved me enough to gaze at me for hours filled me with warmth. I reached out and touched his bare face.

The sensation of the magic stones embedded in his skin gradually faded, like sand slipping through my fingers.

When I withdrew my hand, his smooth face was all that remained. I carefully, yet with overwhelming joy, called his name.

“Julian.”

“I can feel it, too,“ he replied.

Julian pulled me even closer, wrapping his arms around my waist. As his firm chest pressed against my skin, a familiar heat rose within me.

But I couldn’t stop touching his face again, caressing every spot where the magic stones had been. Watching them crumble into dust and scatter into the air was a beautiful sight—ironic, considering they had tormented him for so long.

When I withdrew my hand again, Julian lifted his hand to feel his face. There wasn’t a single stone left; his face was completely smooth. He muttered in disbelief.

“I’ve become ordinary.”

There was something bittersweet about his words. But instead of dwelling on it, I responded with a playful tone.

“Ordinary? You? You’re breathtaking. You were before, and you are now.”

Julian smiled and placed soft kisses on my face, making me giggle at the ticklish sensation. He looked stunning, and I stared at him, utterly captivated until I pouted.

“We have a problem.“

“What kind of problem?“ he asked.

“I’m worried. What if every woman in the world tries to steal you from me now?”

It was a joke, but only half in jest. Since Julian started appearing at various social events, more and more ladies have commented on his beauty.

Now that he had shed his mask and revealed his true face to the world… And if his wife was merely the daughter of a Count, anyone might set their sights on him. The thought terrified me, and I nuzzled my forehead against his neck.

“What should we do?“ I asked.

But Julian dismissed my worries effortlessly.

“They can’t have me. I’m already yours.”

“Really?“

“Really.”

His gentle words melted me once again. As I basked in my happiness, Julian suddenly spoke with concern.

“By the way, we have a bit of a problem.“

“What is it?“ I asked, still half-lost in my contentment.

“I haven’t introduced myself to your family yet.”

“Oh!”

I sat up in bed, startled. He was right. Since Julian had come all this way, proper etiquette dictated that he should first greet my father and the rest of my family.

But as soon as we saw each other, we had been so eager to be together that we’d completely forgotten about formalities and rushed to my room instead.

“Facing them tomorrow will be a bit embarrassing,“ I admitted.

But I wasn’t too worried. My family wasn’t the type to make a fuss over such things. However, Julian still looked a bit uneasy.

“I’m concerned your father might misunderstand. This is new territory for me,“ he said, his seriousness making him all the more beautiful.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything. You can hide behind me,“ I teased, making him laugh profoundly, soothingly. We wrapped ourselves around each other once more and drifted off to sleep, enveloped in the comforting scent of our longed-for reunion.

* * *

When I woke up the next morning, Julian was already fully dressed. I noticed that I, too, was wearing a thin nightgown, one I didn’t recognize. He must have dressed me.

“Did you bring my nightgown too?“ I asked, rubbing my eyes.

“You left with nothing but your words,“ he replied.

“That’s right. You must have worried. I’m sorry.”

Without a word, Julian approached and kissed my forehead softly. That small gesture alone conveyed all the concern he’d felt, and it pained me.

“Marian stopped by. Your father invited me to a chess game,“ he informed me.

“Chess? In the morning?“

“So I suggested we have breakfast together.”

I blinked at his words, and then something clicked. Julian no longer had to wear a mask, and he had no reason to avoid breakfast with my family.

The thought of the man I loved sharing his first meal with my family excited me. I quickly got out of bed.

“We should hurry, then.”

I rushed to prepare, choosing one of the light, comfortable dresses Julian had brought me.

As I was brushing my hair, Julian handed me a small box. When I opened it, I found a pair of delicate emerald earrings. I bit my lip to suppress a smile.

“They match the magic stone necklace,“ I said.

“They also match your eyes,“ he replied.

Julian gently placed the earrings on my ears. As his firm hands touched my cheeks, ears, and nape, I couldn’t help but blush, memories of last night flooding back to me.

“What are you thinking about?“ he asked.

“Last night. You were so relentless,“ I teased.

“Seems like you enjoyed being tormented,“ he smirked.

I shot him a playful glare as I stood up. He escorted me into the small dining room where my family usually gathered. We were joking and laughing as we walked in, and my father, Louis, and Adam all wore awkward smiles.

Julian was the first to greet them.

“It’s been a long time, Your Grace.“

“Indeed, it has, Your Grace. I’m glad you’re taking good care of my daughter.“

“I apologize for not greeting you properly yesterday.“

“No need to apologize. In fact, I was worried I might have interrupted a peaceful morning for the newlyweds.“

“Not at all,“ Julian reassured him.

While they exchanged rather dull pleasantries, I quietly took my seat. Julian sat beside me, and Louis and Adam also took their seats. Perhaps Julian’s presence made the breakfast more elaborate than usual despite the early hour.

I could sense the tension in the room. Everyone was a bit on edge because Julian was still wearing his mask. When he finally removed it, a brief silence fell over the table.

Fortunately, no one asked Julian any questions. Though they couldn’t completely hide their surprise, that was the extent of their reaction.

As I enjoyed a hearty breakfast, I couldn’t help but think the menu was a bit too much for the morning.

After struggling to find common ground, my father and Julian seemed to silently agree on discussing the recent subjugation campaign.

“…Unfortunately, the second campaign resulted in many casualties,“ my father said gravely.

“It’s a tragic and foolish outcome,“ Julian replied.

“I agree. It’s something that should never happen again.”

The two of them engaged in a serious discussion about the campaign. In the middle of it, Julian mentioned, as if it were the most natural thing in the world:

“I intend to participate in the next subjugation campaign as well.”

Until then, I had been quietly enjoying my meal, nibbling on sliced bell peppers. But when I heard his words, I was so shocked that I turned to him abruptly.

“No, you can’t!”

At my outburst, everyone at the table looked at me. I had been quiet all this time, so they were understandably taken aback by my sudden shout.

“Why not?“ Julian asked, obviously puzzled by my reaction. For a moment, I was at a loss for words.

Why not? He had no reason to be involved in this subjugation campaign. He wouldn’t even be in this distant, dangerous western region if it weren’t for me. It was enough just to see his face; sending him to the battlefield was out of the question. I couldn’t bear the thought.

“Of course not! Why would you participate in this campaign? What if you get hurt?“ I exclaimed.

“So, it’s alright for you to participate but not for me?“

“That’s right. I’m allowed, but you’re not.”

“If I’m not allowed, then neither are you.“

“Julian! You already gave me your permission, but I won’t let you go. I refuse.”

With that, I abruptly stood up from the table.

“Laila! Come back here!”

My father called out sternly, but I didn’t stop. Behind me, I could hear the sound of swift footsteps. From the pace alone, I knew it was Julian following me. I ran as if trying to escape, but Julian quickly closed the distance with his longer strides.

“Laila.”

He called my name just as we reached the front of my room. Though he didn’t touch me, I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks.

His voice had that much power over me. Without turning around, I spoke.

“You’re not going to participate!“

“Do you think I’m weak?“ he asked.

I spun around to face him.

“No. I know you’re strong. But what does that have to do with me worrying about you?“

“I won’t fall to the beasts,“ he said confidently.

“Even knowing you’re from the North, I worry you’ll catch a cold if the weather is chilly. That’s what worrying is,“ I explained.

Julian approached me slowly. I took a step back, sighed, and took two steps forward, closing the distance between us. I leaned my forehead against his chest.

“Honestly, there’s no point in trying to stop you, is there? How could I possibly prevent you from going?“

“I’m sorry.”

Julian gently embraced me. Julian wouldn’t have felt the need to join the campaign if I hadn’t insisted on coming here. A wave of guilt washed over me.

“You owe me a debt. You absolutely can’t get hurt,“ I said firmly.

“You too,“ he replied.

We held each other for a long time before we finally let go and walked back to the dining room, hand in hand. My family was still there, waiting for us.

My father and Louis greeted us with awkward smiles, pretending nothing had happened, while Adam clapped his hands in small, playful applause.

“My sister truly is our father’s daughter. You fought so fiercely and made up in less than thirty minutes.“

“Adam, hush,“ my father admonished.

“Yes, sir,“ Adam replied, but I could tell he was grinning.

I glared at Adam, but I couldn’t argue with him. We all sat back down and enjoyed tea together. Aside from Adam’s occasional teasing, it was a perfect moment.

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