I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The identity of the author Alster is thoroughly shrouded in mystery.

We can’t know exactly who they are or what they do, but still, she can’t wait for the next volume. The publisher said they have no idea when the release date will be due to the author’s circumstances.

“Too bad.”

While she enjoys other authors as well, whenever she reads Alster’s new works, it reminds her of the time when she eagerly awaited the next volume of ‘Level Up Because of the Antagonist’ series.

It’s like hovering by his side, hesitating for a long time, and then confessing my love at the crucial moment.

For some reason, the protagonist in this new series is much cuter than in the previous one, and the romantic aspects are much stronger, making her smile like a mother throughout the read.

“Ah, I want to lock up the author and make them write all the time.”

She was eagerly waiting for the release date of the new volume, but she got so excited that she ended up rolling around, only to be caught by the Duke.

Quickly hiding the book under her dress, she pretended nothing had happened.

“You’re here early again today.”

“Just finished some busy work.”

The time spent with him is generally awkward.

Since he returned early, for about three days, the Duke has been sleeping so deeply that it’s as if he wouldn’t even notice if someone carried him away like a dead person.

She wondered what he had been doing to be so tired, but today, he seemed to have regained some color.

“What’s that?”

“My favorite books. Don’t ever touch them.”

Although she clearly warned him, he approached and started flipping through the book to check the contents.

“What are you doing?”

“There’s a typo.”

How did he find a typo after reading it ten times? Despite the difficult-to-read characters, he even took out a fountain pen.

“People can make mistakes while writing! Here you go.”

Carefully checking for any creases and making sure there were no blemishes, she took the book back and put it back on the shelf.

“I’ll definitely take this with me even if you kick me out later.”

“Do as you please.”

He seemed tired of the idea of being kicked out at any time and got into bed with a sullen attitude.

Sitting up next to him, reading the book from the beginning once more, he tossed and turned, and his arm found its way around Freesia’s waist.

“Why are you doing this?”

She nudged him away uncomfortably, and he rolled over and curled back into the opposite corner.

Finally, she barely returned to her original position and focused again on the eagerly awaited proposal scene, but once again, the duke tossed and turned, subtly aiming for Freesia’s lap and leaning his body against it.

“I thought you were sleeping?”

“I was wondering what you found so funny.”

Taste is something that, to an interesting person’s eyes, can be as amusing the tenth time as it was the first, but she know this genre doesn’t fit the tastes of most men.

“When I read it, my heart flutters. I wanted to experience such wonderful love as in the book.”

“Then do it.”

“With whom?”

Faced with the audacious duke who was clearly referring to himself, Freesia momentarily lost her words. Looking down at him, overflowing with confidence to an unusual degree, she sighed deeply and closed the book.

“I’m going to bed, go away.”

“I thought you said you liked me.”

At his blunt question, Freesia chuckled softly. While it’s true she likes him, it’s far from the kind of emotion the duke seems to think.

It’s more like the feeling of a mother watching from afar, wanting to cheer him on.

If it were a passionate melodrama where the villain gets entangled with the protagonist, she’d be fired up and ready to dive in, but unfortunately, she’d prefer to avoid stepping into that chaos herself.

“I really do like you. So please, go to sleep.”

“I really can’t understand.”

Anyway, when the protagonist appears, he won’t even pay attention to someone like a wife.

Freesia patted his disgruntled back.

“I really do like you.”

When the day came that he would open his eyes to true love, her role would be over.

Smiling gently at her seemingly discontented husband, Freesia made a silent vow.

Never. Never will she lay a finger on this man and will quietly hand him over to the protagonist when the time comes.

***

The next morning, Duke Crowford woke up again in Freesia’s embrace.

“….”

Loose strands of chestnut hair, smooth neck visible through the gap, and slender legs wrapped around his waist.

He’s also a man. He ordered a year of abstinence because he found his too defenseless wife terrifying.

“You like me. That much I’m sure of.”

If she truly hated him, she would despise even being near him like this.

She never denies the affectionate glances he occasionally showers on her. It’s clear she likes him.

He knows it’s not a lie, but that alone isn’t enough. So Duke Croford summoned someone who might know something.

“I never expected the Duke to summon me in Freesia’s name.”

Matthew Naphier, Freesia’s childhood friend, found himself in a dilemma for a moment in front of Duke Crowford.

If he had been summoned in the duke’s name, he would have never come out, but if it was at Freesia’s request, it was a different matter altogether.

Not realizing that the handwriting of the letter expressing the desire to meet alone was different from usual, he eagerly dressed in formal attire with a ribbon tie and came out, despite deliberately receiving a message to meet outside.

But could it be that it was a trap set by Duke Crowford?

“There are a few things I’d like to confirm.”

Gently placing his glass down, the duke casually invited him to dine.

Though the awkward seating arrangement felt like sitting on thorns, the roasted salmon in front of him tasted quite good. As he savored the delicate flavor, the duke suddenly asked,

“Have you slept with my wife?”

“Pffft.”

Matthew almost spat out what he was drinking at the blunt question.

Hastily covering his mouth, Matthew’s reaction was too honest.

“I guess she was just a friend.”

“Just a friend? She’s a close and precious friend whom I’ve known since childhood!!”

Although the term “childhood friend” should have been enough, Matthew tried to bolster his shattered pride by unnecessarily prolonging his explanation.

While Matthew seemed visibly embarrassed, unlike the composed Duke, the Duke meticulously scrutinized his face.

Still quite inexperienced.

The Duke’s assessment of Matthew was sharp and cold.

“Have you ever heard her say she likes you?”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“Of course!”

It was a lie. Though Freesia had often expressed gratitude or relied on him, and though he had heard various compliments from her, being specifically told that she liked him was always a privilege reserved for her younger sister.

Always the grateful Rose. And the lovely Lily.

No matter how much Matthew wanted to delve deeper, Freesia never easily allowed anyone into her circle.

Thinking he was slowly getting closer to Freesia by taking care of the young Lily together, everything suddenly fell apart due to the unexpected appearance of the Duke.

The Duke was clearly uncomfortable with the unexpected interruption, and he took it upon himself to keep Matthew in check.

“Since when?”

“Always. Freesia and I have always been together.”

Well, Lily should be included in that too.

Matthew tried to boast in front of the Duke, even trying to embody Lily’s character.

“I pride myself on knowing everything about Freesia.”

“If you’re so proud, let me ask you one more thing. Why did Freesia marry me?”

The Duke’s intentionally cutting question was quite painful.

Trying to act nonchalant, Matthew did his best to appear unaffected.

“Naturally, it was to save Rose. If it weren’t for such an emergency, Freesia would never have chosen you.”

Although he tried to assert that it was out of necessity, not love, the Duke laughed mockingly.

“Right. I have the power to save Rose, something you lack.”

“That’s because I—”

Though the words almost slipped out, reminding himself that he hadn’t yet inherited the title prevented them from being said. However, even years later, it was highly unlikely that Naphier, now a peer, would have a position comparable to Cromford.

He was always an exceptional presence even among his peers.

Even now, in front of the Duke’s established authority, Matthew felt somewhat pitiful.

“Seems like it was just one-sided love after all.”

Despite loudly denying it, the Duke saw through Matthew’s attitude and knew the truth.

But even so, Freesia’s lack of love for him was clear.

“It’s likely the same from her perspective. Freesia already has someone she truly loves.”

Matthew may not have had any remarkable talents, but he could easily discern the Duke’s intentions in summoning him and trampling on his pride like this.

The Duke’s eyebrows trembled ever so slightly at Matthew’s calm smile. It was a human reaction that couldn’t be hidden.

No matter how omnipotent the Duke may be, Matthew would inevitably surpass him, at least in the time he spent with the Devlanc sisters.

With a smile that concealed his true feelings, Matthew made his move.

“Yes, that’s right. My pathetic one-sided love for Freesia has long come to an end. I would appreciate it if you stopped tormenting her with it.”

“Do you think I would bother with someone like you? You’re overly confident.”

Facing the Duke’s still arrogant attitude, Matthew laid down the gauntlet.

“Do you know who Freesia likes?”

“Of course. She’s told me countless times that she likes me.”

The sight of the Duke’s elegant smirk made Matthew realize. This man simply wanted to boast about summoning Matthew.

Although it seemed like he was flaunting their relationship to someone who was practically a stranger, Matthew retorted with a laugh at the Duke’s words.

“Freesia is kind. She likes anything she comes across on the street, even a stray cat, or a shoddy music box being sold at the market.”

“Oh?”

“She likes pink dresses and her favorite flower is the amaryllis. I’m convinced that when she says she likes something, it’s no more or less than saying she likes pudding.”

“Smile Love”