I Left my Cheating Husband and Married a Beast

Chapter 33

For Shanur, a mask was an impossible concept to explain with just one word. When his face began to distort, he immediately put on a mask.

Even though he did not need to go outside, he wore a mask while sleeping so as not to show his altered face to others.

Then one day, he became so disgusted with the mask that he threw it away, deciding to close all the lights in the duke’s mansion and draw the curtains.

At this time, he sent most of the servants away and kept only his trusted aides.

Once he no longer had to hide his face from others, Shanur saw no reason to wear the mask.

He decided to bury himself in darkness, even if the mask was left lying around somewhere. Years passed, and it wasn’t until two years ago that Shanur realized he hadn’t suddenly thrown the mask away one day.

It was two years ago. That day, as usual, swindlers came claiming they knew how to lift his curse and explained various things to him.

After sending them away, Shanur was left alone in the reception room and removed his mask. Just then, one of the swindlers who had taken the wrong path accidentally walked in and saw Shanur’s distorted face.

He didn’t scream or shout. “Monster…” He only muttered quietly. The man’s reaction wasn’t strange.

Only his trusted aides, Elness, and the emperor had been used to his appearance. Any ordinary person would have reacted like that. However, after three years of deep self-loathing, Shanur couldn’t hold it in and exploded in anger at the man’s words.

He had intentionally invited low-quality swindlers to the castle to begin his seclusion. Shanur took their lives and hung their bodies on the walls of the duke’s mansion.

The effect was so strong that for two years, no one dared to step foot in the mansion. That was until a woman came, one ordinary day.

At first, Shanur thought she was just a very strange woman. She asked for his purity so casually, then knelt down and boldly confessed her awkward situation.

When she held his hand and the pain subsided, Shanur thought maybe there was something special about her, so he decided to keep an eye on her.

It was when he realized she wasn’t bothered by seeing his true face that he began to see her differently.

He began to remember her name, recognize her appearance, and understand her personality. As he gradually filled his mind with her, she started to occupy a special place in his heart.

Seeing her put up curtains and add cloth to his mask, Shanur first realized it. Someone had entered a deep place in his heart.

Shanur felt suffocated by Beloni’s kindness, but at the same time, he found that overwhelming warmth was intoxicatingly good. He never wanted to return to the days when he didn’t feel it.

Shanur turned away from Beloni’s gaze and stood up. He walked to the window and drew back the curtains.

The warm sunlight fell on his bare face. Shanur slowly blinked his eyes before turning around. In the now-bright room, Beloni, holding the mask, stared at him wide-eyed.

Shanur shrugged lightly. “It was too dark. You seemed to not see anything.” “…Ah, yes.

I didn’t see anything.” Beloni awkwardly answered and began to fidget with the mask. Shanur didn’t sit opposite her but instead sat beside Beloni. The distance was so close that their thighs or knees would touch with the slightest movement.

Beloni flinched and rolled her eyes, but Shanur pretended not to notice. Beloni’s fingers, fiddling with the mask, were flushed red. Shanur didn’t take his eyes off her hands.

Soon, Beloni, having finished adding cloth to the mask, turned her head shyly. “It’s… done, Your Excellency.” “Is it? Then try it on.”

Shanur stayed still as Beloni hesitated and carefully placed the mask on his face. Her hot, reddened hands brushed against his skin.

The mask, with the added cloth, felt much cooler.

Shanur raised his hand and grabbed Beloni’s hand, still resting on the mask. “Your Excellency?” “Beloni. I believe you are the only one who can lift my curse.

I believe in the method you shared.” Beloni seemed surprised by his sudden words and waited for him to continue.

Noticing her confusion, Shanur pulled her hand toward his lips and pressed it gently. The soft, small hand on his lips squirmed slightly. “There was a reason I wanted to hold your hand before…”

Shanur raised his other hand and gently cupped Beloni’s soft cheek. “When we touch, my pain goes away.” Beloni’s eyes trembled slightly from the sudden closeness and his words. Shanur noticed she had stopped breathing, so he gently rubbed her cheek.

His comforting gesture made Beloni let out a small sigh of relief. Then, a faint, sweet scent passed by Shanur’s nose. “That’s why I want to continue touching you until the curse is lifted.” Shanur took her hand in both of his and pressed his lips against it.

His breath spread across her skin, causing Beloni’s body to shudder.

Shanur’s eyes traced from her hand to her arm, shoulder, collarbone, slender neck, and tiny chin, finally meeting her clear eyes. “Will you allow it?” Beloni’s lips quivered. “Will it… help?” “Don’t worry.

I wouldn’t lie about something like this.” “It’s not that I don’t trust you!” Beloni hurriedly shook her head. “It’s just…

I didn’t know there was such a method, so…” “It will help.” “Well… then I’ll allow it. If it can ease your pain, holding hands is nothing.”

Her determined response made Shanur feel oddly uncomfortable. “Who said it’s just about holding hands?” “Huh?” Shanur tugged at Beloni’s hand.

The sudden pull caused Beloni to fall into his arms, and their bodies were so close that Shanur’s heart raced faster than ever. Shanur, not realizing what he was doing, nuzzled his forehead into her hair.

As his nose brushed her neck, Beloni flinched and drew in a sharp breath.

He instinctively wrapped his arms around her slender waist. Her soft body was so delicate that Shanur’s breath caught in his throat.

When Beloni’s hand briefly touched his chest as she fell into his embrace, Shanur couldn’t stop the quiet groan from escaping him.

His eyes squeezed shut before quickly opening again. “In urgent situations, one must do this.” He finally loosened his grip on Beloni’s waist and spoke.

“Still, are you really okay with this?” Though he asked, he planned to reassure her gently if she said no.

Before Shanur could think of how to proceed, Beloni shifted slightly in his arms and nodded. Her movement felt like a ticklish sensation against his face, but Shanur stayed there, enjoying the pleasant feeling. “It’s okay.” “Really?” Hearing her answer, Shanur’s determination grew stronger.

So he nuzzled his nose into her neck and asked softly, “Is this also okay?” Beloni’s shoulder jerked up. “Ah… yes…” Shanur tilted his head and kissed her collarbone, pressing his lips against her warm skin. “Is this okay too?” Beloni’s body trembled, her voice shaking as she answered, “Yes, it’s really… okay.” Her voice was filled with a soft moisture, and Shanur suddenly realized what he had done.

Panic set in as he quickly loosened his grip on her shoulders and pulled her closer. Beloni’s face was completely flushed, her eyes shimmering with tears, and Shanur’s mind went blank.

He had so much to say, but nothing came out. “So… that’s…” “Now, you trust me, don’t you?” Her bloodshot eyes blinked, asking.

Naturally, Shanur’s answer was clear. “I trust you.” His short but firm answer made Beloni lower her head, her lips tightly pressed together.

Despite sitting on his lap, neither of them seemed to notice it. “You trust me, right?” “Trust you.” Shanur urged her for an answer, but this time, the situation was the opposite.

Beloni didn’t seem to react to his answer, so Shanur grew impatient.

“What would it take for you to believe me, huh?” “Then please hold me. Tight.” “Huh?” Shanur thought it might be better for him, but before his mind could catch up, his hands moved and pulled Beloni into his embrace.

Beloni finally wrapped her arms around his neck. “You surprised me, Your Excellency.” “Sorry.” “Next time, please tell me beforehand, just like I did.” “I will.” Beloni giggled at his quick answer, a soft laugh escaping her.