The Monster Duke Mistook Me for His Wife Chapter 112

A gentle tickling sensation brushed against my cheek.

“Mmm…”

I frowned, rubbing at the irritation, but the unfamiliar feeling made me jolt upright.

The sudden movement caused the flowers beneath me to tremble.

“Lord Therze?”

The people who had been with me just moments ago—Therze and Cassis—were gone.

Instead, wildflowers surrounded me.

The dreamlike atmosphere felt strangely familiar, making my shoulders slump.

“Another dream…”

I wasn’t even surprised anymore.

This had happened too many times for me to react with shock.

The real question is, why am I suddenly dreaming again?

Could it have something to do with the holy sword?

As I tilted my head in thought, I realized something was different this time.

“…Wait, I can move?”

Up until now, I had only ever been a passive observer in these dreams—dragged through past memories like a helpless spectator.

But now, my body responded to my will.

Excited, I swung my arms around and spun in place.

After confirming that I could move freely, I took a deep breath and surveyed my surroundings.

“Where am I?”

In previous dreams, I had only seen Wilhelm’s castle and endless snowy landscapes.

Now, I was standing in a grand courtyard, with towering spires in the distance.

Shading my eyes, I gazed up at the tallest tower.

“A noble’s estate…?”

One thing was certain—this was not Wilhelm.

Could this be his castle?

My dreams had always shown me echoes of the past.

Maybe this time, I would finally find a clue about him.

But there was no telling how long this dream would last.

Growing impatient, I quickly set off toward the garden’s exit.

“How far did I wander?”

I had been walking for a while now, yet the path stretched endlessly ahead of me.

And yet, the route itself didn’t feel difficult to navigate.

“This feels oddly familiar…”

Following my instincts, I carefully retraced my steps—

Until realization struck me like lightning.

“…This is the Ducal Estate.”

Though its appearance was slightly different from the present, I was certain of it.

That explains why I knew my way around so well.

Strolling through the halls felt no different than walking through my own home.

When I finally emerged into the courtyard, the sight before me confirmed my suspicions.

“This is the Ducal Estate. But why am I seeing it in my dreams?”

Muttering to myself, I gazed up at the grand castle—

When suddenly, a familiar voice called out from behind me.

“Ria.”

“Ah…”

The voice was warm, gentle.

I could only stand there, staring blankly at him.

It was my first time speaking to him in these dreams—

And I had no idea what to say.

Luckily, he didn’t seem to notice my hesitation.

With his usual expression, he reached out and brushed a petal from my hair.

“Were you lying in the flower fields again?”

“…How did you know?”

What, had he been watching me or something?

I blinked at him in surprise.

He smirked knowingly and twirled the white petal between his fingers.

“You always come back with flowers clinging to you. It’s impossible not to notice.”

His teasing tone made my face heat up.

“It suits you. Honestly, I can’t tell who’s the flower here—you or them.”

“…That’s way too cheesy.”

“That’s strange. Before, you used to love it when I said things like that.”

“Lies. Don’t make things up.”

There was no way I had ever enjoyed such cringeworthy lines!

Absolutely not!

Flustered, I turned red as I glared at him.

He only chuckled, running a hand through his hair.

That gesture…

That habit of his…

It was just like the Third Prince’s.

And yet—

No. It’s not the same.

The more I looked at him, the more I realized—

They weren’t just different in atmosphere.

Even their faces weren’t truly alike.

Curious, I reached out and poked his cheek.

He blinked at me in confusion.

“Smile again.”

“What?”

“Just do it. Quickly.”

Baffled, he chuckled—amused by my sudden demand.

And when he did—

The spot where I had poked deepened into a dimple.

Tracing his cheek with my fingers, I slowly ran my hand up to the corner of his eye.

Rather than feeling awkward, he simply tilted his head down, letting me examine him as much as I pleased.

I memorized every detail, committing his face to memory.

“…They’re nothing alike.”

Then why had I ever thought they were the same?

And more importantly—

How did the Third Prince know about our promise?

I had been convinced he was this man.

But he wasn’t.

Then how did he know?

Before I could dwell on it any further, a figure approached from the shadows.

“Your Majesty, it’s time to go.”

“…Your Majesty?”

I stared, stunned.

What did he just say?

Instead of answering, the man in front of me smiled.

“We agreed not to use such stiff titles, didn’t we?”

My mind went completely blank.

“Oh, and you also promised to stop calling me ‘Lord.’ You remember that, don’t you?”

“Then… what should I call you?”

“Lysandro.”

At the sound of his name, my breath caught in my throat.

“But don’t be too formal. Don’t call me Lysandro Rohaim.”

“Lysandro Rohaim…”

“You’re doing it on purpose, aren’t you?”

He clicked his tongue and playfully pinched my nose.

I stared at him, my hand rubbing at my reddened nose, utterly dazed.

So my lover was Lysandro Rohaim?

The Founding Emperor?

The First Emperor?

It was only then that I noticed the sword strapped to his waist—

A soft, ethereal glow surrounded it.

The same holy sword I had just been holding moments ago.

Sensing my gaze, Lysandro gently ran his hand over the blade.

“This sword has protected me.”

His fingers traced the hilt with fondness before he turned his warm gaze back to me.

“All thanks to you.”

And then—

A flash of memory.

“Lysandro, you’ll be Emperor soon. You can’t keep carrying around such a crude sword. Here, take this.”

“It will bring you victory and fortune.”

I had given him that sword.

I had crafted it with my own hands, embedding it with divinity and blessings.

It was mine.

And I had given it to him.

To Lysandro.

To my lover.

“If not for you, no one else would be able to wield it. Not even me.”

Murmuring the words as they surfaced in my mind, I looked to Lysandro for confirmation.

He nodded, running a hand over the sword.

“Strange, isn’t it? You made this sword, yet you can’t wield it.”

“Because it’s yours. Only you can wield it.”

This sword had been forged for him alone.

A weapon crafted to protect only him.

That’s why it only responded to him.

It hadn’t reacted when I held it—

Which meant—

“…With this sword, I can find you.”

I met his gaze, my determination unwavering.

No matter where he was—

No matter what form he took—

I would find him.

And as if he had been waiting for me to say it, Lysandro smiled—

The smile I had always loved.

“Of course. You’ve always found me first.”

His voice was filled with trust, unwavering faith, and endless love.

And it made me believe in myself, too.

“This time, I’ll find you again.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

As he faded, I reached for him—

And he embraced me, holding me close.

A warmth so achingly familiar it made me want to cry.

I closed my eyes against his shoulder.

And then—

The dream ended.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

A large hand gripped my shoulder and shook me gently.

“Child?”

I blinked, disoriented, like someone waking from a deep dream.

Therze’s worried gaze met mine, his concern clear.

Cassis, equally startled, had his already large eyes opened even wider in surprise.

“Your complexion looks terrible. Are you feeling unwell?”

A hand as broad as a pot lid pressed against my forehead.

“No fever… but you weren’t responding when we called you. Do you feel dizzy or lightheaded?”

No—quite the opposite.

For the first time, the fog that had clouded my mind felt completely lifted.

“No, I was just lost in thought. Did I startle you?”

“As long as you’re not sick, it’s fine. I thought you’d caught a chill from the cold air and nearly had a heart attack.”

Therze clicked his tongue, muttering that if Dillian had seen this, he would have caused an uproar.

I lowered myself toward a cluster of blooming hyacinths near the pavilion.

I had once spoken with Dillian about these flowers.

The hyacinth—

The flower that Lysandro had given his beloved when he proposed.

Yes… I had received this flower.

But we never made it to the wedding.

All because of the Darkness.

Lysandro had sacrificed himself to seal it away, and I had followed after him in our final moments.

That was how we were separated.

And then, I was reborn.

And he…

“Hyacinths, huh.”

Therze stroked his chin as he glanced at the flowers before turning to me.

“Do you know their meaning?”

“Yes. Unchanging love.”

“That’s why I like them so much.”

“Me too. They’re my favorite flowers.”

As I gazed at the hyacinths, I slowly stood—

And suddenly, I recognized the scene before me.

The passage of time had altered it, but this place—

This was the same place from my dream.

This was where I had spoken with Lysandro just moments ago.

“Grandfather, do you believe in fate?”

“Of course I do.”

“I do, too.”

My rebirth, the trials of Obelus, the Ducal estate appearing in my dreams, the holy sword returning to my hands, and now, the blooming hyacinths.

None of it could be coincidence.

This was destiny.

Feeling lighter, I smiled brightly.

“Grandfather, I have a request.”

“A request?”

Of course, even if he refused, I had every intention of doing it my own way.

So please—

“I hope you’ll grant it.”