I Have A Terminally Ill Duke As My Husband (1 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 3
Study room of House of Canoluph.
“Cassel, did you return safely?”
Seeing Cassel enter the study, Luan, who was leaning back in his chair, asked, and Cassel nodded in reply.
“I delivered your message along with the gifts, my lord.”
“I see. Were the jewels and dresses well received?”
“Well, they were liked—by the viscountess and the elder daughter, that is.”
“Hm?”
“The second daughter showed no interest in the gifts your grace sent. Or rather, she couldn’t even show interest.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Before the second daughter could even see the gifts, the viscountess and the elder daughter rummaged through them as if they were their own. What’s more surprising is that the second daughter just watched them with an indifferent expression, as if she were used to it.”
“…….”
“Ah, by the way, the second daughter has added one more condition to this marriage.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“She said that if your grace were to pass away six months from now—”
“Does she wish to remain as duchess? Well, I don’t mind her staying on as duchess. Surely she’s not asking for more property, regardless of whether she bears a child or not? Anyway, after setting aside Aunt’s share, I planned to give everything else to her.”
“No, that’s not it. She insisted she must leave the ducal household.”
“Leave the ducal household? Isn’t that already part of our original agreement? Did someone mistakenly tell her she could stay at the ducal estate?”
At Luan’s words, Cassel cried out, sounding aggrieved.
“My lord, would I ever say such a thing? I was actually worried I might have to add a clause stating that once duchess, always duchess, and ensure she’d stay.”
“Then why did she say that?”
At Luan’s question, Cassel replied with a strange look on his face.
“I was also rather curious. The second daughter clearly agreed to the marriage, yet she seemed unaware of the terms of the contract. Judging by her refusal of alimony, she doesn’t even seem to know that the viscountess took both the dowry and alimony. And honestly, the rumors don’t do her situation justice.”
“Worse than the rumors?”
“Yes. The second daughter seemed almost nonexistent in that viscount’s household.”
Hearing this, Luan looked intrigued and murmured,
“Nonexistent…”
“Since the second daughter specifically requested that the contract state she must leave the ducal household six months later if no child is born, I’ll make sure to include that clause.”
Initially, when Penelope had requested the dowry and alimony upfront, I’d thought it made no difference whether I paid it early or late since I intended to give her the money anyway…
I’d heard the viscountess treated her two daughters differently, but I never expected it to be this bad.
“Add one more condition.”
“What condition, my lord?”
“When she leaves the ducal household in six months, give her enough alimony to live comfortably on her own.”
“What? But wasn’t alimony already settled?”
“Do you honestly believe, given what you’ve just told me, that the second daughter will get even a single gold coin from what you brought to the viscount’s house today?”
“Well… that’s true. But still!”
“But still, nothing! Just make sure to give it to her personally, discreetly—understood?”
“Sigh… Understood, my lord. I’ll include that in the terms as well.”
“So, when can the wedding take place?”
“The second daughter said she wouldn’t mind marrying as early as tomorrow.”
“Really? Then let’s hold the wedding tomorrow.”
“Yes. I’ll proceed accordingly—Wait, did I just hear that wrong?”
“Hear what?”
“You just said the wedding’s happening tomorrow?”
“Yeah. Is there a problem?”
Does this man think marriage is some kind of joke? There’s no dress, nothing prepared—how can he possibly hold a wedding?
Cassel glared at Luan and silently cursed him with his eyes before speaking.
“My lord, however urgent the situation may be, you must still show consideration for the other party.”
“Didn’t the young lady herself say tomorrow would be fine?”
“Even so, that’s unacceptable. Even if she’ll only be your bride for six months, she’s still the esteemed daughter of a viscount’s household. At the very least, the wedding ceremony should be held properly with due formality. And what about the guest list? Lady Nora is urging you to choose a bride quickly, not to rush into a shoddy wedding like this.”
“Fine, enough of your nagging. You handle the wedding preparations then. I can’t go out anyway, in my current condition.”
“Understood. I’ll consult with the viscountess and prepare everything as quickly as possible.”
[This is the timeline separator]Two days later, at the dressmaker’s.
“Oh my! Goodness, my lady, you look absolutely stunning!”
Upon seeing Lucianne in a pink dress, the madam praised her, and Penelope smiled contentedly, saying,
“This dress seems made especially for you. It would be perfect to wear to the imperial ball later as well.”
“My lady, with your slender figure and exquisite beauty, you’ll look wonderful in any dress you wear.”
At the madam’s compliment, Lucianne gazed at her reflection in the mirror with a satisfied expression.
“Mother, even I think this is the best dress I’ve ever worn. Still, I probably won’t be able to wear it to Mer’s wedding.”
“Why not? It’s so lovely, and since it’s pink, it won’t clash with the wedding dress either.”
Hearing Penelope’s words, Lucianne glanced at Mercian, who was staring blankly at her, and replied with a smile.
“Mother, that’s true, but still—it’s Mer’s once-in-a-lifetime wedding. It would be rude to look prettier than the bride herself.”
Of course. That’s exactly what I expected you to say.
You claim to care about propriety, yet you, who craves everyone’s attention, would really give up wearing that dress?
I’d sooner believe you’d marry the duke in my place on that day.
Watching Lucianne speak as if she were being considerate, Mercian was certain she’d show up at the wedding wearing that very dress.
Seeing Mercian remain seated without reaction to Lucianne’s words, Penelope sighed in exasperation and poked her daughter’s stomach with her finger.
“Mer, you’re truly incomprehensible. Normally brides lose weight before their weddings, yet you seem to have gained more! The wedding is in less than a week—aren’t you worried about fitting into your wedding dress? What are you going to do about that belly? If people see your stomach bulging out of a tight dress, they’ll think you’re pregnant before the wedding!”
“Mom, it’s not that bad. And I haven’t actually gained any weight…”
Though, admittedly, I haven’t lost any either.
Mercian quickly tensed her stomach and covered it with her hands as Penelope, frowning, turned to the madam and asked,
“Anyway, it’s pointless talking to someone who won’t listen—it’s my mouth that gets tired. By the way, madam, how’s the child’s wedding dress coming along? The duke’s household pressed us so urgently we didn’t even get to see the design.”
Urgently? Who was it that immediately agreed to follow whatever the duke’s household wanted when Sir Cassel came to discuss the wedding?
Even now, as Mercian came to see her wedding dress, Penelope paid attention only to Lucianne’s outfit, and once again Mercian felt hurt inside.
“Of course it’s already finished! The duke’s household placed a special order for your wedding dress, and we worked through the night until yesterday to complete it. Please wait just a moment, madam. My lady, please follow me.”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”
As Mercian followed the madam inside, the madam seated her in front of a dressing table and said,
“My lady, a wedding dress won’t look its best without proper makeup and hairstyling. Let me prepare you accordingly.”
“Now? But makeup or not, I doubt it makes much difference on me.”
Since Mercian rarely wore makeup and insisted she was fine as she was, the madam gently placed her hands on Mercian’s shoulders and seated her firmly in front of the mirror.
“Oh, my dear, no one can truly know until they try. I guarantee there’s never been a young lady who didn’t become more beautiful after being in my care. Please trust me just this once.”
At the madam’s gesture, two female shop assistants stepped forward and began styling Mercian’s hair and applying makeup.
A short while later…
“Th—this is really me?”
Mercian stared at her reflection in the mirror, stunned.
Her hair had been given strong curls and pulled up into an elegant updo, secured with a floral crown, making her face appear smaller. The makeup subtly emphasized her fair, translucent skin without being overdone, enhancing her naturally cute features beautifully.
The white-and-silver wedding dress changed color slightly depending on the light, and its cleverly draped design helped conceal her fuller figure. Even to her own eyes, the Mercian in the mirror looked both adorable and utterly charming.
“You suit it wonderfully, as expected. Now, shall we go outside?”
.
.
.
“Oh my goodness—Mer, is that really you?”
Penelope, who had been chatting with Lucianne while looking at dresses, gaped in astonishment as Mercian stepped out in her wedding gown.
“My lady, doesn’t she look magnificent? This dress was specially commissioned by the duke’s household—it even changes hue slightly with the light. Moreover, the fabric is incredibly lightweight, so it’s comfortable to wear for long periods. With this hair and makeup, she’s become the loveliest bride imaginable!”
“G-Goodness… you really are beautiful. I can hardly believe it’s you!”
Hearing Penelope praise Mercian, whose appearance had changed so dramatically, Lucianne frowned and said,
“Indeed, Mother. The wedding dress is so lovely it almost makes Mer look pretty—must be an illusion. It just proves money can fix anything, doesn’t it? Don’t you agree, Mer?”
*Sigh… To the very end… Do compliments kill you or something?*
“Well, anyway, I’m glad you look nice.”
“Is there anything uncomfortable about it? If there’s anything you’d like adjusted, please let me know, and I’ll make the alterations.”
“No, not at all—it’s perfectly comfortable.”
“Then I’ll store the dress for now. Oh, and you’ll also need to choose a dress to wear at the duke’s household.”
“Oh, I don’t really need anything special.”
“My lady, ordinary dresses won’t do at the duke’s estate. I’ve prepared a few options especially for you—please try them on.”
After Mercian changed out of her wedding dress, the madam gently urged her while examining the dress she was wearing, then went inside and brought out several new dresses.
“Oh my! Just look at the fabric on this dress—so luxurious! Madam, this would suit our Luci even better. Could you please make one for her too?”
Hearing Penelope’s request as she touched one of the dresses the madam had brought out, the madam looked awkward and replied,
“I’m sorry, my lady, but these dresses were specially prepared by the duke himself exclusively for the second daughter. There’s no extra fabric left. His grace said these are all personal gifts intended solely for her.”
Gifts? He already sent a dress when delivering the betrothal papers—now he’s giving more gifts?
Hearing this, Mercian couldn’t help but look at the dresses the madam had brought out.
Even to her untrained eye, the pale purple, apricot, and green dresses clearly appeared to be made from exceptionally fine fabric.
“Then, my lady, please try on this pale purple one first.”
The madam held up the pale purple dress, and an assistant escorted Mercian back inside with the dress.
A short while later…
*Is this really me?*
Mercian stood frozen, staring wide-eyed at her reflection in the mirror, wearing the dress the madam had given her.
Her previously updo hairstyle had been let down and restyled with deeper, lusher waves. Thanks to the volume and boldness of the waves, her face now looked even smaller than when it was pulled up. The pale purple dress also fit her perfectly, as if tailored just for her.
Penelope had always claimed pastel colors made Mercian look heavier, so she only bought such shades for Lucianne, giving Mercian nothing but black or gray, neutral-colored dresses. Mercian had always assumed colors like this would never suit her.
*Could it be that this mirror is enchanted somehow?*
Having never adorned herself in her life, Mercian found her reflection utterly unfamiliar—almost as if she were looking at a stranger.
Yet, as strange as this new version of herself felt, she didn’t dislike it at all.
Male lead says he’s pregnant — and it’s female lead’s child
Something seems a bit off about this world.
Wang Zhao thought as she watched a pregnant man walking towards her…
Intro
Female lead finds herself in a world where the men who possess the ability to bear children.
As she navigates this unfamiliar reality, she is caught off guard by the sudden appearance of her boyfriend, who reveals that he is pregnant.
Is this truly her boyfriend?
Why can’t she recall any details about their time together?
She begins to doubt whether the child her boyfriend is carrying is even hers.
Is there a hidden reason behind her amnesia, or could it be a side effect of her sudden arrival in this strange new world?
Just when it seems the protagonist’s life couldn’t become any more entangled, her ex-boyfriend makes an unexpected appearance, raising questions about the protagonist’s past.
__________
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