The Only Way to Break the Curse is Through Contact with You - Chapter 76

#76

Huh? Weren’t we talking about the war? Why suddenly bring up terminal illness here? Unlike me, who was flustered by the unexpected topic, Diart seemed deeply contemplative. His forehead creased in apparent distress.

“You’re surprised.”

I didn’t want to let him know because I thought it would be like this. Diart held my face with a worried expression. Does he think I don’t know that I have a terminal illness? I thought he knew everything, but maybe he didn’t?

“It’s called Puythan, and they say it’s a terrible disease with no cure.”

“Well, Diart, the fact is…”

“But don’t worry.”

Diart stopped me from revealing the truth by brushing his thumb over my lips. As I hesitated due to the tingling sensation from his delicate touch, he continued speaking.

“The Sau clan has long been known for their healing abilities. I asked them to look into Puythan, and they will surely find a solution.”

“Wait, just listen to me for a moment…”

“They are a tightly-knit tribe, but I have their blood running through me.”

Diart pulled me into his embrace. His large hand affectionately patted my back as though comforting me.

“Don’t be afraid. As long as I’m here, you won’t die.”

His voice sounded wistful, as though he feared losing me. I couldn’t bring myself to confess to Diart, who trembled in fear of losing me. Instead, I patted his back and blinked.

‘Damn, what should I do about this?’

* * *

Diart is acting strange. He’s been acting out of character lately, but lately he’s been confusing me.

“Oh, you’ve left your meal again. Doesn’t it suit your taste? It’s not good for your health if you don’t eat properly.”

Until just a while ago, Diart, who had been eating so far away from me that I couldn’t tell if we were making eye contact, was now sitting right next to me, observing me closely each time I took a bite. Feeling uncomfortable with his gaze, I put down my fork, and he quickly furrowed his brow.

“You’ve been like this for a few days. I suppose we should change the chef.”

“What?”

As he turned his head, planning to call for the chef, I quickly grabbed Diart’s arm.

“Why.”

“Not being able to cater to the master’s taste is clearly negligence.”

I glanced down at my plate. Despite his uncomfortable gaze, I had finished the entire steak. All that was left were the unappealing vegetables.

“I was planning to eat them after a little break.”

I quickly picked up the fork to help the unjustly threatened chef in the kitchen, diligently moving the vegetables with my mouth. Diart handed me a glass of water while watching me intently. He seemed to be gazing at the water as if he might get lost in it.

As we were having a meal together, Grand Duke Wheaton couldn’t help but make a comment.

“Your face is completely red. Is it that good?”

“Yes.”

I was the one who was embarrassed by Diart’s immediate response. Grand Duke Wheaton, that guy, would do better sooner or later. Even though his expression was sour, he had a proud look on his face. He spoke while observing my dissatisfied expression.

“Why don’t you go back to your room first? Roeni’s complexion doesn’t seem good.”

“Then we will go back first.”

As if waiting for those words, Diart quickly stood up and reached out his hand. Seeing me hesitate, he gestured, urging me to hold on. I hesitantly took his trembling hand, and Diart unexpectedly picked me up. I covered my warm face with my hand, now used to his embrace.

As Diart led me out of the dining room while embracing me, I caught a glimpse of Grand Duke Wheaton raising his thumb behind Diart’s back. Suddenly, Lily’s words about him being a stern father came to mind. I couldn’t figure out where to find his sternness. On the other side, Duke Feischer, who had been quietly sipping his tea, turned his gaze to me. I hoped he would intervene for Diart, but he just quietly tilted his teacup.

Diart strode through the corridor while holding me. The servants who were cleaning stepped aside, casting fleeting glances. After seeing the same scene for several days, they all seemed indifferent. It felt like I was the only one who couldn’t get used to this embarrassing situation.

“Please put me down.”

I knew he wouldn’t listen even as I spoke. I had said it several times before, but it was always in vain. Eventually, he put me down on the bed and sat beside me.

“You don’t need to hold me and move me like this every time.”

Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is for a grown lady to be held like this all the time? I couldn’t complain that much, so I turned away.

“It’s not good to strain yourself because of your illness.”

“A light walk is good for the health.”

“You almost fell yesterday.”

That was because a bug passed by my feet and startled me!

Even though I managed to regain my balance before falling, I lowered my head in embarrassment as Diart, who had insistently called the doctor, came to mind. It was overwhelming as the chief physician and the servants crowded around me, making me uncomfortable.

“Puythan disease causes sudden weakness. I worry you might stumble on the stairs.”

“But it’s also hard for you to carry me every time.”

In response to my words, Diart chuckled.

“I can lift you easily with one hand. And if I had my way, I’d carry you the whole time.”

I looked at Diart as he gently stroked my cheek with the back of his hand and wondered what was wrong with this man lately. Although his actions were overly burdensome, they were all for my sake. The strange thing was that he had mistakenly believed I had a terminal illness, not just recently but for some time now. Lately, however, he has been too excessive. It was almost as if he had changed dramatically overnight, and I can’t get my head around it.

It was nice to be pampered and cherished, but it was strangely irritating. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but the intuition I’ve built up throughout my life was telling me that something was off.

“Are you feeling unwell? Your expression doesn’t look good.”

“Are you sick? You don’t look well.”

Diart’s question snapped me out of my thoughts, and I looked at him in surprise. His concerned gaze was enough to make me feel apologetic for having even a moment of doubt. Yes, why would I have any doubt when I have someone like him caring for me? Perhaps he truly believes that I have a terminal illness. He must not have been able to tell me the truth all this time.

I strained to suppress my doubts and swallowed hard.

“I feel like you’re losing weight constantly, and it’s bothering me.”

Diart cupped my face in his hands. Seeing the concern in his eyes, I felt a wave of guilt. I should have told him as soon as possible that what I had wasn’t Puythan disease but rather a curse descending through generations in his family. Yet, facing Diart’s eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

I worried about what would happen if I confessed and Diart became angry. He thought it was a terminal illness, and I felt like I had deceived him. If I were to tell him it wasn’t true, he might feel disappointed and resent me for toying with people’s feelings.

Though it wasn’t me who started the lie, I allowed it to happen, so now it’s like I did. I should have confessed back when Diart first mentioned I was terminally ill, but as time passed, it became increasingly difficult to speak up.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

It seemed I had been sitting with a gloomy expression unconsciously. Inclining his head curiously, Diart suddenly drew near. As he gazed at me with a warm expression, as if asking if I had any worries, I felt a surge of emotion. If he were to look at me again with his previous indifferent eyes, I felt I wouldn’t be able to bear it.

Do you have something on your mind? He asked, his voice soft and gentle, as if inviting me to confide in him. At the moment when I tried to cup his drawn jaw with my hands, he suddenly jerked his face back as if avoiding me. Unexpectedly, as if nothing had happened, Diart stood up from the bed and let his eyes wander as he leisurely removed his gloves.

“I’ll have them bring the tea. Do you want me to prepare some milk tea?”

“…….”

He asked naturally, as if nothing had happened just now, and I frowned. The second reason that had been confusing me lately was precisely that.

Diart, who had been clinging to me tirelessly like a man desperate to be touched, suddenly began avoiding my touch.