Villainous Husband, the One You’re Obsessed With Is Over There - Chapter 203

Chapter 102.1

As soon as I opened my eyes, I realized that I had returned to my physical body. There was none of the lightness I felt when I was ‘over there.’’ Even the slightest movement required considerable effort, from my fingertips to my toes.

How long had I been asleep? I didn’t feel hungry or thirsty.

I closed my eyes again.

Usually, dreams fade quickly the moment you wake up. It may be because of the nature of dreams that I was able to spend a fairly clear day despite suffering from numerous nightmares. Nonetheless, this ‘dream’ was the most unreal dream I’ve ever had, and yet… it pressed down on me with the weight closest to reality.

I could still hear the voice of Tunia and saw Actilla’s overwhelming form.

I furrowed my eyebrows.

To bring my attention back to reality, I opened my eyes. My vision was slightly blurry, so I blinked several times. In addition, since the surroundings were dark, it took me a little time to figure out where I was and what I was looking at.

It was a familiar yet unfamiliar place.

‘This is the Emperor’s bedroom.’

An empty room with several small windows and not much furniture. It was easy to recognize because it had such a unique structure.

‘…Why am I here and not the Empress’s palace?’

The question crossed my mind briefly before I remembered that I had been poisoned by my handmaidens.

‘Is that why I was moved here?’

Regardless, I couldn’t think of a good reason to say, ‘So that’s why I was moved here.’

I rolled my eyes.

There must be a reason. I have no idea what has transpired on the ground, as I was up there talking to God, and agonizing over whether to confront or evade my destiny. I also couldn’t see any clues right now to confirm my current state.

‘I regret it. Since I have gone up to the higher realm, I should’ve had a thorough understanding of what was happening on the ground before coming down.’

I heard the shocking story, but I should have taken everything I could with me! How could my thoughts always be so fleeting…

For a moment, I felt a sense of self-reproach for my intelligence.

I thought I needed to get up.

And only then did I realize I wasn’t alone in this room.

Raniero Actilus, the owner of this room, was sitting on the floor next to the bed, holding my hand, while only the upper part of his body and head were resting on the bed, sleeping in a half-sitting position.

It was the first time I had seen him sleeping.

On the nights we spent together, he always fell asleep later than me and woke up before me.

Without realizing it, I shifted my body slightly to get a closer look at his face. The arrogance and violence that usually accompanied his presence seemed to have disappeared during his slumber. While awake, he was like an unblemished diamond, impervious to any stimulus. But now, he appeared fragile, like marble that would shatter with the slightest touch of affection.

My fear towards him subsided as I looked at his innocent sleeping face, and a glimmer of excitement that had been lurking subtly emerged. I moved my heavy body to stroke his hair. As my hand touched him, his shoulders twitched. Although it was just a very light touch, it woke him from his sleep.

Reflexively, I withdrew my hand with a start, though he didn’t fall back asleep.

He slowly lifted his veil-like eyelashes and gazed at me.

In the darkness, his bright red eyes twinkled as if they were beacons. The surroundings were quiet, and the atmosphere was strange. At that moment, Raniero’s presence didn’t feel real to me, so much so that I doubted whether I had truly returned to my body and awakened from sleep.

It seemed he felt the same way.

He just tilted his head slightly and blinked his eyes without saying anything. It was as if he was assessing something, much like when I saw him collapse.

Why was he scrutinizing me like that?

Was he questioning if I was real?

I extended my hand again, almost as if compelled. As Raniero nudged my hand with his head like a tamed dog, I withdrew my hand again, not out of fear but out of awkwardness. Then, he pulled my right hand, which he had been holding the entire time he was sleeping.

I smiled awkwardly.

I didn’t know what expression to make.

Soon, a smile was painted on his face.

“Angie.”

It was a voice tinged more with relief than joy.

“You’re awake.”

Actilla wanted me dead, while Raniero wanted me alive.

Tunia said he must be killed, and I…

As if interrupting my thoughts, Raniero moved, bustling around. He poured some water from the kettle on the bedside table and made me drink it.

I obediently complied.

His hand, as he poured me water, trembled slightly, but I pretended not to see it.

My throat, unused while lying down, felt locked, and swallowing the water was somewhat difficult. Naturally, speaking would have been overindulgence, so I didn’t say anything.

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