I Became the Only Cure for My Dying Husband - Chapter 19

Chapter 10.1

“I can.”

“Is that so?”

Lucion clamped his mouth shut as Khalid’s penetrating gaze bore into him, making him feel as if his every thought was being exposed.

Despite Lucion’s rebellious attitude, the warmth in Khalid’s eyes didn’t waver.

“You’re just like your mother. Stubborn to the bone.”

“You’re worse than I am, Father. You knew she was genuine, and you still bought her.”

Khalid’s eyebrows shot up at Lucion’s sharp tone.

‘So, he’s not completely uninterested. He even went as far as to investigate Edith.’

There was more to the arrangement than Lucion knew, but Khalid was willing to play the villain for the sake of their relationship.

“Alright, I won’t deny it. I did pay a hefty sum to bring her here, but she’s worth every coin.”

“Why go that far?!”

“Because it’s the reason you’re still alive.”

And you will continue to live.

Both you and Edith.

Khalid examined Lucion’s pale cheeks, which were now flushed with a healthy glow. He then turned to glance at Edith’s sleeping form.

‘It seems I’m indebted to her now.’

If this was the kind of debt he’d carry for the rest of his life, he didn’t mind.

But Lucion wasn’t so sure.

Was it fair to put someone as small as Edith into the jaws of the cursed monster he had become?

Khalid didn’t try to soothe Lucion’s confusion. He knew Lucion well enough to understand that any attempt to comfort him would only make him resist more.

Silence settled between them.

“Mmm.”

Edith stirred, breaking the awkward tension between the father and son.

“Looks like my daughter-in-law isn’t too pleased with her sleeping arrangements.”

“Just take her to her room already.”

“Very well.”

Khalid extended his hand toward Lucion.

Lucion understood the gesture and, after a moment’s hesitation, placed his hand in Khalid’s large palm.

“You’re warm.”

The warmth reminded him of Edith, and a smile tugged at his lips.

He gently ruffled his son’s hair before lifting Edith into his arms.

“Lucion, make sure you thank her when she wakes up.”

“…”

Lucion pressed his lips together and turned his head away, refusing to respond.

So stubborn. He even applied the ointment for her, and now he’s pretending it never happened.

Khalid let out a low chuckle and carried Edith out of Lucion’s room.

As soon as he left, the servants scurried in, quickly working to clean up the water that had flooded the room.

Ignoring their busy movements, Lucion walked over to the window and opened it—something he never usually did.

The breeze blew in.

It was warm.

So this is how warm spring can be.

✦ ✦ ✦

Edith was dreaming, and in this dream, she looked different. Mature. Stunning. So unlike the frail, unattractive woman she knew herself to be in real life.

But a thick veil of sadness hung over her features, making her appear utterly exhausted.

She lay still, blankly staring up at the sky, as if she had lost all will to live.

After some time, a pair of strong arms gently lifted her from where she lay on the dirt floor.

The burning flames in her chest eased, and she felt like she could breathe again.

“Haah…”

Her hot breath evaporated, and her fevered body began to cool.

“It was you. You…”

Who is that? Her eyelids fluttered open slowly, her vision still blurry.

A familiar shade of red flickered before her eyes.

Edith knew who it was instantly.

“…Lucion Frost.”

Lucion held Edith tightly as she struggled in his arms, desperate not to let her go.

He clung to her like a man who had stumbled upon an oasis in the middle of a desert.

Like a man grasping at a lifeline he hadn’t realized was within reach.

“I didn’t realize it, not even when you were right in front of me…”

His voice was thick with desperation and self-loathing.

“If only I’d met you a little sooner. If I had…”

His eyes gleamed with obsession, as if he wanted to devour her whole.

“I would have made you mine.”

“Who said I’d ever be yours?”

A dry, mocking laugh escaped Edith’s lips as she roughly grabbed Lucion’s collar, swiftly yanking him toward her. To her surprise, he didn’t resist, unlike before.

“I’ll steal your heart and then kill you.”

Even her murderous tone didn’t faze him. He simply covered her hand with his and leaned in.

His dazed, almost intoxicated eyes drew closer.

Their noses brushed together, their lips grazing each other as he whispered slowly, running his fingers lightly over the back of her hand.

“What a sweet death that would be.”

“…You lunatic. Get off me!”

Disgusted, Edith tried to push Lucion away, but he only pulled her in tighter.

“Edith.”

His forehead pressed against hers, and warmth spread between them. His whisper was soft and gentle.

“Choose me.”

“No.”

“Edith.”