The Monster Duke Mistook Me for His Wife Chapter 107

“Just hold on a little longer. There’s still more to talk about.”

It wasn’t the right thing to say in this atmosphere, but it was something that had to be addressed.

“I really have nothing to do with the Third Prince. So don’t worry. If he approaches me again, I’ll slap him and drive him away.”

Earlier, I had been too startled and flustered like a fool, but if he ever laid a hand on me again without permission, I wouldn’t let it slide.

“The bigger issue is Lexter. What could he be thinking, coming here on his own?”

He certainly wasn’t here to celebrate Therze’s birthday. He had to be hiding some dirty scheme.

“Dillian, you didn’t expect Lexter to show up either, did you?”

When I asked, recalling his face that had gone cold at Lexter’s sudden appearance, he nodded.

“No. Until this morning, he was definitely in the Arrest territory.”

Dillian received daily reports from Kanae and kept track of Lexter’s movements.

As usual, he had received Kanae’s report today, confirming that Lexter was still in the Arrest territory. Yet, in an instant, he had moved to the duke’s residence.

A journey that should have taken two days on horseback.

Not only had he evaded the eyes of the Schatten Knights, which was no small feat, but he had also traveled that distance in such a short time?

Was it the same method of transportation I saw during the Founding Festival?

It might have been teleportation using shadows.

“In the past, I would have assumed he was here to interfere with my affairs, but this time… I don’t think so.”

Dillian took my hand, which had been covering his eyes, and gently pulled it down.

As our eyes finally met, his gaze was as still as a windless lake.

“Regardless of Lexter, the one the Third Prince wants is you, Ria.”

I felt his warm breath on my palm, followed by the touch of his lips. With his lips pressed against my hand, he whispered.

“So don’t leave my side.”

“Where would I even go? You said you’d protect me, Dillian.”

I slid my body down slightly and turned to face him.

“You protect me, and I protect you. Right?”

Holding the ringed hand close to my chest, I smiled faintly.

“That’s what this means, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. That’s exactly what it means.”

His strong, broad arms pulled me into a firm embrace. Above my head, I heard his voice—warm yet conflicted, as if unsure of what to do.

“I like you so much… I don’t know what to do. I’m afraid I might devour you at this rate.”

As if to prove his words, Dillian hugged me tightly for a moment, only to release me almost immediately, flinching slightly.

As though he were struggling to suppress a rising desire.

But it didn’t seem like mere physical longing.

It was something deeper, more complex—an emotion that clung and lingered.

“So what if you break a little? I have divine power stronger than even the High Priest and the Saintess.”

Brushing aside his unnecessary worries, I pulled his head into my embrace.

“It’s okay to break. If something shatters, we can always fix it again.”

If he got hurt, I could heal him. If the curse made him feel empty, I could feed him until he was full.

“I told you, didn’t I? I’m quite an incredible person.”

As I shrugged my shoulders, Dillian let out a short laugh.

“…Ha, I can’t win against you.”

“It would be a problem if you tried to win against your wife. You’ll lose every time. Got it?”

“Coming from you? Of course, I understand.”

Having eased his worries completely, I proudly hugged him tightly and patted his back slowly.

Perhaps exhaustion finally took over, as Dillian was the first to fall asleep.

As I gently ran my fingers through his silky hair, a thought crossed my mind.

When will he regain his memories?

When he does, I’ll have to apologize for hitting the back of his head.

With that guilty thought in my heart, I closed my eyes.

Completely unaware of how Dillian had deceived me, like the fool I was.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

The cool night breeze slipped through the window, causing the candlelight to flicker.

Unbothered by the wavering glow, Manus was completely absorbed in his own reflection in the mirror.

Jet-black hair like ebony, amethyst-like eyes that gleamed with brilliance, lips red as if soaked in blood, a sharp jawline.

His face, befitting a prince of the empire, was arrogant and brimming with confidence—though it held a certain coldness.

But the moment he smiled, that chill vanished without a trace.

The corners of his lips curled up, and the deep dimples that formed made him all the more alluring.

“This part looks the same.”

Manus ran a hand along his jaw, twisting his upper body to examine his face and physique.

Each time he moved, his blue earring swayed busily.

“Still not satisfied, huh?”

His hand traced his face, and the sharp edge of his nails left thin, red lines on his skin.

He watched absentmindedly as the blood, succumbing to gravity, trickled downward. Then, his hand moved toward his eyes.

“So it really is the eyes.”

His fingers twitched, as if ready to gouge out the violet irises.

“If only it weren’t for these!”

Clenching his fist tightly, he swung it at the mirror in frustration.

Crash—! Shatter—!

He began smashing the furniture around him without restraint.

Shattered glass, scattered debris, a floor smeared with blood—

The once-luxurious room was reduced to utter chaos in an instant.

His chest rose and fell violently, unable to calm his agitation.

It was then that someone knocked on the door.

“Your Highness, I’m coming in.”

With that formal announcement, Lexter pushed open the door, only to frown at the sight before him.

Again, huh.

He had told him to keep a dignified appearance. And yet, here he was, covered in blood like some lunatic.

It wouldn’t have mattered if he were alone, but today, Giselle was with him.

As expected, she gasped at the wrecked room and the blood-soaked face of Manus.

…Leaving Dante in his hands is too dangerous.

Lexter had assured her that this man could heal Dante.

Yet, at their very first meeting, he stood there with blood dripping down his cheek and glass shards embedded in his fists. No matter how generously one viewed it, he looked like a complete madman.

And yet, this madness soon presented itself as an opportunity.

“I heard your son’s condition is severe.”

Manus stepped closer, causing Giselle’s eyes to widen in surprise.

The wounds on his ravaged face were already healing, fresh skin forming in their place.

At the same time, the white gemstone in his earring flickered with light.

“Shall I take a look at him?”

Once his injuries were fully healed, the only remnants of the carnage were streaks of dried blood.

“His Highness is the one who created Dante’s medicine.”

Lexter’s remark made Giselle instinctively wet her dry lips.

The prince—this very man—had crafted the medicine that calmed Dante?

Perhaps… if it’s him…

Her hesitation vanished in an instant.

Ignoring the glass shards littering the floor, she knelt down without hesitation.

“Your Highness, please! Please save my son…!”

“Very well. I will ensure he suffers no more and finds peace.”

Relief flickered across her face for only a brief moment.

“But in exchange…”

The low voice that followed made her shoulders stiffen.

Noticing her tension, Manus smiled gently, as if to reassure her.

“I just need you to do one favor for me.”

“Name it. If it means saving Dante, I would even offer my life.”

At her determined declaration, Manus firmly shook his head.

“I have no use for your life. What I desire is something far more noble… and beautiful.”

His expression softened as his mind drifted to a memory—

The warmth of delicate hands struggling in his grasp, the blue eyes trembling with confusion, the lingering scent that still seemed to tickle his senses.

“If you fulfill my request, I will save your child without fail.”

Leaving the bowing Giselle behind, Manus lifted his gaze toward the window.

Beyond it lay a castle directly across from his quarters—where she resided.

His violet eyes gleamed with unmistakable desire.

 

 

****

 

 

Dillian, having seen with his own eyes that Manus harbored ulterior motives toward me, hadn’t left me alone for even a single moment.

From last night until now.

I can’t tell if this is overprotection or separation anxiety.

But as the head of a noble family, Dillian couldn’t possibly stay by my side all day.

“I wish Ria were the size of my palm. Then I could carry you around in my pocket.”

Whether he was serious or not, he kept glancing at me while absentmindedly rubbing the front pocket of his jacket.

It was ridiculous, but knowing him, I genuinely feared he might try to shrink me down like Thumbelina.

“Maybe with magic, I could somehow…”

“No way. If I were that tiny, how would I even live?”

How would I eat? How would I move around in this enormous house? And what about clothes?

When I started listing out these basic necessities, Dillian, looking genuinely contemplative, nodded as if he hadn’t considered those things before.

“You have a point.”

“Right?”

“We wouldn’t be able to sleep in the same bed.”

That’s what concerns you?! My expression went ice-cold, but he simply rubbed his chin and muttered in a grave tone.

“We wouldn’t be able to kiss, either.”

“Is that the only thing on your mind?”

“What do you mean ‘only’? Wanting to be close to one’s lover is a perfectly natural desire.”

My face, which had been fine until now, suddenly burned at the word lover.

“J-Just go do your work already!”

“Since we’re on the subject, should we?”

Before I could even process his words, his strong arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me close.

Our faces were suddenly inches apart, and my lips went dry.

Unconsciously, I licked them to moisten them, and his gaze immediately locked onto my lips.

His stare clung to me, slow and heated, as if tracing every movement.

When I bit my lower lip in embarrassment, a fiery red spark ignited in Dillian’s eyes.

“Are you trying to tempt me?”

His voice, low and husky as if just waking from sleep, tickled my ears.

“I wasn’t….”

Sensing where this was heading, I hesitantly closed my eyes.

And then—

“If that’s the issue, I’ll take care of it.”

A sudden voice cut in, making me jump in shock and shove Dillian’s shoulders away.

As the unexpected distance widened between us, I heard Dillian click his tongue in irritation.

But I had no time to care about that.

Leaning against the doorway, watching us with amusement, was Therze.

I stammered, my face burning.

“G-Grandfather. S-Since when…?”

“Since the part about pockets and whatnot.”

Aaaah! I screamed internally and hung my head in utter embarrassment.

Of course, Therze didn’t pay my distress any mind.

“Dillian, go quickly and escort them. Don’t be late.”