Living a Scheming Marriage with a Mad Villain - Chapter 37

Unlike his usual self, Reus failed to keep his expression in check and paused for a moment. Then, as if he finally found a suitable response, he slowly opened his mouth and said,

 

“I’ll ask the physician to prepare some medicine.”

 

“No, no…! I already took some.”

 

Loelle quickly pointed to the medicine bags on the bedside table. There were three empty packets visible.

 

“Medicine usually doesn’t work well for me… If I sleep deeply for a couple of days, I’ll be fine. So you don’t need to worry. Really.”

 

Reus suddenly felt a deep wave of frustration.

 

Even if she were to get better right away, he wouldn’t feel at ease—and now she was saying she might need to be in pain for another day?

 

And saying there’s no need to worry?

 

He himself used to say those words all the time, yet hearing them from her somehow made him even more dissatisfied.

 

Still, she didn’t seem to be lying this time.

 

‘If the medicine doesn’t work, I can just use my power.’

 

The power Reus referred to was the healing ability passed down to the head of the Rochester family.

 

The problem was that his current healing power was both incomplete and unstable.

 

Its incompleteness came from a certain incident that had struck the Rochester family. Its instability came from the way the faint healing power was forcefully healing Reus’s own injuries.

 

Normally, this healing power couldn’t be used on oneself. But in exceptional cases—when one’s life was in danger or when gravely injured—it could activate to protect its vessel and heal the body.

 

Reus had suffered serious injuries not long ago during a monster extermination expedition. That had triggered his body’s self-healing response.

 

Because of that, it was best not to disperse the healing power for the sake of his own recovery.

 

If he used the power on someone else even once in this state, the healing energy would become so faint he wouldn’t even be able to feel it for several days.

 

That would obviously delay the healing of his wounds even more—but Reus didn’t care about that at all.

 

His only concern was whether Loelle might not receive the full healing effect because of the power being weakened.

 

“Exactly where does it hurt?”

 

Loelle looked at him with a slight hint of caution in her eyes.

 

Why is he acting like this again?

 

She didn’t realize Reus could read her emotions clearly just from her gaze. Still, she answered honestly.

 

“Everything else is fine, but I have a bit of a bad stomachache…”

 

After a brief moment of thought, Reus asked cautiously so as not to scare her.

 

“May I examine you directly?”

 

Loelle’s startled eyes trembled a little.

 

A stomachache?

 

‘So… he wants to see my stomach?’

 

Reus’s healing power required physical contact. That was why he had cupped her swollen cheek in the carriage and healed it with his hand.

 

She was startled at first, but then remembered that moment in the carriage when they were coming to the Rochester ducal estate.

 

‘He meant he’d heal me directly…’

 

Loelle wasn’t used to this kind of kindness, but she slowly nodded.

 

Once she gave permission, Reus placed his large hand over her abdomen. Her frame was so slender and thin that his hand almost covered her whole stomach.

 

‘No wonder she eats like a bird.’

 

Though her frail body displeased him, he gently moved his hand.

 

As his large hand lightly rubbed over her flat stomach, Loel—already tense—stiffened even more under the unfamiliar touch.

 

Reus could clearly feel her tension through his palm. But he didn’t mind. He slowly, gently stroked her stomach, softly enough to make it a little ticklish.

 

Soon, healing power began to flow into her abdomen. As warmth spread, her body naturally began to relax.

 

The pain gradually faded, and as the heat seeped into her belly, Loelle’s eyelids started to grow heavy.

 

She was sick and sleepy. Normally, a person in that state would just fall asleep, but for some reason, she was desperately trying to stay awake.

 

Knowing she was resisting sleep for his sake, Reus moved his other hand to gently close her tired eyes.

 

“It’s best if you sleep now.”

 

Then, though it wasn’t healing power, he sent a calming energy into her body.

 

Her eyelashes fluttered a few more times under his hand and then stilled, and her soft breathing brushed against his palm.

 

Even after Loelle fell into a deep sleep, Reus stayed by her side for a long time.

 

‘I don’t feel any pain.’

 

Loelle lay still, staring blankly at the ceiling.

 

Normally, she’d be curled up in pain, unable to get out of bed for a while. But now, not only was there no pain, her body felt so light it was almost strange.

 

Then, memories of what happened with Reus yesterday afternoon came flooding back.

 

Even thinking about it now, the whole scene felt unreal.

 

Reus…

 

‘Is he kind to sick people?’

 

If not, she had no way to explain the sudden change in his behavior.

 

‘He didn’t even want to talk to me before I got sick.’

 

Just thinking about yesterday morning confirmed that. He had worn a displeased expression the entire meal.

 

He really must be the type who’s weak toward the sick.

 

She appreciated his care, but…

 

‘He really hates it when others worry about his health, though.’

 

With mixed feelings, she went to the bathroom. When she came back to the bedroom, Reus was sitting on her bed.

 

‘Why is he here again…?’

 

It was during working hours, yet Reus was in the bedroom.

 

She didn’t know the reason, but cautiously walked toward the bed where he sat. Even after she sat down, he said nothing.

 

Just as she started wondering more about his visit, a thought crossed her mind.

 

‘Anyway… I should thank him for yesterday.’

 

But as soon as she recalled the scene, her face began to feel hot. Unable to meet his gaze, she stared awkwardly at his legs.

 

“Um… Thank you, Your Grace. Thanks to you, I’m feeling much better…”

 

While she was speaking, Reus suddenly cupped her chin and cheek, lifting her face. She had no choice but to look him in the eyes.

 

Startled, she quickly looked away, but he calmly stared at her face.

 

Then, his hand moved from her cheek to her forehead.

 

From her forehead to her cheek, then down to the nape of her neck—he checked each area with the back of his hand and wrist, gauging her temperature. Then he muttered softly,

 

“You still feel warm.”

 

“No…! I’m really fine now…”

 

“If something feels wrong, don’t try to hide it. Tell me now.”

 

“I really am fine… Really.”

 

Seeing that Reus was still suspicious, she explained her condition and how she felt in detail. Only then did his hesitant yet gentle touch fall away. But even though his hand was gone, the heat on her face only seemed to intensify.

 

Since that day, Reus hadn’t acted cold toward her.

 

He didn’t treat her as kindly as he did when she was sick, but this change alone was significant for Loelle.

 

‘Even now…’

 

At Reus’s direct order to buy healthy herbs and magical items, deliveries kept arriving at her door.

 

“This one is a well-known herbal remedy from the Eastern Continent, commonly used during menstruation. This one keeps your stomach warm, and this one is excellent for restoring energy…”

 

Loelle listened absentmindedly as Beryl, the head maid, explained each item and found herself wondering—

 

‘Does he still think I’m sick?’

 

Now that she thought about it, even the lunch menu today had been a little different.

 

Normally, meals included flour-based foods and always some meat, but today everything looked easy to digest and included things she especially liked.

 

‘He’s been considerate ever since that day.’

 

This rare kindness from Reus made her think that maybe… it wouldn’t be so bad to stay “sick” a little longer—

 

‘No, no…! That’s not fair to someone who’s genuinely worried. Stop thinking like that.’

 

The thought passed quickly.

 

After Beryl finished explaining the last magical item, she guided Loelle to Reus’s office.

 

‘Today, I need to properly thank him.’

 

She took a deep breath to prepare herself, about to knock, when—

 

Before she could, Reus’s voice called out from inside, telling her to come in. Almost at the same time, the door opened.

 

She had a feeling his voice was getting closer, but she didn’t expect him to be standing right by the door.

 

Startled, she instinctively took a big step back—and lost her balance.

 

“Ah…”

 

But before she could fall, Reus caught her and effortlessly helped her stand.

 

“Thank you…”

 

But for some reason, Reus’s expression, which had looked fine a moment ago, twisted slightly.

 

He wasn’t usually like this. Why was his mood swinging so much lately?

 

‘Ah… Is it because I’m all better now?’

 

Feeling uneasy, she walked into the office and cautiously sat down. Only then did Reus sit across from her.

 

“Are you feeling better now?”

 

“Yes, thanks to you. I’m sure it was a hassle, but thank you for caring about even the little things.”

 

It was a sincere expression of gratitude for the treatment, the herbs, magical tools, and his thoughtfulness—but it seemed he wasn’t satisfied.

 

Reus’s brow furrowed even more.

 

Had she misunderstood again?

 

Maybe, as Derwin said, the tension from the battlefield hadn’t left him yet.

 

But then Reus spoke.

 

“It wasn’t a hassle.”

 

“Sorry?”

 

“It wasn’t a hassle. So there’s no need to be so self-conscious.”