「I'm Having a Baby」So My Husband Told Me
Bedtime Story 11 ~ That Day, You and I Fell in Love With Each Other
Translated by: S3
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*****
「C-co-co-co...」
I hadn't turned into a chicken.
The situation was simply too unrealistic for me to find any words.
「What in the world is this!?」
The voice I managed to squeeze out echoed as a shriek in the room.
But no more words came out, and as I just gaped, the wolf made a look of apology (or what looked like one).
「This is the curse placed upon me... upon my bloodline.」
「It spoke!?」
「Even if my appearance changes, my heart remains human. It's a bit difficult to speak with this mouth, but I can manage to talk.」
Even with that explanation, how was I supposed to react other than, 「Ah, I see」?
The Duke, in his wolf form, spoke to my bewilderment.
「Do you... find me disturbing after all?」
At those words, at that expression, I was startled.
I understood everything from that... wounded look on his face.
This Duke must have been subjected to strange looks all his life. No matter how ancient the curse, not everyone could be expected to accept it.
No, the majority must have been unable to accept it.
That must be why he had remained single all this time... and never married.
「You are not disturbing at all.」
Before I knew it, words were tumbling out of my mouth on their own.
「I was surprised, yes, but... you are not disturbing. Not at all. You are very cool, or rather, beautiful... wonderful.」
I could tell the wolf gasped.
He must never have been told anything like that before.
「Is this curse why you can't have children?」
「Ah, no, rather, um... how should I put it...」
「?」
「Err... I will explain that part later, yes.」
Why was his face turning bright red?
As I wondered, the butler, who had been quietly standing behind him in silence, muttered softly.
「All men are wolves, Lady Melissa.」
「Ah.」
I thought I understood, but I didn't... that's a lie; I didn't understand at all.
It was only a little later that I finally grasped the meaning of that matter.
More importantly, there was a far more crucial matter at hand.
「So, Your Grace is the black wolf I met that day?」
「Yes, Lady Melissa. I am the wolf whose serious injuries you healed with your Light Magic.」
「...Wow.」
In other words, he had found out my secret: that I am a Light Magic user.
My secret, which only my family and a select few people knew.
I didn't think he would spread the word. If I asked him to keep it a secret, he surely would.
But that wasn't the issue.
I nodded, as if everything suddenly made sense. 「I see,」 I said.
Seeing the Wolf Duke tilt his head as if asking, What do you see? I explained, 「I finally understand.」
「Understand what?」
「I finally understand why you proposed marriage to someone like me. You want my Light Magic, don't you? You should have just said so...」
If asked if I was disappointed, I would say I was extremely let down. I could even say I was deeply sad.
「You didn't have to lie and say 'I love you'... My valuable ability must be a great advantage to the Ducal House.」
It would be better for me not to say such things, but I couldn't stop my mouth.
I couldn't stop the words that hurt myself.
「I know how valuable this magic is. If it's brought into the Ducal family's possession, it will be of great use. If it were known that the Ducal family had secured a Light Magic user, the status of the Ducal family would...」
I stopped there, feeling choked up.
I didn't even know what I was trying to say. I was just sad.
The Wolf Duke, who had been intently watching me, nodded. 「You're right,」 he said. My chest ached.
「You are right. To obtain a Light Magic user is synonymous with obtaining great power. Everyone would desire it desperately.」
Although I had said it myself, why did it hurt so much when the Duke confirmed it? Pathetically, I felt like crying. Even though I was the one who went down the path of self-deprecation.
However, the Duke continued, 「But.」
「But that has nothing to do with this. I don't need to tell anyone about your Light Magic, and if I don't, there is no advantage for the Ducal family. In other words, that is not the reason I wanted to marry you.」
「Meaning?」
「Meaning... I am telling you that I genuinely love you.」
Suddenly, the wolf transformed back into a human. His clothes were intact. Just as if his wolf form had been an illusion, the original Duke stood there. Though his face was as red as a ripe tomato.
「I have often been feared by those who have seen my form. Monster, fiend, demon... I have been called many things... but it was the first time anyone ever called me beautiful. And being gently healed like that was also... all a first... it's only ever been you, Lady Melissa.」
「Only me...」
「Yes. That night, when you called me beautiful, I fell in love with you. I loved you and yearned for you... I desperately investigated who you were. You cannot imagine my joy when I finally found you, can you?」
「Fell in love?」
「Yes.」
The Duke smoothly extended his hand toward my stunned face.
With a sincere, gentle smile that felt completely genuine, he said:
「I love you, Melissa. Please, marry me.」
I had no choice but to take that hand.
*****
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