What’s Wrong With My Marriage? I Was Bought as a Wife, Yet My Husband Is Madly in Love With Me! - Chapter 18

“Madam, regarding the Master’s condition…”

“Yes?”

“It is food poisoning.”

“…Eh?”

A hollow, stunned sound escaped Luce’s lips.

(Wait, what did Deck just say? I thought I heard ‘food poisoning’…)

“It is food poisoning caused by overeating. He simply developed a stomachache and became unable to move.”

“…No way.”

“I assure you, it is no lie. If you like, you may ask his primary physician who will be arriving shortly. Furthermore, while the Master has a stomachache, he is otherwise in peak health. His doctor has even praised him, saying he possesses a life force so tenacious he wouldn’t die even if you tried to kill him.”

(…Is that a compliment?)

Dumbfounded, Luce turned to look at Klaus. Klaus was hiding his face with both hands, his ears glowing beet-red as he gave a tiny, mumble-whispered confirmation.

In other words, everything Deck said was true. “Only having a few months to live” was nothing more than a massive misunderstanding on Luce’s part.

Like a fire being lit, Luce’s entire body flushed hot with agonizing shame.

(No, no, no! How could I have… over a misunderstanding…! This is embarrassing, beyond embarrassing!!)

“I—I’m so, so sorry! Um, Klaus, I misunderstood everything, I’m truly sorry!!”

Caught in a situation where she felt like she wanted to crawl out of her own skin, Luce couldn’t stand it a moment longer and tried to bolt from the room. However, Deck moved to stop her.

“Please wait, Madam. This misunderstanding only arose because the Master insisted on being strangely secretive. The fault lies entirely with the Master, so please, do not let it trouble you.”

“…But…”

“Besides, the Master tries much too hard to put on a brave face for you. Since you are a married couple, he should show you his true self.”

Klaus shrank back at Deck’s pointed remark. Luce, however, tilted her head at the phrase “true self.” Just what exactly was he hiding?

“But I… I want Luce to think I’m a cool man…”

“Master, the moment you collapsed from a stomachache, that dream was over,” the butler replied.

Unlike his mild appearance, Deck continued to hurl scathing remarks at Klaus. Klaus simply took them, making it clear that this had likely been their dynamic for a long time.

“Madam, there is something I must tell you regarding the Master. Please, brace yourself.”

“E-eh? Oh, yes.”

Ignoring Klaus, who was shouting “No! Don’t listen!”, Deck continued.

“The Master’s stomach cannot tolerate expensive things.”

“…Excuse me?”

“To be precise, the Master’s stomach rejects high-quality meat, fish, and dishes prepared with an abundance of oil.”

Luce blinked repeatedly, unable to process what she was being told.

“I heard you dined at a restaurant in town today.”

When asked what they ate, Luce listed the menu items as best as she could remember. Deck shook his head with a grimace, informing her that every single item was impossible for the Master’s stomach to handle.

“Every single one?”

“Yes, everyone. Usually, the Master eats a menu that is the embodiment of frugality and simplicity. However, fearing that you would be bothered by that, he forced himself to eat the same rich food as you.”

On her first night there, the table had been filled with all of Luce’s favorite things. Looking back, Klaus had been watching her the whole time and barely touched the food. Even when they went to town, Klaus had only had a drink. At dinner, he would talk to her first and only eat slowly afterward.

“You were forcing yourself, Klaus? Were you really such a light eater?”

“No, it’s not exactly like that…”

“Madam, please be at ease. It is only that the Master cannot eat expensive things; in terms of volume, he eats roughly three times as much as the average adult male.”

Luce simply nodded for the time being at Deck’s words, though she wasn’t sure what part of that was supposed to put her “at ease.” Klaus remained face-down on the bed, letting out a groan.

“…Um, Klaus.”

“I just wanted to share a meal with you, Luce… but is it impossible now? It must be.”

(H-he’s incredibly dejected…!)

Feeling flustered, Luce spoke to him gently.

“Klaus, if you don’t mind it, I would still like to eat together.”

“…Even if we have different menus?”

“Yes, if you’re okay with it. You don’t mind if I’m the only one eating whatever I want?”

“I wouldn’t mind at all! Seeing you look so happy while you eat fills my heart with joy! If it means you’ll say the food is delicious, I’d be willing to scout royal chefs from across the globe!!”

“I-I see. But, the chefs at the House of Bart are very skilled, so staying as we are is best.”

She realized Klaus was exactly the type of person who would actually do it. Having grasped his eccentric tendencies, she knew if she didn’t stop him, there was a high probability the kitchen staff would be replaced by tonight.

“Klaus, I’m happy that you pushed yourself just to eat with me. Because I truly enjoyed eating while talking with you.”

The reason she had begun to think of meals as “fun” was because she was with Klaus.

Dinner at her parents’ house meant Luce staying silent while listening to her father and brother talk business, her sister’s bragging, and her mother and younger sister’s begging for gifts. Luce had nothing to say. It had been a time of pure suffering.

“Once your stomach is better, let’s eat together again. This time, with something your stomach can handle.”

At Luce’s words, Klaus’s voice trembled with emotion.

“How kind. Luce, are you the reincarnation of an angel?”

“You’re exaggerating, Klaus.”

“No, you are truly a kind-hearted soul. …Thank you, Luce.”

Klaus took Luce’s hand and squeezed it. Looking at his smiling face, Luce found herself momentarily entranced.

(The kind one is you.)

The two stared at each other for a while until Luce was startled by Deck clearing his throat. Coming to her senses, she let go of his hand and moved a short distance away. Blushing, she pressed her hands to her cheeks, wondering what on earth she was doing in front of an audience.

“…Don’t interfere, Deck,” Klaus said in a low, reproachful voice.

Deck, however, didn’t seem to care in the least. “While your health has not yet recovered, please refrain from anything… scandalous,” he declared.

(Scandals?)

As Luce wondered what that meant, Klaus told her gently not to worry about it. Deck simply shook his head and let out a long sigh.