The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 101

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One of the major side effects of the Taumiel d**g was a surge of power, and the other was Taumiel Sickness, named after the d**g itself. A surge caused by Taumiel was similar to a typical ability surge, but its destructive power was incomparable. An ability user could burn down an entire village, turning it to ashes. Such devastation was considered a significant loss to the nation, both economically and in terms of human life. Immediately after the ban on the sale and production of Taumiel, its use was widespread among nobles. However, the nation didn’t take this crime lightly, issuing punishments ranging from imprisonment to execution.

Long-term, high-dose use of Taumiel resulted in Taumiel Sickness. While not as immediately devastating as a power surge, it was insidious. The d**g itself was full of harmful ingredients. Even if one’s abilities functioned normally without leakage, organ failure was still classified as Taumiel Sickness. In severe cases, organs would corrode, unable to withstand the chemical onslaught. This, in turn, caused uncontrolled ability leakage, harming those nearby.

Strangely, the outward symptoms of Taumiel Sickness were nearly identical to other incurable diseases, making diagnosis difficult without thorough examination. Perhaps the majority of healing ability users were unfamiliar with Taumiel. After all, a century had passed since the d**g was banned. With information and knowledge about Taumiel disappearing, even healing ability users might not see the need to distinguish it from other illnesses. The disease had low recognition and a dwindling incidence rate, while the tools and skilled ability users required for diagnosis were exorbitantly expensive. Furthermore, the survival rate was extremely low. With no known cure, it was undoubtedly easier for healers to misdiagnose it as another disease and move on.

Even if one knew about Taumiel Sickness and received a diagnosis, it wasn’t necessarily good news. Mere possession of the d**g was grounds for arrest, let alone admitting to its use. This was one of the reasons I couldn’t tell Kin, Mother, or Father. The fact that I wouldn’t live long was already a burden on the Grand Duke’s family. If it became known that I had taken Taumiel, it would tarnish their reputation. Even if the Ligiana Earldom is truly connected to Taumiel, people love a juicy scandal. Rumors might spread that the Grand Duke’s family’s abnormally strong abilities and frequent surges were due to Taumiel. Whispers might circulate about their collusion with the Ligiana Earldom to hoard the d**g. It didn’t matter if these stories were absurd. Rumors, by nature, spread regardless of truth or even plausibility. Such rumors could lead to the Grand Duke’s family being summoned to the Imperial Palace for questioning, all because of me. Even if rumors about me didn’t spread, I didn’t want to burden them with this trouble. I wanted to avoid anything that could potentially harm them.

So, I planned to leave quietly. I intended to die at the Earldom. I closed my eyes tightly and opened them again. My head swam. Returning to the main issue, I carefully considered what I had missed. In truth, there was no need for careful consideration. The answer was already clear.

“Ha, ha ha. Mother.” Even after learning about Taumiel, I believed its side effects were limited to weakening my body and shortening my lifespan. Powerless as I was, I hadn’t considered the possibility of a surge or ability leakage.

“Are you just in pain? Is that all?” Mother had yelled at me when I complained of pain. I clutched my stomach, fear gripping me. Nausea welled up, but I tried to hide it. Mother leaned in, her frantic eyes searching, craving something from me. “Don’t you feel anything leaking out?”

Now I fully understood her question. Mother must have known that this d**g was almost always fatal. She knew from the beginning that discovery meant imprisonment or worse. That’s why she told me this was our secret, urging me to keep it.

“Why don’t you have anything? Why?”

Mother, to avoid the shame of bearing a powerless child, had condemned her daughter to death. In the end, Mother didn’t get the answer she wanted. I didn’t know. I couldn’t know about leaking abilities or unknowingly manifesting powers. How could I know what I couldn’t see or feel, Mother? A bittersweet smile touched my lips. I never imagined I’d finally give her the answer she desired. I now understood what I had missed, why these things were happening, why I could heal Kin and Father, and why I remained oblivious while doing so. The answer was simple. Mother, just as you wished, my abilities were leaking. Profusely, without my knowledge. My abilities, amplified by Taumiel, were seeping through the cracks of my broken body. Because I lacked a normal ability control mechanism and used my whole being, I felt nothing.