I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 35

Chapter 35

The fire in the duke’s study never went out.

As if to fully express his discomfort, the duke remained holed up in his study, using the excuse of work to avoid showing his face even once.

“He seems very busy. He’s been in the study for days now.”

“Well, thanks to that, we can sleep here tonight.”

In the spacious bedroom of the duke and duchess, three sisters lay together with plenty of space to spare. Rose, who had initially been aloof, softened slightly after receiving a new book with Alster’s signature.

“At least you know what you like.”

“I do. He’s not as weird as he’s been rumored to be.”

“But still, it hurts Sister’s feelings. Our Freesia, who promised to stay by Sister’s side forever without getting married. What a traitor.”

Laying her head on her sister’s lap, who was throwing another tantrum and showing her exclusivity, Freesia watched Lily, who was reading a new book with her eyes glued to it.

“Is it interesting?”

“Yeah, it’s really interesting, and somehow it feels even better because the protagonist seems like you, Sister.”

“What?”

“Was it just me who thought that?”

Already having finished reading through once with silent speed, Rose, who had joined the reading, also looked down at her younger sister resting on her lap, affectionately stroking her hair.

“Oh, come on. It must be a coincidence. It’s highly unlikely that anyone knew about the process before the engagement talks.”

Considering the timing of publication, the likelihood of the novel being based on the lives of the two sisters was very low.

Watching her sister and Lily engrossed in reading once again, Freesia rose quietly.

“I’ll go see Madame Benoit for a moment.”

“Okay. Hurry back!”

The duke’s servants had stayed up late to prepare a surprise for tonight, custom-made nightwear for the three sisters. Wearing embroidered yellow nightwear, Freesia cautiously opened the door to the duke’s study.

“He seems to be following along quite well.”

“If what Armeia says is true, it should be useful. Make sure to teach them firmly so that no strange individuals interfere with our work.”

“Yes, leave it to me.”

As Jade, who had just finished his report, stepped out, Freesia, with a stern gesture, grabbed him.

“Ma’am?”

“Shh!”

Seeing her still up at this late hour, it seemed that being busy was not just an excuse.

“Why are you so busy? What’s going on?”

“Please ask His Grace directly. I don’t have the authority to speak about it.”

The duke’s employees were polite, but they were not reckless enough to discuss their master’s affairs lightly.

Knowing they wouldn’t divulge anything no matter how hard she pressed, Freesia ultimately chose to confront the duke himself.

There was a knock at the door, which the Duke mistook for Jade.

“You’ve come at a good time. Regarding the bridge improvement project from Philonea… Freesia?”

“Your arm still hurts. Why are you still up like this?”

Although she hoped her sisters would go to bed, she had no intention of kicking the Duke out of the study.

Even though she was enjoying herself, she suddenly felt sorry, so she came to see him, and sure enough, he was still awake with his arm hurting.

“It’s not that big of a deal. Your family is waiting for you, so go back soon.”

“And what about you?”

“I have plenty of rooms. I’ll sleep for a bit and then go to bed. Besides, it’s my fault my arm got hurt, so just leave it to me.”

His words weighed heavily on her heart, and even after she returned to her room, she couldn’t seem to straighten her expression.

“It’s strange.”

“What’s strange?”

“That person, he really hated the idea of me and Rose coming.”

The man who had been so vehemently opposed to their arrival, now seemed to be pleasantly surprised, and it was rather suspicious that he was the first one to jump on their backs.

Upon hearing Lily’s assessment of his suddenly changed attitude, she concluded with a single word.

“He’s sulking.”

“Sulking?”

“I told you so.”

Lily’s specialty was insisting on her way stubbornly, but once things went her way, she’d act as if she had never opposed it.

Rose cheekily poked Lily’s side, admitting, “Oh, that’s impressive.”

“What’s the big deal? I’m the only one who can curry favor with Freesia.”

Once again, as the sisters started bickering, Freesia found herself in a dilemma.

While the devilish sisters playfully fought, he had shed blood to ascend to the position he held now, unlike the endlessly peaceful Devlanc siblings.

Even to Madame Benoit and Rahsita, who could be considered a close relative, Wilfred Crawford wasn’t a subject of care but a Duke to follow.

Thinking of him, comfortably resting his head on her lap with his eyes closed, for some reason, her heart ached.

“I’m not a bad person.”

“You’re more of a pushover, sister. Ah, why’d you hit me!”

“I told you not to say such things to your sister.”

Considering the way she had been manipulated, it felt somewhat unfair, but since she had received a suitable reward, she had no complaints. It was clear that it had to be this way, but for some reason, when she drew a graph in my mind, the area occupied by Duke Crawford seemed much larger.

“They say love is like that. When you’re not together, you miss each other, and you keep worrying about what the other person is doing.”

“You’re still in love with your first love.”

“I told you it was loud. You are!”

As she watched the noisy sisters with a smile, a bitter feeling lingered in her heart.

“I should do better from tomorrow onwards.”

“You don’t have to. Just divorce and come back to our house to live with your sister.”

“And marry Lily!”

Enraged, her sisters started to riot.

Today, it seemed difficult just to stop the two of them, so she lay on the bed, sandwiched between them, thinking of the Duke.

***

The next morning, after a late breakfast, it was time for the sisters to leave the Duke’s mansion.

“Sorry for being busy yesterday, Your Grace.”

“It’s understandable since you’re busy. But it would be inconvenient if your sister were lonely, so I’ll make sure to invite you over often.”

“I’m okay with anything. As long as my sister goes to any tea party, I’ll always stick by her.”

“That might be awkward.”

With a smile that seemed somewhat uncomfortable, the Duke sent out a well-dressed boy.

With neatly trimmed chestnut-colored hair and a cute face, the boy, who looked no older than ten, nervously bowed his head in front of Freesia.

“This time, I’ve been appointed as the guardian of Viscount Bailey’s son. Since I am occupied with other matters, would you mind taking care of this child, Freesia?”

At the Duke’s mention of her excellent track record of caring for Lily, Freesia showed off her beautifully grown sister.

“Our Lily has indeed grown up well. I owe it all to Lily.”

Already bursting into laughter at the sudden confession of love, Lily’s lips were already split. Unlike her, Rose, holding Freesia’s hand tightly, did not hide her displeasure towards the Duke.

“I’ve heard Viscount Bailey is ill, but why must our Freesia take care of this child?”

While understanding her elder sister’s feelings, Freesia suddenly met the frightened eyes of the boy. This awkward situation made the boy, who seemed very out of place, glance around and then bow deeply, shrinking and stammering.

“Stop it.”

After giving a warning glance to not behave like that in front of the child, Freesia crouched down and met the boy’s eyes.

“How old are you?”

“Um, I’m twelve years old.”

“Did you say your name was Luca? My name is Freesia Devlanc Crawford. You can just call me Freesia.”

Since the title of “Madam” overlapped with Madam Benoit, Freesia graciously allowed the boy to address her by her first name.

Although Rose had become an unwitting villain, she still couldn’t hide her displeasure, but no one knew that it was also part of the Duke’s plan.

“Come over again next time. Lily. I’ll bake some delicious brownies in advance.”

“I’ll soothe Rose. Come on, hurry up and go in!”

There was no choice but to leave the matter to Lily.

After bidding farewell to her family, Freesia tightly held Luca’s hand and asked the Duke.

“You said you had something to ask of me. Is it about taking care of this child?”

“He usually attends classes, so there shouldn’t be any issues. Just make sure not to leave him alone when going out.”

Considering that this boy looked quite sturdy for his age, and seeing the marks on his hands, it was clear that he had wielded a weapon.

In the fantasy world where children’s rights were thrown out the window, this child was undoubtedly…

“I’m not taking care of this child, he’s the one protecting me, isn’t he?”

“H-how did you know?”

“….”

“Sorry!”

Perhaps because he was still a child, he didn’t catch on to the situation.

This would be a problem to teach in the future, but seeing the boy sweating nervously somehow made Freesia burst into laughter.

“I don’t care how much of a precious son you are, you’re just a child to me, because I’m a precious daughter to my family.”

“I-I, I mean…”

His deeply frightened appearance somehow reminded Freesia of Lily when she debuted in society for the first time.

Although there was a passing thought that perhaps this child was not the protagonist, considering the Bailey Viscount family, even Freesia had heard of their prestigious name, so he was far from being a commoner.

“Do you like books? We’ll be visiting the palace library soon. My husband seems to want a sturdy guard with us.”

“I can’t read yet.”

“Really?”

“I told you. I’ll be busy from now on.”

After the sinister Duke generously gave some time, he whispered in a low voice while slyly wrapping his arm around Freesia’s waist.

“By the way, my busy work just ended yesterday.”

“So?”

“There’s no need to leave my wife alone anymore. Starting tonight.”

Looking at him as if she had been waiting for it, Freesia was convinced.

“Do you know you’re really wicked?”

“I take it as a compliment.”

Why such a cold wind blew between the affectionate couple was still a mystery. The young Luca couldn’t understand it at all.

“Smile Love”