Chapter 41

“Marina, please stop.”

“Jena, isn’t my point valid? Did I say the wrong thing? Hmm?”

Jena interrupted Marina’s endless torrent of scathing remarks, her arms wrapped around Lariana. They had shared a close bond since their premarital days, but Marina’s behavior had become excessively severe.

Marina, preparing to admonish, encountered Cain as he entered the bedroom. Jena sent a gaze, her eyes imploring Marina to stop as tears welled up.

Cain and Marina, without exchanging greetings, silently glared at each other. A wordless clash ensued until Marina, unable to contain herself any longer, broke the silence.

“I wondered why the servants of this mansion were all so impudent and incapable of providing proper hospitality. Now I understand.”

As Marina swept her gaze up and down, Cain’s lips curled askew. He passed Marina and settled at the foot of Lariana’s bed.

“Does Count Deryl not teach you the ways of proper decorum for a guest? Or perhaps, have you failed to learn from Count Beckdel?”

Unable to hear the insults, Marina let out an exclamation.

“Your words are excessive. I will speak to my father and husband and formally filed a complaint for Delacroix family!”

“Suit yourself,” Cain responded with a nonchalant shrug. “Then be on your way. Do not disturb the patient with your commotion.”

“Oh, fine. I was planning to leave anyway!” Marina stealthily approached the door, grasping the doorknob and shout loudly, “I find it terribly uncomfortable to be in the same space as a presumptuous man who disregards his wife!”

Jena stood there, her mouth agape in astonishment. As Marchioness Deryl, she never imagined her daring to challenge Duke Delacroix.

Marina swiftly exited the room and stormed to the hallway, leaving behind a trail of unresolved tension and unspoken grievances.

Cain chuckled and shook his head. He placed his palm on the washcloth resting on his wife’s forehead. Feeling the chill dissipate and the cloth become lukewarm, he picked it up and placed it back in her forehead.

“Jena Selman.”

Jena was startled and immediately lowered her head.

“Yes, my lord?”

“Go to Hanson and inform him that Marina Beckdel, or rather, Marina Deryl, is henceforth forbidden from entering here.”

“B-but…”

Cain held up the washcloth, conveying his unease as he looked at Jena.

“Do you have something to say?”

“No, sir. Understood.”

“Very well. You may leave now.”

Jena left, leaving only two people in the bedroom. Cain positioned himself to gently maneuver Lariana’s body, wiping away her body. It was a sacred ritual, akin to a solemn ceremony of care that lasted for quite some time. Once all was done, he pulled a chair and settled down.

“Lari…”

Profound sighs filled the silent room. The moon had risen high since last night, and he had returned from his madness. The madness had subsided, and now he writhed in anguish, reliving the memories.

He had been stabbed by Lariana’s fearful blade, inflicted countless wounds, even breaking her leg. Moreover, he had neglected to protect her. Truly, he was the worst husband, even by his own standards. Marina’s words were correct; she should never have married him.

Placing both hands on the bed, he gently pressed her forehead, mustering the words as if purging himself.

“We shouldn’t have marry, you and I.”

If he truly cared for Lariana, they should never have married. Lariana was his beloved. Oh, how selfish had he been. Words he failed to express all this time echoed within his mind. Tears welled up as he lifted his head, gazing upon his wife. 

Lariana, his love, was now looking back at him, her shimmering blue eyes filled with tears.

“Lari!”

Cain moved towards the head of the bed, embracing her. Weakened, Lariana nestled in his arms, devoid of strength.

For the first time in his life, he felt gratitude towards the divine goddess Vuerin. Holding back his tears, he thanked her for returning Lariana safely to him.

“I’m relieved. Thank you. Thank you for waking up.”

Cain was immersed in his emotions, while Lariana was profoundly shocked. The words that they shouldn’t have marry echoed in Lariana’s mind.

“…What about the troll?”

Regaining her composure, Lariana grasped Cain’s shoulder and asked, her face displaying a bewildered expression.

“Marina Deryl visited you every day. Jena tirelessly cared for you as well.”

“What happened to the troll?”

Ignoring Cain’s attempts to divert the conversation, Lariana persisted in questioning him about the troll.

“Lari…”

“…They died.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks, as her eyes, which were filled with tears, overflowed. Lariana wept endlessly, feeling as if the fate of the young troll mirrored her own future. Someday, she too would meet her demise at Cain’s hands…

As Cain had mentioned during the hunt, she was slowly descending into madness. Fear had consumed her, and gradually, insanity seeped in.

“I told you not to… not to kill it! I begged you to spare it! Why? Why did you kill it? Will you kill me like that too?”

“Lari, no. I would never harm you. How could I do such a thing? Please don’t say such words.”

“…You broke my leg. In the end, you will… kill me.”

“If you were to die at my hands, then I would die. But that will never happen.”

Cain gently held both of Lariana’s cheeks, looking deeply into her eyes. His eyes were profound and blue like an abyss, filled with sincerity.

Lariana loved those eyes. She loved Cain Delacroix. That was why it hurt so much. If only she didn’t love him, she wouldn’t have suffered so deeply.

It was difficult to meet his sincere gaze. It pained her to speak harsh words to him, who loved her unconditionally.

“Cain, please, can’t you abandon me? It’s too much for me. I can’t bear to live like this anymore.”

Having endured the wretched wedding ceremony and Marcella’s torment, Lariana yearned for love and acceptance.

When the madness subsided and Cain returned, he was remarkably sweet. It was enough to satisfy her even if she were to live her whole life like this.

If she avoided encountering the mad Cain, she wouldn’t have to live in fear of him taking her life. By skillfully evading his madness, perhaps she could sustain this peculiar marriage indefinitely. And if she endured and bore a child, maybe Marcella would become slightly more tolerant. 

Lariana sincerely regretted entertaining such nonsensical thoughts. Now that they had become a couple, they had to face each other even when they didn’t want to. Throughout their lives, there would undoubtedly be countless variables akin to a hunting game.

Lariana gazed at Cain with longing. If Cain truly loved her, would he consider setting her free?

“That is not possible.”

“…Cain.”

“I am a selfish man. You may curse and strike me as you please. I will accept the consequences. But please, stay by my side. Even if it’s not by my side, simply remain within the Delacroix name.”

“Why on earth?”

He held her fiercely, as if he would never let Lariana go. No, it would be more accurate to say that he clung to her. He held her tightly.

“Why are you doing this? Don’t you love me?”

Cain’s lips touched Lariana’s cheek, causing her skin to tingle with each word he spoke.

“Do you no longer love me?”

His breath and voice dispersed onto her cheek. Cain desperately sought love, caressing Lariana’s soft cheek. Despite his endless inquiries, no answers came back to him.

“Lari, you still love me, don’t you? Don’t give up on me.”

After Lariana woke up, Cain was filled with anxiety, fearing she would run away. He resolved never to leave her side, even for a moment.

Throughout her waking hours, he held Lariana in his arms. Whenever she attempted to move, he would always embrace and reposition her. He even insisted on holding her when Damian came for a medical examination, causing Lariana to become visibly upset.

During sleep, he gently tied his hand to Lariana’s with a soft silk cloth. He would not sleep until Lariana had fallen asleep first. It was as if he couldn’t doze off, standing guard on the battlefield.

His demeanor was so pitiful that even Jena, who was unaware of Cain’s condition, expressed sympathy. Over time, Lariana began to agree with those words.

Eventually, she became captivated by Cain. Lariana could only blame her own excessive empathy. Since childhood, she had never been able to pass by those who were fragile and vulnerable.

It was the same now. She couldn’t turn away from him, tormented by a terrible madness.

Even if she would later come to regret her choice, she wanted to believe in him once again.

? ? ?

The madness returned, and Cain avoided seeking out Lariana for a while.

The series of events during the hunt confused Cain in his state of madness. He forcefully denied the affection and desire he felt towards Lariana and intentionally kept his distance.

The relationship between the mad Cain and Lariana returned to square one.

After regaining consciousness from the fall and losing awareness for an extended period, she quickly returned to her daily life as her injuries were not severe.

Upon rising from the sickbed, she was met with the same arduous and harsh married life.

Marcella changed her approach towards her, pretending to be a good mother-in-law in front of her, using the injuries as an opportunity. However, in reality, she began treating Lariana as her personal maid.

As the servants were dismissed, and the time spent alone with her mother-in-law increased, Lariana’s life became more agonizing.

Marcella took pleasure in using the fan primarily to flick Lariana’s hand, shoulder, forehead, or to poke at the parts concealed by her dress.

This secret abuse was something she couldn’t confide in anyone about. It wasn’t severe enough to kill or torture, so she couldn’t even speak to Cain about it.

The mad version of him seemed barely capable of tolerating it, and the sane version of him seemed ready to kill his own mother.

Thus, another season passed, and spring arrived. Read ahead here.