I Became The Wife Of The Cursed Grand Duke Chapter 120

The question was expected. 

 

As he had guessed, the Emperor was not suspicious of the Saintess but rather of Evelyn’s true identity. 

 

Of course, it was a natural doubt for an Emperor to have. 

 

The dungeon, which had become active with the birth of the Guardian, the land overflowing with demonic energy, and the dark curtain that had split the continent in half—while the Empire appeared to be thriving on the surface, the reality was one of unparalleled instability.

 

“Her identity? The Grand Duchess is nothing more than an ordinary woman,” Kalian replied.

 

“Ordinary? But it’s a fact that strange things have started happening in the Empire since she arrived,” the Emperor countered.

 

Kalian swallowed a bitter laugh and stared intently at the Emperor. 

 

It was Evelyn who had stopped the great calamity that had struck the Empire, and it was she who had purified the corrupted land. 

 

Yet, the Emperor seemed determined to blame the Grand Duchess for all of it.

 

‘There’s no helping it.’

 

Moreover, the nobles were buzzing about the gate that had opened in the northern region, known as the Holy Land. 

 

They claimed that the Imperial family’s precious heir had nearly been lost due to the incident. 

 

Some even suggested that the Grand Duke had orchestrated the whole thing as a pretext to invite the Crown Prince to his wedding. 

 

With such rumors swirling, it was no wonder the Emperor couldn’t think straight.

 

Kalian couldn’t help but lament the rotten state of the land. At the same time, he gritted his teeth at his own arrogance, thinking he could protect everything.

 

‘If I had known it would come to this, I should have let the monsters sweep through the Empire. Then no one would dare speak carelessly about Evelyn.’

 

He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, a persistent madness flickered in his gaze.

 

“There are forces plotting against me. I’ll explain in detail once I’ve gathered all the evidence. For now, please be cautious,” Kalian said.

 

* * *

 

Kalian, who had said he would return soon, did not come back until dawn. Even Benjamin, who usually brought news when Kalian was late or couldn’t keep his promises, was eerily silent.

 

‘Has something happened?’

 

In truth, it wasn’t surprising that Kalian hadn’t returned. He was undoubtedly busy dealing with the aftermath of the dungeon incident.

 

‘Don’t worry about me. I’m not feeling well anyway, so I plan to rest thoroughly before returning to the north.’

 

Evelyn had responded this way as soon as she heard her husband say he would return soon. 

 

So, it was only natural that he hadn’t come back yet.

 

‘Why do I feel so uneasy?’

 

If she had known this would happen, she would have told Leon to stay overnight at Reah’s place. 

 

Tears welled up in her eyes for no reason. Lately, she found herself crying over the smallest things.

 

Evelyn tossed and turned, trying to soothe her lonely and anxious heart, before finally falling asleep. She hoped that when she opened her eyes, he would be lying beside her.

 

It was in the deep hours of the night that Evelyn, now sound asleep, sensed a presence.

 

“Evelyn.”

 

A rough, cracked voice pierced through her drowsiness.

 

“Mmm…”

 

Evelyn responded half-asleep, then realized it wasn’t a dream and opened her eyes wide.

 

“Kal, is that you?”

 

“Yes. You must be tired, so go back to sleep.”

 

“How can I sleep when you’re here…?”

 

Evelyn quickly tried to get up to light a candle, but he stopped her, burying his face in her chest. 

 

The scent of the early morning air clung to him, mixed with a faint hint of blood and wood.

 

“Did something… happen?”

 

“I went to Eldin. I had business at Count Martin’s smithy, where I had requested the creation of a barrier stone.”

 

“Were you trying to find out who the artifact’s contractor was?”

 

“Among other things.”

 

Evelyn gave up trying to push Kalian away and instead gently caressed his cool cheek.

 

“It’s so late. You should have just stayed and slept there.”

 

“How could I, with such a beautiful wife waiting for me?”

 

“What if you were attacked on the way?”

 

He let out a light laugh and nestled closer to her.

 

“I should be used to your worrying by now, but it still feels strange every time I hear it.”

 

It was actually Evelyn who felt strange about his unusual reaction. She muttered to herself and finally managed to pull away slightly.

 

In the moonlight streaming through the window, she caught a glimpse of her husband’s face. His features, barely visible in the dim light, looked unusually rough today.

 

“What exactly happened in the last half-day?”

 

“I was overseeing the purification of the land, attended a noble meeting, and went to Eldin, as I said.”

 

“Isn’t there anyone else to handle these matters for the Emperor in your absence?”

 

“The Captain of the Guard recently lost his life. It’s like losing an arm. For now, there’s no one else.”

 

Kalian gently stroked his wife’s soft cheek, which was furrowed with worry.

 

“It’s the same as always. You don’t need to worry.”

 

“If you don’t want me to worry, you shouldn’t come back looking so hurt.”

 

“Do I look that bad?”

 

“It’s not that…”

 

At this point, the title of Guardian felt like a curse. A faint tremor crept into Evelyn’s voice.

 

“I just want you to be happy. Truly.”

 

The two locked eyes in silence.

 

The sincerity in her gaze made Kalian feel oddly unsettled.

 

“I’ve told you before. Just having you by my side is enough.”

 

“…That’s not true.”

 

“It’s fine if you don’t believe me. In fact…”

 

After a brief pause, he muttered,

 

“If I think back on all the reckless things I’ve said to you, it’s only natural that you wouldn’t trust me.”

 

Evelyn’s jaw tightened. Even though she hadn’t said a word, the look in her eyes was so pitiful and earnest that Kalian couldn’t help but sigh.

 

“And I mean it too. Your happiness is my happiness.”

 

He tightened his arms around her, holding her close.

 

“If I say one more word, I’ll make you cry.”

 

He whispered softly, his fingers gripping Evelyn’s small, delicate chin.

 

“As penance, I won’t go anywhere for a while.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“And since you’re not feeling well, I won’t touch you either.”

 

“Sure, sure.”

 

A faint laugh escaped her lips, followed by his warm breath. Evelyn stroked her husband’s hair as he kissed her, then closed her eyes.

 

* * *

 

Two days later.

 

The carriage carrying Evelyn and Kalian raced through the dim twilight. Evelyn hadn’t heard where they were going, but it didn’t matter. As long as they were together in the carriage, it felt no different from a moving bedroom.

 

“Ah…!”

 

Evelyn’s neck flushed red as she let out a coquettish moan, leaning back.

 

“You said… we were going… somewhere… Mmm…”

 

As she lowered her head, her eyes met his. His piercing gaze held hers, refusing to let her look away.

 

“We are going somewhere. Why?”

 

“You said… we were going… to rest… Ah…”

 

Instead of resting, he had started devouring her lips the moment they entered the carriage. 

 

Dozens of minutes had passed since he had roughly pulled off her dress, and the relentless movements made her feel like she was melting away.

 

“Ah, ah, ah, wait…”

 

A thrilling pleasure made her hair stand on end. The sound of her pounding heart echoed loudly in her ears like tinnitus.

 

“Is it too much?”

 

She nodded tearfully, but it was no use. As if tormenting her wasn’t enough, Kalian pulled her waist closer and reached down without hesitation.

 

His hands, which had easily pushed up her dress, began to move with a wicked intent.

 

“Just bear with it a little longer.”

 

Kalian kissed her deeply as he held the back of her head. Moans of pleasure escaped her soft lips, growing louder.

 

“Haah, haah…”

 

Finally, when his hand slid down to her pelvis,

 

“Ah!”

 

Her body shuddered violently. Without thinking, Evelyn reached down and grabbed his wrist tightly.

 

‘Why… am I doing this?’

 

She was surprised by her own sudden actions.

 

She didn’t want him to stop. It felt too good to have him caressing her body. But her hand had moved on its own.

 

It was as if she had been seized by an overwhelming sense of dread, like someone facing death.

 

“Haah, ha, haah…”

 

Evelyn rested her forehead on his shoulder, breathing heavily. An inexplicable tension made her stomach churn and her heart race.

 

Why? She had already broken the curse and diligently learned to control her magic.

 

‘But this sensation tearing through my insides is definitely…’

 

She didn’t know. Her entire body was drenched in cold sweat, overwhelmed by an unfamiliar fear.

 

Kalian was equally startled. He instinctively held Evelyn, who was trembling in his arms.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

Evelyn couldn’t bring herself to speak, shivering uncontrollably. Kalian, not understanding what was wrong, gently cradled the back of her head.

 

“What’s wrong? Are you in pain?”

 

He shouldn’t have pushed her this far.

 

But as always, being alone with her clouded his judgment, and by the time he came to his senses, he had been ravaging her like a madman.

 

Seeing her flushed face, on the verge of collapsing in his arms, he finally regained his senses.

 

How could he tell her to endure a little longer when she wasn’t even in good health?

 

“Haah…”

 

A long sigh escaped Kalian’s lips. Feeling unnecessarily guilty, he held her trembling body tightly and comforted her.

 

“I’m sorry. You can stop if it’s too much.”

 

Evelyn shook her head.

 

“Don’t apologize. I don’t want to stop either. And…”

 

She pouted, looking upset.

 

“We haven’t even… properly had our first night yet.”