Words choked in my throat that I couldn’t utter.
Carefully, I reached out and took his hand that was outside the blanket.
That hand once extended to me was so warm. But now, this hand is cold.
Unknowingly, I buried my face in his hand.
If I could, I would give him all my warmth.
I kissed the back of his hand.
‘This is my kiss to you, perhaps my true feelings that will never be conveyed.’
Only now do I realize.
I have long admired you, Duke of the North.
A being from a different world, untouchable, and thus more desirable.
I respected you, so I felt more guilty.
I dared to look at you, the one who drove me to death.
Guilt turned to longing, and longing eventually to love.
The true feelings of a woman who destroyed everything about you.
‘Please wake up, Your Grace.’
That’s all I wish for.
The noise outside made me let go of the Duke’s hand.
It was the doctor who brought the medicine.
He asked me to keep an eye on the Duke’s condition, as per Arcadia’s instructions.
“Nugent asked you to stay with His Grace for about an hour. We’ve used all available medicine… and if there are no major crises, he should open his eyes in a few days. We’ve employed all of the North’s medical knowledge. And for you too.”
The doctor gave me a warm smile.
“Thank you, doctor.”
“You’re a patient too…”
He handed me a bowl of decoction.
“You must drink it.”
I took it and drank it all. The doctor said,
“In the carriage to the castle, we really thought you were gone. His Grace put his hand in your mouth to stop you from biting your tongue in pain. Your blood mixed with his… really…”
After the doctor left, I continued to look at the Duke.
Night fell outside the window, but I lost track of time.
Holding his hand, I again buried my face in it.
How much time had passed?
As dawn’s light seeped into the room, I opened my eyes.
It seemed someone had visited while I slept; a warm fur cloak was draped over my shoulders.
Slowly, I sat up, careful not to disturb the injured Duke with my movements.
The pale dawn light settled over the unconscious Duke’s face.
I shielded him from the light with my body, fearing it might wake him in his pain.
Then, I realized I was still holding his hand.
I looked down at his large hand.
I couldn’t help but press my lips to his palm once more.
‘For the last time…’
God, please forgive me.
I kissed his wrist.
Then, the hollow of his elbow, and his upper arm, and even his injured shoulder. I then lifted my head to see his face.
‘!’
The Duke was looking at me, his eyes open.
For a long moment, we just looked at each other.
Finally, he spoke in a hoarse voice.
“Is this some new assassination technique?”
“…….”
Tears burst forth. I couldn’t say anything.
“You’ve come back to life, Esdel. That’s fortunate.”
He looked at me.
He almost died, and the first thing he says upon waking is that it’s fortunate I’m alive?
Then, his right arm pulled me onto the bed.
‘Your Grace?’
He embraced me, with a strength that felt like it could crush me.
“Esdel.”
His voice, calling my name, was warm.
“Your Grace?”
“……Thank you for living.”
“……Your Grace.”
Tears ran down onto his wrist.
He released me and pulled my face close to his.
“Really… Is this some new assassination method? My heart feels like it’s about to burst.”
“!”
That’s how I feel, Your Grace.
His right hand gently cradled my head.
Then.
His lips touched my forehead.
A long, lingering kiss.
After a moment, his lips moved to my eyes, where tears streamed.
His lips were warm.
Soon after, he spoke.
“Thank you, my knight. So, let’s put away the tears.”
“Your Grace.”
All I could do was call his name, afraid of revealing my labored breathing.
He let go of me.
I stood up from the bed and looked at him.
The Duke spoke.
“I won’t ask what happened to you until you tell me. But forget the painful memories. Black magic can never entangle you again.”
“Your Grace.”
Foolishly, all I could utter was ‘Your Grace.’
The emotions taking shape in my heart were things I couldn’t express in words.
“Your Grace.”
“I’m listening…….”
“Your Grace.”
“…….”
“Thank you, truly. I have received a debt of gratitude from you that I can never repay in this life.”
“……I should be the one saying that.”
He spoke.
“What have I done to deserve such words from you?”
I couldn’t help but ask heatedly.
“That’s right, Esdel.”
That’s right? In such a serious situation, I almost laughed.
Then the Duke showed me a smile, like the refreshing northern wind.
Suddenly, I wanted to show him the miracle he had wrought upon me.
“Duke. My face….”
Instead of speaking, I removed my mask.
I mustered the courage to look directly at the Duke.
His eyes widened at the sight of my face.
Then, an unexpected expression.
His face became a mix of sorrow and indescribable emotions.
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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