The Villain's Sickly Wife Dislikes Being Overprotected - Chapter 0 - Prologue

A new day dawned at the Dermond Duchy.

The servants were all busy. The Duke was about to embark on a long journey after quite some time.

The servants of the duchy were focused on meticulously carrying out their assigned tasks. It was almost time for the Duke to depart.

However, one servant who couldn’t contain their curiosity glanced around and asked quietly, just loud enough for their colleague to hear.

“This time, it’s for real, right?”

Even without further explanation, the fellow servant immediately understood the meaning of the question.

“Surely he won’t cancel this time.”

It was said that the Duke had finally located the man he had been pursuing for a long time. This outing could be seen as the culmination of his long efforts to catch that man.

The Duke was someone who had even killed his own half-brother to claim the title.

He was also a person who, once he set a goal, would execute it without looking back.

…At least until recently.

But the servants were secretly worried.

What if the master postpones the outing again this time? They wondered if the Duke would be able to complete his journey without canceling this time.

In fact, this concern was shared by everyone in the duchy this morning, with one heart and mind.

…Even Ekette, the lady of the house.

At the same time, the servants were busily preparing for their master’s departure, upstairs, Duchess Ekette Dermond was determined to send her husband away today, no matter what.

Only then could she finally enjoy life at ease.

If he leaves today, it will take at least a month for him to return. I must send him off, no matter what.

When it was time for the Duke to leave, Ekette clenched her fists and went to see him off. Despite her illness-ridden body, she could manage to do at least this much.

“…Why did you come down when you’re not feeling well?”

Those were the first words her husband uttered upon seeing her.

Why? I came down to make sure you leave for certain.

Ekette hid her true thoughts perfectly and smiled brightly.

“I’m not feeling unwell at all.”

She spoke in an intentionally energetic voice and grinned.

“I’m in great condition today.”

She absolutely must not appear sickly today of all days.

“I’m very healthy, so don’t worry, and have a good trip.”

“…Is that true?”

“Of course. Even the doctor said so, remember? That I’ve improved a lot and there’s no need to worry anymore.”

If it weren’t for those words from the doctor, the Duke might not have even planned this outing.

Of course, the doctor had said those words because Ekette had desperately pleaded with him.

“…Take good care of your health until I return.”

“Naturally.”

Finally. Is he really leaving?

Ekette’s heart raced as she imagined the free days she would spend alone in the duchy for the next month.

The days of even having to be mindful of her husband’s gaze just to go outside were coming to an end.

At last, she would have the married life she had dreamed of. A life where her husband doesn’t come home, and she enjoys everything alone!

As her heart swelled with excitement imagining the future, the Duke turned to leave the mansion. Finally, he began to walk out of the mansion one step at a time.

At last!

The sight of his departing back was moving. She felt like she might shed a tear.

She was so overwhelmed with emotion… that her chest felt itchy.

“…Cough!”

A small, weak cough escaped, sounding like a chick’s chirp.

Oops.

Realizing what sound had escaped her mouth, Ekette belatedly covered her mouth.

But it was already too late.

The Duke had barely taken a few steps out of the front door, and there was no way he would miss the sound of coughing.

His steps came to an abrupt halt.

Oh, no!

Without a moment’s hesitation, the Duke swiftly turned his body back towards the mansion.

Ekette, horrified, hurriedly offered excuses as he approached with determined steps.

“Th-that cough just now wasn’t because I’m sick, it was just something caught in my throat! I just choked on my saliva…!”

Unlike Ekette, who was making her last desperate attempts, the servants of the duchy quickly realized that today’s outing had been canceled once again and resigned themselves to it.

Some who had been full of expectation about the master being away for a month shook their heads and went back inside.

“It seems the outing is too much after all.”

The Duke had already taken off the coat he was wearing and handed it to a servant beside him.

“Take care of the planned business yourself.”

It was an order given to a trusted subordinate.

“You take responsibility and bring that bastard’s head before me. I think I need to stay by my wife’s side.”

How can he so casually order someone to bring a person’s head, yet never let his wife’s cough slide!

Ekette was dumbfounded and indignant.

“I’m really not sick!”

She cried out as if wronged. Of course, she actually was sick.

And even if she was sick, she was the patient, so there was no need for the Duke to cancel his outing, right?

But the Duke seemed to have made up his mind.

He strode over and gently caressed Ekette’s cheek.

“How could I go anywhere, leaving you like this?”

Ekette couldn’t understand her husband’s attitude.

Why was he acting like this when until recently, he wouldn’t even spare a glance at his wife?