Living a Scheming Marriage with a Mad Villain - Chapter 66

“Just go for a light walk. Don’t make it too long. And even if it’s summer, don’t stay too long in the garden with the sea view. It’s better to go to the glass greenhouse instead…”

Lying still, I listened to what Reus was saying.

‘Isn’t he basically saying he wants me to be a healthy pig?’

I was about to tell him that if he was going to nag like that, he might as well stick close and take care of everything for me. But I stopped myself just in time and kept my mouth shut.

Reus is the kind of person who really would do that if I said it…

‘He’s unexpectedly odd sometimes.’

Still, his calm, low voice flowed gently into my ears, and I started to feel sleepy. Maybe the medicine was kicking in, because I felt weak and my eyes kept closing.

“Reus…”

“Do you need anything?”

“No, I don’t need anything… but can I ask you one favor?”

“If it’s a simple favor, anything is fine.”

He probably thought I’d ask for something weird to repay his kindness again. I smiled a little at his steady attitude.

“When I get over this cold… would you have… a tea time with me just once more?”

“You don’t need to ask like that. Just say the word anytime.”

“But you’re always busy.”

“Let’s just say I’m pretending to be busy. Call me whenever you want.”

His ridiculous answer made me laugh again.

“Reus, you know…”

“Yes.”

“I’m a little… confused.”

“About what?”

All my life, I thought kindness was the best gift you could give to someone you like.

But after what happened with Cassien, I started to realize something.

Kindness can be faked at any time. It can be given even to people you don’t care about, just like handing out charity. It’s just one of many ways to show emotions.

So Reus’s kindness probably didn’t mean anything special or carry the affection I was hoping for.

Ah, now that I think about it, I did ask once before.

[“Why are you being so kind to me…?”

“You’re… my benefactor, aren’t you?”]

He didn’t say that knowing my feelings, but Reus had clearly drawn a line.

But when he’s this nice, I can’t help but get the wrong idea again.

To Reus, I’m just the woman who happened to save his life. So why am I confusing myself with meaningless hopes?

I should really stop mistaking simple kindness for something more and growing feelings on my own.

“I know it’s not true… but just, everything…”

I stopped mid-sentence, afraid Reus would notice my feelings.

If he noticed even a little, it felt like he’d tell me to leave the Grand Duke’s castle right away.

Even if I get my hopes up and end up disappointed, I didn’t want the fragile bond we’d built to fall apart in an instant.

So maybe just until I leave… just for a little while, leaning on Reus’s kindness might be okay.

As long as I don’t cross the line.

‘As long as I hide it well…’

With that slightly gloomy feeling, I fell into a deep sleep.

Lying on fresh, clean sheets after a bath finally made me feel a bit alive again.

‘I had such a high fever, but recovering in four days feels pretty fast.’

While I was sick, Reus hardly ever left the bedroom. He didn’t even do this much when I was on my period last month. I felt thankful but also a little sorry for the care he gave me.

Soon the door opened and the servants came in, quickly setting up my meal in the bedroom.

Even though porridge and medicine had been brought up constantly for days, I still wasn’t used to seeing servants come and go from the bedroom so often.

After finishing a light meal, I was about to get out of bed when Reus handed me something, as if he had been waiting for the moment. The strong, bitter smell I’d been sensing for days hit my nose, and I instinctively pulled back.

“Drink it.”

“But… what’s in this?”

I thought I should at least know what I was drinking, but Reus didn’t answer. His arm stayed firm, and I didn’t want to leave him standing there like that, so I took it carefully.

“Ugh—”

But the smell hit me harder and made me gag.

It looked and smelled like herbal medicine, but it was way more bitter and musty than anything I knew.

I looked at him, clearly pleading not to drink it today, but Reus just met my gaze firmly.

‘I’m already better, so why is he making me drink this?’

I squeezed my eyes shut and held my nose as I forced it down. When I finished, I shook my head from the mild nausea rising up.

Suddenly, a big piece of candy was popped into my mouth.

I didn’t even have time to be surprised. The mix of the medicine taste and candy flavor filled my mouth.

When the candy had half melted, I finally spoke.

“So what exactly was in that?”

“Are you feeling better now?”

Wow. Out of all the times he’s avoided the question, this was the most obvious dodge yet.

I couldn’t believe it, and I started to wonder what on earth was in that drink that he wouldn’t answer.

I wanted to press him for answers, but he clearly wasn’t going to tell me.

I decided I’d just ask Derwin later, and answered his question for now.

“I’m completely fine now.”

“I’m glad you recovered faster than I expected.”

“But Reus, you don’t need to send meals up to the room anymore. I’ll go down to the dining room for dinner.”

To be honest, I felt a little guilty getting such careful treatment just for a simple cold.

Sure, I was sick enough on the first day that I couldn’t move, so I understood then.

But maybe because of the strong medicine, I started getting better the very next day, and today I didn’t even feel like I’d had a cold at all.

I told him I could go back to my normal routine, but Reus didn’t seem to agree.

“It’s still best to be careful for a while.”

“No, really, I’m all better—”

“The doctor said your weight dropped a lot during those four days.”

He said “four days,” but somehow it sounded like he left out the word ‘just’ in front of it.

But isn’t that normal if you only eat porridge?

“And your face still hasn’t gotten its full color back. What if you push yourself too soon and get sick again?”

“I still think I can go about my day normally as long as I don’t catch a cold wind.”

“If you just want to read, I can bring books to you.”

Actually, I didn’t mind eating in the room if Reus was okay with it.

Thanks to the servants bringing small portions, I could eat just the right amount without overdoing it.

But what bothered me was how the cold messed up my plans to talk to him about something important.

“It’s not that. We said we’d have tea together when I got better.”

Come to think of it, I had a feeling Reus didn’t know about the hidden space in the attic.

He only learned about this ring from Shanette when we got married, and gave it to me right away, so he probably didn’t know about the secret it holds.

After a pause, Reus finally spoke.

“I’ll ask them to prepare the tea.”

“Really?”

I was ready to argue a little, but I didn’t expect him to agree so easily.

But the excitement didn’t last. I thought we’d have tea in the garden like usual, but instead, the tea and sweets were brought to the room, just like the meal earlier.

I stared at it, a bit disappointed, and Reus said,

“You said you wanted tea time.”

Yes, I did say that. But…

‘The tea time matters, but the place matters even more.’

It’s already been five months since I started living with Reus. So naturally, we’ve come to learn each other’s habits and preferences.

Like how he slightly raises his left eyebrow when he’s lying.

[“I don’t know what Loteo said, but there wasn’t a particular reason for the library closing. So don’t worry about it.”]

I didn’t notice it back then, but now I know that was his lying face.

‘And more than just habits, I know where he feels more relaxed…’

Even within the Grand Duke’s castle, there are places where Reus’s posture, tone, or even his gaze softens noticeably.

If nothing else, he always seemed to let his guard down in this bedroom.

So in the few places where Reus feels comfortable, I didn’t want to bring up anything that might upset him.

Thinking it might be my last chance, I asked once more.

“Can’t we go outside?”

“No.”

Here I was, trying my best because I cared, and he just said no so firmly…

I couldn’t help but pout. Then Reus spoke in a slightly gentler tone.

“Just until you’re fully better. It’s only a few more days.”

“Reus, I really am fine now…”

“I understand that you feel frustrated, but you had a high fever. The doctor said it’s best to be careful for a few more days.”

“That may be true… but I’m not as weak as you think…”

Just when I thought he was softening, I tried to steer the conversation toward going out again—but he immediately shut it down.

“Someone who’s not weak catches a cold in the summer?”

It seemed like this man had no intention of letting me leave this bedroom until he was convinced I was fully recovered.

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