Chapter 18

Fortunately. For Asulin, truly, truly fortunately.

This uncomfortable situation, where she was receiving pitying glances from those around her, didn’t last as long as she thought it would.

Guided by the servants, the royal physician of the Duke’s Residence hurriedly arrived at the bedroom.

After removing the wet cloth that Andymin had placed on her forehead, and after examining her temperature and overall condition, the physician began to feel something was amiss, tilting their head in confusion. That’s when everything started.

Seeing the physician tilt their head, Andymion felt a sense of unease and approached to ask about her condition, but the physician held up a hand to silence him before whispering something too quiet for anyone else to hear.

Initially, Andymion simply nodded silently to the physician’s whispers, but when the physician’s words, tinged with a hint of mischief, were conveyed, his reaction was quite surprising. He shook his head violently as if struck by lightning.

Asulin, who had her eyes closed but seemed awake through spiritual sense, couldn’t understand why Andymion was reacting this way. However, seeing Andymion’s reaction, the physician smiled contentedly and stood up.

“Rest assured. There’s nothing wrong; it’s just a natural consequence of what happens between spouses. No need to worry.”

As soon as these words were spoken,

“No way! No way!”

Asulin internally screamed, instantly understanding why Andymion reacted that way. After all, if they had actually been intimate and this was the result, it might be surprising, but not unjust.

They hadn’t even properly confirmed anything before the physician hastily concluded.

Standing up immediately, she was about to unleash her anger, but then—

“Ugh…”

Even though the wet cloth had lowered her fever and improved her condition somewhat, she knew standing up like this would lead to an extremely awkward situation.

So, she stayed in bed.

The servants, relieved by the physician’s words, began nodding silently. If Asulin had noticed their expressions, she might have felt even more aggrieved, but for them, and perhaps for her, it was fortunate.

In her dazed state, Asulin didn’t have time to check the servants’ reactions. By now, her mind had crossed a point of no return.

Andromion, covering his face in disbelief, said:

“Cough.”

Coughing once, he lowered his hand and swiftly gestured for someone to come over. It was Katarina, who was just as startled as Andromion by the physician’s declaration.

Katarina, showing an even deeper sense of shock than Andromion, said:

“I’ll take care of Asulin alone. I think everyone else should leave. Do we really need so many people to look after a tired person?”

Katarina, with a small, gentle voice, demanded the gathered servants to leave. Without hesitation, she bowed and took charge of the situation, gesturing for the servants to leave the bedroom.

Though the request seemed unlikely to be honored given the nature of Asulin’s arrival at the Duke’s Residence, surprisingly, the servants complied and left.

Knowing Andymion had risked his life to protect Asulin from an assassin during a demon hunt, and having seen him personally make a cold compress for her, the servants were moved deeply.

“Night… how much…”

Katarina muttered softly, her face flushing slightly as she left the room. The creaking sound of the door closing distracted Asulin, which turned out to be lucky for Katarina.

Finally, only Asulin and Andymion remained in the bedroom. The silence and calm Asulin had longed for were there.

Lying in bed, Asulin, with Andymion sitting in a chair watching her cautiously, felt a sigh of relief inside. This nightmare-like moment finally ended.

Though she wasn’t truly alone, it was far better than the suffocating silence that had filled the room earlier. Her heart, which had raced wildly at night and been pained by the silent gaze in the morning, finally relaxed.

“Oh…”

She sighed lightly. The physician’s words echoed in her mind, “There’s no need to worry,” as she felt Andymion’s voice had become sweet in her ears just before she fell asleep.

…

Good night.

I sat in the chair next to the bed, watching Asulin sleep peacefully. With no other tasks to do, I just let the heat in my head subside.

With nothing done except placing a wet cloth on her head, and with no signs of fever anywhere else,

It took a while even after Katarina and the others left for the heat to finally dissipate.

The reason for the fever was clear. The physician, who had examined Asulin and spoken to me about her condition, was the cause.

At first, it seemed like she had trouble sleeping, causing her metabolism to become abnormal and affecting her heartbeat and overall health.

But when the physician said it would naturally heal over time and that there was no need to worry, I felt greatly relieved knowing she was safe.

“If it was just that, I wouldn’t have been embarrassed.”

The physician changed their expression, jokingly asking how intense their marital relations were to make such a strong young master lose his mind.

Hearing this, I felt a shock like a bolt of lightning. When I vehemently denied it, my head suddenly felt unbearably hot.

Even if I had endured severe movements without any issues, I never imagined I’d react this way to mere words. The embarrassment grew.

Still, it was a misunderstanding, and the calm reaction of the Duke’s Residence staff, who accepted the physician’s words without question, prevented things from spiraling out of control.

“Since there’s nothing to worry about, let’s move past this…”

Reflecting on the common truth that blaming others won’t change the past, I tried to calm my chaotic thoughts.

“By the way… Asulin’s sleeping face is really pretty.”

I watched Asulin sleep soundly in bed. Earlier, her face had been full of tension and danger, but now, her peaceful slumber radiated beauty.

Her gently closed eyes looked serene, almost drooping with calm, and her lips, forming a subtle curve, were inviting.

“Stop!”

I immediately rebuked myself for having such lecherous thoughts as soon as I saw Asulin.

After staying up all night, she deserved to sleep peacefully, and yet here I was, thinking inappropriate thoughts about her vulnerable state.

My own actions were intolerable. I shook my head in frustration.

“Why does that disgusting voice ring so clearly in my head today?”

I clenched my teeth to suppress the rising anger.

“Focus on the present. Don’t dwell on the past.”

A loathsome voice echoed in my mind, mocking me.

“…What do you want from me? Did I want you to be my child when I brought you here? How absurd.”

“You’re a substitute. Needed to fill in where my real child can’t.”

“I don’t care what name you’ve used until now, but from now on, you don’t need one.”

“Shadow… Shadow. Just call me that.”

Why does this voice, which I hate most in the world, sound so clear in my head?

I clenched my teeth again, trying to cool the anger rising within me.

Even though each bond formed since coming to the Sword Mansion was precious, it was a life not chosen.

The resentment towards my biological father, who treated me arbitrarily and forced roles upon me, could never be justified, even with kind words.

Every time I heard his repulsive voice, I ground my teeth in frustration, trying to forget him.

That bastard, he’s better off dead. If he weren’t, I’d have killed him myself.

While I was lost in these destructive thoughts, watching Asulin sleep quietly, her faint moan and shifting body broke my reverie pleasantly.

Just as she had lain down to sleep, she slightly turned her body, refusing to lie flat, her form filling my view from the chair beside the bed.

…

What should I say?

Just a moment ago, I was filled with negative, self-destructive thoughts, but seeing Asulin’s serene face, I couldn’t recall what I was thinking.

Her bright, peaceful sleep had brightened my gloomy mood.

Truly, truly…

“Instead of the Sword Demon title, I could have avoided such names if I had entered society instead of the military…”

I muttered to myself, then stood up, stretching to clear my mind.

It won’t always be this way. Over time, seeing Asulin sleep like this will no longer make my heart race.

I silently repeated the simple truth that humans adapt, focusing on making sure Asulin could sleep more comfortably.

And so, the third day passed smoothly for the hostage-turned-son-in-law.