I Have A Terminally Ill Duke As My Husband (1 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 11
Ah, what on earth is going on right now?
Caught off guard by Luan’s sudden action, Mercian lay still on the bed, gazing quietly at his face.
Even earlier, I felt it—but his face really is strikingly handsome.
Anyone that thin would usually look haggard, so why does this man’s face still look so attractive?
“Madam?”
“Yes? Ah—yes, Your Grace!”
“Please call me Luan! Just Luan!”
Seeing Mercian flustered, blinking her eyes nervously and barely able to breathe as she struggled with how to respond to his question, Luan suddenly found her endearing.
Wait—endearing? What am I even thinking right now?
He’d never shown interest in a woman—not even once in his entire life.
Yet here he was, finding a woman he’d only seen three times today… cute?
Perhaps he’d taken this marriage too seriously just because he wanted to make his aunt happy.
Quickly dismissing the thought from his mind, Luan gently helped Mercian sit up and said,
“Madam, please breathe.”
“Yes?”
“Otherwise, someone might think I’m about to devour you.”
“Oh—I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. Your reaction was just so amusing that I got carried away with my teasing. Anyway, I actually wanted to talk to you about sharing a bed.”
Luan smiled faintly, then seated Mercian against the bed before looking directly into her eyes and speaking again.
“First, I’d like to apologize to you.”
“Apologize?”
“The reason we’re stuck in this absurd marriage isn’t really my own will—it’s because my aunt, after learning about my situation, insisted on arranging this union to continue the family line.”
“Yes, I know. Aunt Olivia already told me.”
“I see. That makes things easier to discuss, then.”
“Yes?”
“First, forget whatever my aunt may have told you.”
Forget what exactly?
Since Olivia hadn’t really told her anything specific, Mercian looked puzzled.
“I only intend to spend six months with you.”
“Just six months, you mean…”
“I won’t ask anything of you during that time. So I hope you can just relax and stay comfortably here for those six months.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It means there won’t be any child between us.”
So my guess was right after all.
Mercian’s expression instantly relaxed upon hearing Luan’s words.
Noticing Mercian’s relief, Luan asked cautiously,
“I heard from Cassel that you intend to leave the ducal residence after six months.”
“Yes.”
“Do you… perhaps have a lover outside?”
“What? No—I don’t have a lover.”
Seeing Mercian flustered, Luan smiled gently and replied,
“It wouldn’t matter even if you did. I’d just ask you to hold off for these six months.”
“I don’t have a lover.”
At Mercian’s firm reply, Luan stood up and fetched the marriage contract.
“To me, most of the other terms seem perfectly acceptable, but this particular clause is rather problematic.”
He pointed to the line in the contract stating: [You must share a bed together four times a week, without fail.]
“If this had been a marriage of love, that would be an ideal condition. But since you plan to leave the ducal house after six months, and as I mentioned earlier, I have no intention of having a child, it would make sense to remove this clause. However, my aunt specifically insisted that this clause must never be removed when she drafted the contract.”
Mercian recalled Olivia tightly holding her hand and pleading with her, then nodded in understanding.
“I see.”
“So here’s my suggestion—what if we do this?”
“Yes?”
“Even though my aunt left the ducal residence after I came of age, most of the people here are still loyal to her. So if we don’t actually share a bed, she’ll find out immediately. Therefore, let’s agree to share a bed four times a week, as written.”
“Yes… wait, what?”
When Mercian looked up at Luan in surprise, he glanced around his room and continued,
“But we’ll only share the room—nothing more. I’ll have a sofa brought in and sleep there.”
“But what if servants come in early in the morning…?”
“Don’t worry. No servant here would dare open my door without permission.”
Looking at the bed—wide enough for at least four people—Mercian suggested,
“How about this instead? I’ll sleep here, and you—Luan—sleep over there? The bed is so large we won’t even bump into each other.”
Luan gazed briefly at the spacious bed before asking,
“Madam, won’t that be uncomfortable for you?”
“No, I sleep very quietly, so I’ll be fine.”
“Very well, then. We’ll do as you wish. Oh, and one more thing—since we must present ourselves as a married couple in front of others, please understand if there are unavoidable situations.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Mercian found Luan’s behavior—showing her the contract and asking for her opinion on each point—completely unfamiliar.
At the viscount’s house, she’d simply had to obey whatever Penelope and Lucianne wanted.
Even this marriage hadn’t been her own wish—it was theirs.
Was it always like this—asking for one’s opinion on every little thing?
Though Luan’s manner felt strange, Mercian couldn’t help but feel respected.
“Madam, although you’ve already spoken with Cassel, if there’s anything you’d like adjusted or find uncomfortable, please tell me.”
“Huh? Oh—wait a moment.”
Mercian took the contract Luan handed her and reread it carefully.
She’d already read this contract earlier while talking with Cassel, yet somehow it now felt different.
“If there are no objections, then let’s finalize the contract as is.”
Mercian, who had been staring blankly at the contract, suddenly cried out in a rush at Luan’s words.
“No—it’s just that last clause…”
“The last clause?”
Mercian pointed to the final line of the contract and said,
“It says I’ll be given enough money to live on for the rest of my life when I leave the ducal house…”
“Oh, right. Is the amount insufficient? If so, I can have Cassel—”
“No, no—that’s not it. You don’t need to give me any extra money.”
“You don’t need the money?”
Seeing Luan stare at her in confusion, Mercian smiled and answered,
“I’ve already received more than enough through the dowry and settlement payment.”
“Are you… afraid your mother and sister might take the money from you?”
“What?”
“I’m sorry—I don’t mean to intrude. But if that’s the case, I can ensure the money goes only to you and no one else may touch it.”
Mercian blushed, realizing Luan seemed fully aware of her position at the viscount’s house.
After all, he probably assumed she’d return there once the contract ended—so of course he’d think that way.
To avoid any trouble later when leaving the ducal house, she preferred not to take anything belonging to the estate.
Since she had to leave anyway after the contract expired, she didn’t want to explain in detail that she had no intention of returning to the viscount’s house.
Though grateful for Luan’s offer, she knew Penelope and Lucianne would surely come after her if they ever learned she’d taken that money.
She’d already resigned herself to hardship—it was better to take nothing at all.
“No—Luan, please just erase that clause. Don’t ask why.”
Though he couldn’t understand her reason, Luan gave in to Mercian’s earnest expression and reluctantly crossed out the clause with his pen.
“Then how about this? If that sum feels burdensome to you, you can take whatever remains from your monthly household allowance while living here.”
“What? A household allowance?”
“The ducal house provides the duchess with a monthly household allowance. Any leftover amount is yours to keep as personal funds.”
Mercian fell silent for a moment, pondering Luan’s words.
After all, her mother had saved money the same way when her father was still alive.
If I save just a little bit at a time, I might be able to gather enough to open my own shop.
Mercian nodded and replied,
“Yes, thank you, Luan.”
“Then the contract is settled. Now, let me share a few important things with you.”
After placing the contract on the table, Luan sat facing Mercian and began,
“First, I’d like to speak about my condition. Right now, I’m poisoned. Since it’s been several days since the poisoning, I estimate I have roughly five months—maybe a bit more—to live.”
“Is there no antidote?”
“Unfortunately, the poison I was given has no known antidote. Aside from severe weight loss and fatigue—symptoms you can already see—there are no significant effects yet.”
He says he’s weak, yet he lifted me effortlessly just now?
Mercian found Luan’s appearance contradictory but soon dismissed it, assuming that must simply be how the poison worked.
“Then you won’t suddenly cough up blood or collapse?”
“It’s a strange poison, so I’m not entirely sure of its exact symptoms. If my condition ever becomes distressing for you, I’ll make sure to stay out of your sight.”
“Oh, no—it’s not that bad.”
“Also, unrelated to the poisoning, I’ve suffered from severe insomnia since childhood, so I always take sleeping pills. That means I’ll likely fall asleep first during our bed-sharing. Please don’t take it personally.”
Hearing that Luan would take sleeping pills and sleep first secretly relieved Mercian.
After all, sharing a bed with a stranger wasn’t easy…
“Do you take a lot of sleeping pills?”
“At first, I only took a little, but whether it’s due to the poisoning or built-up tolerance, these days even large doses don’t help me sleep deeply. Are you a light sleeper?”
“What? Oh—no, I’m not.”
“That’s good. I was worried I might disturb your sleep if I toss and turn at dawn. By the way, I deliberately didn’t take any sleeping pills today because of the wedding.”
“It’s fine—go ahead and take your pills now.”
“No need. Also, for the next six months, we should at least avoid being completely distant—so let’s have breakfast and dinner together. If there’s any food you especially like, I’ll inform the head chef.”
“I’m not really picky about food.”
“That’s fortunate. Then let’s get some rest now.”
At Luan’s words, Mercian adjusted her nightgown.
“Then, Madam, have sweet dreams.”
After Luan bowed and lay down on the opposite side of the bed, Mercian slowly settled in as well.
A short while later…
Despite her exhaustion, Mercian couldn’t fall asleep in the unfamiliar surroundings and kept tossing restlessly.
Worried that her movements might disturb Luan—who supposedly also suffered from insomnia—she held her breath and quietly turned to look at him.
Luan, who’d been lying near the edge of the bed by the window, turned his head toward her. Mercian instinctively squeezed her eyes shut but peeked through half-open lids.
But Luan was already deeply asleep.
Huh? He said he couldn’t sleep due to insomnia, yet he’s sleeping just fine?
Mercian’s tension eased, and she quietly studied Luan’s face bathed in moonlight.
She’d noticed it even at the wedding—despite being half her size from extreme thinness, his tall frame and striking features explained why so many noble ladies had eagerly sought this six-month marriage with him.
She remembered how those ladies had watched her all day with eyes full of envy and jealousy during the ceremony.
My husband…
He might be the first—and last—husband of my life.
I suppose… I should thank Mother and Sister for this, after all?
Regardless of their reasons, my situation has granted me the chance to live with such a handsome man.
For these six months, we should stay out of each other’s way as much as possible.
After all, he’s a dying man—if I were to develop feelings… Well, someone as handsome as him would never fall for me anyway. As long as I keep my heart guarded, I’ll be fine.
Mercian repeated this resolve firmly in her mind and tried once more to sleep.
Squishy… squishy… like pudding?
Luan slowly opened his eyes, pleasantly surprised by the soft, squishy sensation under his fingertips.
When did I fall asleep?
I didn’t even take any sleeping pills today…
Luan looked around, hardly believing he’d actually slept.
Outside the window, dawn’s first light glowed in the distance.
He glanced at the clock on the table—it read 6 a.m.
Six in the morning?
Even with sleeping pills, he usually woke after two or three hours. Had he really slept through the night without waking even once?
How long had it been since he’d slept this long?
The memory was so distant he couldn’t even recall when it last happened.
By the way—she said she sleeps quietly…
Luan quietly observed Mercian, who had somehow crept closer and now nestled comfortably in his arms.
Her round forehead, big eyes, and tiny mouth—so small it seemed barely able to fit food—weren’t conventionally beautiful, yet the more he looked, the cuter and lovelier she appeared.
And her softly squishy skin felt just like pudding—something he could happily touch all day without tiring.
Madam…
Watching Mercian sleep so peacefully in his arms, Luan couldn’t help but smile faintly.
He’d thought this six-month marriage of convenience had nothing to do with him—but now, having actually married her, he realized it wasn’t so bad after all.
Male lead first thought she played hard to get, only to realize she
really disliked him
Short intro:
What she can’t stand the most is the streets full of effeminate men, especially that so-called top beauty whom she avoids at all costs.
Shen Yaoxing looks at Jiang Mingyue, who keeps approaching her with coy shyness.
Shen Yaoxing: Bro, don’t be like this, I’m really about to throw up!
She fears nothing in heaven or earth, except for him getting close to her.
*
At first he thought she was just using the trick of feigning indifference to attract his attention. Later, he learned that she truly despised him.
This dealt a heavy blow to Jiang Mingyue, and he vowed to make her, like everyone else, fall at his feet in worship!
***
Synopsis:
Before transmigrating, Shen Yaoxing only wanted to find a reliable man to spend her life with. Who knew that after transmigrating, she would become a reliable woman herself…
A forced misandrist, highly skilled, and reliable female lead
vs.
An initially aloof and arrogant, later morbid, obsessed male lead
_____
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