I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 48

Chapter 48

“Ugh!”

I had a terrible nightmare.

Back in the old days, Lily would help the gardener and started pulling out flower shrubs and planting weeds. The pot Rose had been growing on the desk died because she watered it too much, and the seeds she had planted so eagerly hadn’t sprouted even after two months.

Our Lily, she shouldn’t have done that.

“It was just a dream.”

Wiping the cold sweat, I was suddenly jolted awake by an unfamiliar pain.

“Madam, you’re awake.”

Hearing Ada’s voice, I immediately pulled the sheet over my face.

Why am I lying here with not a stitch of clothing on? No matter how thoroughly I checked, this wasn’t a dream.

“I’ve prepared your bath water.”

“I-I’ll bathe alone!”

This couldn’t be happening, it just couldn’t.

Soaking in the hot water, I tried to calm the rising heat.

“…Where’s the Duke?”

“He’s been away for a while.”

To avoid damaging my sensitive skin, I put on a soft silk dress.

It doesn’t really matter. What significance is there in having spent the night together?

“Would you like to invite family members?”

“…Wasn’t that not allowed?”

“Anything is fine. Please tell me what you wish.”

I had momentarily forgotten. After all, there was no successor to the Crowford name at present.

If a child were to come from the two of us, that child would become the next heir to Crowford.

Moreover, if anything were to happen to Wilfred, then I, as the mother of the heir, would essentially take full control of Crowford.

“Just thinking about it is terrifying.”

It would be less burdensome if it were openly stated.

A sigh escaped as I looked at the hopeful eyes filled with anticipation.

Grasping my aching head, I tried to recall the contents of the book I had read yesterday.

“This seems strange.”

I clenched my hands, trying to feel the sensation again.

Until the moment the Viscountess of Naphier revealed her true colors, I had been clearly conscious.

Suddenly, like fading out, not only did the memories of my past life vanish, but so did the memories of my present life.

“And then I made a mistake.”

How could I withstand the temptation of a husband who is a bundle of pheromones when I didn’t know it was wrong?

From the perspective of my past self, it wasn’t so surprising to be double-crossed by the Viscount of Naphier.

From a modern perspective, it wasn’t an unexpected variable, and even if I really didn’t know, it could be cynically dismissed as the way humans are.

But for my present self, Freesia, the feelings are entirely different.

I don’t want to admit that I was deceived, but even so, I truly trusted and relied on the Viscountess of Napier, who was the only one in the world who adored me.

“How pitiable, truly.”

It feels like having two separate selves.

In reality, it’s that I don’t want to admit I’ve been hurt.

The reason I can’t let go of memories from my past life is that I don’t want to acknowledge my current situation.

Naive, kind, wanting to do well, wanting to be recognized.

Freesia, who struggled endlessly to be loved and ended up facing the worst possible outcome, seemed to bear a striking resemblance to the protagonist from <Lady Margaret>. It felt like more than just coincidence.

Caught between an outstanding older sister and a pretty younger one, she was nothing but a troublesome third wheel who, much like her twisted husband, did not know how to be loved.

Of course, there’s a limit to the misfortune one person can create.

So perhaps it would have been better if the two of them had never met.

While lost in thought with a long sigh, Ada carefully announced the arrival of her master.

“Madam, the master has returned.”

“…I’ll go out.”

After tidying her hair, I walked into the lobby and saw him coming from afar, holding an enormous bouquet of flowers that was bigger than his torso. He faced me, standing at a distance with an obviously displeased expression.

“Why are you up so early?”

“Huh?”

The sudden reprimand left me stunned.

For a moment, frowning as if realizing his mistake, he tried to retract his words.

“No, here, take this first.”

“Why the sudden flowers?”

The man with large hands could hold the bouquet with one hand, but for me, it was so large I had to embrace it with both arms.

“Even with so many flowers, I think you’re the most beautiful.”

“…Did you eat something wrong?”

Why is this man acting like this all of a sudden? I was bewildered, and noticed that Wilfred quickly picked up on something suspicious.

“Has your memory returned?”

His perceptiveness is just too quick.

I held the bouquet tightly, letting out a loud snort.

“Even if I was the one who first tempted you, how could you give in so easily? Do you have no pride?”

I suggested postponing things for a year, but he caused a mess as soon as the game started. Since my memory was wavering, all the blame naturally fell on him.

“Or was I so irresistible? Did I blow away your reason?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Even so… what did you just say?”

“I apologize for not keeping the promise due to being swayed by temptation. You’re so charming that I couldn’t resist any longer.”

I held my breath for a moment at his awkwardly averting gaze and bowed head. I should be mocking him coldly for his insincerity, but what on earth did he just say?

“Are you serious?”

“Anything you want, I’ll make it happen. You can invite family, do whatever you want.”

The sudden change in his attitude was rather frightening.

Picking out roses from the lavish bouquet, I provocatively spoke.

“Ada, could you please bring my sister and Lily right away?”

“Yes, I’ll make sure to do that.”

“Actually, now that you mention it, I’d like to visit home after a long time. Is it okay if I go out?”

Although he seemed to be on the verge of saying no, he repeatedly held back and pointed to the corner where Luca stood.

“Take the boy with you. I don’t want anything happening to you.”

“Sounds good. It might be nice to stay for a day or two while I’m at it.”

“…”

“It’s fine, right? I can do whatever I want, as you said.”

He couldn’t argue back, biting his lips several times, unable to utter a word. It’s puzzling that he doesn’t realize that his reaction makes it even more amusing to tease him.

“Do you need anything else?”

“Not really.”

“…It’s only polite to go with something since it’s your first visit to your family’s home.”

From the start, I should have noticed that the lavish bouquet was barely manageable. This man was already serious about his intentions.

“Jade, make sure to prepare everything properly for Lady’s first outing.”

“Yes, I will, sir.”

Exactly two hours later, an elephant, transported from a museum near the capital, stood in front of the Cromford estate.

“This is animal abuse!”

“I also brought a giraffe. The gardener won’t be happy if it eats the trees.”

“Send them back right now!”

The neatly arranged leaves were shredded by the giraffe’s mouth.

What on earth should I do with a man who clearly has no sense of moderation?

“Lady Freesia.”

Luca, even more aware than usual, tightly grasped the hem of my skirt.

“…You don’t have to go. Just don’t go.”

Only after my declaration did everyone let out a genuine sigh of relief.

“You’re not going, right?”

“You really have a bad personality. You’re the absolute worst.”

The arrows turned back to the Duke. Since he had already crossed the line, I openly began to criticize him.

“Completely self-centered. There’s no such thing as a tyrant worse than you!”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Ugh, you’re infuriating!!!”

No matter what I said, he just smiled, making any attack futile.

It seemed that the resemblance between the tragic ending of <Lady Margaret> and her own situation was just a misunderstanding.

Her husband, who was shamelessly brazen, seemed to have no intention of hiding his feelings.

“I love you, Freesia.”

Embracing me as I pushed him away and even giving me a wink, I didn’t know what to do with him.

I truly hated him, truly disliked him, yet for some reason, I couldn’t stop smiling.

*  *  *

Despite sending multiple letters, the Crowford estate had yet to respond.

She tried to persuade the easygoing Lily, but with Countess Blado always by her side, it was all in vain.

Cornered, Lady Naphier eventually sought out Rose.

“Who doesn’t know that the Duke chose the mediocre Freesia for the title succession?”

“I suppose that’s true. I’m not unaware of that.”

“Yes, exactly. And now that the issue with the Viscount Gondair is resolved, isn’t the play over?”

“…I understand what you mean, so please leave for today.”

Despite the cold dismissal, Lady Naphier remained proud to the end.

“I didn’t expect you to put me in such a difficult position after all I did for you.”

It was truly petty to leave such a grudge. 

Suppressing her rising anger, Rose clenched her fists.

“…I apologize.”

Had Matthew not been listening, she would have overturned everything by now.

But Rose knew all too well what it felt like to be cornered by the problem of irresponsible parents. To protect the declining family and her younger siblings, she had left the knight order to continue the family legacy.

“You’ve done nothing wrong.”

She had said she would never force anyone into marriage, but if someone truly good came for Freesia, she would have handed over both the family and the title and returned to the knight order without regret.

Rose wasn’t the only one who relied on and trusted Lady Naphier.

Seeing her now, acting so greedily after everything was settled, despite knowing Rose’s resolution, made her realize that growing older doesn’t necessarily mean becoming an adult.

At that moment, Matthew stepped in.

“But for Freesia’s sake, this marriage is…!”

“It’s for your own sake, not Freesia’s. Whatever choice you make, the results will be hers to bear.”

“Rose!”

“You’re right.”

Clap, clap, clap.

With the loud sound of applause, the door opened.

Rose grabbed the sword hanging on the wall at the unexpected appearance of an uninvited guest.

“You are…”

“We’ve certainly met before, haven’t we?”

Though he raised his hands in a non-threatening manner, the magical gem embedded in his wrist was an unusual shade of purple.

The man with green hair and glasses, sporting a nonchalant smile, introduced himself.

“I’m sorry for the late introduction. I’m Serial from the Academy’s Magic Department.”