How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

Tristan took a deep breath. One of his thick eyebrows rose slowly. His voice, lower than before and resonant as if echoing from a deep cave, asked curtly,

“Taking a walk?”

“Yes.”

“By climbing out the window?”

“…Yes…”

“In this storm?”

“…B-because it’s refreshing…?”

“I see.”

And then there was silence again.

As the quiet stretched on, I grew nervous. A chill ran down my spine, and cold sweat gathered on my forehead. The wind howled once more, whipping the curtains violently. I tried to force a smile, lifting one corner of my mouth.

“Well, Your Grace…”

“Then let’s go together.”

“What?”

What did he just say?

My expression froze mid-smile. Did I hear him wrong? Or maybe…

“Was that a joke…?”

“No.”

Tristan replied coldly and took a long stride toward me. Startled, I flinched and instinctively stepped back. Without a word, Tristan raised his hand.

‘Is he going to hit me?’

Even if I had disobeyed, resorting to violence right away? Although I wasn’t one to talk, considering I had hit him impulsively before… Still, I’m fragile…

For a moment, I almost screamed, but I bit down on my lip at the last second, realizing the knights would rush in if I made a sound.

But Tristan’s hand simply brushed past me. I blinked in confusion.

“Your Grace? What are you doing?”

I repeated his earlier question in a daze. Without answering, he placed his hand beside mine on the window frame. And then…

Without hesitation, he disappeared right out the window.

“What—what are you doing, Your Grace!”

Startled, I leaned out the window and looked down.

Tristan landed lightly on the ground like a bird. Not even the slightest wobble, his movement was graceful and composed. My mouth hung open in disbelief. What the hell…

I looked from Tristan to the pitch-black sky.

The thunder still roared, and the rain poured down relentlessly. It was perfect weather to sneak out of the castle unnoticed. Even if there was a commotion in the Grand Consort’s quarters, no one would see or hear it. I bit my lower lip.

Alright, I’ll jump.

I grabbed the window frame and carefully extended one leg out, making sure I wouldn’t slip like Tristan had. That was when—

“Ah—ahhh!”

My foot slid off the wet surface, and my body lurched forward.

‘I’m doomed.’

My mistake sent me floating helplessly in midair. Even if it was just the second floor, this was the Grand Duke’s castle, and it was high. If I hit the ground, my neck would surely snap. The System kept warning about sudden death endings, and I guess this was it.

Cold raindrops streamed down my face, adding insult to injury.

“Uh…?”

I landed in a strangely familiar embrace.

Strong arms were holding me up. I opened my eyes cautiously. Tristan was looking down at me, his face unreadable in the darkness.

His clothes were soaked, clinging to his body. Through the thin, wet fabric, I could feel the hard muscles beneath. My heart pounded, probably still from the shock—probably.

Tristan spoke in a calm tone.

“Let’s go, then. For a walk.”

“…”

No, I was really doomed. I couldn’t help but sigh.

❖ ❖ ❖

The wind howled, flinging heavy raindrops against my face. Each breath I drew filled my chest with the sharp, cold air. The black horse carrying Tristan and me raced through the storm, its hooves splashing mud without hesitation.

I wrapped my arms tightly around Tristan’s waist.

It felt far too close, but I had no choice unless I wanted to fall. The chill of his wet clothes and his body heat pressed through them both at once.

The plan to visit the Grand Duke’s family cemetery had changed because of Tristan. For some reason, he had decided we would “take a walk” instead, lifting me up and carrying me off. In Hezekia, even a “walk” meant riding a horse. After stopping by the stables, he had brought out a massive black stallion.

And before I knew it, I was sitting behind him, wandering through the torrential rain.