ILTDAMH | CHAPTER 05

Chapter 5

 THE DUKE AND TIME-LIMITED WEDDING (2)

Ruan Canoluf.

At 15 years old, he was already known as the best swordsman in the Omoncourt Empire. 

At 17, he started leading the fight against bandits along the empire’s borders.

At 18, he inherited the title of Duke—the youngest in the empire’s history—taking over from his late father.

Two years later, at 20, Ruan went to war against the Kingdom of Allomand. 

Though he returned victorious after two years of battle, he was cursed with an incurable illness.

He knew how to break the curse, but it was a method he could never use himself, so he didn’t even think about trying to break it.

Because of the curse, he only had six months left to live…

He didn’t particularly fear death.

But there was one person he cared about deeply—Olivia Canoluf.

Olivia was the younger sister of the late Duke Reynold Canoluf, and after Ruan’s parents died in an accident when he was five, Olivia raised him. 

To Ruan, she was like a mother.

The reason for this absurd marriage was also because of Olivia…

“Is it true that you only have six months to live?”

After hearing the news, Olivia asked calmly.

Men in the Canoluf family often died young.

Her father, Howard, had died young, and her brother Reynold had also died in an accident at a young age.

So, to Olivia, Ruan was like a precious nephew and son.

“I’m sorry, Aunt.”

Ruan found it hard to tell Olivia he was cursed, so he told her and others that he was poisoned with a poison that had no antidote.

“Is there no cure?”

“I’m sorry, Aunt.”

“Then get married.”

“Get married? But I won’t live even half a year. I don’t think it’s right to marry a noble lady to someone like me.”

“If you stay by her side for six months, that will be enough reward. Who knows? Maybe she’ll have a child during that time.”

“Aunt…”

“That’s my wish. Consider it a form of payment for all the years I have raised you as if you were my own child. Get married.”

“But she might not have a child, Aunt.”

“Of course, that could happen. But if no child comes in six months, then accept it as God’s will and give up.”

Ruan nodded silently, unable to say anything in response to Olivia’s earnest gaze.

A six-month bride…

He thought no one would give a dowry, but more than half the noble families in the empire did.

Do they want the title of Duchess?

Ruan purposely chose a bride from a lower noble family, not a high one.

This was to prevent trouble after his death.

The marriage, which started reluctantly because of Olivia’s pressure, finally reached the wedding day.

***

Her name was Mercian, wasn’t it?

As he adjusted his tuxedo, Luan softly muttered the name of the bride he had yet to meet.

He had entrusted the wedding to Cassel and heard some updates, but he had yet to see his bride’s face.

“So, I’m going to get married.”

Ruan looked at his reflection in the mirror once more and then left the study.

***

“Miss, nice to meet you. I’ll formally introduce myself later, but I’m Clea, the head maid of this dukedom.”

As Mercian was brought into the duke’s house by carriage early in the morning, still half asleep, a middle-aged woman approached her with a smile and politely introduced herself.

“Oh, Clea. Nice to meet you. But why so early in the morning?”

Mercian, still half asleep with a puffy face, greeted her, and Clea looked at her carefully, nodding as if she had a plan.

“First, you should take a bath to reduce the swelling on your face and body. Then we’ll do your makeup and hair. Come this way, please.”

“What? Swelling? Me?”

As the maids admired Mercian’s appearance, Clea also nodded with a satisfied smile.

“Now, there’s about an hour left before the ceremony, so please wait a little.”

“An hour?” Mercian said, and just then her stomach growled loudly.

Oh, how embarrassing.

“You must not have had anything to eat, coming here so early in the morning. I should’ve had you eat first, but I was in such a rush, I completely forgot. I’m sorry. Please wait a moment,” Clea apologised, bowing her head. She gestured, and a maid quickly left the room.

“Oh no, it’s fine. I do like to eat a bit,” Mercian said.

Clea glanced at the clock and said, “You have about an hour, so please eat something now. 

Once the ceremony starts, you won’t be able to eat for a while.

If you need anything, just pull this cord here.”

After smiling, Clea and the maids left the room, and soon a maid brought bread and soup.

“My lady, if you need anything else, please pull the cord.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, please speak more politely. You will soon be our lady. My name is Charles.”

“Charles, thank you.”

“Please enjoy your meal.”

“Wait, just a moment.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“What kind of person is the duke?”

Mercian had no say in this marriage, and although the dowry was set and the wedding was about to happen, she had never once seen her husband’s face.

Even though he was only going to live six more months, she thought she’d at least see him once before the wedding…

“Oh, the Duke? Our master is very handsome and elegant. He may seem cold and a bit blunt when he speaks, but he has a warm heart. Though… with his current illness, he’s not quite the same. Honestly, we’re all worried because his condition has gotten worse. But since today is a happy day for him, we’ve all decided to prepare for the wedding cheerfully.”

Worsening illness? Is he really that sick?

“Oh dear, I’m talking too much. I’ll come back later. Please enjoy your meal.”

After Charles departed, Mercian unwound while inhaling the aroma of the warm bread and aromatic soup.

She became hungry all of a sudden.