Chapter 99: Chapter 99

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“I’m sorry.”

“What?”

He was still focusing on where he should relieve his dreadful fury. Suddenly, he had gotten surprised by her unanticipated voice, which made Raven regain his senses before turning his gaze.

“I’ve been hiding this all the while. Even when I am a bride who could happen to be a fatal flaw, I still married you in the end.”

Her cautiously spoken words were getting fainter by the second. Although she had already resolved herself to lighten up her heart, it was still terrifying to express the truth.

She was just afraid of an increased number of people who would be hating her in the end.

“If you’ve started to hate me now, I will then speak to the Count as much as I can…”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

He immediately stopped her from speaking as he couldn’t really hear her. Then, Raven tried to hold onto Molitia’s hand, but at the same time, he sensibly avoided the bandaged area before clasping fully onto her hand.

“You are my wife in name and in actuality. That is a fact that won’t ever change. I have absolutely no intention of running to anyone else.”

“But—”

“Being sick is not a sin at all. It’s neither a drawback, nor it is something that should stay hidden.”

He then peered into her eyes. Her purple eyes, which were fluttering ceaselessly, were still moist.

How terribly hard it must have been. How tragic it must have been as well. And the amount of pain was absolutely something that even Raven had dared not imagine.

“Molitia, my lovely wife. Even if you’re sick, you are still—undoubtedly—the Duchess.”

“Raven…”

Raven’s words had started to make her eyes welled up again. She honestly thought that she had no more tears to shed, but streams of tears began trickling down her burning cheeks.

‘It’s an absolute relief that I was able to marry him.’

An uncontrollable feeling started to pervade her mind. As she could no longer stay still, Molitia began reaching out to him before hugging his neck tightly.

“Thank you… thank you very much. I thank you for saying that.”

Raven carefully held her in his embrace. Her body temperature was much higher than his. Thank you. And her little whispers were constantly piercing his ears.

Raven hugged her even more tightly and began to make an oath. He would never allow this petite body of hers to be hurt anymore.

After that single hug, Raven straight away laid Molitia on the bed. Immediately after he saw her face, he decided that she shouldn’t be on her feet any longer.

Raven also lay down next to her when she confessed that she didn’t want to be left alone. It was still a little early, but the lights in the Duke’s bedroom eventually dimmed out.

Darkness gradually seeped into the previously bright room, leaving only the soft breathing of the couple—enveloping in silence—to be left heard.

“Raven.”

Moltia turned and looked at him. His hand, which was gently sweeping her hair, eventually paused itself.

“Yes?”

“I found out something strange from Arjan today. I heard that the county is currently in a huge fine and he has been working hard on it—all because of you.”

“Really? I guess the paperwork must have passed already.”

“Really, you were the one who did that?”

He gave a devious smile at Molitia’s words.

“I didn’t actually do it—to be exact. I just slipped some rumors out and the public officials, who have been wanting to see results begin to demand for their own turn.”

“Raven, really…”

She immediately sent a ridiculous look at his words. To be honest, it wasn’t because she disliked it. Nevertheless, no one would actually stop abruptly just like that. Especially this father of hers, Count Clemence.

“I’m quite embarrassed to say this, but my father is a wicked man. Therefore, he’ll try his level best to get even with you.”

“So?”

Raven responded as if he was asking what seemed to be the problem at that moment.

“It’s such a shame that I ended this with a mere fine after listening to what I’ve just heard. On the other hand, I would have led the guards myself before crushing them completely.”