Chapter 162

As the shop became oddly quiet, Scheuer subtly glanced around. The faint silhouettes of the ladies who had fled as if being chased could barely be seen through the window.

‘Did my words sound like a threat? ‘

Perhaps I was a bit sharp. It must be because the original storyline I had thought was over has started again.

Scheuer gently pushed against Raygrain’s shoulder.

“Your Grace, could you do me a favor? ”

“Speak.”

Despite Scheuer pushing with all her might until her face flushed with effort, Raygrain remained unmoving, like a stone.

Struggling, she finally spoke up.

“Let’s talk face-to-face! ”

After all, isn’t conversation supposed to be done while looking into each other’s eyes?

Yielding to her insistence, the arms wrapped around her waist loosened, and his previously immovable upper body slowly lifted.

She pointed a finger like a teacher giving a lesson and said, 

“Please find me the Crown Flower! ”

“Why not send Jess? ”

“It’s a wildflower, so it’ll be hard to find. I’ve only seen one bloom so far myself.”

It was a rare flower, just as unfamiliar as its name.

But Raygrain responded as if it were no big deal.

“When have I ever refused one of your requests? ”

For some reason, she could almost picture Jess’s exhausted face in her mind.

Just as she was about to thank him, the shop bell chimed, and a maid, likely sent by a noble household, hurried inside.

“Hello, I’m from the Viscount of Litton’s household.”

The Viscount of Litton?

Familiar with the name, Scheuer quickly turned her head. The employee recognized the maid and replied.

“Ah, we sent you a message, but you’re only now picking it up. We were starting to consider sending the items directly to the estate since it’s been a while.”

“From now on, feel free to send the remaining products to the estate.”

“The Viscountess usually likes to check the items in person before giving her confirmation. Are you sure it’s okay? ”

“Yes, it’s fine. What are they? ”

“Just a moment, please.”

The employee disappeared to the back of the shop to retrieve the ordered items. Scheuer exchanged a glance with Raygrain before casually approaching the maid.

“You’re from the Viscount of Litton’s household? ”

“Yes!”

As befitting a maid from a noble family, she quickly recognized Scheuer’s status and bowed respectfully, despite the unexpected question.

Scheuer gently probed further.

“The Viscountess must be quite busy, huh? ”

“Ah, yes… um, yes…”

“I saw her this morning at the palace, and she didn’t mention anything unusual.”

The maid seemed flustered, stumbling over her words. It wasn’t even a difficult question, but her reaction was telling. As expected, maids wouldn’t share private matters without their master’s permission. The reaction alone was enough of an answer.

Instead of pressing with more questions, Scheuer made a suggestion.

“Could you let the Viscountess know that the Grand Duchess invites her for tea sometime? ”

“I will do so.”

Shortly after, the employee returned, carrying a jewelry case. The maid bowed again and quickly left the shop with the items in hand.

‘She used to love luxury so much.’

It felt a bit suspicious that she didn’t come in person and sent a maid instead.

From the dazzling appearance of Lady Annabelle she had seen in the morning, it was clear she hadn’t lost interest in jewelry.

Something was definitely happening at the Viscount of Litton’s household. Duchess Annabelle’s suspicious behavior seemed to point in that direction.

***

As soon as she returned to the room assigned to her in the Imperial Palace, Tiola, the royal maid who had previously served her, welcomed her with tears of joy.

“Your Highness, it is an honor to serve you again.”

“Have you been well? It’s been a while!”

“I heard you’ve had your wedding. The temple gave you the date surprisingly quickly, didn’t they?”

“Did they?”

“Yes! Even for His Highness Silcaro, he still hasn’t.”

In her excitement, Tiola blurted out the words but then froze and quickly clamped her mouth shut.

Looking at Sevi’s actions, Scheuer figured that many things had probably been delayed, but she hadn’t expected even the central palace’s requests to be postponed.

In the original story, before the monsters descended on the northwestern villages, Silcaro and Erina had already received their wedding date. When calculating the timeline, Scheuer’s reception of the wedding date from the temple should have been around the same time.

‘Things are changing in the story, so it could have been delayed,’ she thought.

The events were happening, whether they occurred early or took a different form later.

With a calm smile, Scheuer handed a letter to Tiola.

“Could you deliver this to Duke Litton?”

“Of course!”

“And make sure to tell him I’d like to meet as soon as possible.”

“Yes!”

Perhaps because of her earlier slipup, Tiola answered more energetically than usual before leaving the room.

It wasn’t long before she returned with a response.

“Um, the Viscount of Litton has said he won’t be seeing anyone for a while.”

Tiola, seemingly caught off guard by the unexpected answer, awkwardly scratched the back of her neck and avoided eye contact.

“Did he give a reason?”

“He said it was for personal reasons.”

“I see. Thank you for delivering the message.”

Tiola left, looking somewhat dejected, as if she believed she hadn’t fulfilled her task properly.

The Viscount of Litton had previously sent a letter congratulating her on her marriage. For him to refuse now, there had to be another reason.

Scheuer paced back and forth in front of Raygrain, who was seated by the table, while asking questions. He sat upright, calmly watching her, as if waiting for her to speak.

“Your Grace, if we hold a banquet, would the Viscount of Litton attend?”

“If it’s hosted by the Imperial Palace, he wouldn’t be able to avoid it.”

A banquet hosted by the Imperial Palace would require the Emperor’s approval. While excuses could be made, it wasn’t likely that the Emperor, whom she had rarely seen, would easily grant such a request.

Scheuer suddenly stopped, looked at him, and asked, “Your Grace.”

“You want me to get the Emperor’s approval, don’t you?”

“Exactly! As expected of you, Your Grace. How did you guess what I wanted so quickly?”

She tilted her head and smiled bashfully.

Raygrain reached out and gently grasped her wrist.

He gently pulled her closer.

They were not far apart, and with just a slight bow of her head, the distance closed.

Raygrain looked up at her and asked,

“Do you want it? ”

“If it’s the emperor’s approval, then yes.”

His gaze was steady.

For Scheuer, who was always looking up at him, this position felt somewhat unfamiliar.

How could he not seem much different from her even while sitting?

His sharp features appeared even more defined from above.

As Scheuer subtly averted her gaze, he lightly stroked her wrist with his thumb and said,

“Your name.”

“What?”

“Call my name. Then I can grant you the North as well.”

“No, I don’t really want the North.”

She only mentioned it was nice to be under Raygrain’s rule, but she didn’t think the North itself was appealing.

What was good about a region swarming with monsters? If she could, she would want to move Raygrain and the Blenga estate somewhere else entirely.

As Scheuer subtly expressed her refusal, his grip on her hand tightened, pulling her closer.

Even if she tried to step back, his long legs ensnared her.

He leaned in and whispered,

“If you just call my name, I will ask the emperor to host a royal banquet.”

“…That’s unfair.”

“Do you dislike my name? ”

“No! Not at all! It’s not that I dislike it! It suits you, Your Grace! I like it! ”

Fearing he might misunderstand, Scheuer quickly shook her head.

At that, a hint of joy flickered in Raygrain’s eyes.

Feeling a strange embarrassment, Scheuer pressed her lips together.

His name. It was something she could call out with just her eyes closed.

It shouldn’t be that difficult. It definitely shouldn’t be, yet it felt awkward.

After all, there were very few people who could call him by the name Raygrain.

Even Leilda referred to him as the Duke. In essence, there was hardly anyone.

Perhaps that was why she could barely move her lips, unable to easily utter his name. However, she realized there was no way to escape from his urging gaze.

Scheuer struggled to open her mouth.

“Le…, Ray…”

“Good.”

“Raeg…”

Her face felt hot.

Thump, thump. Just calling his name made her heartbeat echo loudly in her ears.

With her head bowed, Scheuer squeezed out the words.

“Raygrain…!”

Huff, ha. She let out a big breath that had been building up.

Even though she had called out with such effort, there was no response from him.

Thinking she might have been teased, she lifted her head, and Raygrain was watching her with a bright smile.

He pulled on Scheuer’s arm and leaned in, lightly kissing her sulking lips.

“I’ll get the Emperor’s approval for the banquet. Just wait for me, Scheuer.”

“Courage, dear heart” – C.S. Lewis