I Was Meant to Be the Evil Wife, But the Cold Marquis Fell for Me - Chapter 28

Liliana was troubled.

In her room, she tried to read the book she had borrowed from the library, but the words refused to sink in. She knew the content was difficult, not something she could grasp quickly but still…

—She could only think of Leivis.

Whenever her mind wandered, his image returned unbidden.

It was a problem. A serious problem.

(Perhaps if I avoided seeing him as much as possible…)

But she didn’t want that. She no longer wished to run away from him.

(Then I’ll turn the idea around!)

After dinner, Leivis told her he had something to discuss. She followed him to the sitting room, where the servants were dismissed, leaving them alone.

“How is your reading going?”

He asked casually as he sat down.

“I-I’m doing my best.”
“Don’t force yourself. If you grow to hate it, that defeats the purpose. If anything confuses you, ask me anytime.”
“Yes.”

Liliana watched him settle into a large chair. It looked wide enough for two, though perhaps a little cramped.

“—Lord Leivis, may I sit beside you?”

Her bold request made him freeze, staring up at her.

“Well… since you’ve been teaching me nightly, I feel I can sense your magic even without touching you.”

She tried to explain.

“I see. That’s good progress.”
“Thank you. And, your magic feels strong yet calm, stable… When I’m near you, it’s like being enveloped, and I feel at peace.”

Her voice faltered with embarrassment, but she forced herself to continue.

“…And yet, my heart races. I’d like to grow accustomed to it, to calm myself. So, may I sit beside you?”
“…I understand.”

After a pause, he nodded thoughtfully.

“Yes! Trying different things is good. Come.”

He opened the space beside him, and Liliana sat down.

(Th-this is…!)

It wasn’t the first time she had sat close to him. At night, they were even more intimate.

But here, with their knees and shoulders brushing, his warmth pressed against her. Her heartbeat thundered, loud enough he might hear.

“Do you think you’ll get used to it?”
“I-I don’t know.”

Her honesty made him smile.

“Nor do I. But I want to treasure this happiness always.”
“I do too… Lord Leivis, may I ask a simple question?”
“Of course.”
“…What’s the difference between magic and sorcery?”

She had heard of ancient magic and modern sorcery, but the distinction was unclear.

His eyes lit up.

“Sorcery is mystery built with precise theory and elegant structure. Magic is cruder, vast—miracles themselves.”

His golden eyes sparkled as he spoke with delight.

“If sorcery is a finely honed knife, magic is a meteor—a destroyer from the sky, wielded roughly.”

Knife and meteor. Clearly, the knife was more practical.

“And sorcery was born from analyzing magic. Ancient magic gave rise to modern sorcery. With theory and formulas, it seems anything is possible but magic’s depths remain unfathomable.”

He nodded, enjoying himself.

“I love sorcery. But when I want to obliterate everything, I turn to magic. Combining them is the most thrilling.”

—Dangerous. She knew that.

Yet his animated expression struck her as endearing.

“Thank you, I understand better now. …So, what did you wish to discuss?”

She cut in before he could wax on endlessly.

“Ah…”

His face grew serious.

“There will be a ball at the royal castle.”

—A ball.

The grandest of social events, especially at the castle.

“I’d rather not show you to other men but it’s the Queen’s birthday celebration.”
“As husband and wife, we must attend.”

Liliana straightened.

It would be her first true outing as marchioness.

“I’ll be fine. I’ve learned etiquette and dance. I’ll behave properly.”
“…That’s not what worries me.”

He looked away. Liliana realized he feared her magic’s effect.

“…Am I still not controlling it well?”
“No, you’ve improved greatly. You’re far more stable.”

His reassurance eased her. But then he smiled mischievously.

“Still, to be safe, I’ll let my magic be felt from you. That way, no man will approach.”
“You can do that?”
“Easily. With your cooperation. Will you allow it?”

She hesitated. It would be like declaring to all that she belonged to him.

(Which is true… but…)

“Um… is my magic really so dangerous?”
“Yes.”

He said it firmly.

“You’re already as delicate as a flower, as enchanting as a moon fairy and with your magic added, I’m unsettled every day.”

Liliana blinked. Had he just… complimented her appearance?

She looked up. He gazed at her silently, eyes speaking volumes.

“…Could it be…?”

She dared not finish the thought. He smiled faintly.

“I-I’m sorry…”

He soothed her.

“It’s not your fault. Likely your bloodline… but forget it.”

She recalled her mother’s family—renowned for high magic, many women married into royalty. Perhaps this was why.

But she shook her head, frightened of the thought.

“No one is to blame. And don’t worry your magic hardly affects me. But other men… that’s different.”

She relaxed. Yet unease lingered.

“Though ours is an unusual marriage, I want to protect you. To be your safe place.”
“Lord Leivis…”
“You make me feel this way. So, trust me.”
“Yes…”

His kindness brought tears.

“For now, don’t dance with other men.”
“Yes…”
“Don’t smile at them either.”
“…Eh?”
“Don’t follow them. Don’t even meet their eyes.”
“That would be terribly rude…”

He grimaced.

“Then perhaps you shouldn’t attend—”
“I want to. I want to meet the Queen and others.”
“…Very well. But obey my conditions.”
“Yes.”
“And accept my magic.”

She already knew what that meant. Her body warmed with anticipation.

“…Yes.”

He stood, offered his hand.

“Let’s go to the bedroom. It works best if I imbue it over time.”
“Ah—before that, may I ask… Do you prefer sleeping alone?”
“…Hm?”
“You always turn your back when we sleep. Am I in the way?”

He always faced away. She wondered if he disliked her presence.

“—Never. I’m glad you sleep beside me.”

He said it clearly. Then muttered awkwardly:

“…It’s a restraint to avoid hurting you but honestly…”

Silence fell.

“…It’s lonely.”
“—!”

His eyes widened, breath caught. Silence stretched.

Only the warmth of their joined hands remained.

“…Alright. If you don’t mind, I’ll sleep normally from now on.”

His face was grave, as if making a heavy vow.

“Thank you.”

She nodded happily, and together they went to the bedroom.

That night, he poured magic into her until she cried “No more, I can’t,” and collapsed into sleep.

Waking in the night, she saw his sleeping face, felt joy. He looked younger, almost boyish. She smiled.

She realized their hands were still joined. Affection overflowed.

Then she noticed faint magical markings on his hand.

(…Is this from giving me so much magic…?)

It looked like chains of magic, layered, binding. Some fresher, some older.

He was skilled in sorcery. He must have placed many spells, on himself, on the house.

Feeling his warmth, she closed her eyes again.