The Dark Lord Obsesses Over His Fake Wife (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 9
“Duke?”
“I was waiting because we have something to discuss.”
My eyes unconsciously drifted to his firm body, visible through the gap in his robe. Starting from his prominently masculine Adam’s apple, the lines of his muscles were both rugged and refined.
It wasn’t just a body with a lot of muscle; it was a well-balanced, firm physique with elegant lines.
Even the parts hidden by the robe stirred a strange imagination, making my face flush.
“Then why did you suddenly come dressed like that?”
“Because I wanted to talk to you as soon as possible.”
Johan tilted his head slightly, his eyes crinkling as if he didn’t understand.
“Does my attire bother you?”
With every small movement, the hem of his robe rustled. One wrong move, and the tie holding it might come undone, revealing the rest of his body.
Looking at Johan, I felt a secret impulse I hadn’t known before being fanned into flame.
I swallowed hard and shook my head.
“No, it’s not about liking or disliking it…”
“Then why are you standing so far away?”
Johan extended his hand seductively, his voice like a whisper.
“Come closer.”
Refusing here would be odd. But giving in felt like I’d be devoured, stirring a sense of unease.
I cautiously took his hand and slowly approached him.
“You’re nervous, aren’t you?”
He suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace.
I was completely pressed against Johan, not an inch apart.
His firm body felt intensely real. Contrary to appearances, he wasn’t bare under the robe.
But it was distinctly different from when he held me in his usual formal attire. His beast-like, honed physique rubbed against my skin more vividly.
His scent hit me strongly, and a wave of heat coursed through my body.
Johan brought his handsome face closer. His cool gaze seemed to melt sweetly.
“But isn’t it dangerous to act like that in front of me?”
“Why… why?”
I was flustered, unsure of what to say.
“Because it makes me even more tempted.”
Johan teased my earlobe with his firm fingertips.
“It makes me want to devour you.”
I swallowed hard again.
“Devour?”
The word “devour” has many meanings. And here, Johan’s words…
A flurry of thoughts raced through my mind, and my already heated face felt even hotter. Then Johan let out a soft chuckle.
A low, sweet laugh resonated.
It was almost like the growl of a beast—chilling yet strangely thrilling.
“Don’t worry too much.”
Each slight movement from Johan made his firm muscles feel even more vivid. His long fingers brushed through my disheveled pale pink platinum hair.
Perhaps because my ears were burning, it felt even more intense.
“There won’t be a first night between us yet.”
Johan’s words were clearly meant to reassure me. But I felt a sense of déjà vu.
“This is a line I’ve seen in the original story.”
Johan, rejecting Estelle after she waited so long. Estelle confessed to him, crying.
But Johan, with a cold expression, brushed her hand away and laughed.
“There won’t be a first night between us. You know why.”
“What’s the reason?”
“You’ll find out without me having to say it.”
And from that day, everything about Estelle began to crumble.
Recalling this, my face paled.
The situation and dialogue now are different from the original story. But I felt strangely, deeply uneasy. Then Johan, with a puzzled expression, gently rubbed his chin against my shoulder and asked,
“Are you unwell?”
Johan, genuinely concerned, placed the back of his hand on my forehead. His face truly shone.
“He’s too handsome.”
I understood why I couldn’t escape him in the original story. Not only was Johan’s face handsome, but his physique was impressive, and he was skilled at physical affection.
Especially seeing a cold-looking man whisper sweetly, I couldn’t help but feel entranced.
“I’m not unwell. It’s just…”
“Just?”
“I’m nervous because this is so sudden.”
As if waiting for it, Johan buried his lips in my hair and smiled, lifting the corner of his mouth.
“Feeling tense isn’t a bad thing.”
“Then what?”
“It’s actually a good thing.”
He was definitely seducing me. But he was treading a line that was thrilling yet not overwhelming. Or perhaps his face just made it feel that way.
“When people get tense, they become more sensitive.”
Johan slightly lowered his long eyelashes.
A deeper shadow fell over his eyes. The shadow on his translucent skin created a strangely alluring and eerie atmosphere.
“Perhaps even more than you think.”
His voice grew low and rich.
“Want to know more?”
Johan lightly kissed my pale neck a few times, making soft sounds. Each time his moist lips touched me, my body trembled instinctively.
“I-I think I’m fine not knowing for now!”
“Then you’re saying you’ll want to know later.”
Why did my words come out like that?
My face was so hot, I could tell it was flushed without looking. Johan lifted my chin with his fingertip, making our eyes meet.
“When will that ‘later’ be?”
His deep, red eyes—somehow both cold and burning—gazed at me.
It was a primal, obsessive, almost mad look, as if he’d swallow me whole.
“Why does he look at me like that?”
As if he had no real interest in me as a person. As if anyone would do, as long as they were a target for Libertan’s revenge.
Without realizing, I avoided his gaze and tried to pull away from his embrace. But his arms tightened, trapping me more firmly.
Startled, I looked up at Johan, and he smiled softly, whispering,
“Whenever you’re ready, just tell me.”
His large hand rested on my forehead. A warm, feather-like sensation spread over me.
Like a lie, I fell asleep instantly.
* * *
I woke to the warm sunlight.
“Johan isn’t in the bedroom.”
It was as if last night’s events were a fantasy, leaving no trace.
“It wasn’t my imagination.”
Johan, whispering seductively. His masculine, firm body visible through the robe, and its touch. I couldn’t have imagined all of that.
“If it was my imagination, then…”
Snapping myself out of it with a sharp slap to my cheek, I got up. I had taken the key from Betty last night.
“If I go early, Erich won’t be there to interfere.”
Of course, since it was Johan’s study, there was a risk of running into Johan as well as Erich.
Honestly, after last night, the thought of seeing Johan again made my cheeks burn. That gave me even more reason to go when no one else would be around.
After washing lightly with the prepared water, I headed to Johan’s study.
Unfortunately, the door wasn’t locked today. And inside was Erich, the person I wanted to avoid.
Seeing him so early, Erich’s sharp features stood out even more. If not for his temper, I might have been glad to see him.
“I believe we had an agreement.”
Erich, his long blue hair neatly tied, furrowed his brows. Somehow, his gray-blue gaze seemed slightly different from before.
“What business do you have in this study so early?”
“I thought I’d read a book for a bit.”
To his suspicious look, I brought up what I’d been told before.
“For your information, I have permission. See the key?”
Erich sighed and nodded.
“Then I have no choice. Do as you please.”
Compared to yesterday, his reaction was much milder.
“Is it because I apologized?”
Even though he hated me so much, a single apology seemed to soften him a bit, suggesting he might be kind at heart.
“Plus, I caused some trouble yesterday.”
With Erich’s approval, I could finally explore the study properly. The annex’s study was more like a library than a study.
Even at a glance, the elegant library sparkled in the morning sunlight, likely thanks to the large window in the center.
“Ah, the sunlight is nice.”
Erich, now ignoring my presence, was sorting documents while wearing thin glasses. With glasses, he seemed even more intellectual.
“Let’s find a book.”
With so many books, finding the section labeled “Magic” took some time.
“Black magic, black magic, black magic…”
The books on magic were all in ancient languages, which made it a bit challenging.
“Thank goodness the Libertan ducal family taught me ancient languages.”
The Libertan ducal family, if nothing else, provided a thorough education.
Likely to avoid rumors of mistreatment, they made me learn everything from etiquette to obscure ancient languages few high nobles know. It’s fortunate it’s useful now.
Sadly, there were no books on black magic.
So I pulled out a book on magic and opened it.
“A spell to grant a painless death?”
The content explained that since mages often disrupt natural laws and go out of control, they need a way to die peacefully.
“What are you doing in this section? Of all places, you pick the forbidden one…”
As I was about to put the book back, Erich, who had appeared out of nowhere, snatched it from me.
His gray-blue eyes narrowed as he looked at the book.
“Are you holding this knowing it’s in an ancient language?”
I shrugged.
“Would I hold it if I couldn’t read it?”
His eyes filled with even more doubt.
“You’re saying you can read it?”
“Of course. Want me to read it now?”
I grabbed the book back and opened a random page.
“[I want to die. In inescapable situations, it feels like the only way—]”
“Stop.”
Erich, taking the book back, stared at me more intensely.
“How do you know ancient languages? And why this book…”
“I just happened to learn it. I wouldn’t have read it if I knew it was forbidden.”
I’ll have to come back to read when Erich isn’t around.
Since there’s no one else monitoring besides Erich, I just need to time it right. I grabbed another book from the magic section.
“You…”
Erich, still gripping the book tightly, slowly spoke.
“Do you know what kind of family the Libertan ducal family is?”
His eyes were filled with hostility and confusion.
I swallowed hard.
“Maybe this is my chance?”
Even if I escape later, it’d be good to have someone who hates me a little less.
Of course, a few words from me wouldn’t resolve the vengeful feelings of those wronged. But hearing an apology versus not hearing one makes a big difference.
“…I know.”
“Then why didn’t you do anything?”
Erich raised his voice, a mix of irritation and anger in his tone.
Saying it was out of my control would only anger him more.
So all I could do was…
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry again? Does that fix everything?”
Erich strode over and roughly grabbed both my shoulders.
“That’s hypocrisy. An apology to escape the situation is empty.”
“I know. But it’s all I can do right now.”
Somehow, Erich became even more hostile. Maybe I shouldn’t have apologized this time. Perhaps I should’ve knelt and shed tears of repentance.
“Not that I’d do that even if asked.”
“What do you expect from me, Baron?”
Erich, grinding his teeth, glared at me before turning away.
“Why ask me? Shouldn’t you figure out atonement yourself?”
Erich left the library. I, who had been half-listening, clenched my fists in joy.
“Yes! An opportunity.”
While Erich was gone, I pulled a book from the magic section.
“He won’t come back right away, will he?”
After facing his hostile gaze since morning, I felt stifled. Before reading, I opened the large library window to get some fresh air.
Whoosh—
The strong breeze whipped my long hair wildly. The fresh air felt good after so long. I closed my eyes briefly, then leaned forward to look down.
Below was a chilling, eerie maze garden, an unusual sight for a noble or ducal estate.
—Estelle.
A clearer voice than before reached my ears.
“It wasn’t my imagination.”
Wanting to hear it better, I climbed onto the window ledge. Thankfully, the stone ledge was large and sturdy, so it wasn’t dangerous.
“If I trace where the voice came from…”
It came exactly from that forest. It was the forest last time, too.
“Is there something in the forest?”
As I started to climb down, some dust mixed with the wind must’ve gotten in my eyes. They stung, and I blinked. Rubbing them would only make it worse.
But something large must’ve gotten in, as the irritation didn’t subside easily. Tears streamed down my face.
I couldn’t blame the innocent wind. So was it my fault?
In the end, I rubbed my eyes.
“Here we go again.”
I didn’t want to rub them after last time’s bad redness.
“…You.”
Turning my head, I saw Erich, who had left and closed the door, standing there silently.
Erich was staring at me, his face pale.
“You think that’s a solution?”
What solution?
I tilted my head. Then my hand, gripping the window frame, slipped slightly.
“Wait!”
Erich’s face grew even paler.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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MANGA DISCUSSION
5 Comments
Chapter Comments (33)
Can’t you bear the thought of Erich Estelle dying because of you?
Erich, play the villain role properly.Did Johan find Estelle by smelling her?
Johan, keep away from my demon summer fairy.You’re a weird, obsessive guy.
You bit the girl’s wrist like a vampire.
Inline Comments (21)
Estelle was a greater villainess than even the Libertan ducal couple. Leandro al
Leandro sees himself as a chivalrous knight who will save even the wicked and bring them back to their senses. Arrogant.
‘She doesn’t understand what’s truly precious.’
What is valuable? An arrogant fiancé abandoned her.
All the composure he’d so skillfully maintained was utterly useless before such
Love works wonders. Johan is still unaware of his true feelings.
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agustus_orchid
Why would Estelle commit suicide? Use your brain, Erich.
Atmosphere created the impression that she would commit suicide, but she didn’t.
agustus_orchid
Erich, Estelle is the adopted daughter of the Libertan family, okay?
She has no blood relation to the Libertan family.
agustus_orchid
Atmosphere became a bit strange.
It wasn’t an interrogation; it was an entrapment operation.
agustus_orchid
I’m glad Estelle received a good education.
At least she got an education.
agustus_orchid
Erich is the guilty one, not Estelle.
Estelle is also a victim.