I Became The Wife Of The Cursed Grand Duke Chapter 116

He paused for a moment, quietly gazing at Evelyn’s face before adding,

“His Majesty the Emperor has granted me investigative authority. So, for the time being, I’ll need to stay at the imperial palace and… investigate this matter.”

Those who deliberately opened the gate, endangering the north and, ultimately, the entire empire.

Even though this was a perfect opportunity to prove the existence of Babel’s accomplices, there was no trace of joy or even a smile on Kalian’s face. Instead, his fingertips, rubbing his bloodshot eyes, seemed to carry a deep sense of sorrow.

 

‘Why… Why does he look like that, when he should be happier than anyone else?’

Suspicious, Evelyn wondered if she was still trapped in an illusion and pinched her thigh lightly.

 

‘Ouch.’

 

The pain confirmed it wasn’t an illusion.

 

As she pondered this, she watched him blankly. He wiped his pale face, let out a heavy sigh, and spoke again.

“That’s why… I think it would be best for you to return to the north as soon as you’ve recovered.”

 

“Ah…”

It was already unfair to be caught up in the gate incident right after their wedding, but now they were facing separation.

 

“…Why?”

Evelyn’s lips trembled.

“Did something else go wrong?”

 

Perhaps it was because she had glimpsed a side of him, she hadn’t seen before.

 

Though they had been apart before, an inexplicable unease began to grow.

 

“Or… am I no longer needed?”

Moreover, Kalian was someone who intensely disliked unexpected variables beyond his control.

The death of her grandfather, the sudden opening of the gate…

Though he didn’t show it, did he secretly believe it was all because of her?

 

“Of course not.”

As if reading her thoughts, Kalian shook his head.

“It’s just… I’m worried you might get caught up in more trouble.”

Then he climbed back onto the bed and held her tightly.

“And we’re husband and wife. Our relationship isn’t about whether you’re needed or not.”

 

“…Husband and wife.”

The word felt strangely unfamiliar.

 

“Yes, husband and wife.”

 

He looked at her silently for a moment before smiling faintly.

“A relationship where we understand, respect, and share everything with each other, not one based on necessity.”

 

Kalian gently stroked Evelyn’s hair as she lay in his arms.

 

The warmth of his touch soothed the unease bubbling inside her. It finally felt real that she had married him.

 

Caught up in the chaos, she had completely forgotten. Evelyn let out a small sigh of relief.

“Why do you want to send me away, then?”

She asked, almost pouting. He pulled away slightly.

 

“While I safely complete the mission given to me, I want you to take care of the north in my place.”

 

“What if I mess up the duchy?”

“Then so be it. If it’s your will, I’ll accept it.”

 

He didn’t care if she messed it up?

Evelyn stared at him as if he were a stranger.

“…Don’t joke.”

He laughed, saying he was serious.

 

Then he took a deep breath, as if trying to fill his lungs with her soft, sweet scent, and continued.

“They say you shouldn’t try to outdo your wife if you want to maintain peace in the family.”

 

“…”

“That’s what my father said.”

Evelyn curled up and stroked her husband’s back as he held her.

“It seems you don’t want peace in the family, after all.”

Kalian chuckled, cupping her cheeks and lifting her face.

 

Then he looked at her with an affectionate gaze.

“There are different ways to cherish and care for your wife.”

“Words alone won’t do.”

 

After nullifying their contract, he had been trying to show her affection in his own way.

Though it sometimes felt awkward, like wearing ill-fitting clothes, Evelyn loved even his clumsy warmth.

But now, it feels different.

‘That affectionate gaze doesn’t feel awkward anymore.’

Ironically, she felt a strange unfamiliarity.

‘It’s only been a day or two, so why does Kalian feel so distant?’

 

She pondered the reason.

On their wedding day, they witnessed Dante’s death, and then the gate suddenly opened.

Even she had been swept into the gate. Did he feel something too?

They say adversity strengthens love, don’t they?

 

“I agree with your opinion that the duchy can’t be left empty. But…”

Evelyn faced his tired expression and hardened her own.

“There’s one thing I’m curious about.”

Aside from his unusual attitude, there was something she needed to know.

“Is there anything else I should know about my family or the holy relics?”

“What do you mean?”

 

“The first saint, Helena, left behind relics used to seal Babel for her descendants.”

Items imbued with divine power, capable of creating miracles.

A ring, earrings, and a necklace.

“Except for the necklace kept at the temple, the other two are now in my possession.”

‘Could this really be a coincidence?’

 

Evelyn steadied her trembling heart and spoke.

 

“Moreover, my mother was destined to bear a child who would become a vessel, which is why she was always under both threat and protection.”

 

“A vessel?”

Kalian’s eyes sharpened.

It was the reaction she expected.

Whether he was displeased at her being called a vessel or denying she could become one, she didn’t know.

“Yes, a vessel to contain something that would be resurrected using 100 primal stones as sacrifice.”

 

Kalian stared at her with an unreadable expression.

 

His dry lips moved, but no meaningful words came out. He just furrowed his brow and let out a long sigh, his deep eyes looking troubled.

Evelyn sighed.

“Of course, the one they want to resurrect is Babel.”

“Why do you think that?”

After organizing her thoughts, Evelyn frowned and spoke.

“If… the high priest is indeed part of a faction that worships Babel, then he must have a clear purpose for taking such risks, right?”

100 primal stones.

It sounded simple, but sacrificing 100 women from annihilated families was no ordinary feat.

Evelyn guessed the high priest’s goal was to extend the life of his son, who suffered from a genetic disease.

The only being capable of making that possible right now is Babel.

 

But Kalian dismissed her speculation with a single sentence.

“There’s a contradiction in your assumption.”

“…”

“If Babel is resurrected, humans won’t be able to live on this land. The moment the gate to the other world opens, the entire world will be engulfed in magic.”

At his words, Evelyn’s green eyes wavered aimlessly.

‘So, does that mean they’re trying to resurrect someone else?’

 

Her mind grew tangled. She couldn’t even guess who it might be.

 

Giving up on thinking, she grabbed his collar with the hand that had been pressing her temple.

 

“Then who are they trying to resurrect?”

 

“I don’t know.”

“…”

“Your mind must be exhausted. It’s best to rest for today.”

 

As expected, Kalian didn’t answer her question fully.

“I know you’re shocked by Sir Dante’s death. But all of this is just the work of dark magic.”

He only comforted her, though his furrowed brow showed concern.

“Don’t dwell too much on the past. For your physical and mental health, it’s better to let it go.”

 

“…”

“Just focus on recovering. I’ll handle finding and uprooting the source of this.”

 

He was clearly hiding something.

She was dying to know what it was, but Evelyn didn’t press further.

 

She believed it wasn’t because he looked down on her, but because there was another reason he couldn’t speak of.

‘Still, I can’t just sit back and let things happen without knowing anything.’

If he could resolve all her doubts, that would be ideal, but even if he couldn’t, she now had other ways.

 

As she stiffly wrapped up her thoughts, there was a knock at the door.

It was Benjamin and the vice-captain, who had just arrived at the palace.

Evelyn tried to get up to greet them, but Kalian pressed her shoulder, preventing her from moving.

 

He laid her back down on the bed and whispered,

“Rest for now. I’ll be back soon.”

Grabbing his coat, Kalian left the room, leaving Evelyn behind.

 

* * *

 

After he left, Evelyn lay on her side, blankly staring out the window.

Perhaps it was because time and space had been thrown into chaos.

Her stomach churned, and her head felt heavy, just like when she first started coughing up blood.

The dimming twilight outside brought an inexplicable sense of melancholy.

 

If it weren’t for the maid’s announcement of a visitor, she might have fallen asleep again.

‘Who could it be? The only person who knows I’m here, aside from Kalian, is… just one.’

 

With the maid’s help, Evelyn quickly freshened up and hurried to the reception room.

.
“It’s good to see you again.”