I May Be A Villainess, But I Won't Live My Life That Way - Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Ricardo’s fingertips emitted warmth, slowly permeating from them. Beginning at the peripheral nerves, it flowed through his blood, gaining momentum as it went. Ascending through his firm forearms, gradually elevating the temperature, passing across his broad shoulders, it became heated. Finally, when it reached Ricardo’s heart, it uncontrollably transformed into the pulsating warmth of his heart.

“I am the same way,”

Bianca’s words summoned a warmth named empathy.

No, it couldn’t be defined simply by the word empathy.

It was a warm empathy that recognized the emotions deep within Ricardo’s heart, resonating with them and revealing Bianca’s sincere inner self.

They were sharing the same time, the same place, and the same emotions.

“Bianca.”

As he called her name, Ricardo, gazing at her lifting head, moved according to the rhythm of his vigorously beating heart.

Advancing towards her, he lightly wrapped his fingers around Bianca’s cheek, bathed in the breaking moonlight, appearing to faintly shine. Then, just like that, he brought his lips to hers.

In the sensation of both moistness and fragrance, Ricardo closed his eyes quietly, solely focusing on that feeling.

“…!”

In contrast, Bianca’s eyes widened in an instant at what had just happened.

So shocked that she forgot to breathe.

While her rational mind knew what had touched her lips, her emotions had yet to comprehend it.

Only after Ricardo’s lips, which seemed to move away as quietly as they approached, did Bianca fully realize what had just happened.

This was her first kiss.

“Ri…cardo…”

Observing Bianca’s cream-colored cheek, now turning a faint shade of pink, Ricardo also realized what he had done just now.

He had just experienced the first kiss of his life.

“What happened a moment ago might have been rude and presumptuous.”

Ricardo acknowledged that he couldn’t fulfill the conditions of love that Bianca had mentioned.

He couldn’t yet swear to willingly sacrifice his life for her.

“But I won’t apologize or regret it.”

Ricardo looked straight into Bianca’s eyes.

“Why did you say that it was rude and presumptuous if you yourself initiated it?”

Bianca also looked straight into Ricardo’s eyes.

The atmosphere between the two, who had shared a moment of intimacy just a while ago, had turned surprisingly hostile as they locked eyes.

“I may be a fool who doesn’t even know what love is, but I’m not foolish enough to let another man take you away from me.”

Ricardo spoke with a tone that sounded like he was declaring war. For a man who didn’t understand sweet whispers or tender confessions, expressing his feelings in such a way was probably the best he could do.

“I’m not an object to be stolen or taken away.”

And Bianca was the same. The woman who had only aspired to be an excellent duchess in life was unable to comprehend the clumsy confession of a novice man in love. If it had been a difficult foreign language or an obscure philosophical metaphor, Bianca might have caught on.

Although objectively perfect as a man and a woman, in matters of love, they were as inexperienced as beginners in the art of courtship.

“I know. It would have been easier if you were just an object. You could have acquired it by paying the price.”

Ricardo gazed at Bianca.

A shining jewel.

A jewel so precious that one had to risk their life to obtain it.

Perhaps, even if one risked their life, they might not be able to possess this rare gem.

It was a metaphor that truly suited Bianca.

***

“…I don’t harbor ill feelings towards the child. But considering my position, it became such.”

“I see.”

I nodded in understanding to the duchess’s words, expressing empathy.

It would indeed be confusing if one’s husband’s illegitimate child suddenly appeared. Especially if the formal adoption of that child had to be arranged.

In such a situation, showing love to that child was impossible unless one was a truly remarkable adult.

“Anyway, thank you for taking care of Maria’s debutante preparation on my behalf.”

“You’re welcome.”

The duchess said this with a face that showed no sign of gratitude.

As I suspected, she didn’t seem to be in pain, nor did she try to hide it from me.

“Recently, Lady Maria seems to be quite sad about her mother’s condition.”

To steer the conversation towards Megi’s story, I mentioned Maria. But the duchess’s gaze became even sharper.

“That child’s mother is dead.”

With a piercing voice that seemed to sting, the duchess spoke.

“That child has been officially adopted into the Wensbury family. Now, I am that child’s mother.”

With an expression she didn’t want to admit, the duchess emphasized that Maria was her daughter.

“Of course, that’s correct.”

I took a step back in the face of the duchess’s even sharper attitude.

“In the future, that child will live as Wensbury, and she will become a lady befitting of the name. It’s her duty.”

“Madam, you have gone through so much trouble. To recover, you should take care of your health.”

“Indeed.”

She replied with the intention of someone who wasn’t unwell, and she spoke with a determination that she would recover quickly.

It was a truly warm and hypocritical social relationship, where they pretended not to know each other’s lies and covered up each other’s falsehoods.

“Next time, if by any chance you visit again, I would like to bring a comforting gift for you, madam. Angelica Pastry is currently very popular among the ladies. Have you tried it?”

“I’ve heard Lady Raintar speak of it, but I haven’t tried it. I don’t like sweets, you see. I have no plans to eat it in the future.”

With a face that seemed to convey her dislike even just by thinking about it, the duchess spoke.

As if just thinking about the sweetness made it distasteful.

“Oh, I see. I apologize for not knowing the madam’s preferences and almost committing such a discourtesy by giving you a gift. Then, I will bring a fine black tea instead.”

“Black tea sounds much better.”

The duchess nodded slightly.

“Then, how about arranging a meeting next time? Lady Maria, yourself, and me. The three of us could enjoy a pleasant tea party.”

At the mention of Maria’s name, the duchess’s face stiffened once again.

Most people might not have noticed, but I did. And I pretended not to notice.

“Seeing Lady Maria today, she seems much more refined than before. Perhaps we should prepare for a tea party or various gatherings with other young ladies in the future.”

“You speak nicely, but I’m still lacking. Let’s anticipate the future.”

Smiling elegantly, the duchess rejected my proposal.

From her smile, I could tell that the day she was referring to would never come.

“I was too hasty. First, you should recover your health before discussing any further plans.”

“I appreciate your understanding.”

“Then, I hope to see you in good health next time.”

With the final farewell, I stood up from my seat.

Although it was a brief meeting, there was some gain.

As expected, the Duchess did not welcome the existence of Maria.

Throughout the conversation, she never mentioned Maria’s name once. She referred to her as ‘that child’ or ‘that girl,’ as if she couldn’t bear to say her name.

As if the name itself was unpleasant.

She seemed to dislike Maria so much that it was safe to assume she would despise Megi even more.

No, she would probably hate Megi even more.

Born as a noble lady, she married the Earl of Wensbury at a young age. Living with anxiety every time her skilled husband was called away for war, she managed the Wensbury estate splendidly in his absence. Furthermore, she bore a successor named Raintar, who would inherit the Wensbury title.

However, her husband betrayed her and fathered a child with another woman. What woman could accept such a situation?

Accepting Maria as the Wensbury heiress itself was already a significant act of kindness from the Duchess.

Judging by how she hated Maria, it might not have been out of kindness but rather a forced decision by the Wensbury Earl. Nevertheless, she seemed to have accepted the situation.

But Megi?

She could never accept Megi’s existence.

If Maria was evidence of her husband’s living betrayal, Megi was the embodiment of that betrayal.

The Duchess had strong motivations.

Moreover, despite her dislike, she was aware of Angelica Pastry’s existence.

In matters of life and death, one’s preferences were not important.

“Ah, Miss Bianca.”

Sorting out my thoughts, I left the Duchess’s room and walked through the corridor when someone called my name unexpectedly.

Turning my head, I saw an unfamiliar face.

“Earl of Wensbury?”

As my name was called, he smiled and nodded.

“Could we have a brief conversation?”

He spoke cautiously, as if implying there were discussions that couldn’t be held in the presence of others.

“Of course.”

And so, I agreed.

“Smile Love”