Chapter 45

“Hmm, yes. Thank you for explaining.”

Melissa finally smiled a little, and Natalianne, watching her expression closely, hesitated before mumbling,

“Um… are you mad at me?”

“No? Do I look like I am?”

Melissa looked startled as she asked back, and only then did Natalianne raise her eyebrows slightly before chuckling.

“No, not really.”

It was a short exchange, but everyone who heard it wore changing expressions.

Seres, Demius, and especially Linburton.

“How kind the young lady is being!”

The butler suddenly burst into tears, overwhelmed by the gentle sight of Natalianne, something no one had ever seen before.

Linburton, who had just recovered from shock, squeezed his eyes shut as if witnessing something horrific.

Even she had fallen for it.

As expected, that woman’s no easy opponent.

Snapping his eyes open, Linburton glared at Melissa with venom.

That thieving, bug-loving cat.

Just then, his line of sight was blocked by someone rushing forward.

“Are you alright!”

It was Demius.

He circled Melissa like a hawk, inspecting her from head to toe.

“What happened just now? Did those scoundrels harm you? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Oh, no, not at all. If anything, they’re the ones who got hurt.”

“…I see. That’s a relief.”

Demius smiled softly.

“Don’t worry about them. I’ll send someone to—”

No, wait.

He paused, then smirked.

He could handle it himself.

At that moment, Melissa tilted her head and looked at him.

“I’m more worried about you, Lord Demius. You weren’t injured during the hunt, were you?”

“I’m fine, I—”

And suddenly, an image flashed in his mind.

Melissa sitting by Shilen’s bedside, carefully feeding her porridge with her own hands.

“—am not fine!”

Demius shouted suddenly.

“I think I might be hurt!”

“Oh my, where?”

Startled, Melissa rushed closer, and Demius’s mind raced.

Nothing visible… then where?

His heart?

No, that won’t work.

That wasn’t something one could ask her to treat.

He needed something physical, an injury that would require bandages or gentle care.

“Here, my hand hurts!”

Scanning himself quickly, Demius extended his hand where there was a small scratch across the back of it.

A tiny scrape, probably from his armor or weapon, not even a real wound.

I’ll make the real injury later.

Something unseen, yes.

Maybe on his thigh.

While Demius was plotting, Melissa gasped softly and stepped closer.

“Oh, that must’ve hurt.”

She lifted his hand carefully and blew away the dust on his skin.

“Ah.”

Demius’s ears turned bright red.

Melissa, oblivious to his expression, focused entirely on the wound.

“I’ll bring the first-aid box and treat it right away. Are you hurt anywhere else?”

“Well…”

Not yet.

After a brief struggle in his head, Demius blurted out,

“My head hurts!”

“What nonsense is that.”

A cold voice came from behind.

Demius rolled his eyes irritably. Natalianne was staring at him like he’d lost his mind.

“Headache? Really? You’re saying you got a headache from fighting monsters? I think my common sense just left the planet.”

Shut up.

He shot her a glare, but Natalianne only smirked.

“Out of all excuses, you went with a headache? You literally snack on jerky while slaying monsters. You, of all people, getting a headache? Please. What’s next, your bones ache from old age?”

“That must be it. Age.”

Demius’s eyes widened in disbelief.

This lunatic.

Natalianne gave him a look of pure exasperation.

“You’re twenty years old.”

But Demius was already turning away, coughing dramatically.

“I-I think… cough! I might… cough!”

“Oh my, you’re coughing too!”

“Yes, maybe it’s from the cold winds of the northern range… No, it’s not contagious. But if my lady doesn’t mind, could I rest for a while under your care?”

“If I can be of help, of course you can.”

“I can’t watch this anymore.”

Natalianne let out a sigh from deep within her soul.

She strode forward and grabbed Melissa’s hand from Demius’s grip.

“You don’t need to bother. He’s exaggerating. Let’s go, Master.”

“…Master?”

Demius’s eyes widened. Natalianne tilted her chin proudly.

“That’s right. We’ve already become inseparable.”

“Ridiculous.”

Demius scowled.

“That’s us. We’re married!”

“Oh really?”

Natalianne let out a low laugh and gave him a sly smile.

Then she mouthed slowly, ‘A one-year marriage?’

“…!”

Demius’s eyes widened. He looked at Melissa, then back at her.

Under that black veil was the smuggest grin imaginable.

Damn it.

So she knew everything.

Grinding his teeth, Demius forced out the words.

“Marriage isn’t about time. It’s about bond.”

“Pathetic. Divorce ends it either way.”

Turning away with a cool expression, Natalianne smiled sweetly at Melissa.

“After a year, why don’t we move to the Tower together, Master? I’ll bathe you, dress you, feed you, and tuck you in. I’m very capable, you know.”

“I can do that too!”

“Please.”

Natalianne scoffed, glancing at Demius.

“What, you plan to become Grand Duke? I thought you said the title belonged to your brother.”

Demius clenched his jaw, glaring at her.

“…Until my brother returns, I can fill the role.”

“Wow, what touching brotherly love.”

Natalianne chuckled, but Demius muttered under his breath, as if making a vow to himself.

“I’d do anything for my wife.”

“Look at him passing off his own burdens again.”

Natalianne snorted and smiled at Melissa.

“I’m not like him, Master. I’d never force responsibility onto you.”

“Nati!”

“What, Demi?”

That foolish brat.

Demius’s eyes flared, but Natalianne only smirked.

“What, want to fight?”

“Not a bad idea.”

Demius replied coldly, hand moving toward his sword hilt.

Everyone went pale, eyes widening. Even Seres narrowed her eyes, watching her children prepare to fight.

“Please, stop.”

Melissa stepped between them.

“Now isn’t the time. You might reopen your wounds.”

Ah.

The rare, flustered look on Melissa’s face instantly cooled Demius’s temper.

Natalianne clicked her tongue but relented, pouting slightly as she looked at Melissa.

“Fine. Later then.”

“Thank you. Shall we go inside for treatment now?”

“Yes.”

Demius answered immediately, then hesitated with an apologetic smile.

“Actually, could you wait a moment?”

He still hadn’t had time to make his injury convincing.

And besides—

His lips twitched briefly before he straightened his expression and said gently,

“Would it be alright if I came to you shortly? I’ll return as soon as I can.”

“Of course.”

Melissa nodded.

She assumed he had post-hunt duties to attend to.

Understanding, she clenched her fists encouragingly.

“Take your time. But if it starts hurting too much, you can always come find me right away!”

“I’ll see you soon then.”

With a polite bow and a composed smile, Demius turned away.

The warmth in his eyes vanished the moment his back was to her.

The road from the Grand Duke’s estate stretched far ahead.

Judging the distance, the carriage path, and the time that had passed since those nobles left, Demius’s lips curved in a cold sneer.

His brother once told him never to use people as tools for revenge.

But this was different.

He mounted his horse, his cloak billowing sharply in the wind.

“Those who dared to harm Melissa…”

He exhaled quietly.

“…aren’t people.”