The Villainous Family Loves Me Too Much!

“Argh!”

When Lucian had just returned to the room, a scream came from the bathroom where Karena was. He almost reflexively ran into the bathroom.

“What happened!”

When he opened the door and entered, what he faced was the silhouette of Karena sitting naked in the bathtub.

The two were frozen, just staring into each other’s eyes.

“Uh… uh, uh…”

Confused, Lucian could only stand still, stammering and not knowing what to do.

Then, Karena’s eyes gradually widened…

“Kyaa!”

She screamed at the top of her lungs, chasing Lucian out.

‘Damn, she was covered though.’

The bubbles in the tub were covering Karena’s body, so Lucian felt unfairly accused.

‘Whether then or now, I just don’t get it.’

It was the same the first day he met Karena.

She was by the palace pond, touching her face with wonder as she looked at her reflection in the water.

‘Still strange, and also…’

A faint smile formed on Lucian’s lips.

‘Still noisy.’

Three years ago, on the last day out together before his father’s death, Lucian met Karena.

His father had taken him along to meet Empress Helena, a childhood friend, to deliver gifts on behalf of Helena’s parents.

The aristocrats of Felosite, excluding the Felosite family, were strictly controlled from entering the capital. Unless issued a special permit, they couldn’t visit the capital region, especially the relatives of the Felosite family who were under severe imperial scrutiny, making their entry into the capital impossible.

Therefore, his father, then an Archduke, visited the imperial palace on their behalf periodically, and for eighteen-year-old Lucian, that day was his first visit to the imperial palace.

“The young master has grown up wonderfully. I would want him as my son-in-law if possible.”

“That’s kind of you to say. But a princess of your stature is too much for this guy.”

“Both of them would match very well. Our Karena has beautiful eyes just like young master Lucian.”

Without considering Lucian’s feelings, they were planning to match him with the princess.

‘Ah, annoying.’

The adults’ conversation grew longer, and bored Lucian stepped outside for a stroll around the imperial garden.

Then suddenly, there was a commotion somewhere, and a girl dashed past him at a high speed.

The girl ran around frantically for a while, then stopped by the pond in the center.

At first, she seemed awkward, just staring blankly, but then suddenly she was touching her face and leaning closer to her reflection in the pond.

‘What is she doing? She’s going to fall into the water at this rate.’

Just before the girl fell into the water, Lucian rushed to save her.

Then he quickly realized that the pond was very shallow and felt regret for his unwarranted intervention.

But then…

“You… you have really pretty eyes. Just like rubies.”

‘She’s… looking straight into my eyes?’

The red eyes, a symbol of the curse feared by all, passed down through generations among the Felosite family.

That must be why, excluding his family, everyone avoided eye contact with him.

“You… aren’t you scared of my eyes?”

“Scary? They are pretty like jewels.”

At the innocent remark from the young girl, Lucian ran away from the spot, his face turning bright red.

It was much later when he found out that the girl was Princess Karena.

Exactly one year later, at Empress Helena’s funeral, he saw that girl again, crying as if the world had collapsed on her.

* * *

“Hey, Lucian.”

When I came out of the bathroom after hastily drying my wet hair, I saw the Archduke who was leaning on the sofa, reading a book.

Fortunately, it was his back that was visible. I didn’t have the courage to meet his eyes right now.

The most beautiful eyes I’ve seen in the world were scary eyes like those of the Archduke. It was astonishing.

How did I manage to look straight into them back then?

The Archduke’s eye is a demonic eye, so normal people can’t look at it properly. Could it be possible because I have a special ability?

No, then even the Emperor couldn’t look at it properly, right?

But more importantly…

‘Oh, I’m going crazy with embarrassment.’

Fortunately, I was in the bathtub, but what had to come in at that time?

Both three years ago and today, it’s a shame in many ways in front of the Archduke.

“Did you… see it?”

The Archduke silently closed the book.

Sometimes silence is scarier, so I was scared not knowing what answer he would give.

“Why, is it not allowed to look, between a married couple?”

“Huh?”

I swallowed hard. Surely he’s not saying he saw.

“Literally. We are a married couple, and we share a bed.”

The Archduke, who got up from the sofa, slowly approached me.

‘Oh my… What’s this? Why is he doing this.’

Between the loosened white shirt, the well-positioned muscles kept catching my eye, and I had to forcibly turn my gaze.

“Ah, no. That’s true, but…”

The Archduke had already approached me up close. I gripped the hem of my short negligee and stepped back.

“What answer do you want from me?”

The Archduke’s body, who came close, was getting hot again.

“Your whole body is turning red again. Your ears too. I’ll call a doctor quickly. The doctor… Ah!”

As I tried to go out, my leg got caught on the corner of the bed and I fell on the bed, with the Archduke looking down at me.

Like that moment three years ago.

‘Ah… What should I do?’

As the face drew closer, my heart began to thump on its own.

With my eyes tightly closed, I simulated various actions in my head about what I should do now.

First of all, mental preparation was needed.

Since we are legally married, should I just accept whatever happens here?

No, even so, if I don’t want to…

But do I not want to…?

Then it happened. The door swung open and someone came rushing in.

“Sister! There’s a big problem… Ah! I’m sorry!”

Sylonne, who discovered the Archduke and me lying awkwardly on the bed, turned her back with a scream, and I, surprised, pushed the Archduke away with all my might.

“Oh, no. It’s not what you think.”

Before Sylonne could say anything, the Archduke went ahead.

But rather, his words seemed more suspicious, and a faint laughter was leaking from Sylonne.

“Sylonne, what happened?”

“Oh right. Baron Delfia is here right now!”

“Baron Delfia?”

Sylonne breathed heavily and told me.

“Priscilla Delfia is looking for our grandfather.”

It was amazing, we met this afternoon, and she came right away?

And in the middle of the night…?

“Now?”

“Yes, it seems like they came with a purpose. From the Baron to Priscilla’s three stupid brothers, the people of Baron Delfia’s house have all been dispatched.”

Sylonne sighed heavily and sat back on the sofa.

“What the hell happened that these nightflies are coming at this time?”

Standing in front of the mirror, the Archduke straightened the collar of his shirt. He finished dressing with a perfectly normal expression as if nothing had happened earlier.

“It’s not Sylonne’s fault. Lady Delfia did something bad to me. So Sylonne just helped a little…”

Of course, that help was a bit too much.

“Lady Delfia did something bad to you?”

“Yes, she tried to curse me.”

“To curse?”

“Specifically, it’s the Ivesernense curse.”

It seemed unpleasant even to think about, and Sylonne cringed.

Ivesernense?

I had heard of it in a basic magic theory class before.

It’s a curse that can be activated even with beginner-level magic power, but its effect is tremendous and it doesn’t lift until the antidote is taken…

That was indeed a vicious curse.