Chapter 42 – My Husband’s Unrequited Love
“If it’s not that, then there’s no other explanation.”
After Lian died, Mother said it was simply because the flower had fully bloomed, so it was time for the petals to fall.
But even so, nothing was certain.
No matter how long we studied the crest, we hadn’t discovered anything concrete.
“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear—there’s no cure for my illness.”
I continued speaking with my back still turned to him.
I felt… nothing.
Sadly, because I knew I was going to die in the near future.
And I knew well enough that what I could change wasn’t my death, but how I lived until that moment.
He fell silent, seemingly deep in thought. It was understandable. Since arriving here, I’d collapsed frequently and wandered outside without notice. He might already regret marrying me.
Just then, he gently pulled the blanket up to my neck. I glanced at him as he leaned over and blew out the candle. With the last candle extinguished, his face was cast in darkness.
Then suddenly, he began to speak.
“Once upon a time, there was a boy who lived in a village deep in the forest.”
“Hertian?”
“Didn’t you say you were curious about the book?”
Ah. So this was about the book.
It seemed he was trying to lighten the heavy mood. I didn’t want to talk about my illness anymore either.
“Go ahead.”
“A witch came to visit the kind-hearted boy and placed a wicked curse on him, turning him into a monster. The villagers called him a monster, threw stones, and cursed him. The boy couldn’t meet anyone or leave his house.”
“A classic fairytale.”
It had been a while since I’d heard one.
“Do you know what happens?”
“I don’t know this story, but I can guess how it ends.”
“Then do you know how the boy broke the curse?”
“Let me guess—he meets the woman he loves, realizes true love, and breaks the curse with a passionate kiss?”
That’s how these stories usually go.
“I can’t help but wonder if your illness is a curse as well. Since there’s no cure.”
So that’s why he was reading the story.
Because he thought my illness might be a curse.
“I agree. It might as well be a curse.”
Even if I ate poison, I wouldn’t die. If that’s not a curse, what is?
“In that case, shouldn’t you try to break it the same way?”
He said softly.
For a moment, my brain stopped processing.
The same way?
I sat up immediately. My eyes, now used to the darkness, could vaguely make out his face.
“You mean… meet someone I love?”
He gave a small nod.
“But that’s just a fairytale.”
“But still… it wouldn’t hurt to try. What’s the harm?”
It really was a ridiculous idea—but oddly persuasive.
Suddenly, it hit me again: this world was a novel. Things that didn’t happen in real life happened here. Magic existed.
Just like he said—what did I have to lose?
I was probably going to die soon anyway. It would be a waste to live the rest of my life doing nothing. I couldn’t do anything in my last life because of illness—this time, I didn’t want to die with regrets.
I’d already married Hertian, and I was on good terms with the original female lead, Violette, so things were relatively stable now, weren’t they?
Some of that bitterness inside me began to fade.
I fumbled in the dark until I found Hertian’s hand.
“You’re right. If I died without even trying, I wouldn’t be able to rest easy.”
In the darkness, I could faintly see him smiling.
“If you fall in love, you’ll be much happier.”
He spoke like someone who’d experienced love before.
Hearing that reminded me of what Riri had said.
“So Hertian had a secret crush on someone.”
An unfulfilled love.
Since it was his private matter, I decided to act like I didn’t know.
“You’ve never been in a relationship, right? If you open your heart and try, you’ll see things differently.”
“How did you know I’ve never dated?”
Is it that obvious I’ve always been single?
“They say it takes one to know one.”
“You’re not wrong.”
I let out a quiet laugh.
“Whether it’s love or something else, I’ll give it a shot!”
“Just… don’t look too far…”
“Then who should I start with? Should I look among the knights?”
“Wait, ma’am…”
“Let’s look together, Hertian. If you know any good men, introduce them to me.”
I kept talking, deliberately ignoring him. For some reason, I felt a little resentful toward him.
Yeah. It’s not fair if Hertian has someone but I don’t.
Time to find someone for myself, too.
✦
Hertian once again tasted the bitterness of unrequited love as he watched Annette fall asleep.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have brought up that fairytale.”
Contrary to his intention, it seemed Annette was actually going to go look for another man, which worried him.
He sighed and rubbed his face dry, then let out a bitter laugh.
How long had it been since he’d lived in such constant anxiety?
Even during his first battle, he hadn’t felt this uneasy.
“By the way… it’s changed a lot.”
Hertian gently adjusted Annette’s disheveled robe. He was surprised to see the belladonna crest again after so long—and to see it had changed.
Just like she’d said, there was no way to explain the symptoms without the crest.
“Could it really be connected to the crest?”
He recalled a new hypothesis he’d been considering. What if the crest—engraved only on members of the Leangberia family—was related to possession?
If so, maybe there was still a way to save her.
✦
Repairs on the duke’s estate were proceeding smoothly.
Thanks to that, the whole place felt livelier.
Servants and knights alike worked together joyfully, despite working day and night.
Among them stood Riri with a sour expression and a large travel bag beside her.
“Where are you going?”
“You think I’m running away? Wouldn’t that be convenient for you?”
Things with Riri hadn’t improved. I didn’t say anything because if Hertian intervened, it might become irreversible—but still, our relationship hadn’t gotten any better.
“That’s not what I meant. I just want to know where you’re going.”
Riri shot me a glare before replying.
“I’m going to my aunt’s in the capital. While I’m there, I’ll stop by Lady Violette’s too.”
“Alright. Travel safely.”
I already knew she sometimes went to the capital, so I gave my permission without hesitation. Maybe being stuck here at her age was making her irritable.
“Tell Hertian for me, okay? I’ll be back within a month.”
She didn’t seem to expect permission so easily, and her voice softened. I helped straighten her clothes and told her I would.
I watched as Riri’s carriage disappeared down the path.
And four days later—
A rider came galloping urgently down the same road.
“A knight?”
Upon closer inspection, I saw the green emblem of the Imperial Knights over the white uniform.
Why would an imperial knight be here?
Serdis had only recently left the estate. I had no way of knowing what he’d done this time. For now, I went into the mansion and asked the butler to report to Hertian.
Then I turned to face the knight now pulling their reins in front of the estate. My face tensed slightly in nervous anticipation.
“I greet Your Grace.”
The knight at the front dismounted and bowed to me. Though she had short hair and a thin waist, I could immediately tell she was a woman. The knight who accompanied her also bowed.
“What brings knights of the Imperial Palace all the way to the North?”
Startled by my wary tone, the female knight looked flustered.
“We’re not here for any specific business, so please don’t be alarmed.”
“Then why visit without even making an appointment?”
“That’s…”
Before she could finish her sentence, her eyes moved past me—to someone behind.
“Eleanor?”
“Heri!”
At Hertian’s voice, the woman’s face lit up. She ran over to him with a delighted smile. She moved lightly, just as one would expect from a knight.
“What brings you all the way out here?”
“I missed your wedding. I figured I should at least show my face.”
They seemed to know each other. Judging by the way they spoke so casually, they must have been close.
I quietly watched the two of them. Hertian soon turned toward me.
“Allow me to introduce her. She’s a comrade I fought alongside in the war.”
She extended a hand for a handshake.
“I’m Eleanor Crea, Deputy Commander of the 2nd Imperial Knights. ‘Comrade’ sounds a bit dry—we’ve been close since before Hertian became a duke. We trained together under Calix.”
Calix, the former Grand Duke, was one of the Empire’s most renowned knights. I’d heard many people trained under him. It turns out Eleanor was one of them.
She was admitted to the Imperial Knights despite her family’s opposition due to her skill, and afterward, she and Hertian only exchanged occasional letters.
Now their relationship made sense. I even felt a bit relieved.
It was nice to know Hertian hadn’t always lived such a lonely life.
I immediately let my guard down and shook her hand.
“I’m Annette. Thank you for coming all the way up North.”
She smiled brightly, dimples forming under her lips.
“I didn’t realize Hertian had such a beautiful bride. You’re one lucky guy.”
Her casual tone made Hertian smirk.
“Luckiest I’ve ever been.”
“No kidding. I thought all you knew was war. When did you even meet Your Grace? They say quiet cats steal the fish first—it’s true, huh?”
“I wasn’t exactly quiet.”
“Are you really the Hertian I know?”
Hertian boldly wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I was just as surprised—this was the first time I’d seen him so unguarded.
I glanced between the two of them.
And suddenly, it hit me.
