Why Is My Husband the Villainous Schemer! - Chapter 88
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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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Chapter 88
The Phoenix.
The reason I’d mentioned the feather to Isaar earlier was that the Phoenix possessed a unique ability of its own.
Known as the Phoenix, though also called the Immortal Bird, this Magical Beast possessed a Healing Ability.
Since the Immortal Bird itself symbolized eternal life, it lived endlessly, being reborn as an egg from fire again and again.
‘Isaar must have wanted the Phoenix egg because he longed to keep a being that wouldn’t die for a long time, just like himself.’
When you burned a Phoenix feather, healing power would emanate from it. And with that power, even severe External Wounds could be cured in an instant.
Moreover, among all the Healing Potions Isaar made in the original story, the most effective one was precisely the version that contained Salgu’s feather.
It was then that Carcel asked me something in return.
“The Phoenix? Isn’t that one of the Magical Beasts? Yet in modern times, it’s so rare there’s barely any historical record of it.”
“That’s right. Actually, I happened to receive a feather as a gift not long ago.”
Since Carcel would probably find out eventually anyway, I mentioned it while leaving out the detail that Isaar had given it to me.
Above all, I wanted to let him know in advance that the Phoenix was a beneficial Magical Beast.
I examined his arm, flushed red from the burn, with interest before making my proposal.
“Would you let me try it once? I absolutely won’t hurt you.”
I took hold of Carcel’s arm and asked.
Carcel nodded readily, as if the pain didn’t bother him at all.
“If that’s what you wish, then by all means.”
* * *
“I’ve finished disinfecting it, so I’ll try now.”
Sitting on the Bed, I steeled myself and grasped the feather and candle.
In the future, Linea and Lucian would become close with Salgu and receive feathers as gifts, which Linea would then use to heal Lucian’s wounds.
‘That’s a story from quite a ways ahead, though.’
Not all injuries could be healed, but it was particularly effective against External Wounds and Detoxification.
Terrified that I might hurt Carcel, my hands trembled.
At that, he let out a soft laugh.
“Asha, don’t worry about it. It’s just a burn — what does it matter?”
“It matters! Of course it does!”
He’d been dismissing his own injuries as trivial since before.
For me, it was different.
No matter how strong Carcel was, pain was still pain.
In the end, I picked up a feather the way Linea had done and held it over the wound, lighting it with the candle.
I was ready to snuff out the flame immediately if nothing happened.
But contrary to my expectations, the moment the feather caught fire, it began to glimmer like starlight and transform into fine particles.
Rather than ash, luminous powder descended onto Carcel’s wound like falling stars.
“Does it hurt?”
When I asked Carcel just to be sure, he shook his head without the slightest change in expression.
“Thank goodness.”
Only then did I relax, setting the candle down on the table before turning back to examine the wound.
The burn was already beginning to heal before my eyes.
Over skin that had been burned as if by intense sunlight, white lines spread out like a snow-flower pattern.
And wherever those lines traced, the skin instantly regained its original smoothness and color.
“Wow. The burn wasn’t too severe to begin with, but it’s healed completely in an instant. You’re sure it wasn’t hot or anything?”
“It’s fine.”
Carcel shook his head in response to my worried question.
I nodded with a sigh of relief, letting out a small “whew.”
“From now on, if you get hurt, come to me. I’ll fix everything.”
“You will?”
If nothing else worked, I’d hand the feather over to Isaar and ask him to make a Healing Potion.
Carcel shouldn’t take getting injured as a given either.
“You’re oddly insensitive to pain sometimes. I think it’s because you’ve been used to it since childhood.”
I stroked his now-healed skin and shook my head.
“You’re not alone anymore, so be more careful with yourself. And if you do get hurt, get treatment right away.”
…….
“Hmm?”
When he didn’t answer, I pressed him for a response.
After staring at me with eyes full of uncertainty for a moment, he broke into a small smile.
“I will.”
“It doesn’t hurt anymore, right?”
As I asked while touching his skin, Carcel reached up with his free hand and brushed his hair back.
“Not at all.”
Somehow his voice had grown lower.
I nodded at that hushed tone.
“That’s a relief.”
“Asha.”
“Yes?”
“But it hurts here.”
Was there another injury?
I quickly lifted my head and asked with concern.
“Where?”
Carcel looked down at me and tapped his own lips lightly.
It was an obvious ploy.
I let out an incredulous laugh.
“You’re impossible.”
Yet not displeased, I eventually rose up and kissed him.
A quick peck.
“There. Better?”
Just as I tried to pull away, his hand came up softly to the nape of my neck.
He kissed me again.
His lips, burning as though scorched, met mine with a warmth that made me feel the heat spreading through me.
My lips felt as if they might dry completely.
To the kiss that had been tender before, something else was now added.
A hungry intensity.
I could do nothing but be drawn along by it.
Only after a long moment did Carcel’s lips finally leave mine.
But I found myself short of breath, exhaling a soft “ah.”
The damp, hot breath stung.
Flushed with that heat, I was swept up in a dizzy sensation that prickled all the way to my scalp.
Carcel wiped my lips with his thumb and laughed low.
“Your face is especially flushed today.”
“Isn’t it polite of a gentleman to overlook such things?”
“Where is there a gentleman on a bed?”
At that, my face flushed even deeper without my meaning to.
“Then—then I’m getting off the bed!”
I brushed away his hand and hastily scrambled off the Bed.
Rather than chase me, Carcel merely offered a knowing smile.
He pulled at his collar with his fingertips, loosening the tight shirt.
Carcel, too, seemed suffocated.
Yet his gaze fixed on me was intense, as if he meant to devour me.
I was too flustered to hide my embarrassment.
What came out of my mouth was.
“I’m—I’m hungry!”
In the end, it was such a pathetic excuse.
But Carcel’s eyes changed at once.
“You must have been too preoccupied all day to eat a proper meal. I apologize.”
“No. It’s fine. Yes.”
Truth is, my head felt so muddled right now I couldn’t tell if I was hungry or not.
Carcel shook his head in self-reproach.
“I’ll have a meal brought at once.”
He rose and approached me.
Looking down at me for a moment, he chuckled.
“Asha.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t be nervous.”
How could I not be nervous around you?
Yet this strange, prickling tension I was experiencing for the first time wasn’t entirely unpleasant.
My breath kept catching, my knees felt weak, and I wanted to run away—yet I didn’t want to escape at all.
‘Carcel’s just so handsome it’s impossible to look away!’
I was utterly ashamed.
“Then shall we go have dinner together?”
Without a word, I placed my hand over his extended arm.
Beneath Carcel’s skin, I felt firm muscles moving fluidly.
More aware of him than ever today, I pressed my lips together.
My heart was pounding so hard my thoughts tangled into confusion.
Despite claiming I was hungry, I barely managed a few spoonfuls in the Dining Room.
All my attention was drawn to Carcel sitting beside me—his scent, his handsome face.
Even meeting his gaze when he spoke was overwhelming.
I kept becoming aware, again and again, that he was a sensual and beautiful man.
“……Asha?”
His puzzled question brought me back to myself.
“Yes!”
“Are you all right?”
Carcel, oblivious to everything, looked at me with concern instead.
‘And here you are, causing all this!’
He treated me without a shred of embarrassment, so why was I the one left breathless?
It was a little unfair.
Yet my cheeks continued to burn and I remained acutely aware of Carcel, helpless to change it.
“Our cook Luke was wondering what ribbon to use on the Orange Compote tomorrow. Have you decided?”
“Orange Compote? Why a ribbon?”
Confused by the sudden change of subject, I asked, and Carcel explained carefully.
“During the Spring Festival each year, chocolate-dipped Orange Compote is given to the person one treasures most. Do you happen to dislike it?”
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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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