Villainous Husband, the One You’re Obsessed With Is Over There - Chapter 188

Chapter 94.2

Raniero’s convulsions continued for a while. It seemed as if an intangible force stronger than him, a force he couldn’t resist, was exerting its influence on him. Knowing that he was considered the strongest in this world, the fact that he was helplessly succumbing to such a force brought another wave of terror.

‘It’s a divine punishment.’

At that moment, this realization suddenly flashed through my mind. Whether it was something I came up with myself or a conviction injected by an unknown force was uncertain.

I curled up on the bed, shivering, and looked at Raniero.

If it was a divine punishment, was he being punished by Actilla? Such a cruel punishment? He was undoubtedly Actilla’s beloved son…

“Huuk…”

Raniero, who had been screaming in agony, convulsed as his chest seemed to bounce into the air. He remained in that state for a few seconds before collapsing to the floor.

Nothing more happened.

As silence enveloped the surroundings, the sudden quietness brought about another kind of fear.

‘I’m honestly sick of fear now.’

I crawled across the bed, shivering.

Although I got closer to him, he showed no signs of getting up. It seemed like he had lost consciousness. What if he opened his eyes and attacked me when I got closer? Despite being terrified, the thought that I needed to confirm prevailed, so I hesitantly descended from the bed and approached him slowly.

Even when I got right in front of him, he didn’t wake up.

The shattered pieces of the vase left wounds on his face. It resembled the form of a once beautiful artwork now recklessly defaced.

I took a deep breath and slowly lowered myself towards him.

‘…Is he dead?’

The absence of any audible breathing made me entertain that thought. He might really be dead, but bewilderment overwhelmed me instead of joy. I knelt beside him, placing my head on his chest.

It was at that moment…

All of a sudden, the door burst open.

“Your Majesty!”

I jolted in surprise, quickly raising my upper body. Standing in the doorway was Duchess Nerma. Her eyes initially focused on me, then shifted to the chaotic floor and finally to the fallen Raniero.

A wrinkle formed on her forehead.

“What is going on?”

“It, it’s nothing.”

I responded quickly, though my words weren’t convincing, with Raniero lying unconscious.

“Get out. It was really nothing.”

Duchess Nerma stood her ground, her eyes scanning the room observantly. I became uneasy. I thought I should make her leave, even if I had to do it physically.

I rose from my seat and walked towards her.

She was taller than me, so she glanced down at me. There was a fleeting emotion, not necessarily kindness, briefly flashed in her eyes, although it was difficult to put my finger on what it was. I forgot what I was about to say as I opened my mouth. However, in the next moment, I regained my composure and spoke firmly.

“Aren’t you listening to my orders?”

Duchess Nerma said nothing for a few seconds. But soon, her face blossomed like spring flowers, her muscles relaxed, and her lips softened. It was a smiling expression that I was familiar with.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I thought I heard a loud noise, but it seems I was mistaken.”

As she glanced over my shoulder at Raniero, who was on the floor, my lips felt dry from nervousness.

“But, Your Highness, I have something urgent to discuss with His Majesty the Emperor.”

Duchess Nerma took a confident step forward. She, too, was an Actilus. The air she exuded from her presence was too much for me to handle.

“May I speak to him?”

She passed by me without even acknowledging my words.

“A-Audacious!”

I shouted from behind, but the Duchess paid no heed.

It was a reasonable attitude. If the Emperor screamed and collapsed in the Empress’s palace, it wouldn’t make sense for her to simply listen to me and step aside.

It was when Duchess Nerma knelt down beside Raniero. Without a warning, his upper body slowly rose.

I flinched and covered my mouth.

In the meantime, Raniero shook his head a few times as if he was dizzy. Then, as he opened his eyes, his pupils, which had always sparkled with a vivid blood red, were cloudy.

He looked at me near the door.

Countess Nerma widened her eyes and closed her mouth. Raniero soon noticed her and spoke to her in a very condescending manner.

“Who are you?”

Duchess Nerma quickly bowed her head.

“I’m the mistress of the Duchy of Nerma.”

“Why are you here?”

I hastily interjected.

“She has something urgent to tell Your Majesty.”

It was just an excuse to confirm whether Raniero was alive or dead, and there was no way she had anything to say to him urgently. The Duchess’s shoulders quivered slightly, and she hastily rose up.

“I apologize. It seems this isn’t something I have to tell you right away. I’ll take my leave now. I’m truly sorry for the disturbance.”

She repeated her apology and left the room.

As I watched the Duchess departing, our eyes met. A peculiar hostility, well concealed and not easily noticeable to an ordinary person, emanated between us.

I bit my lip tightly.

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