I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 7
Chapter 7
The beginning of all misunderstandings goes back to yesterday afternoon.
The loyal knights of the Crowford family returned to the Duke’s residence even before finishing their brownies to report what had happened today.
“She gave this and said to forget about it?”
“Yes. After briefly unfolding the letter, she put it back in the envelope and sent it back.”
Upon the messenger’s report, Jade grabbed the back of his neck.
It was clear that the proposal letter was written by Wilfred himself.
Even though the situation was urgent, since it was a matter of meeting the Duke’s lady, he composed each sentence with a dignified attitude, expressing his sincerity as he went on.
[Respectfully acknowledging your esteemed interest.
As a noble duty for the prosperity and peace of the imperial nation, and considering the importance of handling engagements more carefully, while I was inquiring about you with a multifaceted approach, I heard that your character and refinement are truly excellent. I humbly request the honor of your consideration for my proposal, pledging the name of Crowford.
In the future, in fulfilling the responsibilities as a noble, it is expected to pay the appropriate price for enhancing the reputation of the nation and the family….]
Already an awful writer, the Duke’s handwriting was difficult to read, let alone the more crumpled parts toward the end, making it even harder for someone accustomed to cursive writing.
“Are you sure she didn’t read it?”
“If she had, she would have said she didn’t know. She clearly read it enough to say no.”
Even Jade, who had attributed it to bad handwriting, had a headache after hearing those words.
He never dreamed that there would be a woman who would so arrogantly reject a marriage proposal even after being personally written by the Duke.
“It’s all due to the carelessness of our insights.”
The knights, holding the owner’s intention in their hearts, expressed their respect in a dignified manner. However, Lady Freesia coldly rejected them and sent away the suspicious object in her possession.
Unable to fulfill the owner’s will, the knights felt that even sacrificing their lives would not be enough to repay their sins.
Watching the two men rubbing their heads, Wilfred glanced at the box placed in front of him.
“What is this?”
“It’s a return gift for finding the shoes.”
“As a reward for finding the shoes, she sent this.”
From the box emanated a strangely sweet smell.
“Yes. She said she would give this as a return gift and asked to pretend she hadn’t seen or heard anything.”
“Does she want to treat the proposal as if it never happened?”
Jade didn’t know the details, but Wilfred quickly understood her intentions.
Even though she was so blatant in her words, it seemed that Lady Freesia did not realize how exposing her intentions made her seem more suspicious.
Nevertheless, the smell coming from the box is suspicious.
“Open the box.”
Accompanied by a strong sweet scent, the box contained cookies as black as hers. At first glance, it seemed like she had intentionally sent something burnt.
“I wonder what this metaphor is. Did she deliberately send charcoal cookies?”
“It seems to be cookies made of chocolate, not burnt.”
“But they’re black.”
Sending cookies that looked intentionally burnt, it was a highly provocative message. Jade’s words were not even heard, considering the challenge in the message.
There was no reason to step back from the fight they had started. Without hesitation, he ordered to prepare a plate and fork.
“Since she rejected my proposal and sent it back, I should taste how awful it is.”
“Your Excellency, you should at least have it inspected for poison…”
With a chilly sneer, he took a bite without any hesitation. Unexpected sweetness filled his mouth.
Despite the outward appearance, the chocolate melting in his mouth boasted a flavor he had never experienced before.
There was no trace of the melted chocolate left in his mouth.
“How are you feeling?”
“Try it yourself.”
Even Jade, who was initially puzzled, widened his eyes after tasting the sweet brownie.
Even the subordinates lined up behind, who had expected something else, swallowed hard.
“May I try it too?”
“Are you okay?”
“Please let us taste it too.”
The Duke, who was known for his generosity, willingly handed over the box to his subordinates.
The cookies, which was quite large, disappeared in an instant.
“It’s sweet.”
“It’s delicious.”
Putting down the fork, he commanded Jade.
“Tomorrow, I will visit the Devlanc mansion myself.”
It seemed that sending subordinates would not solve the problem, so Wilfred decided to visit the Devlanc mansion personally.
***
“Freesia Devlanc sends her greetings to His Highness the Duke.”
Faced with the presence of Duke Wilfred Crawford, Freesia couldn’t figure out what to say.
After a simple greeting, Freesia merely nodded and adjusted her hair with a forced smile.
Strictly speaking, Duke Crawford, the owner of the renowned Crawford estate known to be wealthier than the royal family, was the ultimate villain in the story.
A man adorned with jewelry, holding a lord instead of a sword in his red cloak, he boasted an imposing figure.
“I might as well be dead now.”
He doesn’t seem to have any intention of making a mess of House Devlanc today, but even if he did, Freesia hadn’t expected him to come looking for her in person.
Discomfort emanated from his stern expression.
“Raise your head.”
Unable to refuse his request to see her face, Freesia reluctantly lifted her head.
The bright sunlight beyond the wide-open door illuminated his golden hair even more dazzlingly.
Thick eyebrows, cold-looking eyes, a sharp nose, and tightly closed lips.
The man’s appearance was more dazzling than any description could convey; it was blinding.
“Rose, Lily, I really am in over my head.”
Facing such a fearsome man, Freesia felt a tingling sensation she couldn’t bear.
Though she had conveyed her surrender by sending him away from the dueling arena, it seemed he had come this far to make her submit by any means necessary.
“I heard you rejected my proposal.”
“It’s impossible for me.”
“Why are you so sure?”
Even though the physical odds were against her, he seemed determined to press on, behaving like a heartless villain, ignoring blood and tears.
“I don’t want to get my family involved.”
“It has nothing to do with your family. This is a matter between the two of us.”
Hearing those words brought a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, this meant Rose and Lily might survive.
But even so, it was too much.
“Can’t you choose someone else?”
“If that were the case, I wouldn’t have any reason to choose you.”
“Ha.”
Despite expressing her surrender, he showed no intention of backing down.
She had never held a sword, and it seemed this man was willing to bring shame and risk his life just to break her spirit.
“It seems I don’t even have the right to resist.”
“You catch on quickly.”
“Why are you going to such lengths?”
“Because I think you’ll willingly bend to my will, and that’s the best kind of marriage.”
Her head rang at the man’s words.
No, this couldn’t be happening.
She went over the contents of the letter once again.
Could it be that the letter, which she believed was about a duel, was about marriage?
“Marriage?”
Her eyes widened in disbelief, and the duke nodded without hesitation.
“But!”
“If you want to set conditions, I’ll give you time. I am prepared to treat the future Lady Crawford with the utmost respect.”
Facing her, seemingly with a lot to say, the duke casually took her hand and brought it to his lips.
“Take your time so that there’s no regret even if you hurry.”
“But, I…”
“Decide on the conditions and come to me anytime. Your visit is welcome at any time, even on ambitious nights.”
Her half-hearted acceptance of the proposal was a rare sight, unlike any other woman who usually begged for his attention.
It felt refreshing to see her not knowing what to do, unlike the usual opponents who always clung to him.
As he handed her the returned proposal, the duke, having achieved his goal, left the Devlanc mansion without looking back.
* * *
At the same time, Lily tidied up in front of the grand Crawford mansion.
“I can’t do this alone, even if I sell the Marquis of Napier’s name, I can’t suddenly take on the Duke of Crowford on my own.”
“I’m in the same boat. Want me to sell the Devlanc name? What’s the point? No one will even listen.”
Even with their combined strength, breaking through the entrance of the mansion was impossible. However, Lily had faith in a corner of her heart.
Though there was a bit of haste, Lily’s reliable ally willingly agreed to her request.
“Wow, this is the Crawford mansion.”
“Sohee! Over here!”
Wanting to broaden her knowledge, Sohee, the Countess from abroad who was known for her excellent skills, gladly received Lily’s request and submitted a letter to the Crawford mansion.
“Are you the Countess Blado and her friends? We’ve been waiting for you.”
“I apologize for the somewhat presumptuous request. I heard that studying the architectural style of the Crawford Duke mansion would be beneficial, and I was eager to introduce it to my family.”
“If it’s for academic purposes, the duke has mentioned that the mansion is open anytime. Come this way.”
Sohee inwardly celebrated Lily’s clever excuse that the Crawford mansion reflected the architectural style of an Old Grand House built about 300 years ago.
With its high academic value, they could naturally infiltrate the mansion under the pretext of research.
“Thank you, Soohee.”
“I really came to see the building. It will take quite some time to explore, so take your time and look around.”
As Sohee began to explore the building quite seriously, asking various questions to the guide, Matthew, who had been hesitant standing behind, approached the steward and quietly inquired about the whereabouts of the duke.
“I have something important to convey to His Excellency. Can I meet him?”
“His Excellency is currently out.”
“Where did he go?”
“I cannot casually disclose the master’s whereabouts.”
Despite the heavy atmosphere, the stewards ultimately did not reveal the master’s whereabouts.
Despite Sohee buying some time, Lily became increasingly anxious as the duke was not present.
“You’re not lying to me on purpose to keep me from seeing him, are you?”
“Why would we do that?”
“Then you could arrange for us to meet.”
“I have not made such a statement.”
Even though Lily tried to subtly manipulate the conversation, the well-trained stewards did not easily yield.
While Lily’s frustration was rising, there was an unusual commotion near the main gate of the mansion.
“It seems that the master has returned. Countess Blado, would you like to exchange greetings?”
“In that case, my friends would like to come along.”
“Of course, feel free to join.”
After receiving help from Sohee, Matthew and Lily finally managed to confront the duke.
“Smile Love”