The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 152

Chapter 152

As soon as his words ended, he strode forward with determination. A delicate pair of shoes, like a fragile flower, tumbled to the floor, trailing behind the hem of her dress. Scheuer, glancing at the abandoned shoes, whispered from Raygrain’s embrace,

“Your Grace, the shoes! The shoes! ”

“No need for them,” he replied. 

Merely shifting his gaze downward to meet hers, speaking in a calm tone. 

“You’ll be with me from this point on, so as long as there are no issues with movement, it’s all that matters.”

He lowered his head slightly, his voice dropping even though there was no one nearby to hear. 

“I’d prefer it if all the guests disappeared after the meal, but I suppose that won’t be possible due to the substitute’s duties.”

“…What?”

Raygrain clicked his tongue, seemingly addressing Sevi, who was out of sight. 

“It means I’m aware of the struggles you’ve faced with Leilda.”

Despite Scheuer’s puzzled inquiry, he continued walking toward the knights, clearly intending to carry her all the way. The conductor of the orchestra, taken aback, quickly scanned the area where Sevi and Jessica were.

Sevi, grinning tightly as if he had witnessed something he shouldn’t have, gestured to the conductor. It was unclear whether his gesture meant to stop or to continue, or perhaps to raise the volume of the music. The conductor’s mind raced to interpret the ambiguous motion.

Experienced, he quickly assessed the atmosphere. No one showed any signs of stopping; rather, the mood was one of an excited celebration. The wedding, in particular, had strayed significantly from the norm. The fact that the Duke, who was said not to feel emotions, was holding the Duke’s consort, who had handed out healing flowers in the North, was already quite unusual.

Suddenly, realization dawned on the conductor. 

‘Ah, he wants a lively piece instead of the usual solemn music!’ 

He promptly cut off the previous tune and directed a bright, cheerful melody that invited everyone to dance and enjoy.

As the lively notes filled the air, Scheuer, who had buried her face in Raygrain’s shoulder, lifted her head. Ze, perched on the shoulder of a mercenary, energetically tossed flower petals over Scheuer and Raygrain as they passed by. At that moment, Scheuer’s face broke into a radiant smile.

In the midst of the ceremony, surrounded by loved ones and the one she loved most, Raygrain, she felt happier than ever before. Raygrain kept his gaze fixed on her, admiring her radiant smile for a long time. He continued to watch as she threw the bouquet, Lady Solle retrieved it and gave it back to her, and as Leilda exchanged glances with her while holding the magic stone.

When Scheuer solemnly nodded her head, Leilda subtly slipped away, trying to pass quietly without attracting Sevi’s attention.

Recognizing the signal, Koa quietly approached Sevi. 

“High Priest Sevi, the wedding reception will be held in the East Hall. Are you going? ”

“Why would I bother? From what I see of the Grand Duchess, it looks like it’ll be dull,” he replied dismissively. 

though his eyes and ears were clearly focused on the guests chatting in the garden.

Koa knew that his words were mere pretense. He gently urged Sevi on. 

“I’ve heard there will be dishes that can only be enjoyed in the North at the reception.”

“Hmm… Speaking of which, didn’t the Grand Duchess mention that the East Hall has been completely renovated and is opening for the first time today? ”

“Yes.”

“And people do seem quite lively.”

“Indeed.”

Sevi tilted his chin slightly with a hint of reluctance. 

“I suppose I have no choice. I’ll go check it out myself. Seeing the Duke absent, it seems the Duchess’s judgment isn’t very reliable.”

His comment disregarded the diversity of people’s tastes, but Koa merely bowed his head in response.

Unaware of his own insensitivity, Sevi resumed his dignified demeanor and made his way towards the reception.

Dressed in her evening gown, Scheuer stood in front of the East Hall, ready to commence the reception. While she changed from her wedding dress, the garden where the ceremony had taken place was meticulously tidied up by the attendants.

With a sense of pride, Scheuer stood before the guests and earnestly began to speak. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for me to unveil the East Hall, which I have poured my heart into preparing for today.”

Sevi, standing beside her with a friendly smile, waited patiently to enter. Although his expression appeared “kind,” it was clear he was impatient and eager for the food to be served.

Scheuer lightly ignored Sevi’s expression and scanned the guests. Leilda was not visible as expected. With a sigh of relief, Scheuer stepped into the newly built, elegant East Hall, which boasted a classic, refined appearance.

Sevi and Raygrain followed her. As soon as they set foot inside, some of Blenga’s knights gasped in awe.

“Wow, it wasn’t like this before. It looks like a completely different building.”

“Sir Peyton must have worked really hard. It’s worth bragging about! ”

Raygrain also seemed taken aback by the transformed East Hall, taking in its new look with interest. Scheuer, seeing their reactions, clasped her hands together with emotion and spoke in a happy, dream-like tone. 

“But that’s not the most important part.”

The mood shifted instantly. Blenga’s knights exchanged glances, unsure if they had missed something. Even Raygrain, who had been scanning the room with a nonchalant expression, turned his head toward Scheuer.

At that moment, a shout came from the crowd behind them. 

“Oh, what is that…!”

Baron Ater Seisen, who had come to the reception, raised his hand, adorned with numerous rings, pointing straight ahead. In an instant, all eyes followed the direction of his finger.

Scheuer smiled brightly and nodded. 

“That’s right! Baron Ater has recognized it! ”

She gracefully walked to the very thing he was pointing at—a wide wall with a small frame hanging alone. A single light above illuminated the frame, giving it a museum-like quality.

Scheuer gracefully pointed to it with both hands and said, 

“This is my name written by the Duke himself!”

The frame displayed her name, “Scheuer Blenga,” written in Raygrain’s distinctive handwriting.

While the guests and knights stood in stunned silence, she passionately explained, 

“This is a part of the construction permit for the East Hall that he wrote for me. I carefully preserved just this piece! ”

Raygrain’s indifferent eyes met Scheuer’s as she spoke. Scheuer continued to smile and chat with excitement.

“Since you’ve given me the East Hall, I thought it would be meaningful to display it right here for everyone to see as soon as they enter! ” 

Scheuer exclaimed, recalling how she had searched for the perfect spot to hang the frame. She had considered placing it at the entrance or even in the hallway, but nothing compared to the way it shone beautifully under this particular light.

As the guests began to grasp the situation, they finally relaxed.

“So, the inscription in front of the statue on the day we arrived in the North was also written by His Grace!”One guest remarked.

“How generous of him,” another added.

“Really, His Grace could have at least written a congratulatory message for the East Hall’s construction.” 

Joked Marquis Henner, prompting laughter as guests strolled through the corridor of the hall.

Everywhere they looked, frames displayed his fingerprints, strands of hair, and even scraps of fabric, all arranged artistically. At a glance, it truly resembled an art exhibition.

One of the mercenaries approached an empty ink bottle placed oddly in the middle of the hallway, muttering, 

“What’s this trash…?”

“Don’t touch that! ” 

Scheuer’s sharp voice cut through the air just before he could reach for it.

The mercenary froze, raising his arms in a gesture of surrender. 

“I-I’m sorry! I just thought it was an empty bottle.

The terrified mercenary glanced nervously at Scheuer and Raygrain. Raygrain’s keen eyes fixed steadily on the ink bottle as he dryly said, 

“That’s an ink bottle I used up.”

“Exactly. I diligently collected them, and since I had five, I decided to display one,” Scheuer replied quickly.

Her swift response made all the guests, who had been casually wandering through the hallway, tense up. They all shared the same thought: 

“Nothing here should be touched! ”

They instinctively huddled in the middle of the carpeted hallway, avoiding any contact with the walls or even the doors, unsure if everything had some hidden significance.

Oblivious to their anxiety, Scheuer continued walking, chatting with Raygrain about how he knew, and headed towards the reception area where the festivities would continue.

“Vendi, Vidi, Amavi”