I May Be A Villainess, But I Won't Live My Life That Way - Chapter 91

Chapter 91

“I love only you.”

His voice steadied my wavering heart, and my fingertips stopped trembling.

I simply closed my eyes in his embrace, feeling the warmth. In that comforting, tender feeling, everything else faded away.

I wanted to stay here forever. I wanted to be with him forever.

If eternity truly existed.

“Ricardo.”

As I quietly called his name, his body moved slightly away from me.

When I looked up, I saw Ricardo’s face. He looked at me with an expression that seemed as if he could gaze at me with such affection forever.

“I love you too.”

That was what mattered.

My feelings, more certain than the uncertain future.

The fact that I loved him.

“Bianca…”

His voice was soft.

The man who had so boldly declared his love and asked me to marry him in front of all these people had called my name with a sigh of relief, as if he had been waiting anxiously for my response.

Like a man with a fever of chastity who couldn’t sleep all night because he was worried that I would reject him.

When I smiled slightly at him, Ricardo returned a smile that was even brighter.

“You have no idea how happy I am right now.”

Although Ricardo said that, I felt like I knew.

His eyes were sparkling as he said it, and the way he looked at me was so full of happiness that it was very clear to me how happy he was right now.

“…!”

No, actually, I hadn’t fully realized it.

I hadn’t known that Ricardo was so happy that he would kiss me in front of all those people.

“Rica…”

I was about to tell him that people were watching. That kissing in front of them was improper, that it wasn’t something a dignified noble lady and lord should do.

But as Ricardo’s lips gently enveloped mine, and his sweet breath entered my mouth, stealing away my warm breath, those things no longer mattered.

As I softly swallowed his sweet breath, I grabbed his collar and pulled him closer.

I could feel Ricardo pause for a moment, but then a ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and I took it, too.

I wanted everything—his hesitation, his smile, his kiss—to be mine.No, I wanted it all to be mine.

I wanted to have everything I desired.

Even a happy future with Ricardo.

***

Ricardo was quite a good student.

He perfectly learned and applied the lesson I had taught him—that one rumor could erase another.

The rumor that had quietly spread in Sprendo’s social circles, claiming Bianca Croft was infertile and that she would soon be abandoned by Ricardo Winkaiser, disappeared as if it had never existed.

Replacing it was the fact that the future Duke of Winkaiser had finally proposed to Lady Croft.

It was, of course, a natural outcome.

He had proposed in front of so many people, and even provided an intense kiss scene. How many people must have witnessed that spectacle?

And how many of those people must have recounted the scene they witnessed to others?

“Did you do it on purpose?”

“What?”

Ricardo asked back, as if he didn’t understand what I was talking about.

“Proposing so flamboyantly.”

“Ah, that.”

Ricardo nodded, as if he finally understood what I was referring to.

“Half on purpose.”

“Half on purpose?”

“It’s true that I did it deliberately in front of everyone. You were the one who said that a rumor should be covered with another rumor.”

He spoke as if he was pleased to have received excellent instruction from an excellent teacher.

“So since I was going to propose anyway, I thought it would be best to do it in front of everyone. You said we were quite famous, right? I figured that if a famous person proposed, it would be a hot topic, and it would cover up all the other rumors.”

And just as Ricardo had predicted, that’s exactly what happened. Now, wherever two or more people gathered, they were busy talking about our wedding.

Where it would be held, who would be invited, what gifts would be prepared, and which designer would be in charge of the wedding dress.

Moreover, those who had attended the ball that night were busy recounting the scene to others.

How Lord Winkasier had passionately confessed his feelings, the heartbreaking moment when Lady Croft hesitated, aware of her situation, and the fervent kiss that followed once she accepted the proposal!

Ricardo looked at his teacher, expecting praise like a student who had completed his assignment perfectly.

“You’re right, but…”

“But?”

“…”

I was about to ask if the kiss was really necessary, but I kept my mouth shut.

I was too… too… too… aggressive that day to ask why!

Never mind. I’d rather not say anything. It’s better that way.

“Why?”

Ricardo asked again, unaware of my thoughts.

“It’s nothing.”

“It doesn’t look like nothing.”

“It’s really nothing.”

“Did I make some kind of mistake?”

“It’s not that…”

“I thought I was being clever, but was it not in line with the social norms?”

Just like a teacher seeing the suddenly dejected model student, I naturally felt a pang of sympathy.

“I just thought the kiss wasn’t really necessary.”

And so, for the sake of the cherished student, I explained what had been bothering me.

“Oh, that!”

Ricardo’s expression changed as if he finally understood what I meant. Then, his face started to turn red.

…Huh? Ricardo’s face is turning red? Did I see that right?

“Ricardo?”

I hadn’t seen it wrong.

Ricardo’s face, sitting across from me, was indeed turning red. When our eyes met, his gaze quickly darted away to some distant point.

“Well… I also… think it was a bit much. Doing something like that in front of others… undermining your dignity… I’m… sorry.”

Even as he spoke, staring off into the distance, his face grew redder and redder.

And as if he was aware of it, he raised a hand to cover his blushing face. But since even his forehead was flushed, it was impossible to hide it all.

“But at that moment, you were… so beautiful. So stunning.”

From behind his hand, his voice came out, sounding as though even his words were tinged with red.

“Bianca, when you said you loved me, you were so beautiful that I couldn’t hold back…”

At that moment, our eyes met.

“Bianca?”

His black eyes, which hadn’t been tinged with red, looked at me with a startled expression.

“Your face is red.”

As if he had completely forgotten the color of his own face, Ricardo spoke with concern.

“Are you running a fever? Are your wounds hurting?”

His voice was filled with worry, but for the sake of my own blushing face, it would have been better if he hadn’t asked.

Concerned that I might actually have a fever, Ricardo stood up and placed the hand that had been covering his face on my forehead.

As he leaned closer to check if there was anything wrong, his flushed face came into clearer view.

The face that had blushed as he confessed that he couldn’t hold back because I was too beautiful.

“I’m fine.”

I turned my head away.

Just like Ricardo had done earlier, unable to meet my eyes, looking off into the distance.

“Really?”

Even though I couldn’t see it, Ricardo’s voice carried a mix of doubt and concern.

“Yes. It’s just that it seems a bit warm inside.”

“Is that so? Should I ask for some cool water?”

“No, it’s okay. We’re about to leave anyway, aren’t we?”

Yes. Today’s meeting with Ricardo wasn’t just to laugh and chat about what had happened last time.

Nor was it to discuss the wedding preparations.

Of course, we would discuss that later, but not now.

“Is that person still in the Winkaiser mansion’s basement?”

“Yes.”

Ricardo’s tone shifted as the topic changed.

“Have you spoken to him since?”

“Of course. But he’s still not talking.”

“Even after you told him we know who he is?”

Ricardo nodded slightly, confirming that Paolo was still keeping his mouth shut like a clam.

“Alright, then let’s go down together.”

“I don’t mind going together, but…”

Ricardo hesitated slightly, trailing off.

“Why? Are you worried it might be dangerous?”

“He’s tied up, so there’s no danger. I just don’t know if it’s right for you to see him. It might bring back memories of that day.”

His words were cautious.

He wasn’t underestimating me or assuming I’d be frightened, but simply expressing concern for my well-being.

“It would be better if it did.”

“What?”

“How silly of me. I always prided myself on my memory. But foolishly, I can’t remember that day clearly.”

I spoke with my gaze lowered.

I had definitely seen them. But I couldn’t clearly remember how many there were or what they looked like.

I couldn’t recall the color of their eyes or hair, who was where, how Ricardo fought, or what I had done.

Ricardo comforted me, saying it was natural given the chaotic situation, that it was impossible for an ordinary person to remember clearly in such circumstances.

Plus, I had been injured, and the bleeding was severe, so it was understandable that my memory was hazy.

But I hated the fact that I had forgotten something. Especially something that had been such an important moment in my life.

“Bianca, that’s not your fault.”

Holding my hand, Ricardo shook his head as he spoke to me.

“If anything, it’s my fault.”

“Why would it be yours?”

“Because I couldn’t protect you even though I was right there.”

Ricardo spoke, biting his lip as if blaming himself.

“There were so many of them.”

“That’s no excuse.”

He squeezed my hand even tighter.

“Something like that will never happen again. I promise I will protect you.”