The Monster Duke Mistook Me for His Wife Chapter 136

“Breaking in?”

“He was very bold about it.”

Dillian added that anyone would’ve thought it was his own house, then began his story.

 

 

****

 

 

It was early this morning—right when Dillian had been preparing to go rescue Ria.

While changing clothes and gathering his weapons, Dillian happened to spot the Holy Sword.

‘It might help in fighting the darkness.’

Thinking that, he strapped the sword to his waist. That was when a chill breeze brushed against his skin.

Whoooosh—

The curtains flapped, and his hair shifted in the wind.

He didn’t recall opening the window.

‘An intruder?’

Not in the middle of the night, but at dawn? Dillian twisted his lips.

“Bold of them.”

On high alert, Dillian didn’t even check who it was before swinging his sword.

But his blade sliced through empty air.

“You’re on edge.”

The voice came from behind. Dillian turned quickly—and uncharacteristically—was caught off guard.

The intruder looked to be a child, around Dante’s age.

“You’re unstable without Ria by your side.”

The young face staring at him was familiar.

‘Where have I seen him before?’

As he kept his guard up, Dillian sifted through his memory. He soon remembered.

It was the same kid from that street vendor’s stall.

The face was the same, but the atmosphere had changed. Even the bouncy way he talked was gone.

‘He sounds more like Nathan now.’

Though he looked like a child, he spoke like a sage who had seen the world.

Even with a sword pointed at him, the boy didn’t flinch—he simply walked over and opened a drawer.

“Take this.”

“A pendant?”

Only then did Dillian recall the pendant’s existence.

The day they left for the estate, he had grabbed it on impulse. But afterward, he’d tossed it in a drawer and completely forgotten.

‘How did he even know it was there, when I forgot about it?’

Dillian’s eyes sharpened. The tip of his sword touched the boy’s neck.

But even faced with those cold eyes and the steel on his throat, the boy didn’t blink.

He simply looked Dillian in the eye, calm and steady.

That composure piqued Dillian’s curiosity.

“What exactly are you?”

“That doesn’t matter.”

The boy ignored the blade at his neck and held out the pendant.

“What matters is that you take this with you.”

“Why should I?”

“You really are a stubborn one.”

The much smaller boy sighed, just like an adult scolding a child.

“In the end, you’ll make the same choice. And Ria… Ria will shed tears because of it.”

At the sound of Ria’s name from the boy’s lips, Dillian’s sword wavered.

For the first time, his perfectly guarded stance faltered.

“But it’s all right. I won’t give you the same trial as before.”

The boy pushed the sword aside and placed the pendant in Dillian’s hand.

“Do as you wish.”

At that moment, there was a knock at the door, and Sarah’s voice followed.

“Your Highness, preparations are complete.”

At the same time, the boy whispered softly,

“After all, destiny is not something that can be defied.”

With that final sentence, he vanished like smoke. Without a trace, as if he’d been a dream.

But the pendant now in Dillian’s left hand reminded him it had been real.

“Your Highness?”

“…Let’s go.”

After a moment of thought, Dillian tucked the pendant into the inside pocket of his coat.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

“He seemed to know exactly what choice I would make.”

After Dillian finished his story, Ria stared at his face.

“If you could turn back time… would you still make the same choice?”

“Yes, I would.”

The immediate answer, given without hesitation, made Ria sigh deeply and clutch her head.

“Father really saw it right. If it weren’t for the pendant, we would’ve been separated again in this life.”

Suddenly overcome, Ria glared at Dillian.

“Do you know how awful that was? You died right in front of me—twice.”

Did he have any idea what it felt like to hold someone you loved and watch them die, twice?

‘It’s lucky you’re alive… If it had ended there…’

She didn’t even want to imagine it.

Thinking back on it again, Ria’s throat tightened. She held back her tears and asked quietly,

“Back then… what you said to me.”

“I’m glad I could be the one to hurt instead of you, Ria.”

“I’m sorry for always making you cry.”

“I only ever wanted to see you smile, but somehow, I keep making you cry.”

“Did you… remember something?”

His words had been nearly the same as what he said in his past life before leaving her, which only made it more painful, more sorrowful.

“Did your past life memories come back?”

But instead of what she expected, Dillian shook his head.

“I just said what I felt.”

Ria doubted him for a moment, wondering if it was another lie like before—but Dillian genuinely seemed unaware.

‘I thought he’d come back… but maybe those words were carved deep into his soul.’

The thought brought tears to her eyes again.

Then, just like before, he only thought about her. That hadn’t changed.

“If you ever remember… you have to tell me. Got it?”

Ria and Dillian hooked pinkies and made a promise.

“If you lie again, we’re really breaking off the engagement this time. Got that?”

“The moment I remember, I’ll run to you like the wind.”

“Now that is the attitude I like.”

For once, Ria praised Dillian, stretching as she stood up.

“Well then, you should go back to your room now. I’m going to wash up and go to bed.”

“That’s going to be a problem.”

Ria had already started walking toward the bathroom, but turned around at his words—only to be startled by the sight of his chest right in front of her face. She stepped back in alarm.

“I get anxious when you disappear from view, Ria.”

“…Still, it can’t be helped. We can’t bathe together, you know.”

She understood he was feeling uneasy, but being together 24/7 wasn’t realistic.

Trying to reason with him, she used the most practical excuse she could—but ironically, it was that very line that tripped her up.

“That’s a good idea.”

Dillian rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then smiled with narrowed eyes.

“Shall we bathe together?”

“No…”

“I thought you’d kick me out coldly. I feel relieved.”

“…My bad.”

“No need to apologize. We can just bathe together. And sleep together.”

“Wait—no…”

Watching Ria’s face turn redder and redder, Dillian’s lips twitched upward.

He knew he should stop, but her reactions only made him want to tease her more.

He had the sudden urge to poke her burning red cheek.

“Still embarrassed, even after I’ve seen everything?”

“N-no! Please just stop talking—”

“Then I’ll just keep looking… until you get used to it.”

“Ah!”

What is he even saying?! Ria lunged like a wasp and smacked his mouth.

“Your mouth! This mouth! The one saying embarrassing things!”

She shouted and smacked his lips, but it didn’t even hurt.

Dillian didn’t bother hiding the laughter spilling from his mouth, and gently pushed Ria back.

“You’re laughing? Huh? No way. No—you can’t!”

Is this for real? Not a joke—he’s serious?

Just as Ria turned pale in panic, her savior appeared.

“You—you shameless scoundrel! How dare you do that right in front of me! Am I just a scarecrow to you?!”

Furious, Nathan jabbed at Dillian’s head in a rage.

But even under the fierce assault, Dillian laughed.

As if he had no intention of letting go of Ria—ever.

‘I wish he could remember…’

Ria hoped his memories would return someday.

But even more than her—no, more desperately than anyone—it was Dillian who wished for that most.

 

 

****

 

The next morning. No sooner had we finished breakfast than we began preparing to leave.

Terzhe was disappointed, asking if we were leaving already, but we couldn’t delay any longer.

“I’ll come visit again once things settle down.”

“Take care of yourself, and if Dillian bothers you, you must tell me! Dillian, you treat Ria well!”

As Terzhe’s stream of nagging poured down on us, Dante peeked his head out and waved.

“Miss Ria, you have to come visit next time!”

“Yes, see you next time, young master.”

After saying a brief goodbye to Terzhe, Dante, and the rest of the family, we headed straight to the High Temple.

“Your Highness, Miss Ria, Sir Nathan—you’ve arrived.”

As if he had been expecting us, Aaron greeted us as soon as we stepped into the temple.

“It’s been a while, Lord Aaron.”

“I heard the news. You destroyed the darkness. Truly, you’ve all gone through so much.”

Aaron held my hands with both of his and offered his gratitude, his kind smile gentle—but somehow more subdued than usual.

“How’s Arrest?”

Sensing something was off in his demeanor, I immediately asked about Arrest’s condition.

“Please, this way.”

We followed Aaron deep into the temple. The further we went, the more I felt the presence of divine beasts.

There were five in total.

But the final presence felt faint—so faint it seemed like it could vanish at any moment.

“Everyone’s here?”

“Yes. When they heard the darkness had been destroyed, they all gathered here last night.”

When Aaron opened the door, we saw the divine beasts surrounding the altar—and Aina, standing with them.

“Ria, you’re here?”

Aina greeted me, but her usual bright smile was nowhere to be seen. She looked solemn.

The same went for the divine beasts who turned to face me.

The heavy mood pressed down on my shoulders.

“Why are you all looking like that? Where’s Arrest?”

Trying to push down my anxiety, I walked closer. The divine beasts silently stepped aside, looking dejected.

“…Arrest.”

I gasped when I saw Arrest, limp and motionless on the altar.

“He still hasn’t regained consciousness? What happened?”

I had believed that even if he couldn’t stand right away, at the very least he’d wake up.

This was the High Temple, after all.

The holiest place of all.

But Arrest’s condition hadn’t improved at all.

“…Even the High Temple can’t help?”

“Yes.”

Samuel replied with difficulty and closed his eyes.

“His soul’s been eroded. He was exposed to the curse for too long.”

Mika tried to answer in an even voice, but couldn’t hide the grief in it.

“Then… can’t you heal him with your power?”

Unlike me, a human, they were divine beasts. If they worked together, maybe they could still save him?

“You can’t even do that?”

I asked desperately, clinging to any last bit of hope—but everyone turned their eyes away from me.

“Say something. Please.”

“Ria…”

At my trembling plea, Hanisha burst into tears.

“It’s too late… He’s going to return as light soon…”