TNCFO 79

~Chapter 79~

Shariette covered smoothly.

“Anette made it sound like her healing had a dangerous price. And when I saw her heal the knight, it looked different from normal wounds closing.”

“……”

Noxian didn’t answer right away.

When he finally spoke, his words were far from what she expected.

“If you insist on putting it that way, fine. I’ll let it go this time.”

It wasn’t agreement—it was closer to a warning.

“But there won’t be a next time, Shariette. Then, I’ll collect payment for today’s lie as well.”

After leaving that chilling notice, he asked an even harsher question.

“So if I deal with that woman, will your worries disappear?”

Deal with her?! Shariette’s eyes widened, shocked at his extreme response. She quickly shook her head.

“No, before that, there’s something else I need to know.”

She hesitated before continuing. She had come here to ease Noxian’s insomnia. Their contract would last until the curse was broken. Which meant, if the curse was solved—she had no reason to stay.

But… I want to stay here.

Shariette forced herself to ignore that voice.

Her priority was fixing the harm Noxian suffered because of her. Only then could this place—and this man—be safe.

“Anette wanted to know exactly what your curse was.”

As someone with a divine power, Noxian immediately understood what that meant. The conditions of using her ability.

“Young Duke, I can break your curse.”
“Think of it as a contract. In exchange for breaking your curse—marry me.”

So that’s why Anette had to “know.”

He didn’t care. He had no interest in her to begin with.

“So this is almost certain, but…”

But her next words made him lose the patience he’d been forcing down.

“Using Anette’s power, it might be possible to break your curse.”

“……”

“Of course it’s dangerous, so not right away, but if we first hear her—hey, are you listening?”

Noxian’s expression turned stiff, as if struck from behind. He looked like someone hearing the very thing they most dreaded.

Why is he reacting like that?
Shouldn’t he be happy if there’s a way to break the curse?

Blanche’s power was transfer. If her soul transfer worked, then transferring a curse should also be possible. All they’d need is someone to take it.

And wasn’t the perfect body right here?

Of course, without knowing why Blanche targeted Noxian, it was too soon to attempt. Depending on her purpose, they might have to coax her or bargain. She looked insane, but Blanche always calculated things precisely.

But Noxian dismissed it instantly, without a second’s hesitation.

“Shariette. I asked you for sleeping medicine, not for you to break my curse.”

That was true, but…

His words were cold. No—colder and sharper than necessary.

Why is he like this, even when I tell him a way? Does he think I enjoy saying it?

Her stomach twisted uncomfortably. She shook her head hard to chase away the jumble of thoughts.

“But if the curse is broken, you wouldn’t even need sleeping medicine.”

“……”

Noxian’s face drained of all expression. He looked pale, almost as if in shock.

“So that would be a more fundamental—”

“No.”

He cut her off without mercy and stood up.

His meaning was clear: he didn’t want this conversation to continue.

“So what you’re saying is—you’ll hand me over to some strange woman with a dangerous power, then leave?”

His voice trembled sharply, edged with fear.

What kind of leap is that?

Flustered, Shariette waved her hands.

“No, I didn’t mean it like that—”

“You did mean it like that.”

Like a restless man, he paced, then stepped toward her. His voice was like a growl.

“You promised to take responsibility for me, and now you’d abandon me to someone dangerous?”

“……?!”

Why was he making it sound so extreme?! Shariette racked her brain—had she actually said anything like that?

But Noxian gave her no time to think. He couldn’t let her.

If I give her time, she’ll come back with some twisted idea again.

Damn it. Why had he ever let her be alone with that woman? Why today of all days?

“Shariette.”

“What?”

No. She mustn’t leave. She mustn’t disappear. She mustn’t die.

“Shariette Verdette.”

Was this how Noxian Rubellot felt when someone called his full name? Shariette swallowed nervously.

He stepped closer and braced his hand against the sofa behind her.

“No.”

Leaning in, his shadow darkened his eyes.

“No. Not without you.”

…His eyes didn’t look normal. Keeping her composure, she spoke.

“Noxian Rubellot. Calm down and—”

“You promised to take responsibility for me.”

“What?”

His words were clear, hammered in one by one.

“You promised to put me to sleep.”

“Well, yes, but—”

“You promised to take responsibility for my body, my life, my nights.”

Who said it like that?! It sounded outrageous.

Shariette finally managed to reply.

“So for that, if we break the curse—”

“No.”

His voice cut her off again.

Shariette snapped, grabbing his face in both hands with a sharp smack.

“What exactly keeps being a ‘no’?!”

“……”

Noxian’s eyes widened slightly. Slowly, he covered her hands with his.

“……Haa.”

His long breath trembled faintly. His body reacted on instinct.

Leaning into her small, soft hands, he shivered. Peace washed over him, his shoulders relaxing.

Like a tamed beast, he sank to his knees on the floor.

“……!”

Looking up at her, he rubbed his cheek into her palm, inhaled her warmth and scent, then lowered his head, pressing even his lips against her hand.

Half satisfied. Half desperate.

“Shariette.”

The sensation against her hand made her flinch.

Breathing out lazily, he murmured:

“So I should ask a healer to break my curse?”

His warm breath and moving lips tickled her skin.

“I don’t mean right now—just that we might use it as an option—”

But as if he hadn’t heard, he continued:

“She asked for marriage in return for breaking the curse.”

“……!”

It was as if he were tattling. Shariette froze, holding her breath.

Just like three years ago. Again. Why now? Her chest tightened.

“Is that what you want? To hand me over to her, so you can leave free? To disappear again?”

She had prepared herself for this when she brought it up. But that was before she knew the condition attached.

What’s the difference? The contract ends, I’m no longer needed—it’s the same either way.

No—it was different. She had read about it. That was a different kind of contract. Higher than an engagement. Exclusive rights tied to each other.

Before she could reply, he answered himself.

“Healer, power, curse—I don’t care about any of it.”

His low words sounded like pleading, like stubborn begging.

“If it’s not you, I don’t want anything else.”

His eyes gleamed dangerously as they locked on her.

“Don’t even think of leaving me, Shariette.”

The words were more a threat, but the desperation beneath was closer to a plea.

It was hard to believe this was the same Noxian Rubellot who had seemed so composed before.

Cold sweat trickled down Shariette’s neck.

This man, who hadn’t bent his pride even after drinking brainwashing potion, was now kneeling and clinging to her. At that sight, worries of Anette, powers, curses—all scattered.

…This was crazy.

How strong were the side effects of the sleeping medicine?

Emotional instability, and now separation anxiety?

My medicine never caused emotional side effects before.

There was no other explanation.

She was doomed. Because the mind—couldn’t be healed.