I Have A Terminally Ill Duke As My Husband (1 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 16
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
“My lady, what are you doing there? And how did you even climb that tree? If you’re unable to get down…”
“W-wait a moment, Luan. Ha ha. Let’s take this one question at a time. First—ah—what I’m doing here is eating an apple pie that Jang made. Back at the viscount’s estate, this was one of the few places where I could relax comfortably, so I climbed the tree without even realizing it. I hope that’s not a problem?”
“Of course not—it’s perfectly fine for you to do as you please. But…”
“Ah, you’re wondering how I climbed this tree? Heh… Even though I’m built like this, I’ve been climbing trees since I was little, so I’m actually quite good at scaling most trees. And just as well at climbing down—so don’t worry.”
“I see.”
“Yes…”
…
An awkward silence fell between them as their conversation suddenly halted. Mercian broke the quiet by pulling an apple pie from her basket and handing one to Luan.
“Would you like a slice?”
Although Luan usually disliked sweet foods, for some reason he felt this pie offered by Mercian might taste delicious, so he smiled and reached out his hand.
“If you’re offering, I certainly won’t refuse. Then…”
Luan took the pie and closed the window.
Ah… What a shock.
I climbed this tree because it had the thickest, widest branch…
Now I can’t climb this tree anymore. Should I climb the one by my own room instead?
Just as Mercian calmed her startled heart and was about to take another bite of her pie, Luan’s window opened again.
“…”
“Oh, my lady—I completely forgot to say something.”
“What is it?”
“My lady… welcome back.”
“Ah, Luan… thank you for your hard work today.”
“Thank you for your concern, my lady. Please don’t stay up in the tree too long—you might catch a chill. Come down soon, and I’ll see you at dinner.”
“…Alright.”
He was clearly supposed to keep a proper distance and live as if invisible for the next six months…
Then why is he treating me so kindly?
And why don’t I dislike his behavior at all?
Seeing Luan suddenly smile in a way that seemed genuinely happy, Mercian felt strangely unsettled.
[This is the timeline separator]Ah… Could it really be because of her?
Hoping his insomnia might have finally improved thanks to his wife, Luan had tried sleeping alone—but ended up tossing and turning all night, only to greet dawn without having slept at all.
Just as he was about to get up from bed to find medicine for his throbbing headache caused by sleeplessness, his breath suddenly caught in his throat.
Ghk!
Luan collapsed right then and there, clutching his chest.
Thud!!
.
.
.
What was that?
Mercian, unusually awake early, had been leisurely enjoying the first light of dawn with a warm cup of tea—when a sudden noise startled her upright from her seat.
That definitely came from Luan’s room…
Wrapping a shawl around herself in a hurry, Mercian rushed to Luan’s room and knocked on his door.
“Luan?”
…
Getting no reply to her call, Mercian spoke again.
“Luan, I heard a noise—I’m coming in.”
She opened the door and stepped inside, only to find Luan lying collapsed on the floor.
“Oh dear, Luan!”
Mercian quickly pulled the cord near the bed to summon help, then hurried over, lifted him up in her arms, and laid him carefully onto the bed.
“Is… is he even breathing?”
She pressed her fingers to Luan’s nose—but felt no breath at all.
“Surely not… already…? Ah, no, that can’t be…”
My husband dying just two days after our wedding? This must be a dream.
To check if his heart was still beating, Mercian undid his nightshirt and pressed her ear to his chest.
Is… is his heart beating?
Mercian couldn’t tell whether the pounding she heard was her own heartbeat or Luan’s.
Ugh… Why isn’t anyone coming?
Just as Mercian lifted her head from his chest, intending to go fetch Edward herself, Luan’s arm wrapped around her body.
“My lady… I never knew you were so forward.”
“Lu—Luan, are you alright? Wait—just loosen your arms a bit. You collapsed just now—I was so frightened…”
Only now did Mercian realize her face was pressed against Luan’s bare chest. She tried to sit up quickly, but Luan didn’t release his hold.
Bang!!
“Master! What’s happened—oh! My lady! I’m terribly sorry!”
Edward rushed in through the open door, saw Mercian struggling in Luan’s half-undressed embrace, quickly bowed, and dashed back out.
“Ah—no, Edward, it’s not like that—Luan, could you just…?”
How can a man half my size have such ridiculous strength?
Unable to escape from the smaller man’s arms, Mercian squirmed—but Luan only pulled her closer and said,
“Sigh… My lady, please stay still. I didn’t sleep at all last night and my head feels like it’s splitting open. Your wriggling is only making it worse.”
“Oh… sorry. But… didn’t you take sleeping medicine last night?”
“I must’ve forgotten. I think I’ll be fine after a bit more rest… just… a little longer…”
“Luan?”
Huh? Did he fall asleep already?
Seeing Luan fast asleep, his slender arms tightly wrapped around her, Mercian couldn’t bear to move for fear of waking him.
He really is a strange one.
He said he needed sleeping pills to sleep… yet falls asleep this easily?
Mercian shifted slightly to create a little space, then carefully buttoned up his nightshirt.
Could it be that he collapsed from exhaustion after staying awake all night? Or was it the poison?
What must it feel like—to know exactly how long you have left to live?
To live knowing you only have six months remaining…
Thinking of Luan’s calm acceptance of his own death, Mercian felt a strange pang in her chest.
Though he never said it outright—surely each day must feel precious to him now?
He’s so thin already… If he keeps wasting away like this, will he even be able to walk properly?
Mercian looked at Luan’s frail frame with pity.
Soon after, lulled by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, Mercian too drifted off to sleep in his arms.
It was strange.
Luan’s insomnia had indeed worsened after the war and the curse—but the condition had actually existed since long before that.
Ever since losing his parents in a carriage accident at the tender age of five, he’d wake several times each night, just to check that his only remaining guardian, Olivia, was still alive.
In a way, insomnia had become part of his very existence…
Even when taking sleep aids, he’d never truly slept deeply—he only took them for the small comfort of not having to struggle to fall asleep.
So why—why, when I’m beside my lady, do I sleep soundly without a single nightmare or waking, as easily as anyone else?
At first, I thought it was just coincidence.
But what about the second time?
Luan stared in disbelief at Mercian, fast asleep in his arms—he, who always woke sharply at 5 a.m. even with sleeping pills, had slept until 11 a.m., holding her tightly the whole time.
“Could it be… that my lady herself is my sleeping medicine?”
“Mmm… Jang, this soup is really delicious.”
“You’re still dreaming about food, I see. I wonder what dish you’re enjoying with such a happy expression.”
“Lamb stew, mushroom soup, and a salad generously topped with yuzu sauce.”
Luan smiled at Mercian’s drowsy reply and wondered if she’d actually woken up.
“What? Did you just answer my question while still asleep? That’s a bit unfair—you’re just too adorable.”
It really was strange.
He’d never cared about women before—so why did he keep finding himself drawn to this one?
We’ve only been married two days—yet every time I look at her, I think she’s cute, that she’s endearing?
Luan pressed a gentle kiss to Mercian’s forehead as she slept soundly in his arms, carefully laid her down flat, then rose quietly and left the room to call Edward.
.
.
.
What? Did I sleep the entire morning away?
Goodness…
Mercian opened her eyes and checked the clock—already past noon.
“Oh! My lady, you’re awake?”
“Charles, where’s Luan?”
“The master had a light breakfast and already left for the Imperial Palace. He said not to wake you since you were sleeping so soundly.”
“Really?”
He went to the palace… so is he feeling alright?
Was he just exhausted from lack of sleep?
Mercian felt a twinge of worry for Luan, who’d collapsed that morning—but quickly shook her head.
Don’t get involved.
You decided to stay out of sight for these six months, remember?
“Should I prepare your meal?”
At Charles’s question, Mercian suddenly realized how hungry she was.
“Hmm… I’d like to eat on the second-floor terrace today.”
“Yes, I’ll have it ready.”
“And please send for Clea.”
“Yes, my lady.”
After Charles left, Mercian stretched widely and rose from bed.
Back in her own room, she quickly washed her face, went to the wardrobe, took out a dress, and brought it over to the bed.
“Oh! My lady, you didn’t need to dress yourself—I could’ve helped.”
When Charles returned with Clea and saw Mercian had changed alone, she gave a surprised exclamation. Mercian merely shrugged and replied,
“It’s fine. I’ll have to do everything myself eventually anyway.”
“What?”
“Oh, nothing. I’m just starving. Wow—what’s all this?”
“It’s lamb stew, mushroom soup, and a salad generously topped with yuzu sauce.”
“Huh? Really? That’s odd… why does this menu feel so familiar?”
Mercian felt she’d seen the food on the table somewhere before.
Did I dream about it?
Haha—surely not. I’m no prophet; I couldn’t possibly dream about breakfast ahead of time, could I?
As Mercian sat down to eat, Charles smiled fondly and said,
“The master really seems to care deeply for you, my lady.”
“What?”
“Both yesterday and today, he personally ordered these dishes just for you. And whenever he mentions you, he always smiles.”
Luan asked Jang to prepare this? And he smiles?
“Does he?”
“My lady probably doesn’t know this, but the master’s behavior lately is truly astonishing. Ever since I started serving him, he’s never shown any interest in food—no matter what the chef made, he always ate it with a displeased look. And especially now, after falling ill…”
“Charles, stop chattering and go do your work.”
At Clea’s reprimand from the doorway, Charles quickly bowed her head and hurried out.
“My lady, did you sleep well? Was your bed uncomfortable at all?”
“No, thanks to everyone’s care, I slept very comfortably. Sit down in front of me for a moment.”
“No, my lady. I’ll just stand and listen.”
Mercian tried once more to insist, but seeing Clea politely yet firmly refuse, she gave up and continued.
“Clea—even though Luan said there are no strict rules in the ducal household, surely a house of such standing must have some customs, right? I know you’re busy, but could you teach me a few?”
At Mercian’s words, Clea looked at her with slightly changed eyes.
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
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