Chapter 446 - 446: Substitute Bride of the Demon King (50)

Andre groaned, the sound escaping his lips like a wounded animal, and his complexion drained of color, becoming ghostly pale in an instant.

He cast a glance toward the woman beside him, but her expression remained innocently unchanged. He was silent for a moment. Finally, resigned to his suffering and aware that her actions were unintentional, he steeled himself and endured the pain in silence. After all, it was an unintended act. Soon, he learned that enduring the pain once was useless.

This person liked to move around while she was asleep, her body twisting and turning beneath the covers; she also enjoyed kicking the quilt from time to time with little regard for the chill that might follow. Every so often, her arms would rise, flailing slightly as if she were swatting away unseen nuisances in her slumber.

Andre found himself perplexed by her nocturnal antics, unsure of what other troublesome habits she might possess. Ultimately, the relentless movements grew unbearable, prompting him to gently but firmly hold her down to stop her from moving.

Now she was finally quiet.

Andre exhaled deeply, a wave of relief washing over him. However, after holding her down, he abruptly noticed: why was this woman's body so soft all over?

The man subconsciously held his breath as the soft and warm body pressed against him, making it feel as though he was cradling a smooth and delicate little fox in his arms. The fox was so soft that it seemed to be boneless, giving the impression of something both fragile and utterly enchanting.

A jolt of electricity shot through his heart, causing it to stutter as he instinctively pulled away, his breath caught in his throat. Even after letting her go, his heart still raced uncontrollably.

His eyes slowly fell on her face, and in that moment, he realized that the woman's visage when she was in slumber was completely different from her demeanor when she was awake.

As he studied Leila, he noted the subtle nuances that set her apart from Ellie, despite their initial resemblance. Although Leila looked very similar to Ellie at first glance, many differences emerged upon closer inspection. Their facial features were similar yet different everywhere. A delicate mole graced Leila's forehead, and she exuded an aura of tranquility and gentleness when she was asleep.

She must be a gentle and kind woman at heart; otherwise, she would not have saved his life in the first place, especially after all the bad things he had inflicted upon her.

His thoughts kept turning, and soon, exhaustion took over, lulling him into a deep slumber. Perhaps it was the fatigue that lingered; he had not rested well from his recent injury, or maybe it was because he was no longer entangled by the fact that his magic core and legs were useless. Whatever the reason, he slept particularly soundly that night, enveloped in an unusual sense of peace that had eluded him for so long.

It was not until the following morning, as the golden sunlight seeped through the curtains, that Andre became painfully aware that something was amiss—specifically, his arms felt unusually stiff and heavy. As he slowly opened his eyes, he was struck by a vivid realization that he had held Yue Ran in his arms throughout the night. One of his arms rested possessively around her waist, while the other draped over her shoulder.

How could this have happened?

Flushing with embarrassment, Andre's cheeks burned a deep crimson, and he instinctively pushed her away, his heart racing at the unexpected intimacy.

It was this sudden movement that woke Yue Ran up.

Yue Ran rubbed her brows, her eyes squinting against the light as she focused on Andre, whose face was a vivid shade of cherry red, betraying a mix of confusion and embarrassment. She immediately regarded him suspiciously and asked, "What is wrong with you? Why is your face so red?"

Andre let out a cough and replied dryly, "I… I am fine. I just woke up…"

Yue Ran gazed at him in a half-believing manner and simply said, "Oh." The single word hung in the air, and she did not say anything else.

With sunlight gradually spilling through the curtains, painting the room in warm hues, Yue Ran turned over and got ready to get out of bed, the soft sheets rustling around her as she swung her legs off the edge of the bed and stood up. When Andre, who was lying on the bed, saw that she believed his words so easily, his heart suddenly felt even more guilty.

It was his fault for embracing Yue Ran without either of their knowledge. He had unintentionally trespassed into her personal space, thus defiling her in his sleep, unconscious.

…

Even after Yue Ran returned from her daily outing, Andre still maintained a strangely flushed look on his face, his cheeks tinged with a deep crimson. He was absent-minded all morning, sitting there, lost in thought, his gaze distant.

Curious and a bit concerned, Yue Ran set down the steaming bowl of boiled herbs onto the table. The aroma wafted through the air, pungent yet invigorating, designed to restore health and vigor.

Yue Ran approached Andre, her brow furrowing as she posed her question, "What is wrong with you? You are so silent, and why won't you drink your medicine?"

Speaking of the medicinal concoction, it was naturally obtained by selling his precious sword. After all, the sword was something from the world of magic, not an ordinary thing. It was an exquisite weapon imbued with magical qualities, a cherished relic from a world of sorcery, so it was naturally exchanged for a lot of money.

When Andre lifted his head and saw the bowl of medicine, a wave of discomfort washed over him. He was now an ordinary man with no magic— once a revered magician, but now stripped of any extraordinary traits. After drinking numerous bowls of medicine, an urgent pang made itself known...