I Was Meant to Be the Evil Wife, But the Cold Marquis Fell for Me - Chapter 34

The next time Liliana awoke, it was already past noon the following day. She was in her own bedroom, sunlight streaming outside.

Her body felt heavy as she rose from bed, a languid weariness lingering.

She rang the bedside bell, and soon Anne entered.

“Good morning, Madam. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine! Could I have some warm soup?”
“Yes, right away.”
“And Anne, how are you? You weren’t well yesterday.”
“Thank you for your concern. I’m fine now.”

Anne’s expression seemed oddly complicated, but before Liliana could ask, she left.

(It feels like I’ve forgotten something…)

Unable to recall, Liliana dressed and ate a light lunch. Then the butler arrived.

“What shall we do about today’s duties?”
“The master instructed that you should rest.”
“Thank you. Where is Lord Leivis? I’d like to speak with him.”

She wanted to explain what had happened the previous night. Though painful to recall, she needed to clear herself.

“The master was summoned to the castle to repair damage.”
“Repair…?”
“During last night’s festivities, part of the castle was destroyed.”
“Ah…”

She remembered the wall of the resting room had been shattered.

Her blood ran cold.

Destroying part of the royal castle was no small matter. How much time, cost, and effort would repairs demand?

“This is my fault…”
“The master said nothing of the sort.”

The butler’s voice was firm, yet tinged with respect and kindness.

“He offered no excuses, no explanations. He simply accepted the order to repair.”
“…He said nothing…?”
“Yes—ah, forgive me. I was told not to speak of this, but I slipped.”

His feigned clumsiness made Liliana smile faintly.

“It’s fine. I pressed for it.”

She could only guess his reason.

(He stayed silent to protect my honor…)

If he explained, it would reveal she had been alone with a strange man in that room. Perhaps even recorded. To shield her, he had borne the blame.

—She felt guilty.

“Liliana, may I come in?”

The door opened suddenly. Leivis entered, and Liliana gasped.

“Lord Leivis, w-welcome home.”

She managed the words. The butler slipped out, leaving them alone.

“Are you well enough to be up?”
“Yes.”
“…I’m sorry I couldn’t stay with you today.”
“No. You were repairing the castle wall, weren’t you?”

Leivis’s eyes widened slightly, faltering.

“Forgive me, I forced the truth out.”
“—But know this: it wasn’t your fault. And such damage is easily fixed.”
“By sorcery? You’ve already repaired it?”
“Exactly. It was nothing. I didn’t explain simply because I didn’t want to. You needn’t worry.”

He folded his arms, looking aside.

“But—if you can, tell me what happened.”

His voice was earnest, his face serious, faintly weary.

“Yes! Though I don’t have much to tell…”

Liliana breathed deeply, recalling the night.

“While watching the fireworks, I suddenly felt ill. I woke in that room then a strange man entered. He claimed I had invited him but I have no idea—”
“That’s enough. I understand.”
“……”
“If only the pillar wards repelled evil men… but then some couldn’t enter the castle.”

Was that a joke? It lightened her heart a little.

“When he tried to touch me, light burst out, and he was thrown back…”
“Good. The protective spell worked.”

Leivis’s expression eased, then hardened again.

“Because he had no magic, my deterrent failed. I should have made the ward stronger.”

She shivered at the thought of what “stronger” might mean.

“…One thing puzzles me…”
“Yes?”
“How did you know where I was?”
“We linked with a chain of magic, remember? That charm.”

—The “charm” he had spoken of.

“But even without it, I’d find you. I’ve memorized your magic completely. And you shine wherever you are. In any crowd, at any distance, I’d see you.”

—Dazzling.

He was the one who shone brighter. His presence was unmistakable anywhere.

“For now, that man has been banished from the capital. He won’t appear before you again.”
“Banished?!”
“He infiltrated the castle and tried to harm you. I couldn’t leave him.”

She was stunned. He must have acted immediately after bringing her home. His speed in resolving problems amazed her.

“Ah—what of Elina? Is she alright?”

She realized she hadn’t seen Elina since being led to the resting room.

Leivis smiled faintly.

“You’re kind.”

No! She had forgotten until now.

“She returned on foot this morning.”

Liliana was shocked. The distance wasn’t far, but in a dress and delicate shoes, it must have been difficult.

“She is confined to her room for now.”
“Confined…?”

The word was heavy.

Leivis’s smile was cold.

“She endangered you. It’s only right.”

—That was the judgment of the head of the house.