Apparently, I’m a Poisonous Woman Who Sells One-Night Dreams, but I Ended Up Awakening a Hero’s Devoted Love - Chapter 1.38

After seeing Warren off, Mariadoll shifted her gaze to Jerf.

“While you were asleep, my lord, the knights came to visit one after another. Some even told me with tears in their eyes how you had once saved their lives.”

“Is that so?”

Mariadoll placed her hand over Jerf’s.

“Seeing that, I thought you truly are different from your father. Please don’t blame yourself for wielding your sword to protect your subordinates. No terrible blood flows through your veins. After all, you’re so deeply admired. This ring here is proof of that.”

It wasn’t just Warren who had bowed his head and asked him to redraw the map after learning it had burned.

Many knights, feeling this was the only thing they could do for Jerf now, had volunteered to search for the Blood Ruby.

“Lord Warren made it sound simple, but apparently they had to take long detours around water-filled sections of the abandoned mines, and some collapsed passages were quite troublesome to navigate.”

Of course, they had taken safety precautions and enlisted the help of former miners still living in the town.

And so, the Blood Ruby now rested in Jerf’s hand.

“Were you by my side the whole time, Mariadoll?”

“I only did the same for you that you did for me during the three days I slept.”

“You have dark circles under your eyes, and your cheeks are dry.”

“Lord Jerf. Even if you think such things, you mustn’t say them directly to a woman.”

Mariadoll put her hands to her cheeks and pouted.

She seemed to realize only now how close they were and made to move slightly away from Jerf.

“Mariadoll.”

At the serious tone in his voice, she looked up at him, and he wrapped an arm around her waist as if to say he wouldn’t let her go.

“Give me your hand.”

Bewildered, she extended her finger, which bore the engagement ring Jerf had given her.

Jerf removed it and, in its place, slipped on the Blood Ruby ring.

“Um, that’s… the ring that has been passed down through the Stanley ducal family for generations, isn’t it? While I am indeed your fiancée, that is ultimately a contract. Borrowing this ring is… quite a heavy responsibility.”

“Mariadoll. I’m sorry to do this in this position, but would you allow me to start over?”

As Mariadoll tilted her head in confusion, Jerf gently stroked her hair.

“Baroness Mariadoll Zealand, would you become my fiancée?”

“…I already am, though?”

She blinked her light blue eyes, wondering why he was bringing this up now, only to find Jerf’s red eyes staring intently back at her.

Somehow, she felt like she was being scrutinized.

That meaningful, yet passionate gaze seemed to be enjoying the moment when the slow-to-catch-on Mariadoll would finally grasp the meaning of his words.

The light blue eyes reflected in those red ones widened with a start. Her neck, cheeks, and the area around her eyes flushed red in turn, until finally, steam seemed about to puff from her head.

“Um… that is, could it be…?”

“You’re the one who told me that even someone like me could have a family.”

“Yes, and I said you could love someone, too.”

“Right, that’s why. My beloved Mariadoll. I want to hold you. Will you allow me?”

A tear trickled down, surprising Mariadoll herself.

Why was she crying?

Was it because he had said he loved her, even though she was rumored to be a venomous woman?

Was it because Jerf, who had closed off his heart vowing not to love anyone, had spoken of love?

(No. It’s because I’m happy that the person I love feels the same way.)

Mariadoll gently leaned her body against Jerf.

The arms that caught her were sturdy and strong.

“I love you too, Lord Jerf. May I stay by your side forever?”

“Of course. Let’s live our lives together. You can continue your work as a dream-maker, too. I’ll protect you from any ill repute.”

The hand that had been holding Mariadoll touched her cheek.

Prompted, she looked up to find Jerf’s face, smiling softly, right there.

When she gently closed her eyes, a soft, warm kiss descended upon her.

As their lips met more deeply, sharing each other’s warmth, their bodies slowly sank onto the bed.

—

“My, my, sleeping soundly, are we?”

The doctor, who arrived exactly thirty minutes later, gave a wry smile at the sight of the two sleeping peacefully side by side in bed.

Seeing their good complexion, he decided to leave them as they were, rearranged the covers, and quietly left the room—news that spread through the knight order that very day via Warren.