How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 14.1
I was a tangled mess inside, my mind as confused as a knotted ball of thread.
Of course, I was in shock too.
I had slept with a man. No, worse—I had taken a man.
And honestly… I couldn’t even claim I didn’t enjoy it.
How in the world did it end up like this…?
At that moment, the System, which had been silent as if watching us, suddenly appeared.
[Emergency Event (Risk Level: 77/100) — Result Analysis Complete.]
You gave in to instinct! Did you enjoy your night of madness?
Now it’s time to pay the price! Open the Random Box containing your penalty!
[Would you like to open the Random Box?]
Y/N
What happens if I don’t open it?
I stayed still, holding my breath and only moving my eyes.
[Due to time-out, the Random Box will be opened automatically.]
Penalty: Status Ailment — Duration: 10 days
Details: Hemoptysis, tinnitus, headache, high fever, chills, coma
Note: Penalty will automatically be lifted after ten days.
“Urgh…!”
Without warning, a metallic, hot liquid surged up my throat.
A wave of stabbing pain ripped through my chest.
Choking, I gagged and spat out a mouthful of red blood.
“Ruellin!”
Tristan’s voice rang urgently in my ears, but it sounded distant, muffled by the ringing that split my head apart.
My vision spun wildly, then went completely white.
“Grand Consort, Ruellin!”
I collapsed into Tristan’s arms as he rushed over to me.
Shivers ran down my entire body, my fingertips trembling uncontrollably.
“Cold… ugh, it’s cold…”
“Ruellin, stay with me. Ruellin!”
Tristan held me tightly.
His warmth began to spread into me, and the chill eased a little.
But his voice soon faded away.
‘Ah, this is just too much…’
That damned System.
I hadn’t expected the penalty to be this intense.
Even while writhing in pain, I clenched my teeth.
Then, still in Tristan’s arms, I coughed up more blood until I finally blacked out.
❖ ❖ ❖
My head felt like it was splitting open.
Blood still bubbled up from my throat.
I pressed a handkerchief to my lips as I coughed violently, the fabric turning scarlet.
To think that I’d personally checked the original novel to make that antidote, yet I was suffering this much from the aftereffects. The System had hit me square in the back of the head.
The System bears no fault.
Please note: The aftereffects occurred due to the user’s severely low base stamina!
‘Yeah, yeah, I get it. Damn this weak body.’
Constantine had taken the same medicine without any issues, so the System was right—it was entirely my fault.
Fortunately, the physician who just visited said Constantine had recovered from the poisoning and was doing well. That alone made the suffering worth it.
Then a hasty voice came from outside.
“Your Grace, the Grand Duke is here.”
Before I could reply, the door swung open roughly.
Tristan entered with quick steps, his chiseled face briefly flashing with alarm. I blinked in surprise.
But as he approached the bed, his expression was back to its usual calm and unreadable state.
I must have imagined it. Feeling awkward, I wiped my mouth with the bloodstained handkerchief.
Tristan raised an eyebrow.
“You’ve been coughing up blood.”
“What? Oh, it’s nothing. I’m awake now, so it’s fine.”
I had forgotten the handkerchief still showed traces of blood.
Now it looked like I was trying to boast that I had nearly died protecting his nephew.
I quickly shook my head to deny any such thought. Tristan’s brows twitched slightly.
“…I see. Well, at least you’re awake.”
His voice was lower than before, calm yet strangely sharp.
Puzzled, I looked up at him, and he spoke again in a heavy tone.
“Do you have any idea who might have done this, Grand Consort?”
“No, how could I possibly know that?”
Both of us knew exactly who was behind it.
The one who tried to harm Constantine was undoubtedly Second Prince Everett—or someone from his faction.
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