The Monster and the Witch

⚜︎ Ep 25: I'm A Man ⚜︎

"Didn't you see me standing in the hallway, Wife?" Damian asked in a low tone.

Carmine's breath became ragged because she had used all her energy to spar with Baltaz. Every time her neck was raised when she caught her breath, she felt the coldness of Damian's black sword.

Her eyes stared straight at his green eyes. Then her attention shifted to the blood spots on the man's cheeks. They were fresh blood, unlike the crusting blood on his armor.

"You've taken care of Lord Don," Carmine deduced.

"And also Jina," he added.

There was an intimidating pressure when the Duke talked. Carmine thought that the man was used to talking in an intimidating tone to anyone he met.

"Are you going to kill me next, Husband?" There was no fear in Carmine's eyes when she said that.

Damian's eyes squinted as if he was trying to understand what the girl underneath him was thinking by saying those bold words. And she let him stare at her for as long as possible.

Then one corner of his lips quirked up. "Husband? Not the 'Monster of Maraina'? Or the Devil from the North?"

"Ah, when you're the Ugly Witch like me, you get a very limited choice of a husband."

Damian was stunned to hear that. He was temporarily silent.

"You're far from ugly," he murmured.

"..."

Damian finally straightened his body and put his sword away.

"We need to talk."

Carmine was still softly panting. When the Duke's blade had left her skin, she started seeing fireflies swarming her vision.

Ah, it looks like I pushed myself too much when sparring...

"Baltaz... Please carry me to my room... so... I can talk... with... the Duke."

Damian glanced at the man named Baltaz for the first time that evening. He had to admit, Baltaz was much bigger than he imagined. Damian's own body was sculpted with large and hard muscles. But Baltaz's body was on another level. Baltaz was taller and had wider shoulders than Damian. The warrior's skin was also tanner than Damian's.

The Duke knew that man was a legendary man he had only heard in fascinating stories. But considering the man broke into his residence only to become Carmine's personal knight–his wife's personal knight... Damian couldn't help to give Baltaz a strong glare.

Realizing the Duke's glare, Baltaz introduced himself without feeling intimidated.

"Good afternoon, Your Grace, I'm Baltaz Rengas. I am the sword instructor for Young Master Darius."

Damian didn't return his greeting.

Instead, he asked in a sharp tone to Carmine, "You are asking another man to carry you in front of your own husband?"

"I'm... running out of... energy..." she said in between her breaths, "What?... You... want... to carry me?"

"Tch."

Although Damian looked annoyed, he lifted Carmine's body easily, which surprised her. Not wanting to fall, she hooked her arms to Damian's neck.

"I'll take her to our room myself." His words were said in a tone that indicated an order for Baltaz to excuse himself. Also, a threat if he followed them to 'their' room.

Baltaz knew well how to respond. He bowed to both of them without feeling insulted.

***

Damian didn't expect himself to step on the west wing again so soon after coming back. Of course, he also did not expect to be attacked by his own wife once he reached his own building.