I Became the Only Cure for My Dying Husband - Chapter 23

Chapter 12.1

“I won’t deny it. I needed the protection that House Frost can provide me.”

Edith said gently. She had chosen him as her safe haven.

That wasn’t the kind of thing a bride on her way to receive a blessing was expected to say, but it was the truth.

There was no point in sugarcoating it with a fake excuse like love. That would only backfire.

Since childhood, Lucion’s world had been shaped by betrayal and threats, rooting suspicion and mistrust in him.

For someone like him, love was the most uncertain thing of all.

What he did trust were clear goals and tangible benefits.

“I see. What you needed was protection.”

Lucion repeated Edith’s words, as though he were mulling them over.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

His fingers drummed against the window frame until he abruptly stopped. Turning, he finally looked at her.

“Let me ask you one more question.”

For the first time since entering the carriage, Lucion’s gaze locked with hers.

In the sunlight, something resembling resolve flickered in his eyes.

“If I guarantee you enough wealth and security to live comfortably for the rest of your life, would you stop here?”

“Pardon?”

Edith blinked, stunned. Did she just hear him correctly?

“If your only goal is to escape your family and start fresh, you don’t need to marry me to do that, do you?”

As Lucion spoke, Edith’s hands curled into fists on her lap.

‘This wasn’t part of the plan…’

Seeing the emotion flicker in his eyes, Edith almost laughed in disbelief.

“Think it over carefully.”

The almighty Lucion Frost…

“What option benefits you the most?”

…was pitying her.

✦ ✦ ✦

Inside the solemn Grand Temple, where the service was already underway, a man dressed in a black robe strolled through the halls, muttering under his breath.

“I knew it. Temples just aren’t my thing.”

He shook his head, casting a distasteful glance at the grand murals worshiping their God. To him, they were more nauseating than awe-inspiring.

Beside him, another man in a similar black robe adjusted his glasses, his expression stern.

“You’re the one who insisted on coming here, master.”

“I know. What was I thinking?”

The Grand Temple was nothing like he’d imagined. It was suffocatingly silent, unbearably dull.

“Are you sure this is the right place?”

“Probably? It feels right.”

“You truly are hopeless.”

“And yet, that’s what makes me so charming.”

Their banter echoed softly as they disappeared into the depths of the temple.

✦ ✦ ✦

“Lord Lucion Frost, Lady Edith Clark. Please wait here for a moment.”

The priest bowed politely before leaving them alone in the prayer room.

A heavy silence settled over the space. Edith kept sneaking glances at Lucion, trying to read his expression. But he simply stared ahead, his face as calm and unreadable as ever.

“Sit down. The dude’s busy, so it’ll take a while.”

Leaning back in his chair, Lucion closed his eyes.

His nonchalance only made Edith more restless. Her chest felt tight, and her thoughts began to spiral.

Edith knew Lucion needed her to break his curse. He couldn’t simply get rid of her, even if he wanted to.

At least, that’s what she had always believed.

But was it really true?

Even after experiencing warmth for the first time, Lucion didn’t cling to her. He didn’t chase after her or show any desperation.

If anything, Edith was the one chasing after him.

Please, let me treat you. Let’s hold hands. Why don’t we take a walk together?

Every request, every step closer, had come from her.

It was weird. The Lucion she knew would do anything to survive.

Wasn’t that why he became obsessed with the heroine? Desperate to hold onto even the smallest shred of warmth, no matter the cost?

‘So why is he pushing me away?’

It couldn’t be out of pity. Lucion Frost wasn’t someone who would let her go out of compassion.

If he actually cared about others’ feelings, he would’ve released the heroine long ago instead of keeping her trapped in misery by his side.

‘What is going on inside his head?’

Lucion must have noticed her gaze burning a hole into the side of his face because he finally spoke.

“If you’ve got something to say, say it. Stop making that ugly face.”

“Young Master, do you even need me? If I don’t treat you, you’ll only keep on suffering.”

“I do need you.”

He spoke so matter-of-factly, as if it were someone else’s life they were discussing, and it made Edith feel a wave of frustration. Pressing a hand to her forehead, she couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Then why do you keep trying to push me away when you should be keeping me close? Is it really because you pity me?”

“Yes.”

“…”

“You’ve already had a rough life, being sold off like some sacrificial offering. There’s no need to make it worse by marrying me.”

The haunting detachment in his voice pierced straight through her heart. He spoke as if anyone tied to him was doomed to misery.