Chapter 140
Especially since she’d shared awkward moments about s*x with him.
“If your body isn’t well, you should see a doctor, right?”
“I’ll handle it myself. You take care of whoever you brought out from underground.”
“…”
Eugenie fell silent for a moment, but then forced herself to speak.
“Are you really feeling unwell?”
“…What?”
“I’ve been curious ever since we met again, but I didn’t ask because I worried you’d dislike me crossing a line.”
Knowing that his pride was as strong as hers, she had waited for him to reveal it. Now, it seemed safe to ask.
“By the way…you’ve been slow to reveal your ‘secret,’ Napier.”
With the other three husbands, she had uncovered their secrets through ‘memory glimpses’. But Magnus Napier’s memories remained unseen.
Eugenie examined him suspiciously from head to toe.
“Did something happen after we graduated? You wouldn’t have used a cane back then. Too rustic.”
“…”
“Napier.”
Her once-rival husband remained silent. She stepped closer cautiously.
“If you’re unwell, I can help, right? Like when we woke that Sabnac survivor today—”
“And after that?”
“Hm?”
“After you’ve used your magic?”
Magnus’s gaze softened at Eugenie. He didn’t want to bring it up, but the words were already out.
“After that, you’re going to sleep with me, Norton? From the look of it, you did what you did with Percival Troys?”
“I…guess so, probably?”
“Ha.”
“Why ask that way? I’m offering help if you’re struggling.”
Help if he was struggling… Magnus swallowed the words like a bitter pill. Revealing his condition and receiving assistance wasn’t inherently wrong. But why did it feel so unbearable?
He didn’t want to owe any more to Eugenie Norton. He’d always wanted to impress her, and showing weakness to receive help felt worse than plunging a sword into his own heart.
Yet, if he didn’t act and take help, she might turn to another husband.
“…Even after the academy incident, I still don’t like that kind of relationship.”
“What? You mean because I’m promiscuous?”
Heat rose from her collarbone. After enjoying everything with her, he now said he didn’t like it?
“This damned…!”
Her tension crept to the roof of her mouth, but seeing his expression, she restrained herself.
Having pushed her social skills to the limit, Eugenie ground her teeth inwardly but forced a crooked smile at Napier.
“Fine. I know you didn’t want this marriage, but if you make it too obvious, I get hurt too.”
“What…?”
“Did I expect to be this way?”
“Wait, Norton.”
“Yeah, yeah. Napier must be surprised that I, Eugenie Norton, can even feel this way.”
Eugenie didn’t know love—and didn’t want to—but she still felt the sting of being ignored. Knowing how ridiculous it was, a wry laugh escaped.
“True. You wouldn’t have married me willingly. We weren’t close even as kids.”
“Norton.”
“Enough. We’re only bound by Mothers’ contract. That’s all.”
Eugenie turned her steps away, thinking it was enough.
“We’ve grown up. Let’s keep our manners. Good night, Napier.”
Though they’d had a rough past, and she still felt a bit uneasy, she’d intervened out of habit. It didn’t suit her personality.
“I’ll just leave it to you to behave properly from now on.”
Before Eugenie could open the door again, Magnus urgently grabbed her wrist.
“Norton.”
“What? I have nothing more to say—”
Before she could push away with her annoyed tone, Magnus pressed his lips to hers.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.