“Yes. These matters need to be dealt with promptly to prevent any complications.”

Johann’s red eyes were covered with a definite murderous intent. It was strange. He looked no different from usual, but something seemed off.

“Please wait a little bit this time too.”

“…Is your hand alright?”

At the mention of side effects, Johann briefly furrowed his brows then gave a small laugh.

“Of course. Who do you think I am?”

The moment Johann tried to move, I unknowingly reached out and desperately grabbed his hand. He stretched out his lips as if in trouble and asked,

“…Madam?”

Without responding, I carefully removed his gloves. Fortunately, Johann just flinched a bit and did not shake off my touch.

“My goodness.”

Seeing the hand beneath the gloves, my eyes unconsciously widened.

“What is this?”

The hand that was only blackened at the fingertips was now completely black. It looked like severe burn marks. Unwittingly, I stroked the back of his hand, and the veins on the back of his hand wriggled in response.

‘It seems painful.’

But Johann didn’t show the slightest disruption in his expression. He softly smiled and hid the back of his hand again.

“It just looks like this, it doesn’t hurt at all.”

“Liar.”

“I’m not lying. Why would I lie to the lady.”

“But you… you don’t seem fine at all, Duke.”

His red eyes dimmed darkly. Despite his intimidating gaze that somehow made people shiver, I hid my fearful heart and rolled up his sleeve.

“If it’s not a lie, then I should be able to look, right?”

The side effects of the dark magic, spread even to his arms, were visible. Just by placing my hand, I could feel the intense backlash of magic.

To ascertain correctly, I slightly undid the top button of his shirt.

‘As expected, it’s spread here too.’

Johann swallowed and squinted playfully.

“Madam, if you come so aggressively on the bed, it’s hard for me to resist.”

“You’re in a lot of pain, right? And yet, you were going to go eliminate the enemy in this state?”

In front of my fierce gaze, Johann obediently replied.

“It’s not something the lady needs to worry about. It would be a waste to worry about just this. Are you afraid I might move without knowing my own condition?”

“I don’t know.”

I pulled Johann’s body and laid him down on my bed. Surprised by my sudden action, Johann’s eyes widened.

“Madam?”

“While asking me to wait a little, were you trying to hide your pain? Saying that you’re going to deal with the enemies was just an excuse.”

Was I always this emotional?

‘It’s not good to question Johann like this.’

It seems like I’ve immersed myself too much in the role of being Johann’s wife while living with him. Already, tears were welling up in my eyes.

Johann’s smile slightly distorted.

“It’s hard to fool my intelligent lady.”

He opened his mouth with a somewhat impassive, cold face.

“But there won’t be any difference even if you are by my side.”

“…….”

“It’s dangerous to be with a mage who’s running amok. You know that and still act like this?”

Johann’s long fingers lightly pinched my cheeks. I asked Johann with a suppressed voice.

“How is it dangerous?”

“When a mage runs amok, he loses his senses and goes out of control. The backlash of the magic used so far not only affects him but also spreads around, destroying everything. Especially, I’m among those mages who have severe side effects.”

A black magician could utilize dark magic by making sacrifices. Of course, abilities or various factors are required, but the most important thing here is the sacrifice.

The larger the sacrifice, the stronger the power of the black magic one can use, although the side effects also increase.

‘Johan’s sacrifice… was everything he had.’

It was an option he could afford because he had nothing left precious to him except revenge.

‘The side effects are said to be related to the sacrifice made by the black magician himself….’

Frankly, I don’t know much about black magic, so I don’t know how it works. Johan looked at my trembling blue eyes and smirked.

“In simple terms, I might lose my senses and do something to my wife.”

Suddenly, Johan pulled me hard and swapped our positions. In the blink of an eye, Johan was right above me.

“Can my wife handle that?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.”

“Right. A fragile person like my wife might break instantly.”

Only divine power can cure the side effects of black magic. And it has to be the power of a saint, not an ordinary priest.

‘Just like Johan said. There’s nothing I can do.’

The best thing to do here is to worry about him and take care of my life right now. That was my original purpose. To build his trust moderately and run away where the villain’s hand can’t reach.

‘I need to avoid this dangerous situation as much as possible.’

There’s no way this terrifying villain would die from such side effects.

‘But why don’t I feel like backing off?’

On the contrary, my mind was thinking of something I shouldn’t do.

‘If there was something, anything, that I could do to help Johan, even if it’s the power of a fairy.’

“Your Grace is right. There’s nothing I can do. I know the wisest action is to pretend not to know anything as you say.”

Johan had a sarcastic smile on his lips. Somehow, I thought that was what Johan really looked like.

“But why don’t I want to leave you alone?”

“…”

“It’s lonely to bear the pain alone, isn’t it?”

Johan was a man who had everything.

High position, perfect bloodline, outstanding appearance, and strong power to do anything he wanted.

Compared to him, I had nothing. The beloved daughter of Libertan was fake, the current duchess was fake. Everything was fake.

Yet, I felt a strange sympathy for Johan, who had everything.

He was so dazzlingly brilliant. This beautiful light looked sad, like a star breaking in the vast universe.

“I apologize for overstepping. I won’t mention this again if it bothers Your Grace.”

I reached out and touched the cheek of this proud and handsome man.

“But it doesn’t mean I will definitely die from the backlash. I want to stay by your side if Your Grace permits.”

Everyone around Johan wanted him to be perfect. They demanded him to be the perfect Duke Blanchett and carry out their desired revenge without faltering. And Johan was the perfect person they wished for.

‘But… was he really okay?’

Imaginations that didn’t know the subject kept spreading. For some reason, I thought of the emptiness that Johan had no choice but to have.

‘Johan, you are the one I should not pity.’

I slowly took his hand that had been dyed black and cautiously kissed it.

“Could you permit me?”

Johan’s hand that touched my lips trembled slightly. The red eyes looking at me gradually darkened.

The magic that was only sharp and painful at first started to feel a bit familiar.

“I will endure whatever happens. If it’s dangerous, I’ll run away as fast as possible.”

The focus in Johan’s eyes slowly disappeared. The hand that had been slightly loosened tightly hugged me. The hot breath came to the back of my neck.

“…Your Grace?”

“I warned you.”

The red eyes meeting mine became fiercely beastly.

“I wouldn’t be able to hold back.”