The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 96

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‘A gift…’ The room was filled with things meant for me. I’d received more than my share of affection and love, even the intangible kind. Besides seeing Father awaken, I personally wanted to repay that affection. But was that selfish of me? A pointless gesture for those left behind?

But the warmth I’d felt for the first time was so comforting. I couldn’t leave without giving something back.

‘I’m sorry for being selfish until the very end.’

I wanted to say thank you, just once. I sat on the bed. The door opened. I smiled softly at Kin.

I woke before Kin and looked around the quiet room. Kin’s steady breathing, his warm embrace, the dim pre-dawn light—a gentle peace settled over me, allowing the pain to creep in. Thankfully, it was less intense than yesterday. As if answering my plea to hold on until then, the pain, though present, was bearable.

I tried to ease myself out of Kin’s embrace. He tightened his hold in his sleep. I felt constricted, but I didn’t try to pull away again, lest he wake. I closed my eyes. Yes, let’s stay like this a little longer. While everyone else is asleep, this much is alright. I told myself, momentarily burying the stinging in my heart.

Kin, having finished breakfast earlier than usual, peppered my head with kisses. “I have a lot to do today, so I have to leave early. There are some… papers I need to deal with. I’ll be back by lunch. Mother said she’s busy today and tomorrow, so you won’t have anyone to bother you all day.”

Mother had said she would continue to help with the affairs of her family, the Maloginis, even after the wedding. They were quite friendly with the Grand Duchy, and they had no clear successor. So she had gone to visit Malogini, and Kin had said he was busy with many things to handle.

‘Everyone’s busy.’ I realized anew how different my life was from true nobility. All I’d done here was enjoy myself.

Kin whined, reluctant to leave. “I wanted to spend the time until the ball with you.”

“You said you were busy.”

“So cold.”

Normally, he would have clung to me longer, begging me to hold onto him, but whether he truly was busy or not, Kin’s whining stopped there. “I’ll finish this quickly… No, I need to make sure of this… I’ll make absolutely sure and come back.”

I didn’t know what he needed to make sure of, but I wished him well silently. I waved goodbye as he headed for the door. He looked back at me with longing before finally turning away. I stared at the empty doorway for a long time.

I had three things left to do: attend the masked ball with Kin, help awaken Father, and disappear after the ball. Today was Saturday, and the ball was on Monday. That meant, including today, I had three days left here, three days until my parting with Kin. I’d told him a month, but staying here that long would only make things more painful.

Besides my obligations, I had one more thing I wanted to do: offer a small token of gratitude to those who had cared for me. But waking Father was the priority, and I wasn’t sure if I would have the time.

‘Can I wake Father before the ball?’ The masked ball was in the evening, so I had until Monday morning. Of course, getting dressed and ready would take time, so I might have even less time than I thought.

‘How can I properly use my ability?’ I definitely had an ability. I’d thought I didn’t, but I did. My hopes of having one had been dashed so many times that I couldn’t believe it even after seeing Father, but now I had to accept it. I had an ability.

‘I had it all along, but no one discovered it, and I couldn’t control it.’ The thought of my past frustrations and pain made my head ache. I felt resentment and a sense of injustice. If I truly hadn’t had any ability, I might have been able to rationalize the abuse. But now, knowing the truth, it was hard to blame myself for the past verbal assaults. It had taken me so long to finally define those past actions as verbal abuse, as mistreatment.

If I could just live longer, I could save Father and then tell the County that I actually did have an ability. Gripping the blanket tightly, I sighed and released my hold.

‘Forget it. Stop thinking about the County. That’s not important now.’ My resentment towards them was strong, constantly pulling my thoughts back. I took a deep breath and calmed myself. I didn’t even have time to be angry. Besides, getting upset might worsen the pain, though it was less severe than yesterday. I had to endure.

‘Still, it’s better to have an ability than not.’ Because of this ability, I could save you. That was enough.

Returning to the present, I pondered how to use this ability. I focused on my breathing, on my body. I thought I’d feel something, some indication of how to activate it, but I felt nothing.

‘At this rate, I won’t be able to wake Father before the ball.’ If only I knew how to use it, I could heal him instantly. If only I knew how, I could wake him right away.

I had to leave in three days. I couldn’t postpone it any longer. My heart raced with anxiety, but I had no clue how to use this ability.