What’s Wrong With My Marriage? I Was Bought as a Wife, Yet My Husband Is Madly in Love With Me! - Chapter 28

After hearing Klaus’s story, Luce remained silent.

Because Klaus was that person from her memories.

Since that very moment, he had never forgotten someone like her.

No, not “someone like her.” He hadn’t forgotten her.

Luce felt as though her entire body was boiling with heat.

She knew she had to say something, but the words were stuck in her throat.

Her current emotions were beyond description.

“…I’m sorry that I’m not a ‘real’ noble.”

(Why is Klaus apologizing? He hasn’t done a single thing that requires an apology.)

“A man born in the slums… you might find that repulsive.”

(No, that’s not it. No. Please, I beg you. Don’t degrade yourself like that.)

“I don’t… I don’t find it repulsive! You compared to someone like me…”

Luce started to speak, but then it hit her.

The things she felt about herself in relation to Klaus were exactly the same things Klaus always said to her.

(It’s so frustrating. It’s not getting through. You aren’t that kind of person. To me, you are the most important person…)

“…I’m sorry, Klaus. I’ve been doing something terrible to you all this time, haven’t I?”

“Luce?”

“I could never accept your words honestly. I was so consumed by self-loathing, convinced that I had no value…”

What Luce had been doing was no different from what her mother and sister did.

The act of tossing unwanted clothes and jewelry they didn’t care about into Luce’s closet.

Luce had said your words made her happy, yet she never truly took them to heart.

She had simply shoved them deep into a closet and never looked at them.

“It’s thanks to you. Because you gave me those Lisianthus flowers, they became my favorite. You were the only one who ever treated me with care.”

She didn’t know if this was “love” yet.

But Luce was certain that she had liked Klaus ever since that day.

“Klaus, even if you aren’t a noble… I love you.”

“Thank you,” Klaus said.

“I love you because you are you, Luce.”

He took her hand and thanked her again. And so, Luce said “thank you” to Klaus in return.

Their gazes locked. As his hand reached for her cheek, Klaus’s lips descended upon hers.

They had kissed before, but this time felt even hotter, even sweeter. Feeling as though she might faint, Luce clung to Klaus instinctively.

“…Ah.”

By the time she let out a small breath, Luce was already gathered into Klaus’s arms.

While held in those arms, Luce didn’t think about her family, nor did she sink into self-loathing. She was simply fulfilled.

For the first time in her life, she felt truly safe.

Waking to a faint rustle, Luce saw Klaus sitting up beside her.

Scattered across the duvet were numerous documents. Still half-asleep, Luce spoke to him.

“I’m sorry, did I wake you?”

“…Is it time for work already?”

“No, I was just thinking of dedicating my fortune to you. I’m in the middle of changing the titles into your name.”

“Klaus, your fortune belongs to you.”

“But… but Luce…”

“It’s still the middle of the night, Klaus. Let’s rest properly today and talk about those things after we wake up. Okay?”

She tugged at the sleeve of his nightgown. Klaus gathered the papers he had spread across the bed and set them on the side table. Then, lying down next to her, he lowered his eyes.

“I’m anxious.”

“Why?”

“I’m so happy that you said you loved me. But what if the sun rises and you change your mind? No matter how I dress it up, I am a man of the slums. I am no match for a noble lady.”

(That’s impossible.)

If anyone was “no match,” it was Luce.

She had nothing to be proud of. Just as she was about to think “someone like me” again, Luce trembled with the sheer silliness of it all.

“Hey, Klaus. Maybe we’re actually quite similar.”

“Luce?”

“Because both of us can’t stop thinking ‘someone like me.’ I wonder why. It seems we both don’t know how to treasure ourselves.”

For Luce, it was likely because she had been looked down upon by her family for so long.

For Klaus, it was the guilt over his mother’s death.

“If you treasure me, and I treasure you… then maybe that will make things just right.”

Perhaps because he had been working in the middle of the night, Klaus’s hands were quite cold.

She pulled herself closer to warm him, and being the dead of night, sleep quickly claimed her again. Klaus looked as if he still wanted to say something, but Luce decided they would talk once they woke.

“…Come to think of it, Klaus, you have a mysterious scent.”

“Eh? Like the smell of the slums or something…?”

“No… it’s sweet, and a little sharp… like an exotic, far-off land.”

“I like it,” Luce whispered, before falling back into a deep sleep.

“…WHA—!?”

Klaus was left behind, face burning red and now wide awake.