I Slept with the Villain Holding My Hand Chapter 140

Reukis’s bedroom was already neatly arranged.

 

One could sense the effort of the servants who kept it ready for use at any time, even without the owner’s presence.

 

Merria first guided Reukis to the sofa. He staggered after her and took the seat beside her.

 

Resting his head against Merria’s arm, Reukis wore an unusually peaceful expression.

 

Jaina watched the scene and smiled in relief. Her master had long suffered from sleeplessness.

 

Though he never cried, he always looked as precarious as someone clinging to a cliff.

 

Only now did Jaina truly feel that peace had returned to the grand ducal residence.

 

Standing by the door, Jaina lowered her slightly flushed eyes and asked,

 

“Is there anything else you need?”

 

She was pleased to ask as she always did.

 

Merria smiled faintly and turned her gaze to Reukis. There seemed to be many things Reukis needed at the moment.

 

His dirt-stained clothes likely needed changing. His gaunt face suggested he should eat. The dark circles under his eyes made her think he needed sleep above all else.

 

Yet the answer came quickly.

 

Seeing the exhaustion in Reukis’s eyes, it was clear that rest was the top priority.

 

There was no better way to recover than relieving fatigue.

 

Besides, Reukis was a knight who had trained diligently, so even a short rest would quickly restore his condition.

 

Merria shook her head and answered softly, “It’s alright, you can go now.”

 

Merria asked everyone to leave to ensure a quiet environment.

 

Noise was terribly detrimental to sleep.

 

In the now-silent room, Merria took Reukis’s hand.

 

Reukis followed her lead as she walked. The two arrived at a freshly replaced pillow and a cozy blanket.

 

“Come, lie down now.”

 

Merria sat him down on the bed and pressed firmly on his shoulders.

Reukis collapsed helplessly, unable to control his own body. His gaze remained stubbornly fixed on Merria.

She frowned slightly as she looked down at his defiantly open eyes.
‘He’s in the perfect state to pass out, yet he’s still resisting.’

 

Reukis’ body had already reached its limit.

Though she had unintentionally slept soundly during that time, he likely hadn’t been able to rest properly at all.

Merria lay down beside him and gently stroked his hair.

“Close your eyes.”

“But—”

His pupils trembled with unease.

Merria smiled as if she understood his feelings.

‘Good thing I talked to Lexie before coming.’

 

She thought she should send someone to the ducal residence after he fell asleep.

Murmuring in a soft, soothing tone, she said, “I won’t leave until you wake up. I’m worried about you.”

‘You look so worn out.’ Merria brushed her fingers over his dry eyelids.

Gradually, Reukis’ eyes closed under her touch.

 

Merria, watching quietly, covered his eyes with her hand.

Just like that night when they first met, she pressed light kisses all over his face—the tip of his nose, his cheeks, his chin, and finally his lips.

At her affectionate gestures, the corners of Reukis’ mouth curled weakly.

Even without sight, he felt warmth.

It was the first peaceful sleep he’d had in a long time.

 

💫

 

Reukis’ brow furrowed deeply.

For a moment, he hesitated to open his eyes. He had clearly seen Merria, but he wasn’t sure if it had been a dream or reality.

Yet his hesitation didn’t last long.

The soft sensation against his skin and the familiar scent of Merria convinced him otherwise.

 

As Reukis slowly opened his eyes, his eyelashes fluttered faintly.

The first thing he saw was the intricately embroidered sleeve of a dress.

 

On the hand that reached out below, the ring he had given her remained perfectly intact.

That day, just before Merria completely lost consciousness, Reukis had picked it up from the floor and slipped it onto her finger.

He had convinced himself that this would be the last time he would see Merria.

Yet here she was, by his side once again.

 

“You’re awake?”

A light touch brushed against Reukis’ forehead as he blinked dazedly.

Merria set aside the book she had been reading and turned toward him.

“Ah, it’s slipping off now.”

Her hand slid gently out of Reukis’ grasp. She hadn’t noticed when she was putting him to sleep, but he had tightly held her left hand as he drifted off.

No matter how subtly she tried to pull away, he wouldn’t let go.

Worried she might wake him, she decided to stay by his side.

 

Jaina, who was outside, had taken care of everything, allowing Merria to keep watch. She had formally contacted the ducal residence and arranged for Reukis’ meal to be prepared.

Remembering the written conversation she had with Jaina, Merria let out a small laugh.

Reukis, resting his head on the pillow, caught sight of her smile.

 

Noticing the shimmer of joy in the corners of his eyes, Merria lay down beside him, mirroring his position.

“Do you want to sleep more?”

“I’m fine.”

“Alright, then.”

As Merria slowly stroked his hair, Reukis drowsily closed his eyes.

 

“Merria.”

“Hmm?”

“Truthfully, I didn’t understand what you said back then.”

“Which part?”

“That everyone must stay alive for it to be possible.”

“Ah.”

Merria nodded as if she understood.

 

“But now, I know it better than anyone.”

Reukis murmured, lowering his gaze.

 

She watched him for a moment before speaking, “I was a bit harsh with my words back then. My emotions were overwhelming.”

“No, if anyone should apologize, it’s me.”

 

The two exchanged words before bursting into laughter simultaneously.

 

Facing each other and talking like this, it simply felt like everything was alright.

Just this morning, it had been hell. His life had flipped from the deepest mud to the top of the sky in an instant.

And at the center of it all was always Merria.

 

Reukis, smiling brightly, looked noticeably better than before.

The fact that he had recovered this much from just a short nap made it clear that he hadn’t been living properly while Merria was bedridden.

Merria sat up in bed and asked, “Have you eaten?”

 

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Reukis blinked.

Of course, he hadn’t.

With Merria lying there like that, even a sip of water wouldn’t go down easily.

But the way Merria was staring at him made him hesitate to admit the truth. Though, in reality, Merria had already noticed at a glance how much weight he had lost.

 

Instead of answering, Reukis took her hand and pressed a deep kiss to it.

Merria watched the charmingly seductive man and let out a soft laugh. She could clearly see his attempt to dodge the question, but she decided to let it slide just this once.

Patting his cheek, she called for Jaina, who was outside.

“Could you bring some food?”

“Enough for two,” Reukis added quickly.

 

Come to think of it, his own stomach was completely empty too.

Merria nodded in agreement.

Jaina, considering the two’s condition, prepared a light corn soup and easily digestible bread.

The two kept an eye on each other until they had both finished their portions. When their eyes met in the middle, it was clear they were thinking the same thing, and another laugh escaped them.

 

After the simple meal in the early dawn, the two decided to change out of their dirt-stained clothes.

Merria wanted to wash off the grimy feeling while she was at it.

 

It was unclear whether it was Lexie wiping her body or magic at work while she lay there, but thankfully, there was no odor. 

 

Still, she longed to soak in warm water for the first time in a while.

 

With Jaina’s help, Merria loosened up her stiff body, and as she stepped out, a memory from before flashed in her mind. She looked at Jaina with uneasy eyes. 

 

Perhaps recalling the same incident, Jaina immediately brought out new clothes.

 

“These are clothes Master ordered in advance as a gift for you.”

 

This dress had been ordered by Reukis for their planned trip to the villa. 

 

Unfortunately, it had arrived while Merria was unconscious, but in the end, it had found its way to her. Thanks to that, she didn’t have to wear the Archduke’s robe this time.

 

As Merria waited in the soft pink dress, Reukis returned, having also washed up and changed into fresh clothes. Merria was sipping the coffee Jaina had handed her.

 

“Thank you for the gift.”

 

She stood up and spun around in a quick twirl. The hem of her dress, which reached her ankles, flared in a rippling circle. Her demeanor made the giver feel truly rewarded.

 

Reukis watched her, moved once again.

 

‘I’m happy.’

 

Just having Merria by his side was enough to make him feel this way.

 

“Right now, I truly feel happy,” he said.

 

Merria looked at him with slight surprise. 

 

A memory surfaced—the first time she had ever wished for his happiness. The wish she had made at the fountain had only been half-fulfilled.

 

He was happy, and he was deeply loved.

 

But the object of that love was still Merria. Her heart felt tight, swelling with emotion. If her past self saw this situation, she would probably shake her head in denial. Imagining that reaction made it impossible not to laugh.

 

Merria let out a bright, chiming laugh and replied, “I’m happy too.”

 

The moment she blinked, Reukis’ face was suddenly right in front of hers. Still smiling, she closed her eyes.

 

The sensation of his lips against hers was slightly rough. Reukis’ plush lips were usually so soft. 

 

The image of his gaunt face flashed in her mind, and she slowly lifted her eyelids.

 

Reukis hadn’t closed his eyes at all. His gaze bore into her, intense and unwavering. As if pouring out all the emotions he had held back, he stole her breath.

 

His body pressed against hers more fiercely than usual, and his darkened eyes made her breath hitch.

 

As Merria steadied her breathing, Reukis slowly parted his lips and asked, “Will you go back?”