The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 69

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Chapter 69

As I drifted in the hazy warmth of the spring sunlight, something like a bird’s beak poked at my cheek. It wasn’t exactly poking, more like a soft nuzzling. Still half-asleep, I burrowed my face into the blankets to escape, but the persistent nudging followed. Eyes closed, I reached out to swat away the attacker.

My hand was caught. A ticklish kiss landed on my palm. “Ailee, wake up.”

My morning assailant was, of course, Kin.

I sat up, more dazed than usual. Even after settling onto the bed, the fog wouldn’t lift. I felt strangely unwell, my limbs heavy and tingling.

“Ailee? Are you alright?”

Had the illness worsened? I had never woken up feeling this way before. I winced slightly, trying to hide my discomfort. “…No. Just…still sleepy….”

I glanced at Kin’s expression and discreetly clutched the blankets. He sighed and gently eased me back down. “Then sleep some more.”

A familiar hand patted my shoulder. He took the day off to spend it with me, I thought. He’d pretended otherwise, but I’d seen the eager anticipation in his eyes last night. It would be best to draw a clear line with him, but I couldn’t ignore that hopeful expression. It was simply not in my nature to refuse a request, however unreasonable.

“You said we’d spend the day together… We were going to choose outfits. So I have to get up.” I hadn’t gotten specifics from Kin, but based on his comment at dinner, we were supposed to choose outfits for a masked ball.

I lightly grasped Kin’s hand, attempting to rise, but a sharp, stabbing pain shot through me. I bit my lip and took a shallow breath. Did he notice?

“Yes, we’re choosing outfits and spending the day together.”

He seemed oblivious, thankfully. I breathed an internal sigh of relief as the lingering pain subsided. The heavy pressure and sharp sting vanished as quickly as they had come, like a fleeting phantom.

I managed a relaxed smile as I took Kin’s hand and sat up. “I’m awake now. I think I was just tense about the boat trip yesterday.”

“Tired? Should we rest today? I’ll call the physician to check you and get some medicine—”

“No! I’m fine now. You said we’d spend the day together. We’re choosing outfits, remember? I’m really looking forward to it. Let’s go, okay?” The mention of a physician sent a jolt of panic through me. I tightened my grip on Kin’s hand. He tilted his head, a worried expression clouding his features.

“You might get sick. You’re already so thin and frail… It would be best to take some medicine and rest—”

“I’m perfectly healthy. I can spend the day with you.” I offered what I hoped was a healthy-looking smile. I wasn’t sure what that looked like, but I trusted my acting skills. Besides, I wasn’t in pain anymore, so technically, I was healthy. If you’re not in pain, you’re healthy, I reasoned internally, staring at Kin.

“You said you didn’t need to spend the day with me before. And now you’re saying this so sweetly?” Kin smirked, lightly tapping my nose. “You’re toying with me.”

A soft chuckle followed. I wasn’t trying to toy with him. How could I toy with anyone? I felt a pang of injustice but kept my mouth shut. Finally, Kin nodded.

“Tell me if you’re tired. It’s not like today is the only day we have. Your health is more important.”

Kin had a knack for saying things that pricked my conscience. I hummed noncommittally, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and averted my gaze.

***

Kin fed me relentlessly during our meal, taking his time, which meant I had to eat more food over a longer period. Just when I thought I was finished, more food appeared. Just as I was about to choke and protest, a drink materialized.

How can he be so consistent at every meal? I shot him a weary look, and he grinned, pleased. “You’re eating well today.”

Just as I was about to retort, the meal ended. Just as I was about to relax, a visitor arrived.

“My Lady, I am Aider Gigierre, the designer who created your wedding dress. I will do my utmost once again.”

Following Aider’s instructions, her experienced assistants quickly took my measurements, then Kin’s.

“Do you have a design in mind? The current trend for masked balls is to coordinate the mask and outfit around a specific concept, rather than simply wearing whatever mask the host provides.”