I Have A Terminally Ill Duke As My Husband (1 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 10
“Madam, are you all right?”
Charles, who had entered shortly after Penelope left, carrying food, asked Mercian with concern as he saw her sitting there looking exhausted.
“I’m fine. I’m just hungry.”
Mercian answered with a smile at Charles’s warm words.
“Exactly as I thought—you’ll need our head chef’s special dish. This stew is something only the Duke’s household can enjoy. First, we’ll need to get you out of that wedding dress.”
Charles pulled the bed cord, and three maids entered the room.
“Let us help you take off your dress, Madam.”
The maids swiftly removed Mercian’s wedding dress, changed her into another gown, bowed, and exited the room.
“Madam, please eat first and rest a bit. The Dowager Duchess is attending the reception, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Thank you.”
“Then I’ll take my leave now.”
“Mm.”
“Oh, Madam?”
Charles, about to leave, approached Mercian and bowed slightly as he spoke.
“Congratulations once again on your marriage.”
“Thank you, Charles.”
After Charles left, Mercian sat blankly for a while.
It was strange.
Why did Charles’s congratulations touch her heart more deeply than those from Lucianne or Penelope?
Ah, why are tears coming again?
She had been perfectly fine, yet Mercian wiped away the tears flowing against her will and silently vowed never to cry over something like this again.
.
.
.
After some time had passed and Mercian had calmed down somewhat, she looked at the stew Charles had left behind.
If I don’t eat it, Charles will worry, won’t he?
Mercian took a bite of the stew on the table.
It wasn’t as hot as when it was first brought in, but the warm broth still soothed her throat and made her whole body feel cozy.
For some reason, her heart—hurt by Penelope—now felt a little comforted.
Right, I can’t keep crying forever. From now on, I’m a part of House Canoluph, so I must get used to life here.
As Charles said, the stew had a flavor Mercian had never tasted before.
After finishing the stew, Mercian lay down on the bed and fell asleep immediately.
[This is the timeline separator]The Duke’s dining hall.
“Did you bring the stew to Madam?”
Charles nodded at Clea’s question.
“She must be very hungry. Maybe I should’ve brought some bread too?”
Hesitating for a moment, Charles stepped in front of Clea as she was about to leave with bread and said,
“Head Maid, it might be better if you don’t go to Madam right now.”
“What happened? Did that so-called older sister come again?”
“No. The Viscountess came to see Madam, and although I don’t know why, Madam looked terribly sad.”
“Sad?”
“Yes. Honestly, both the woman claiming to be her older sister and the Viscountess seem like bad people.”
“Charles! Don’t speak so recklessly!”
At Clea’s sharp reprimand, Charles shrank his shoulders and muttered,
“But both of them made Madam sad.”
“Charles, you’ve only just met Madam today, yet your heart’s already opened to her?”
At the head chef’s words—spoken while preparing food for the servants—Charles’s eyes sparkled as he replied,
“You haven’t met Madam yet, Chef Jang. She’s so kind and gentle, always speaking warmly to me and never treating me as if I’m beneath her just because I’m a maid. That so-called older sister acted as if she were already the mistress of the Duke’s household…”
“Charles, didn’t I tell you to stop?”
At Clea’s warning, Charles fell silent and sat down. Chef Jang placed a stew bowl before him and said,
“If Charles says so, it must be true. I’m glad—a good person has come to us as Madam. And it seems the Head Maid shares Charles’s opinion.”
“She is indeed a good person—quite delicate too. But Charles, since we’ve chosen to serve her as our master, we must never casually judge her in front of others. The same goes for other nobles. Understand?”
“Yes, Head Maid!”
“Now then, our stew will lose its flavor if it gets cold—everyone, please eat quickly.”
At Chef Jang’s words, Charles and Clea quietly began eating their stew.
[This is the timeline separator]“Madam? Please wake up now.”
Mercian opened her eyes at Charles’s voice and sat up to find the room already dark outside.
“Is it evening already?”
“Yes… It’s time to head to the bridal chamber now.”
“Bridal chamber?”
“Come now, there’s much to prepare—please get up quickly.”
What on earth needs preparing?
.
.
.
“Ah—ahh! Charles, please—not there!”
In the bathing chamber, Mercian let out helpless cries as Charles and the maids kneaded her body as if it were dough.
“I’m sorry, Madam. On the Duke’s household’s wedding night, full-body massage to relieve all tension is always the first step. Please bear with it, even if it hurts a little.”
J-Jeong! It’s not ‘a little’! Ah—no! Please, just don’t touch my belly fat…
Thirty minutes later…
“Madam, we’ll apply scented oil now.”
Nearly lifeless from the massage, Mercian just nodded weakly, and the maids smoothed scented oil over her entire body.
“Is—is it over now?”
“Yes. Now just get dressed and head to the bridal chamber.”
“Clothes? Thank you.”
…
“Charles? Is this really clothing?”
“Hehehe, this nightgown was specially prepared by the Dowager Duchess.”
“Ahh—no, this isn’t so much clothing as something completely see-through! How am I supposed to wear something this embarrassing?”
“Oh dear, Madam! It’ll come off anyway, so easy-to-remove clothes save time and are practical too.”
C-Come off? Sigh…
If I had a nice figure, maybe—but this shows my belly fat all too clearly!
I absolutely won’t wear this!
Mercian stubbornly refused to leave the bath in just that garment and finally emerged wrapped in a bathrobe over Olivia’s prepared nightgown.
“Huh? Where is this?”
She was certain she’d been in her own room’s bathing chamber—why had she ended up in a different room?
“Oh, the master’s and madam’s bathing chambers are connected.”
“…What?”
Connected bathing chambers? Then, if we’re not careful… could we end up in the same one?
Seeing Mercian’s face suddenly flush red, Charles chuckled and said,
“Hehe, don’t worry. The master almost never uses this side of the bath. Now, just wait here for him. Have a lovely evening. We’ll be off now…”
After Charles and the maids left, Mercian slowly looked around the room.
Slightly larger than her own chamber, this room—tidy and minimal with only a bed, a desk, and a small wardrobe—reflected Luan’s personality and felt quite empty despite its size.
I really did get married, didn’t I?
.
.
.
At the same time, in the Duke’s study.
“Are you all right?”
“Oh, I’m fine, Ed. I ate something, so I feel a bit better.”
“Should I call another physician for you, my lord?”
“Ed, I’m fine. Stop worrying and go.”
Edward, unable to hide his concern, left the study carrying the tray with Luan’s empty plate.
Slowly rising from his seat, Luan took a hidden bottle of liquor from the bookshelf, poured himself a glass, walked to the window, and took a sip.
Had it really been only about two weeks since that incident?
Luan quietly gazed at the faint red line stretching slightly from his wrist.
“My Lord, are you ready?”
Deep in thought, Luan downed the remaining liquor in his glass at Cassel’s question from the doorway.
“What about everyone else?”
“The Dowager Duchess just sent them all home, saying there’s no need for a long reception when your health isn’t good.”
“And the Crown Prince?”
“He left immediately with a satisfied look after seeing your deathly pale face.”
“I see. Then I suppose it’s time to go.”
“Are you sure your body can handle it?”
“Hm?”
“Ah—it’s just… you haven’t eaten for two days to appear worn down in front of the Crown Prince today. What if you collapse during your first night with Madam? M-My Lord!”
Without waiting to hear more, Luan simply opened the study door and walked out.
“Ah—wait, it’s really important! You—you’ve probably never done this before, but it actually requires quite a bit of stamina!”
“What are you talking about?”
“Huh?”
Cassel, who had been muttering to himself, waved his hand dismissively at Edward’s question and said,
“Nothing, Ed. Just talking to myself.”
[This is the timeline separator]Outside Luan’s room.
Sigh. I shouldn’t keep Madam waiting any longer.
Luan took one deep breath, then slowly opened the door.
As he stepped quietly into the room, his eyes met Mercian’s, who had been looking around.
“Oh—I’m sorry! I just felt awkward standing still, so I was looking around your room a bit.”
“Not at all, Madam. This is your room too—you’re welcome to look around as you please.”
“…”
An awkward silence fell. Mercian nervously tightened her bathrobe, and Luan watched her before asking,
“Isn’t the robe uncomfortable? Shall I have nightwear prepared for you?”
“N-Nightwear? No, I’m already wearing nightwear.”
“What?”
“I—I mean, the nightgown is so thin I felt cold, so I put on this robe.”
“Ah, my apologies. I usually sleep with the window open. Just a moment.”
Seeing Luan—whose body looked like it might collapse at any second—trying to close a window thicker than her own wrist, Mercian hurried over and said,
“L-Let me close the window!”
“…”
After Mercian closed the window, another brief silence passed before Luan spoke to her.
“Before we sleep, there are a few things I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Oh—of course. Please tell me the rules of the Duke’s household.”
As Mercian sat at the table, Luan sat across from her and said,
“There are no household rules. As I mentioned earlier, Edward handles the estate’s finances, so if you ever need money, just ask him. Additionally, you’ll receive a monthly allowance of your own—typically three hundred gold coins—to spend on dresses, jewelry, or anything else. Of course, if that’s not enough, speak to Edward.”
“Three hundred gold coins? I won’t need nearly that much. I already have plenty of dresses, and since we’ll only be together for six months—covering just two seasons—the clothes in the wardrobe are more than enough.”
“That money is yours to use as you please. Also… is there anything you’d like to ask me?”
“I—there’s something I’m curious about.”
“Go ahead.”
“Are you planning to spend the night with me?”
“Gah! Cough, cough, cough!”
Luan, who had been drinking tea, choked violently at Mercian’s sudden question.
“Oh dear! I’m so sorry—are you alright?”
“A-Ah, yes. Cough cough… Hmph. Ahem. So… about your question just now?”
“I mean, we’re married, and our agreement clearly states we must spend four nights a week together to conceive a child. Of course, I’m not refusing that proposal—just…”
“Just…?”
“I—well… you look so frail, my Lord. What if something happens to you while we’re together… Oh my!”
Before Mercian could finish, Luan swiftly stepped forward, lifted her into his arms in one motion, and whispered into her ear,
“Madam, don’t judge everything by appearances. And while I’d never force myself on you if you didn’t want this… if you’re being this eager, I see no reason to hold back.”
Too stunned to speak, Mercian could only blink as Luan carried her firmly to the bed and gently laid her down, saying,
“Say ‘no’ now—if you reject me, I’ll understand.”
Is this the same man who staggered like he’d collapse any second at the wedding ceremony?
Staring in shock at Luan—who had lifted her, twice his size, with ease—Mercian could only gape speechlessly, and Luan looked down at her with gentle eyes.
“Madam? Your answer!”
Ex-husband Wants Reconciliation
One-line summary: Chasing the wife to the crematorium (making an effort to attract someone who has become indifferent), the female lead doesn’t look back, the second male lead takes the position.
Intro:
To repay the kindness of the older generation, Su Mu crossed into a female-dominated world and became a live-in daughter-in-law of the Yan family, single-handedly saving the Yan family from fire and water.
But her husband, Yan Jiyue, the eldest son of the Yan family, treated her with sarcasm and never showed her a good face.
It wasn’t until after Su Mu’s death that this pampered and arrogant young master shed a few fake tears and pretended to want to die for love.
This life’s kindness was enough. If there was a next life, she would definitely kick Yan Jiyue away.
Who knew that the heavens would be so kind as to allow her to be reborn, returning to the time when she had just married into the Yan family.
Su Mu glanced at the Yan eldest son, who still spoke coldly to her, and threw a divorce letter in front of him.
“Let’s divorce!”
***
Yan Jiyue never imagined that he would be reborn. He happily went to find Su Mu, wanting to make up for the mistakes he had made in his ignorant youth.
Wasn’t the reason the heavens allowed him to be reborn to let him reconcile with Su Mu?
But when he pushed open the door to Su Mu’s room, the person lying on the bed was another man.
Su Mu’s personal attendant, Xie Yi.
Yan Jiyue hated him so much that his teeth itched. In front of Su Mu, Xie Yi was a gentle and considerate whisperer of sweet nothings, but in reality, he was vicious-hearted and deliberately sabotaged their husband and wife relationship.
In the previous life, it was he who secretly hid in Su Mu’s coffin and committed suicide, stealing a step ahead of him to be buried with Su Mu.
Yan Jiyue’s eyes were filled with hatred as he cursed, “What kind of thing are you? Your background is lowly, what right do you have to occupy Su Mu?”
Xie Yi looked at the sleeping Su Mu and no longer pretended to be a whisperer of sweet nothings.
He proudly stuck out his belly, “I have the right because my belly is capable of giving the Wife-master a daughter.”
***
Yan Jiyue was consumed with jealousy. He spread rumors that Xie Yi had once been branded with the mark of a “harlot” on his chest.
But on the night Xie Yi cut off the flesh bearing that mark, Su Mu suddenly realized something was amiss.
“How did you know the exact moment I was poisoned? And why did you show up a month early?”
Xie Yi remained silent, blood from his wound soaking through his robes. His sapphire eyes brimmed with anguish – or was it just a flawless act?
Between a once-arrogant husband now seeking redemption, and a gentle soul willing to die for her – who truly held the darkest secrets? And could it be that Su Mu and Yan Jiyue weren’t the only ones given a second chance at life…?
[Reading Guide]
1. True divorce, chasing the wife to the crematorium, the female lead doesn’t look back, the male lead is Xie Yi.
2. The ex-husband did not cheat, he just realized too late and didn’t realize that he liked the female lead.
_____
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