The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 191

Chapter 191

Staring quietly at Raygrain, who still offered no reply, Scheuer lifted her head again and kissed him. After their lips briefly touched and parted, she looked into his eyes and offered a soft smile.

“If you don’t like ‘Raygrain,’ should I call you ‘Ray’ instead? ”

The moment her lips brushed his, his gaze froze, then trembled ever so slightly. Amused by that small change, Scheuer let out a light laugh. Just as she was about to feign ignorance and pull herself closer, wrapping her arms around his neck for another kiss, Raygrain tilted his head forward before she could.

When he pressed his lips to hers, even the faint smile on his face disappeared. As Scheuer leaned into him, her body began to tilt backward. Releasing a long-held breath, Raygrain raised his head and spoke in a low, quiet voice.

“Scheuer.”

His voice, rich with yearning, had a subtle, almost rough edge to it.

Close enough that their noses nearly touched, he pressed a brief kiss along the curve of her lips.

“You’re no longer avoiding me, then.”

“You knew? ”

“How could I not? ”

Through her parted lips, he began to press forward, taking her in fully. Though he rarely revealed his emotions, he had become almost acutely aware of her slightest shifts in feeling. It was as though he’d invested every ounce of his attention into her.

Even after realizing her feelings for him, Scheuer had never intended to voice them before his departure on the subjugation expedition. In truth, she hadn’t even considered a long campaign until just yesterday. She didn’t want to give him the impression that she’d only accepted him out of fear that he might not return, unable to leave an heir behind. But now, none of that seemed to matter. Either way, regret would linger; she knew she’d feel the same sense of loss.

For as long as she was with him, she simply wanted to love him with everything she had.

The kiss was deep and unfamiliar, leaving her short of breath. Her arms tightened urgently around his shoulders, her hands gripping him. Raygrain lightly nipped her lower lip before pulling away. As Scheuer gasped for air, he pressed slow kisses along her jawline and up towards her throat.

“Breathe, Scheuer.”

At his low voice, her chest rose and fell heavily. As her back arched slightly, his large hand slipped under, pulling her in close. Next to him, she felt particularly small, almost fragile. His disheveled hair brushed softly against her neck, tickling her. When she hesitated upon seeing the scars covering his shoulders, her fingers stilled. Though they were all long-healed wounds, she found herself hesitant to touch them.

Sensing her pause, Raygrain took her hand and placed it on his shoulder.

“A few new scars won’t even show.”

“What do you mean…?” ”

Her question quickly vanished as he captured her lips once more.

***

“Ha ha ha, indeed, the god Lapel has surely not forsaken us.”

The hearty laughter of Duke Netri echoed in Erina’s room. Erina simply ignored his words and checked the blade for any issues. Duke Netri spoke to her again.

“Did you hear? The monster subjugation team has taken care of the creatures that crossed into the center.”

“Yes, I heard. I also heard that Prince Silcar was at the forefront.”

Erina bluntly interrupted him. However, he seemed unconcerned.

“When that guy’s tablet incident happened…! I must catch him as soon as this subjugation is over.”

Erina deliberately chose not to respond. There was no evidence, and she couldn’t predict how her father would react if she said something unnecessary in the current situation. She simply wished he would leave her room quickly.

Noticing her lack of response, Duke Netri cleared his throat and refocused the conversation. Soon, he got to the main point.

“Aren’t you participating in the central subjugation? ”

“No, I’m not.”

“Why not? ”

“It’s beyond my capabilities. I was severely injured and still have lingering effects.”

That was a lie. She was already perfectly fine and could wield a sword without issue. But Erina was holding on with various excuses. Duke Netri was not someone who would be unaware of this.

“Is it because of the rumors? ”

Erina looked at her reflection in the blade. There was no way she wouldn’t know the recent rumors circulating in the central area.

“I heard Lady Annabelle was with His Highness Silcaro behind Lady Erina’s back.” “So that’s why she got the divorce? I thought it was for the northern treaty.”

“Well, apparently there are those who heard it while they were with Duchess Scheuer.”

“After all, the second son of Baron Bronda is in the knight order.”

Duke Netri, who had his ears everywhere, surely knew about these stories. He firmly grasped Erina’s shoulder and said,

“It’s just a rumor. Don’t pay it any mind. High positions always attract slanderers.”

“What if it’s not just a rumor?”

Erina raised her head to look up at Duke Netri. She added one more thing.

“If it’s not just a rumor, does my father still wish for me to marry him?”

“Erina! How could you say that? Instead of being at his side, giving him support when he’s out with the subjugation team!”

“And who’s the reason this treaty fell apart?”

“How is it a mistake to let the central forces prepare a proper defense? Think of the opportunity to handle those who doubt the absence of powers. Isn’t it perfect?”

Though she called him father, she knew he had not an ounce of concern for her life. Only the family name, power, and authority mattered to him.

Erina thrust her sword back into its scabbard, the blade sliding in with a sharp, metallic sound that made the Duke’s brow crease in displeasure.

With a cold glare, she said, 

“I’ll be sitting out this subjugation. If you don’t wish to cross blades with me, you’d best leave me be.”

***

As morning sunlight seeped into the room, Scheuer slowly opened her eyes, still half-asleep. Her whole body ached as if she’d been battered, and she was far too drowsy to get up. Instead, she closed her eyes again and burrowed deeper into the covers, groping for warmth. A moment later, she felt a pair of strong arms envelop her, gently tucking the blankets around her.

“You can sleep a little longer,” a voice murmured.

At that, Scheuer’s eyes snapped open. Looking up, she saw Raygrain gazing down at her. Her gaze drifted to a small scratch on his shoulder, and her face fell in guilt. Fumbling, she stammered, 

“Oh, w-what should I do?”

It was obvious that the mark was something she had accidentally left during the long hours of the night. He was already covered in scars, so seeing another fresh one she’d caused made her feel like a culprit.

“Does it hurt?” she asked guiltily.

“Not really. I told you not to worry about it.”

“Wait here. I’ll go to the garden and grow something quickly,” 

Scheuer replied, attempting to lift herself from the bed. But Raygrain’s arm tightened around her waist, pulling her back down effortlessly. Holding her close, he replied dismissively, 

“I already have scars from monsters; one from you wouldn’t be so bad.”

“No, you have to be more careful about getting new ones!” 

Scheuer responded firmly. This was no matter to her liking, and she wouldn’t back down. Struggling to break free, she finally felt his lips press firmly against her shoulder.

“There’s no need to worry about it now,” he said. “There will be countless new ones in the future anyway.”

Understanding the meaning behind his words, a faint warmth bloomed across Scheuer’s cheeks. She averted her gaze, catching sight of him with a small grin as she remembered the places his lips had trailed over her last night. Meeting his eyes, she couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

As Scheuer nestled back into his embrace, Raygrain leaned down, familiar with her warmth, and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. Despite the late morning hour, no one seemed to notice they hadn’t yet been disturbed.

Meanwhile, out in the garden, Peyton stood with a broom in hand, asking Josephina with grave determination, 

“The dowry. It’s safe, yes?”

“Of course,  Peyton. I stood guard right at the front door all night so no one could leave,” she replied.

“And the high priest?”

“I told the chef to make a meal that could win his favor, even if it meant selling his soul to a devil. We even used the ‘Murah 32’ wine.”

Hearing Josephina’s account, Peyton looked up at the clear sky with a wistful smile. Raygrain rarely drank, so the fine wines he received as gifts often went to the servants. This particular vintage had been a precious one, requiring Raygrain’s approval to be used for Blenga’s sake. Knowing this, Josephina could only give Peyton a comforting pat on the back.

“Find me where the wild things are”