ILTDAMH|CHAPTER 109

Chapter 109 

Tonight, I Won’t Hold Back

A villa stood on a hill overlooking the sea.

The first floor was surrounded by wide glass walls, so that wherever one looked, the view outside filled their sight.

As Marican looked around the spacious living room and the kitchen connected to it, she said brightly,

“This villa is so beautiful. The windows are enormous—when the sun rises, the whole room must glow with light. And you can see the scenery from every angle.”

“That’s right. If you sit out there on those chairs, you can watch the sunset in the evening. It’s quite the sight.”

“The sunset… I bet it’s breathtaking when the sun dips into the sea.”

Marican walked to the direction Ruan pointed to and murmured in awe.

“You’ll see it soon enough. Before that, let’s have something you can only eat here.”

“Something you can only eat here? Sounds exciting.”

“Come, have a seat.”

Ruan led Marican into the kitchen.

On the large table before them, dinner was already laid out—

At the center sat a massive steamed crab, surrounded by clams as large as Marican’s palm, and a dazzling array of fresh seafood.

“What is all this? I’ve never seen clams this big! Oh my, this crab is larger than my face. Ruan, what is this one?”

“These are called giant clams. And this is blue crab. Try it.”

Ruan gently removed one of the crab’s legs, pulled out the tender flesh, and handed it to her.

As soon as Marican tasted the meat, the rich, savory flavor filled her mouth.

She’d had seafood before at the ducal house, but nothing compared to this. It was so delicious she felt as though she hadn’t eaten this well in ages.

“Wow. This is incredible. I can’t believe I get to see the ocean and eat this amazing food—thank you, Ruan.”

“I’m glad you like it. To be honest, I haven’t come here often myself, but seeing my wife so happy makes me think we should visit more often.”

Marican tilted her head in curiosity.

“It’s such a lovely place—why haven’t you come often? Oh, is it because you’re away at the battlefield so much?”

Ruan smiled faintly, a touch of melancholy in his expression.

“This villa was built long ago. My father had it made as a gift for my mother. But soon after it was completed, both my parents passed away in an accident. My aunt thought visiting this place would only make me miss them more… so she rarely brought me here.”

Marican looked around the villa softly.

“They must’ve loved each other deeply. To build such a beautiful home as a gift.”

She couldn’t help thinking of Charles and Penelope, who used to fight endlessly over money, and her voice softened with envy.

“I heard their love was strong,” Ruan said quietly. “I wish to live as they did—with my wife, cherishing and loving each other always.”

“Ruan, I feel the same.”

He smiled and slipped another piece of crab meat into her mouth.

“Ruan, I can’t eat another bite. It’s all so delicious, I think I overdid it. My stomach feels like it might burst.”

Ruan chuckled, glancing at her belly.

“My lady, I don’t think it’s quite that bad yet.”

“R–Ruan! What are you looking at!”

Her cheeks turned crimson under his teasing gaze, and he smiled fondly at the sight.

When the long meal finally ended, Ruan stood to clear the dishes.

“I’ll handle the washing.”

“No, let’s do it together. It’ll be faster that way.”

Ruan’s smile deepened. “Very well.”

He washed while Marican dried, and when they finished, he took her to see the rest of the villa.

The first floor consisted of a bedroom, the wide living room, kitchen, and a large bath with a deep tub.

Inside the bedroom stood a broad bed, a dressing table, and a small table set near a window.

In the dressing room hung several nightgowns and dresses.

“When did all these get here?”

Marican looked around in surprise. It was fully prepared, as if they could live there for a week.

“Edward brought them earlier. We’ll be staying for three or four days. Now then—shall we look upstairs?”

As she followed Ruan from the room, Marican noticed the fading sunlight through the glass and gasped.

“Ruan, look at that—the sea and the sky, the sunset is so beautiful!”

Ruan took her hand and led her outside.

The sun slowly dipped into the horizon, staining the waves in hues of gold and crimson. It was the most beautiful sunset Marican had ever seen.

She stood there in silence, mesmerized, until the last light vanished beyond the sea.

When dusk deepened, Ruan draped a blanket around her shoulders.

“The sea breeze turns cold at night. Let’s go inside.”

“It was… so beautiful,” Marican murmured as she followed him in, still lost in the memory.

Since they had eaten so much earlier, they settled for a light salad for dinner.

Afterward, Ruan prepared a warm bath.

“The water’s ready. Take your time and relax. If you need assistance, I can help you.”

Marican’s face flushed bright red.

“N-no, it’s fine. I can manage on my own.”

Ruan smiled at her shyness and kissed her cheek.

“Then take your time. I’ll leave a dress on the bed for you. Come out when you’re done—this place is even more beautiful at night.”

“Thank you.”

Ruan left, and Marican slipped into the warm bath.

It had been so long since she could bathe properly because of her injury. The warmth seeped into her body, melting the lingering pain.

As she washed, her gaze fell on the faint scar on her stomach, and thoughts of the former empress and Lucianne flickered through her mind.

I wonder if Her Majesty is all right…

She had wanted revenge once, but in the end, she’d merely been used by Lucianne.

Marican shook her head.

No more. They have nothing to do with me now.

When she finished bathing, she returned to the bedroom and saw the white dress laid out on the bed.

A white dress… at night?

Curious, she put it on and stepped into the living room.

All the windows were open, and the outside was filled with flowers—countless blossoms surrounding the villa.

When did all these appear? she wondered, stepping among them.

“Ruan?” she called softly.

Ruan appeared, walking toward her with a bouquet in hand.

“Ruan… what is all this?”

“I was thinking,” he said, stopping before her.

“Our first wedding was shadowed by my illness. The second, too, held little joy. So I thought… perhaps a third one was in order. Not grand like before—just you and me. Under these stars as our witnesses, and these flowers as our guests. Marican, will you marry me again?”

Her breath hitched, and tears welled in her eyes.

“Ruan… this is the most perfect proposal and wedding I could ever dream of. Of course I’ll marry you.”

Ruan drew a ring from his pocket and slipped it onto her finger.

“Marican, will you love me—in joy and in sorrow?”

“Yes. No matter what happens, I’ll never leave your side. And you, Ruan?”

He nodded, voice low but sure.

“I vow the same—to stay by your side through all things, and to love only you.”

Their words faded into a soft, lingering kiss.

After a long moment, Ruan pulled back, his eyes glinting playfully.

“Wait a moment, my lady.”

“Hm?”

“There’s something important I forgot to say.”

“What is it?”

He looked around solemnly, then declared,

“I hereby pronounce Ruan Canoluf and Marican Canoluf as husband and wife under the law. Now then, where were we?”

Before she could respond, Ruan swept her up in his arms and carried her inside, kissing her deeply.

As he laid her gently on the bed, his voice dropped to a whisper.

“From this moment on, you are my lawful wife. So tonight… I won’t hold back anymore.”

The villa filled with warmth, soft sighs, and the sound of love.

That night marked the beginning of their true marriage.

The days that followed were the happiest of Marican’s life.

They woke together each morning, prepared breakfast, and ate while watching the sea. After washing the dishes, they took long walks along the shore, fingers intertwined.

In the afternoons, they sat by the sunlit window, reading in each other’s arms, and shared quiet moments of affection.

Those four days in the seaside villa were like a dream—precious and peaceful for both of them.

Until, on the day they returned to the ducal residence…

Penelope appeared.

“Mar… it’s been a while,” she said, hurrying toward Marican as she stepped out of the carriage.

Ruan immediately stepped between them.

“I thought I told you never to show your face before me again.”

“P-please, Your Grace… just a moment. Let me speak to her—just once.”

“Her?” Ruan’s voice hardened. “A mere commoner dares to call the Duchess by name?”

Penelope faltered but turned pleadingly to Marican.

“Please, Your Grace. I beg you, grant me a moment of your time.”

Marican didn’t need to hear more—she already knew what Penelope wanted to say.

She had just come back from the most blissful days of her life. Maybe it was selfish, but she didn’t want that peace to be tainted by old wounds.

Looking at Penelope’s worn face, Marican said calmly,

“I’m sorry, madam. I have nothing to say to you.”

Then turning to Ruan, she added softly,

“I’m tired, Ruan. I’ll go in first.”

Without another glance back, Marican walked into the ducal mansion.