CMLMF 10

Chapter 10

The weighty warmth of that hand slowly brought Elledein back to her senses.

Her sobs faded, replaced by ragged breathing that filled the room. Once she recognized him, Elledein offered an apology.

“I’m sorry… I wasn’t in my right mind.”

Why do I always cause trouble? I tried to do well.

Frustration and sorrow welled up inside her.

Fernan, who had been watching her tears drip steadily, carefully wiped them away.

“Don’t say anything. Just lie down.”

Fernan gently lay her down in his arms.

Now that they were both lying there, even the large bed felt small and cramped.

She tried to push him away, saying she was fine, but her drained body had no strength.

In the end, lying in his arms, she glanced up at him.

Fernan, lying still with his eyes closed, showed no intention of letting her go.

She wriggled a bit at first, trying to escape, but soon stopped. It had been so long since she felt another person’s warmth.

Fernan’s body was large, solid, and warm. The shared warmth was so comforting that she found herself crying again.

Noticing this, Fernan gently turned her toward him and began to softly pat her back.

The pleasant rhythm lulled Elledein to sleep.

After so many nights shivering in the cold, being wrapped in warmth again brought on an irresistible drowsiness.

The Next Morning

When she opened her eyes, Fernan was already gone.

The emptiness beside her left a bitter feeling—and then the memory of her breakdown the night before came rushing back.

A wave of shame washed over her.

Still, amidst the shame, the memory of how comforting his arms had been lingered, intensifying her embarrassment.

‘Haa… I should go greet him…’

Just thinking of last night made her reluctant to go.

What must he think of me?

All sorts of negative thoughts swirled in her head.

But she couldn’t skip a proper thank-you.

With a sigh, Elledein sat up.

As soon as her feet touched the floor, a sharp pain shot through her soles.

“Ah.”

Her foot, wrapped in white bandages, showed signs of the injury from the night before.

There’s no way she could walk like this.

Panicked, she looked around for something to support herself.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

“Yes, come in.”

The door opened, and Sylin entered, visibly upset.

While Elledein had silently endured on her own, Sylin had been consumed with guilt for not taking better care of her.

Seeing Sylin’s whole demeanor scream frustration and worry, Elledein gave a faint smile.

She appreciated the concern.

Sylin gently removed the bandage around her foot.

Due to the strain the night before, the wound had reopened and was bleeding again. Sylin let out a deep sigh at the sight.

“It… it wasn’t this bad before.”

Elledein fumbled her words in panic.

Sylin, with a warm towel, carefully wiped away the blood.

Elledein waved a hand as Sylin silently tended to her with her head lowered.

“I can do it. You can rest.”

Tearing up, Sylin replied,

“It’s okay to act a little spoiled when you’re in pain.”

Her words and the way she looked even more upset than Elledein herself made her heart ache.

“…Thank you.”

Elledein whispered softly.

Later

“Haa…”

Standing in front of the study, Elledein let out a soft breath.

Even though she’d come this far, she still wanted to turn around and run.

‘But of course I can’t.’

A woman—and a wife—who doesn’t greet her lord in the morning?

Count Pure had always taught her to carry herself properly and remain humble.

So far, Fernan had often been absent in the mornings due to work, but not today.

And after what happened last night, she couldn’t avoid facing him.

Straightening her back, she knocked lightly on the door.

A voice invited her in, and Elledein entered, bowing deeply.

“Good morning.”

“Elledein! You’re not too tired, I hope? I slept very well.”

Fernan smiled brightly and strode toward her.

Startled, Elledein flinched.

Hearing her name spoken so warmly by him made her ears tingle oddly.

Fernan looked at his small wife as if she were precious.

He had always wanted to greet her first in the morning, but she was usually still asleep.

Now, for her to come find him as soon as she woke up—how could he not be grateful?

Smiling, Fernan took her hand.

“Come, sit for a bit.”

He called Molek, who brought in tea and sweets.

Though breakfast hadn’t been served yet, a table full of desserts was set before her, making Elledein uneasy.

Was this because of last night?

Or… had her greeting displeased him?

While nervously rubbing her hands, Fernan sat down across from her and said,

“Please, eat! It’ll still be a while before breakfast is ready. I’m not sure if these suit your taste. I had them made as close to the capital’s style as possible.”

He seemed embarrassed as he explained.

Has anyone ever offered her something so sincerely?

She wasn’t hungry, having just woken up, but how could she turn down someone so well-meaning?

Elledein lowered her gaze to the desserts.

She hadn’t seen treats like these at either the Baron’s or Count’s estates.

They looked unfamiliar, and she wasn’t sure how to eat them.

She wanted to quickly show she was eating, but couldn’t even pick one up.

Noticing her hesitation, Fernan picked up a small cookie.

“Ahem, I heard… that feeding each other is something couples do.”

He cleared his throat awkwardly.

She had never heard such a thing.

As a lady and a noble, she had been taught to use a fork or knife at all times.

…Or maybe dessert was an exception?

She wasn’t sure if he was telling the truth, having never learned such things.

“I’m sure it’s delicious. Nisroch put his heart into it.”

Nisroch—the head chef of the castle.

She hadn’t eaten his food often, but it had been good when she had, so she hesitated, looking at Fernan.

He still held out the cookie.

It was her first time being fed by someone else—it felt strangely embarrassing.

Elledein stared at him without replying.

Taking her silence as agreement, Fernan brought the cookie closer.

Startled by the unexpected approach, Elledein shut her eyes tight.

Then, something brushed her cheek.

‘…Huh?’

Surprised, she opened her eyes.

“Ah… Did I just… make a mistake? I can’t see very well, so…”

Flustered, Fernan reached out with his free hand.

His fingers brushed something soft.

“Ah…”

Elledein stared at him in shock.

Realizing he had just touched her lips, Fernan yelped and yanked his hand away.

His face turned bright red.

That look was unlike anyone Elledein had ever seen before—she burst into laughter without thinking.

She took his hand and placed the cookie in her mouth.

“Ah.”

As soon as it touched her tongue, it melted.

She had never tasted anything like it—neither greasy like meat nor fresh like vegetables.

It was her first experience of true sweetness.

When she didn’t speak, Fernan scratched his cheek nervously.

“Does it not suit your taste…?”

Realizing she’d frozen, Elledein quickly shouted,

“N-no! It’s just… so good I was surprised.”

Her cheeks were flushed pink.

Strangely, she wanted more.

She glanced at the cookie she had just eaten.

If that tiny one was this good, how delicious must the big one be?

Her mouth watered.

“Please eat comfortably. It’s all yours.”

Still hesitant, Elledein carefully picked up another.

When she bit into the cookie the size of her fist, soft whipped cream filled her mouth.

Delicious!

Elledein began nibbling happily.

The way she moved awkwardly in his blurry sight was adorable.

‘…I want to see her.’

Closing his eyes, the face he saw that night floated to mind.

If he could, he wanted to break the curse and spend all day just looking at her.

Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, this curse.

Because he would never forget her face.

In the silence, Elledein paused eating and asked hesitantly,

“Do your eyes… bother you?”

“I’m fine… though I do want to see you.”

Fernan smiled.

Startled, Elledein dropped the cookie she was holding.

Whenever he smiled like that, her neck tickled for some reason.

Touching her nape, she asked,

“Um… Is your vision still the same as what you mentioned before?”

She had received so much—it was time she helped him.

Fernan gave a small nod.

“It’s still all black, with people and objects outlined in red.”

Black sight and red outlines.

Elledein pondered his words.

She’d read many books at the Count and Baron estates, but never encountered such a description.

Of course, those places had nothing to do with curses, so it made sense.

Though she wanted to help him as soon as possible, all she knew from her previous life was that Fernan’s curse was lifted after meeting a saint.

But she wasn’t a saint.

She had to find another way to break his curse.

The devil’s curse had long taken root in his body. To find a concrete method to lift it, she needed to begin by researching—from books, and eventually from Fernan and the Duke’s lineage.

Maybe through that, she’d find a clue to break his curse.

And the first step was the library.

“Could I use the library? I might find a way to break the curse.”

“Of course. Shall we go together?”

Fernan smiled and offered his hand.

Elledein tilted her head slightly and placed her pale hand in his.

Compared to his large, rough hands, hers looked small and scrawny.

Feeling suddenly self-conscious, she tried to pull away—but he brought her hand to his cheek.

“Uh?”

Elledein let out a surprised squeak.

“Use anything you want. The library, and everything else—it’s all yours.”

Fernan felt the cold, rough texture of her skin against his cheek. Unlike that night, though her face touched him, his vision remained black.