The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 145

Chapter 145

It took a moment for Scheuer to interpret Raygrain’s words. As a result, her response came a beat late.

“Then does that mean you’re preparing for the wedding now?”

“Of course.”

“And collecting the Duke’s items or decorating the statues?”

“That too.”

“What about filling the eastern building with furniture? ”

“…….”

As she was about to speak, she made a face that looked like she was about to cry. While locking eyes with him, she slowly nodded, and for a moment, his throat bobbed.

Raygrain reluctantly replied,

“That is a gift I have given you; you can do as you wish.”

Fortunately, the eastern building was preserved.

‘Thank goodness.’

In fact, the eastern building was the result of Scheuer’s obsession.

It was unusual for him, who usually didn’t care much about the wedding itself, to be so involved recently, starting from the dress.

Although he still maintained his usual demeanor of listening to whatever she asked, the final approval rested with him.

It was a bit of a hassle, but perhaps it wasn’t too bad, considering it gave her more opportunities to see Raygrain’s face.

Having come to this conclusion, she nodded cheerfully.

“Understood! Then I’ll focus on welcoming the guests for now.”

Before she could finish, Raygrain’s mouth opened, as if he had been waiting for her to say this.

“Did you forget? I said I would handle everything.”

His words carried weight with each syllable. Scheuer, still confused, widened her eyes as she tried to comprehend his instructions.

“You will stay by my side from today onward. That is your task.”

***

“Where should we place the gift we sent to His Majesty from the Central? ”

“There are many people wanting to meet Her Grace during afternoon tea.”

“Priest Sevi is looking for her grace.”

Scheuer watched as the attendants approached with their requests, resting her chin on the table. Raygrain, dealing with the constant flow of people, sent them away with brief and direct answers.

“Place the gift in Scheuer’s room. Tell them that the afternoon tea is with me and that the High Priest Sevi should come to see me directly rather than calling for the Duchess.”

It was probably the first time Scheuer had seen Raygrain speak at such length. The attendants glanced at Scheuer, seeking her approval. Since Raygrain had decided to delegate all responsibilities to her, she couldn’t answer their questions herself.

It was probably the first time Scheuer had seen Raygrain speak at such length. The attendants glanced at Scheuer, seeking her approval. Since Raygrain had decided to delegate all responsibilities to her, she couldn’t answer their questions herself.

In fact, she preferred being beside Raygrain rather than working. The attendants returning to Sevi, particularly those with a troubled expression, requested help, but unfortunately, Raygrain’s decision remained unchanged.

Watching the attendants leave in sequence, Scheuer asked, 

“Your Grace, may I ask you a question? ”

“What is it? ”

“I am officially the Duchess, but is it really okay if I do nothing? ”

Though she had paperwork in front of her, it seemed contradictory to say she was doing nothing. However, considering her usual schedule, it was a remarkably relaxed routine. She was accustomed to starting her day by roaming the gardens, so the sudden peace was disconcerting.

In some sense, it was efficient. Scheuer usually met everyone who came looking for her and preferred to fulfill their requests. But Raygrain was rejecting all of them, so she had that much more free time. He casually replied while looking over some documents,

“If you don’t want to, you can refuse. It means you don’t have to accept everything just for my sake.”

“It wasn’t exactly like that. I want to boast about you, Your Grace.”

“……I know.”

It seemed he was aware of that.

Feeling a bit awkward, Scheuer placed the same fountain pen she had gifted him before on her lips to balance it.

The other one was held in his hand. As her gaze naturally turned to the fountain pen, Raygrain asked,

“Aside from talking about me, what do you usually discuss? ”

Her brows furrowed in contemplation.

The fountain pen, precariously balanced on her lips, lost its balance and fell. Before she could react, Raygrain effortlessly caught it. With an indifferent expression, he asked again,

“Didn’t most of the conversations revolve around me when I was around? ”

She extended her hands to receive the fountain pen he offered, but for some reason, she didn’t take it.

Raygrain. Instead of returning the fountain pen, he intertwined their fingers, letting the rough texture of his palm transfer to her own.

Instinctively, Scheuer stiffened, and Raygrain asked, 

“Do you talk about things like this? ”

“What…?”

Without waiting for an answer, Raygrain pressed his lips gently against the back of her hand and whispered, 

“Like this.”

Startled, Scheuer’s body jerked, causing the chair to creak loudly. She didn’t fall thanks to the firm grip on her hand.

“No?!”

Whether out of surprise or because he was suspicious, she clutched her pounding heart and exclaimed,

“I didn’t talk about anything when I was with you in the center, and I didn’t tell anyone about you hugging me! Never! Even if a knife is in my throat!”

No matter how much she wanted to gather the air around Raygrain, she chose her words carefully this time.

Even though she was adept at collecting information, she chose carefully what to share. She often felt a strange pride in knowing things about Raygrain that others didn’t. However, she saw no need to share these personal details with Raygrain’s circle, including Leilda or the young ladies.

She wondered about her image in his eyes. 

‘Would he think I’m someone who follows him around, spreads gossip, and steals things?’

Raygrain, seemingly indifferent, replied calmly, 

“That’s a relief.”

Even though he was holding her hand, his gaze remained fixed on the documents. He even casually signed with her pen.

Feeling her hand sweating, Scheuer tried to pull away gently, but Raygrain’s grip was unyielding. Nervously, she fidgeted under the desk.

‘I can’t keep my hand like this…’

As they remained connected, the silence became awkwardly thick.

Whenever his thumb brushed against her hand, it made her tremble slightly like someone with tremors.

Reflecting on her actions, Scheuer wondered if she was supposed to remain still.

‘Is that what he means?’

Noticing her troubled expression, Raygrain’s calm voice cut through the silence. 

“Think about it a bit more.”

It almost seemed like he was speaking to himself, but it was clearly directed at Scheuer. The intensity of his gaze on her hand made it feel almost like it was burning.

Realizing something was different, Scheuer considered that she might need to consult Leilda. Particularly after their late-night conversation, Raygrain had occasionally looked at the floor or stared off into space, a sign of his complex thoughts.

Just as Scheuer was about to express her concern, Raygrain’s blue eyes slowly met hers as if time had slowed.

He tightened his grip on their interlocked hands and said firmly, 

“You’ll need to get used to this.”

“Do you mean holding hands?”

“No.”

He lightly nipped her fingers with his teeth, reminiscent of when Scheuer had playfully visited his room before.

“I plan to do to you what you’ve done to me.”

“Will you be taking things from me…? ”

Her voice faltered as she recalled her actions, filled with uncertainty. Raygrain responded with a determined tone.

“Since you’ve created feelings in me, there’s nothing I can’t do.”

“What used to burn is now blooming” – quianna perez