How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

“Y-Your Grace…? Are you hurt? Are you alright?”

Constantine’s trembling voice reached my ears. I tried to respond to reassure him.

“Urgh…!”

A sudden wave of dizziness hit me, and a sickening nausea rose from the pit of my stomach. My insides twisted as my vision blurred. I leaned over the railing and vomited uncontrollably. The next instant, my body pitched forward helplessly.

It all happened in an instant.

“Your Grace… Your Grace!”

“Her Grace has fallen into the sea!”

“Throw the rope! Over there, that way!”

The sound of howling wind and panicked shouting echoed around me. The cold, black sea swallowed me whole in one sweep. My entire body was pulled down into the dark water.

“Ugh… s-save…”

I couldn’t breathe. Every time I tried to inhale, seawater rushed violently through my nose and mouth. My lungs filled with salt water, my chest tightening painfully.

My limbs grew heavier and stiffer. My heart pounded so violently it hurt, and my vision swam.

After all that effort to avoid a bad ending, it looked like I was about to face one anyway. Even as my consciousness faded, the absurdity of it struck me. Was this really how I was going to die?

Then, suddenly, my body was yanked upward out of the water.

Lightning flashed overhead. In that brief moment, I saw Tristan’s face, set in grim determination. My eyes widened in shock.

“Your Grace, stay with me!”

Tristan’s firm hands gripped my shoulders. His blue eyes gleamed sharply in the darkness. Cutting through the storm, he shouted toward the ship.

“Pull the rope!”

The rope tied around his waist began to tighten as the sailors pulled from above. Holding onto the rope with one arm and clutching me tightly with the other, Tristan climbed up the side of the ship toward the high deck with desperate strength.

The heavy rain struck his pale face and soaked body without mercy. The muscles in his arms tightened, blue veins standing out under his skin.

“Stay focused, Your Grace. You must not let go!”

At his low, firm voice, I nodded weakly. Another wave crashed over us, but Tristan continued upward, step by step, through the roaring wind and waves. Finally, when the railing came into view, he used all his strength to push me onto the deck.

“Ugh… ugh, cough…”

As soon as I crossed over, seawater trapped deep in my lungs surged out of my mouth. Gasping, I bent over, struggling to breathe. Tristan rushed over and patted my back.

“Are you alright, Your Grace? Quickly now, spit out all the water.”

“Ugh…!”

I retched and vomited up seawater mixed with bile until my stomach emptied. Gradually, my breathing steadied, and my mind cleared a little.

“Tristan…”

I barely managed to move my swollen lips to call his name. Through the heavy rain, he nodded, his face pale.

“Are you conscious now, Ruellin? Are you hurt anywhere…?”

“I-I’m cold. It’s so cold. I-I…”

A violent chill ran through me, and my whole body trembled uncontrollably. Tristan’s eyes widened, then his expression hardened.

He lifted me into his arms and spoke as if making a vow.

“Hold on a little longer, Ruellin. You’ll be fine soon.”

“Mm…”

Despite the rain and seawater soaking his clothes, there was a faint warmth in his embrace. I could feel some heat returning to my body, but the exhaustion and strain were too much. My body went limp.

I could barely stay conscious. My entire body felt feverish and heavy.

Someone gently laid me down on a bed. I could feel the rustle of sheets or towels against my fingertips. But I couldn’t open my eyes, coughing nonstop as waves of dry heaves racked my body and my chest burned.

“Ugh… cold, so cold…”

I could barely move my lips to form the words. Then, as if to soothe me, I heard a soft shushing voice whisper beside me.