The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive - Chapter 153

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Side Story: Marrying Kyle (4)
“Your treatment is now complete.”
He closed the empty potion bottle with a serene smile.
While my attention had been elsewhere, my arm had healed without a trace.
‘What was I imagining on my own?’
Facing such an innocent expression, my guilt and embarrassment felt doubled.
I swung my arm with exaggerated flourish to demonstrate.
“Thank you so much. It’s healed without any marks at all!”
I smiled brightly.
“It’s all thanks to Kyle.”
“…Thanks to me? I’m only sorry, Anette.”
“Sorry? Why would Kyle apologize?”
The moment I was kidnapped, Kyle donned Balrok’s mask and chased after the cargo wagon to save me.
I still wondered how he had even found me.
All I had done was let out the smallest scream.
It should have been too far away for anyone to hear, yet he heard it, came running, and rescued me.
Moreover, even though he was visibly furious from head to toe, when I asked that the bandits be punished by law, he honored my wishes.
Wasn’t he the perfect husband?
“I foolishly left Anette’s side. …I didn’t realize it would become so dangerous. I should always be there to protect you, my wife.”
“….”
“It’s my fault.”
Kyle’s eyes wavered with guilt.
‘…He really does love me that much.’
I had known it, but moments like this made me realize it anew.
Kyle was a man who gave everything he could, yet ached over what he couldn’t provide and constantly strived to do better.
I took his hand in mine.
“It’s not Kyle’s fault. Despite holding such a prominent position and status, it was I who selfishly wanted to walk down Taran Boulevard like an ordinary person, wasn’t it?”
“…Selfish? No, that’s not it.”
“Besides, what kind of affectionate husband would escort his wife just to get free cookies…?”
“It was only natural.”
“Though there was a commotion, it was quite enjoyable. That’s enough for me.”
Walking down Taran Boulevard with two handsome men to obtain free cookies was the best part itself.
Well, being kidnapped did give me quite the dopamine rush.
It was all an enjoyable happening.
Except for one thing.
“…It’s just a shame I didn’t get the cookies.”
In the end, my only eternal regret was not obtaining those legendary delicious cookies from the Ppang Ppang Bakery.
‘Wait? Why am I suddenly irritated?’
Those bastards deserved to die!
My cookies! My free cookies!
I was about to march straight into that Golden Olive Crisp bandit gang or whatever and turn the whole place into a sea of flames….
“…!”
But then I snapped back to reality.
‘Is madness contagious?’
I imagined tomorrow morning’s Empire newspaper headline:
[ The Mad Bread Fanatic Says, “You won’t let me have free cookies? I’ll turn everything into a sea of flames” ]
The thought made me instinctively compose myself.
“Anette.”
“Yes, Kyle…?”
“Since you mentioned cookies, I have something for you.”
Kyle watched me quietly for a moment, then produced a small box from behind his back.
I recognized it immediately.
The box’s outer wrapper had “Ppang Ppang Bakery” written in large letters across it!
“Kyaaah! Kyle, you got free cookies? How on earth?!”
“…I entered the contest anonymously as well. You’ve always wanted to try every new dessert that becomes popular in the Empire, after all. I asked my aide to retrieve it for me.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I thought you’d enjoy it….”
I immediately threw myself into his arms and hugged him.
“Thank you!”
Kyle hadn’t expected me to embrace him so readily—his eyes widened slightly before breaking into the happiest smile I’d ever seen on his face.
“This is truly the best gift.”
When I expressed my genuine joy, he let out a soft laugh.
From the way I was holding him, I could feel his solid frame move beneath his shirt, warm and firm—moving with a lightness that matched his laughter.
“…Why are you laughing?”
“Because when I gave you that precious dress, you weren’t nearly this delighted. My bread-loving wife.”
He gently tapped the tip of my nose as I nestled against him.
“…Was that so?”
“Yes. It’s quite endearing.”
His eyes narrowed with mischief. That was usually my expression, not his.
‘Hmm, I suppose I only react to food.’
He had a point, and I had no comeback.
To get back at him for embarrassing me, I decided to embarrass him in return—by kissing his cheek!
My lips barely brushed against his skin before pulling away, and immediately his ears flushed crimson.
I loved this version of Kyle so much.
“Let’s eat them together, the cookies.”
“…I’d like that.”
Not long after, he returned with a small tray neatly arranged with white milk and cookies.
‘Back in the Forest, I used to eat cookies with tea.’
That’s what Julius, my etiquette instructor, taught me—but whenever cookies were left over, we’d secretly eat them with milk instead.
It was sweeter and more delicious that way.
Now that I had grown into a model student, I could confidently enjoy milk and cookies with the silver-haired boy wearing the Squirrel mask.
Yes, this is what it means to be an adult.
From the layered cookie wafted the sweet aroma of butter and sugar mingling together.
Chocolate chips embedded throughout gleamed with a lustrous sheen, and warmth still lingered as if freshly baked.
With a heart that fluttered slightly, I took a bite.
‘This is insane.’
The outside was crispy while the inside was moist. With each chew, the buttery fragrance bloomed across my palate. And this was free?
“Is it truly that delicious?”
“Yes. Kyle, you should try it too.”
Kyle didn’t particularly care for sweets, but he said he’d grown to like them from eating desserts with me every time.
After that, we simply shared small talk and playful banter.
Watching me laugh without pause as I devoured the cookies, my husband chuckled softly.
“You smile like that with every bite… I suppose I’ll have to bring them home for you every day, my dear wife.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“…!”
That answer clearly caught him off guard. That’s right.
“I’m not smiling because of the cookies.”
“Then why?”
“Because you’re beautiful—always remembering what I love without forgetting, always attentive to my heart. Kyle, you’re the finest husband.”
Let me shower my precious deer with praise.
“I always think how fortunate I was to marry Kyle. Because of Kyle, I’m able to live so well. As Anette Valienne, that is.”
When I fled to Bayonere Island, he allowed me to live as Anette without hiding or changing my name.
Even though it must have made it harder to shake off those pursuing me.
Simply because he worried that every time others called my name, it would remind me that I was living in hiding.
‘He always thought of me first.’
After marriage, there came a similar decision.
He made a choice that conflicted with imperial law.
“Anette, you need not change your surname to Winston. Is not the name ‘Valienne’ a testament to the love your mother left you? The meaning is precious and tender—I wish to preserve that name for you.”
Due to the strict imperial laws, there was considerable opposition.
Yet he stubbornly pushed forward with his conviction.
Even my father-in-law agreed with him.
In the end, blessed by such great love, I was able to live by the name my mother had left me.
I took my husband’s hand and met his gaze.
I spoke with sincerity pressed deep into every word.
“I always think how fortunate I was to marry you, Kyle.”
“…”
Kyle’s eyes, like the verdant green of midsummer, trembled.
Slowly, he enfolded my hands with both of his and bowed his broad shoulders.
Then, like an obedient servant, he pressed his lips to my palm.
“Thank you for seeing all the things I did as natural, and finding them beautiful. My lady.”
It’s been a while since you called me that.
I spoke with a smile.
“And I appreciate how you always treat me with such care.”
That was when his warm lips brushed against my wrist before pulling away—a kiss with unmistakable intention.
My heart raced.
He remained bent forward, lifting only his eyes to gaze at me intently as he asked.
“Like this?”
Oh my, he’d suddenly become a passionate deer.
As I was still reeling from my husband’s abrupt shift in demeanor, he slowly swept the tray from the bed.
The sharp, high-pitched clink of dishes striking the nightstand seemed to tap against my racing heart with each sound.
He was in no hurry.
With such natural grace, he cradled my cheek and brought his lips close enough that they almost touched.
At a distance where our breaths mingled, he gazed down at me as if seeking permission.
Or perhaps observing my embarrassment.
….

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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