The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 74

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Chapter 74

“[Little fairy, are you alright? Little fairy!]”

The word “fairy” now pricked my conscience. He looked more like a fairy than I did. Another inappropriate thought crossed my mind. I cleared my throat, trying to dislodge the lingering metallic taste, and looked directly at Father. I couldn’t just ignore him and walk away, especially since we were supposed to visit him later.

‘Maybe this is a hallucination.’ The thought flitted through my mind, but I needed to be prepared in case it wasn’t. “I… I’m not a fairy,” I managed, my voice raspy. “[She speaks! She’s alive! My love! Come quickly and see what we can do for this child!]”

“I… Father, I…”

“[Yes, little fairy! I’ll get someone, just… just a moment. Father…? Father?!]”

Father, in his ghostly form, raised a fist as if to smash the window. Then, at my words, he froze. Kin’s sharp eyes seemed to have been inherited from his mother, not his father. “[She called me… Father…]” His doe-like eyes blinked wide. “[Then you’re my son’s… Daykin’s…?]”

He referred to Kin as his son, confirming that this ghost was indeed Father. I knew what he was going to say before he finished. I nodded slowly, completing his sentence. “…Yes, I’m… I recently married Daykin. I’m Ailee… Liliana. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Father.”

Oh my, goodness, how can this be, my word. Father muttered a string of exclamations, covering his mouth with his hand. The tears he’d just managed to stop began flowing again. “[My son has good taste, just like me. He’s found such a lovely wife. And I thought she was a fairy…]”

Why was I always the one embarrassed by the word “fairy”? It was unfair that I felt ashamed when others said it. But it was Father, so I couldn’t argue. Sweep, sweep. I felt incredibly guilty, but I diligently wiped away the traces of blood while listening attentively to Father. “[That rascal. All he does is call his father a fool. He could have at least introduced his wife. That scoundrel.]”

Father continued to berate Kin, tears streaming down his face. “[But our little darling…! She’s dying! Waaaaah.]”

By then, I’d mostly erased the evidence. I scuffed the ground with my foot and pulled some grass over the disturbed earth. It seemed sufficient. I checked from different angles, satisfied that it wasn’t noticeable. “[Darling, sob… Why… why are you cleaning up the blood instead of calling a doctor…? sob. waaaah.]”

His sharp question made me catch my breath. But he was a translucent ghost. I’m truly sorry, but you can’t tell anyone, can you, Father? Please keep this to yourself.

When I didn’t answer, Father trembled and wailed even louder. “[Quickly, quickly, we must call a doctor! waaaah. But… sniff… I don’t have a body… Oh dear, what to do. Little darling. Let’s go get the physician. Hmm? Quickly, sob.]”

I cautiously backed away. Time had passed, and I needed to get back inside before Kin came looking for me. I was so sorry to Father. Truly, truly sorry. If another daughter-in-law comes along, I’ll treat you well then, Father. I can’t get involved anymore. “[Little darling?]” Father called after me, his crying ceasing. “[You… you’re not going to call a doctor, are you? Why… why…? But I’ve already seen it, so it can’t be helped, little darling.]”

Father flexed his substantial arm muscles and began pounding on the window. “[Ever since I met you, little darling! I feel so energized! I think I can even break this window!]”

I watched him, honestly underestimating what a translucent ghost could do. But I flinched when the window started rattling violently. ‘N… no way.’ I’d briefly entertained the idea that Father was a hallucination, but that thought vanished like smoke. Bang, bang, bang!

At this rate, he really would break the window and summon someone. Or maybe he’d find another way to signal for help, like writing on the wall that the new Duchess was ill… ‘This is going disastrously wrong!’ I had to stop him. I frantically searched for an excuse.

“F… Father, I know you must be shocked that I suddenly vomited blood, but you don’t need to worry.”

“[What are you talking about? You’re bleeding! How can I not worry?]”

“I… I sometimes bleed like this. I’m taking medicine for it. This just means it’s getting better. I hid the blood because… Daykin and Mother already worry so much, and I didn’t want them to worry more…”

Who bleeds like this sometimes? What a ridiculous excuse. They say practice makes perfect, but my lies were terrible. What would happen if Father found out? What was I doing, creating this mess? But unexpectedly, Father seemed to accept my explanation. “[You bleed like this… regularly…? How much you must have suffered! sob sob… Then you should take your medicine. Yes, that’s a good idea, little darling. Or should I call someone to examine you again…?]”

“N… no! Please don’t! I was just… just coming back from the doctor!” That seemed to calm him down. Watching him, my heart pounded so hard I thought it might explode. Kin would be looking for me soon. What should I do? My head felt like it might burst along with my heart. “[Then are you truly alright? I’m glad if you are… But, little darling…]”