I Was Meant to Be the Evil Wife, But the Cold Marquis Fell for Me - Chapter 33

Even as the glow faded, even in the darkness—

Through the shattered wall stepped a figure wreathed in golden fire, his eyes blazing brilliantly.

—The sun.
A scorching king who burned all in his path.

“You intended to touch my wife, didn’t you…?”

Leivis’s voice thundered, his body cloaked in raging magic, his gaze merciless.

“I—I’m not at fault! She bought me with money. She sent people, invited me before—”
“Silence.”

His teeth ground audibly. His fury threatened to explode. The man collapsed to the floor in terror.

“Begone. Right now, I want nothing more than to erase you.”
“Eek—!”

The man screamed, crawling away. Leivis’s eyes followed, cold as frozen flame.

“Tell no one of this. If I hear a whisper of rumor, I will hunt you down.”

The man fled in panic.

Leivis turned to Liliana.

“……”

She breathed shallowly.

—This situation. It could easily be mistaken for infidelity.

“…N-no…”

Her faint voice faltered, words caught in her throat. She wanted to cry out that nothing had happened, that she hadn’t invited anyone but no sound came.

Would he believe her? Alone with another man while her husband was away, with no memory to explain?

“I know.”

Leivis’s voice was calm.

“It’s alright. I know. Rest easy.”

He repeated slowly, as if steadying himself. Yet the flames around him still raged, threatening to consume even him.

“Lord Leivis…”

Her voice broke, tears spilling uncontrollably.

Leivis gasped softly, then staggered toward her.

“Forgive me. I’ll touch you—”
“Ah…”

His arms wrapped around her.

—Hot.

His magic burned, his voice trembled with pain. Liliana’s chest tightened.

(Leivis…)

She absorbed the scorching heat, returned it gently.

—If he was the sun, she would be the sea.
To receive his fire, to soothe him.
To be his place of rest.

Gradually, his heat subsided. He exhaled deeply, releasing her.

“…It’s alright, Liliana. Let’s go home.”

He lifted her into his arms. At once, she felt safe and her heart pounded fiercely.

“Lord Leivis…”
“…What is it?”
“S-something’s wrong… my body… it’s burning…”

The smoldering heat within her flared stronger under his touch.

Her body craved him. Her arms wrapped around his neck, clinging tightly.

“—!”

Leivis stiffened, breath caught.

“…It’s alright! It’s only temporary…”

He set her down briefly, removed his coat, wrapped her in it. Then he lifted her again, striding toward the broken wall. Cold night air rushed in.

He stepped forward then leapt into the sky. Liliana gasped as her body floated, her heart racing.

—They were flying.
The wind caressed her cheeks.

His arms held her firmly, unyielding, never letting go.

He adjusted gracefully, landing softly without impact.

They were in a moonlit garden, empty but with people beginning to gather. Still holding her, he walked steadily toward their carriage.

At the Elsdean carriage, he laid her on the seat, sat beside her, and clasped her hand.

“Take us home. Liliana, endure a little longer. We’ll arrive soon.”

The carriage moved.

She clung to his hand desperately.

The heat inside her refused to fade. It grew, threatening to consume her.

She knew this sensation—it was like when she received his magic.

“Lord Leivis… help me…”
“…Liliana…”

His fingers intertwined firmly. He closed his eyes, and his magic flowed into her.

This time, it was gentler—his familiar warmth.

The heat she longed for swirled within, entwining naturally.

Liliana surrendered, closing her eyes.

Her body responded, seeking more warmth, moving faintly. His magic filled her ceaselessly, making her heart race yet soothing her.

—It’s alright.
—Trust him. Accept everything.

In the swaying carriage, Liliana clung to him feverishly.

“Liliana…”

His voice was tender, his scent stronger. She closed her eyes, nodding, surrendering.

“Ah…”

At that moment, she felt utterly fulfilled, shivering.

Her inner fire slowly calmed, though it still smoldered like embers.

She breathed deeply, tightened her grip, and entrusted herself further to him.