I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 38

Chapter 38

“How do you know about that book?”

As soon as she asked, the answer came to her.

It was the Crowford printing press that had enabled the current Mustrang Publishing Group to exist. Given the Duke’s relationship with the printing press since before he assumed his position, it was impossible for him to be unaware of such a major event.

Back then, the government office, which had been reluctant to distribute civilian books in the first place, did not hesitate to target “Lady Margaret” for large-scale incineration.

Even though the content was revised in bulk and republished, the original edition, which had been stigmatized as harmful literature, had been burned to a considerable extent, becoming a truly unattainable book of fantasy.

“Of course, the censorship now is stricter than before, but I heard the author vowed never to publish it again.”

“Because it was his first work. Such incidents must have been a dark history for him as well.”

Although she knew it in her head, the heart still longed for what it desired. Even if she couldn’t muster the courage to republish it, the thought of seeing a book that already existed from afar was just a desire.

“But don’t go saying anything unnecessary to the author. I respect our author’s intentions completely.”

“Come to think of it, they said the second volume will be out soon. It should be undergoing proofreading by now.”

“Really?”

Looking at his already excited wife who was ready to send congratulations, the Duke spoke first with a touch of concern.

“I’m sure there will be a printed copy soon, and what will you do for me when you get it?”

The chance to be the first to see an unpublished manuscript that no one else had seen came to her alone. After pondering for a while with her hand on her head, Freesia refused his offer with a clear face.

“It’s okay. I’ll just read it when it’s officially published.”

“Why?”

“Because the author belongs to all of us.”

There’s a certain justice for fans.

As she prepared to leave to get the congratulations ready, the Duke, watching her roll up her sleeves, became deeply absorbed in serious contemplation.

“Do you even know who this author is?”

“It doesn’t matter who they are. They’re the most wonderful person in the world. No, in the universe!”

“You might regret saying that.”

“I will never regret it.”

As she confidently declared she would bake brownies after finishing dinner tonight, the Duchess once again showed that her mind was elsewhere other than with the Duke.

But why didn’t he feel upset? He silently watched her, feeling oddly pleased.

* * *

Ever since Freesia Devlanc was first put on the Duchess’s radar, the council began its thorough investigation.

Caught between Rose Devlanc, who was rumored among young nobles, and Lily Devlanc, who was known as a beauty, was an endlessly ordinary lady. Yet, the council saw a glimmer of hope in her.

“You don’t have to worry since you like handsome men, right?”

“That’s right. There’s hardly anything lacking in terms of appearance.”

He heard the elders’ words with one ear, but he never denied it himself.

Even without the position of a duke, he had already amassed a considerable fortune through his own efforts.

Though he wouldn’t say it himself, he was proud of his husband-like qualities. However, the one he hoped would recognize him didn’t even spare him a glance.

With peach-like cheeks, plump lips, moist eyes, and round ears, the fragile woman, like cotton candy that would melt away at a touch, never once flowed as expected.

“If only I could remember more clearly….”

Fragmented memories tormented him. From the moment he first saw her, her eyes had remained in his mind.

In dreams. No, it felt like he had known her even longer.

Every time he faced her, feeling the subtle discomfort, he felt his mind clouded.

“You shouldn’t say such things lightly. You should only say them to someone you truly like.”

“Even if I say I truly like someone, they probably won’t believe it anyway.”

Once married into the Crowford lineage, there was no divorce unless one died.

Thus, the admonition to never consider a foolish man who causes turmoil in the family as a potential heir remained a long-standing tradition in the Crowford family.

Although he tried not to expect any special feelings from the woman who would become his wife, he couldn’t help but be drawn to her.

“What’s so good about me?”

“You’re not pretty, but you’re cute. You’re not ugly, but you’re lovely.”

“What are you saying, really! What difference does it make if you say I’m pretty even if it’s just empty words?”

Only he knew the feeling of wanting to tease her more every time she got angry like that.

He never imagined she would be such a chatterbox. As he pretended to sleep with his eyes closed, Freesia silently approached and leaned her head against his shoulder. The closer she got, the further away she seemed, but strangely, the more he stepped back, the closer she became.

As they continued their silent battle for a while, he would suddenly find himself asleep, and when he woke up, his appearance felt endlessly unfamiliar.

“Your complexion seems to have improved lately?”

It wasn’t just him who noticed the change. The longtime physician of Crowford, who had been taking care of him, finished his health check and made a clear diagnosis.

“Lately, I’ve been sleeping well, that’s why. Quite seriously.”

“Do you still have that dream these days?”

The Duke hesitated for a moment in response to the physician’s question, lost in thought. Only the physician and the Duke himself knew about the terrible nightmares that plagued him every night.

“In my dreams, I was a dreadful presence. Filled with hatred, I wanted to destroy everything.”

“I’m glad to hear you don’t have those dreams anymore.”

“Though there’s no telling how long that will last.”

In his dreams every night, he would cling to his deceased wife like a madman. His own image, filled with resentment towards those who made her like that and towards the world they created, felt endlessly unfamiliar.

“Still, I feel like I might know more now.”

Feeling a mix of emotions towards her, who had shielded him from arrows that should have flown towards him, he found her the cutest when she was scared.

“It seems you truly cherish Madame.”

“That’s why it’s even more strange.”

Freesia always humbled herself, even with her elder sister and younger sister who couldn’t stand her.

If the notion of wishing happiness to others was in the same vein, then she was prepared to leave whenever, as long as she remained by his side.

“Still, things have improved a lot lately. I’ve become quite assertive.”

“It might be because you’ve distanced yourself from something negative. If the factors that made Madame weren’t within the family, then the change might be due to the change in environment.”

Her willingness to leave without hesitation was also quite a shock.

After the ritualized diagnosis, he left the room to find the little guy and his excited wife in the garden.

“Is everything alright?”

“You have a meeting with Lady Naphier this afternoon, and it seems you’ll be visiting the Naphier estate from now on. I’ve arranged for Luca to accompany you wherever you go from today.”

“Don’t let your guard down. It’s just a child. Make sure to double and triple check everything.”

With the Duke’s strict orders, Jade’s movements also became faster.

He silently watched Freesia, who seemed endlessly happy leaning against the window, as she basked in the sunlight.

“If anything ever happens to you.”

He suddenly wondered if he would be able to keep his composure.

Despite knowing his busy schedule, she made time to visit the garden, and the excited smile on her face warmed his heart.

“Are we leaving now?”

“You mentioned a fan letter. Where is it?”

“I’ve placed it in the carriage. Your snacks will be prepared for tonight’s dinner.”

“…What’s so great about being a writer?”

“A writer? Don’t speak about our writer like that!”

Her face flushed again as she scolded him for calling their writer a nobody, completely unaware of how adorable she looked.

If she were to find out the truth, how would she react?

“Make sure the requested items are delivered directly to the writer.”

“I promise. I’ll also make sure to bring back a handwritten letter!”

“I’ll try.”

Returning to the carriage, the delightful scent of chocolate tickled his nose. Opening the box tightly tied with a ribbon, he found envelopes filled with fan letters of various colors.

Among them, Wilfred picked up the round, chubby letter that caught his eye first.

[“I always sincerely support you. Your books have always been a great comfort to me during tough times.”]

The handwriting was somewhat clumsy and the expression lacked maturity, but that didn’t diminish the sincerity.

While she never showed her true feelings in front of him, Freesia poured all her colorful emotions into this letter.

Reading it over and over again, unable to let go even for a moment, the Duke became lost in thought as he read the letter.

“This is strange.”

The constant comparison to her sisters bothered him.

Rose Devlanc, who had already established herself through her own efforts, and Lily Devlanc, known for her unparalleled beauty, were both undoubtedly striking figures. But despite that, he couldn’t understand why Freesia felt so inferior.

At first, it seemed like one of her sisters might be harassing her, but after seeing all three sisters together, the Duchess of Crowford firmly denied that possibility.

If both her sisters truly cherished Freesia, then the only plausible explanation was the actions of someone as close to her as family.

“Lady Naphier, huh.”

Although he had long supported her, when trouble arose with Rose, the Naphier family remained silent and offered no help.

If his suspicions were correct, it would be beneficial.

Gazing down at the adorable handwriting reminiscent of her, the Duke silently observed the Mustrang Printing Office building, which was getting closer and closer.

“I’m considering republishing ‘Lady Margaret.'”

“Are you serious?”

The Mustrang employee’s question was met with a casual nod from him.

Maybe he would regret today’s actions in the future, but holding the brownie Freesia had gifted him tightly, Wilfred made up his mind.

“You’ve picked out quite a selection of pretty things.”

He was happy that she cherished his work so much, yet it stung to feel like her affection had been stolen by another man.

Still, Freesia would surely be delighted to hear this news.

Savoring the sweet scent of chocolate, the Duke took a bite of the brownie from ‘Writer Alster.’

“Smile Love”