The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 154

Chapter 154

While still looking at the cup caught in his hand, Scheuer rolled her eyes. She was quite flustered, as she had never eaten anything he had before. Pretending to glance around while rolling her eyes, Scheuer subtly lowered her hand, caught by Raygrain. Just as she was about to hide the cup behind her back, Raygrain asked with a keen gaze, scanning the interior where the banquet was being held. 

“Will that also go into the display case in another room?” 

Caught off guard by the obvious question, she nodded. 

“The location hasn’t been decided yet.” 

“Alright. If that’s what you like, then it’s fine.”

His response was blunt, but his throat moved slightly as if he were parched. Scheuer brought two new glasses of champagne from a servant carrying a tray full of glasses. Of course, she also requested that her new collection be safely stored away. 

“Here you go.” 

When she handed the new glass to Raygrain, he still drank from the glass held in Scheuer’s hand. 

After wiping his mouth clean with his thumb, he said,

“Don’t get drunk.”

“Me? Don’t worry. I wouldn’t get drunk from champagne.”

“People can sometimes get drunk in the atmosphere.”

It was hard to imagine getting drunk in such a noisy place. Although she questioned it, she instinctively nodded in agreement, thinking if he said so, it must be true.

Raygrain asked again,

“I saw you clinking glasses earlier. Who was it?”

“Oh, it was Mr. Roban.”

“Mr. Roban?”

“Yes. He’s the most spirited one in the mercenary group. When he gets drunk, he writes his name with his butt.”

“Have I seen him before? ” 

“Well, back then…” 

It was hard to bring up the memory of that time during the founding festival when she had mingled with the mercenaries, raising her glass and shouting 

“More!” 

Especially recalling the man who had personally carried her to the royal palace made it all the more vivid. 

‘What a tremendous nuisance I was…’

It was no wonder Raygrain was like this, considering she had gotten so drunk that she couldn’t even help him. He was even the one who had delivered harsh criticism about her drunkenness when she woke up.

It seemed like he was subtly trying to keep taking her glass. Scheuer hesitated and seriously asked to confront the truth.

“Um… may I ask…?” 

His gaze was fixed on Scheuer, as if waiting for her to speak. She was just mumbling, still not getting to the point. Raygrain took a step closer. His hand slowly brushed along the line of her mermaid-style evening dress that fell perfectly to her body. When she looked up, he was right there. Scheuer fumbled and asked again, 

“I have something I want to ask…” 

Raygrain pulled her waist and leaned down. Then he quietly asked, 

“It’s too noisy around here; I can’t hear you well.” 

“Oh, I haven’t said it yet. I just wanted to apologize for my drunken behavior and say that I won’t do it again.” 

“Drunken behavior”… it’s not that I dislike it.”

He made a brief, dissatisfied expression. His words might have been dismissive, but his face conveyed otherwise. Nevertheless, Raygrain continued briefly,

“Still, not here.”

“Pardon?”

She quickly asked for clarification, but her question was drowned out by someone calling from among the guests.

“Your Grace! Does Sir Naveed not drink alcohol?”

“Yes, he doesn’t enjoy it!”

As Scheuer gave a vague response, Naveed shouted from afar,

“Well, I can pretend to be drunk even without drinking!”

“That’s amazing. How do all the Blenga knights manage to avoid even a sip of alcohol?”

“That’s the pride of Blenga!”

As she distanced herself from Raygrain, Scheuer suddenly realized something. Her steps, which had been brisk towards the knights, began to slow down.

Turning around, she met Raygrain’s gaze once more. Calling out to him with a slightly louder voice,

“Your Grace!”

He nodded in response, confirming her suspicion.

‘He was clearly able to hear even the smallest sounds…’

His earlier action of bending down and pretending not to hear seemed deliberate.

‘Was it intentional? ‘

Was he just trying to have a closer conversation with her? As Scheuer pondered this, she touched the part of her dress near her waist where his hand had brushed against.

***

As the reception began to reach its peak, a loud bang was heard from somewhere. Even the Blenga knights, who had been comfortably chatting, instantly fell into formation. Their swift reaction was a testament to their training.

“Your Grace, I will check the premises.”

Despite the urgency of the situation, Jess’s expression remained calm. It was understandable.

‘It’s a signal from Leilda! ’

One of the daisies she had given had caused the noise. The knights, having been briefed in advance, were all aware but pretended to calm the guests.

“Please don’t worry. I will confirm it.”

“Is it a monster? Is it safe?”

“I heard that monsters have been appearing in civilian areas recently.”

“Monsters do not appear suddenly like this. There are clear signs beforehand, and haven’t we just recently returned from a purging expedition?”

The Blenga knight’s words visibly reassured the guests. Given the demeanour he had shown throughout the ceremony, it was understandable. Although it was puzzling whether his emotions had truly returned, considering he had previously reacted without any signs.

“High Priest Sevi! You are the only one who can resolve this situation!”

His tearful appearance seemed exaggerated. Scheuer, hiding among the knights, covered her mouth with one hand to avoid being seen and looked at his back from a distance, silently cheering him on.

‘Naveed… I knew you would be the best at this! ’

Sevi’s pride swelled at the unexpected dramatic plea. He enjoyed showing off his greatness and capability in this manner. The suspicion that the only reason he remained in the position of Hing Priest despite his dislike for work was precisely because moments like this seemed reasonable.

As expected, Sevi adopted a haughty and cold demeanor as the High Priest.

“What is it? I will listen and then decide.”

“Do you know the Northern Legend?”

“I have not heard of it.”

“It’s an ancient legend that predates even the arrival of the Duchess. It says that the monsters of Blenga bear a grudge, and they will curse on the day the head of Blenga is most happy!”

Those from the North knew well how contrived this situation was.

‘Complete nonsense…’

The knights responded appropriately, maintaining the atmosphere, but the guests from other regions only looked worriedly between Scheuer and the High Priest.

“Ca va aller”