The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 153
Chapter153
In fact, the corridor was just the beginning.
What Scheuer had invested the most effort into in this annex was the interior. Among these, the space that occupied the most area in the annex was something she had been preparing for since she first arrived in the northern region.
“This is where I’ve organized the items I’ve collected.”
It was a room filled with display cases covering all four walls. The display cases on each wall were packed tightly, leaving no empty space. Inside them were all sorts of items, including a plaster cast of Raygrain’s hand, paper, pens, wooden practice swords, and even a bouquet that had been preserved. There wasn’t even a small space left unoccupied; in the corners, there were rows of stuffed dolls dressed in different outfits.
Among them was the menacing and villainous doll that Scheuer had embroidered herself.
Raygrain’s cold gaze landed on the doll, rendering the guests momentarily speechless. They exchanged glances, unsure of what to say about the doll’s likeness to him.
“Did she make that without permission?”
“He doesn’t seem pleased. That expression…”
“If Scheuer gets scolded, what excuse can she give? Does it look like him? No, that would be worse!”
“Where are you?”
“Pardon?”
Scheuer, who had been excitedly admiring her collection, looked up. Raygrain pointed at the dolls and said,
Raygrain pointed at the doll and remarked,
“You’re always by my side, yet I have multiple versions of myself here. Is that not a historical inaccuracy?”
Without hesitation, Scheuer beamed and pointed to herself.
“I’m right here!”
“You are a person, and those are stuffed dolls, so they should be made separately.”
“Yes!”
Despite her confident reply, Raygrain still seemed unsatisfied.
The guests, who were becoming accustomed to their conversation, subtly turned their gaze towards the display pieces, perhaps feeling embarrassed by the exchange. No matter where they looked, they saw the traces of Scheuer’s diligent collection displayed with dates inside transparent glass cases.
Among them were even jewels that seemed unrelated to Raygrain.
Fearing that they might touch the items, the guests huddled closely in the center of the room. Lady Betty, showing some courage, asked,
“Why are these jewels included, Your Grace?”
The jewels seemed unremarkable, so others were curious as well.
Scheuer proudly responded,
“They were gifts from the Duke!”
Thanks to his generosity in giving three of each, she was able to display one with pride. No further explanation was needed; the mere fact that he had given them sufficed for the guests to accept it.
Only Sevi seemed restless, his lips twitching as if he wanted to interject. His patience was wearing thin.
“Is it hard to hold back?” When Scheuer made eye contact with Koa, he subtly nodded in agreement.
Freedom gained after enduring so long is always sweeter. When it comes to striking a person, one must take their wits away first. To achieve this, Sevi had to be made frantic by assigning him the tasks he despised so much.
If she noticed even a hint of suspicion and they tried to escape, it would become difficult for Scheuer to catch them. “Of course, it’s not that I don’t want to show off the East Hall,” she thought. After all,
If things could be resolved in a positive manner, why not?
Fortunately, he was still managing to maintain the benevolent demeanor of a chancellor.
She was excitedly moving around, introducing various places.
“This area is what I gathered from the central region. I recreated it using those items.”
“This is the Grand Duke’s study…”
“And this is the Grand Duke’s office!”
“His Grace’s!”
Every space that Raygrain had briefly occupied, including the Blenga mansion, was perfectly replicated within the East Hall. It was hard to believe they were in different locations; even the positions of chairs and windows, and the angle of a fountain pen on the table, were identical.
Initially, the guests applauded in amazement at how she remembered it all, but as time passed, their reactions turned to bewildered murmurs about Scheuer’s eccentricity.
Raygrain, the very subject of the collection, remained calm.
And finally, the pièce de résistance.
The Blenga knights, upon entering, immediately realized what was happening.
“It’s just like Your Grace’s room. Or rather…”
The knight cautiously turned his gaze towards Raygrain, trailing off.
Raygrain continued,
“When I visited the room before, I noticed the peculiar attention to detail. It’s exactly the same.”
He glanced casually at the books on the shelves.
“Even the arrangement of the books.”
Scheuer had perfectly replicated the bedroom as well.
Everyone could only shake their heads in awe.
Scheuer had perfectly replicated his bedroom as well. The guests could only shake their heads in disbelief.
“The Grand Duchess is truly serious about this…”
they thought, realizing the depth of her dedication.
***
When they finally arrived at the banquet hall where the reception was being held, Sevi looked extremely excited. His eyes sparkled as he couldn’t take his gaze off the line of food being served. The band played cheerful music, and familiar faces engaged in conversation.
Among them was Baron Ater Seisen. Seeing him after a long time, he awkwardly smiled and rubbed his hands together.
“Your Grace, congratulations once again. I was quite surprised to see your new look today.”
“Not at all. Thank you for celebrating with me.”
Meanwhile, the mercenaries, having already drunk heavily, were clapping and shouting her name.
“Grand Duchess Scheuer! The star of today’s event should say a few words!”
With loud cheers echoing, the mercenaries seemed to agree with the earlier statements. Sevi stood up proudly.
“I can’t skip the toast, can I?”
Clearing his throat, he raised his wine glass with a soft smile, but the mercenaries showed no interest in him. They were solely focused on waiting for Scheuer.
“Please give us a toast, Her Grace!”
“Toasts! Toasts!”
Sevi’s eyebrows twitched in displeasure, but the already intoxicated mercenaries were oblivious to his expression
Scheuer, feeling a bit shy, took the glass and said,
“Me, giving a toast? Really…”
At the same time, she leaned slightly toward the side to ask Raygrain,
“Your Grace, what should I say?”
As soon as she spoke, the entire banquet hall fell silent, waiting eagerly for the toast. Raygrain’s face became more serious as he faced the sea of expectant eyes. His response was blunt and formal.
“No need!” Raygrain’s stern reply was met by the mercenaries raising their glasses and echoing Scheuer’s sentiment.
Before his words had even settled, Scheuer raised her glass and proclaimed,
“We do!”
In sync with her echo, the mercenaries raised their glasses and shouted back. Watching them down their drinks in one gulp made Scheuer burst into laughter. Although Sevi still appeared displeased, the mercenaries brought a liveliness to the atmosphere that was different from other banquets.
Someone even asked about where to buy the gemstone jewelry they had seen earlier, while others expressed curiosity about the floral tea. Thanks to this, Scheuer was happily sharing information as she was called upon from all sides.
Amidst it all, she didn’t forget to keep an eye on Sevi. She knew she would have to step in once the signal from Leilda came.
Holding her champagne glass and speaking in an upbeat tone, Scheuer asked Raygrain,
“Your Grace, aren’t you having any?”
Curious about his refusal to drink, Scheuer watched as Raygrain took her glass and smoothly drank the remaining champagne.
“Precious wild woman, chasing light, chasing love”