The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 192

Chapter 192

At that same moment, the central palace was in a perpetual state of tension ever since the alliance was broken. Most of the imperial knights had never seen a monster, much less participated in a hunt. Rather than rely on the Royal Knights alone, Silcaro sought out northern-born knights residing in the capital, regardless of their age or current inactivity, hoping they might be willing to assist.

“Would you be willing to teach the Royal Knights how to hunt monsters? ”

He proposed to them.

Most, however, declined in polite but unmistakable terms: 

“I’m afraid this is a task beyond my current ability.” 

Their responses were veiled but clear; they intended to side with the north. Silcaro was left with no choice but to gather knights trained under the northern masters, many of whom had only a rudimentary understanding of monster hunting. Together, they quickly trained, learning the essentials of monster combat, and the Royal Knights struggled to keep up with the demands of these sudden skirmishes.

“Becklin won’t be able to get up anytime soon; he’s seriously injured,” one of the Royal Knights murmured.

A subdued silence filled the training grounds. The recent hunts had left several knights hospitalized, all thanks to the monsters crossing the northern mountains. Silcaro led the vanguard and, in truth, carried out much of the hunting himself. Although the knights had trained in monster combat, none could match Silcaro’s speed and precision.

Adding to the mounting tension, Erina’s decision to abstain from the hunt sparked both admiration and resentment towards Silcaro in the capital. While some knights acknowledged his dedication, others muttered in discontent.

“We all appreciate His Highness’s support, but breaking the alliance with the north might have been a mistake.” 

One knight remarked, casting a wary glance at the dwindling ranks around the practice field. The man next to him nodded with a touch of bitterness. 

“The knights are bearing the brunt of this, yet the commoners go about untouched.”

A third chimed in, “It’d be nice if the Grand Duchess could spare some of those flowers for the injured, or perhaps we should just be thankful she’s helping the citizens.”

Another knight muttered, 

“And Erina’s a real loss. Without her on the hunting team, we’re down a valuable ally.”

“It’s telling she’s suddenly nowhere to be seen,” one added with a knowing look. 

“Perhaps the rumors are true after all.”

The grumbling wasn’t limited to the knights; noble families were equally incensed. Many of their sons, who had been wounded in the hunt, were now laid up in bed. Adding insult to injury, while the flowers that could heal monster wounds were provided to commoners, none were made available to noble families. The nobles were expected to fulfill their duties but now bore a disproportionate burden with little reward in return. Inevitably, this resentment only fueled the swirling rumors.

“Are the drills complete? ” 

Silcaro’s voice broke through the knights’ conversation, and they snapped to attention immediately.

“Yes, Your Highness! ”

“I see some of you still have energy to talk. Training will be extended through the afternoon!”

His command drew a few wary glances from those already drenched in sweat, yet with monsters a constant threat, they had no choice but to resume their exercises.

With a calm but resolute gaze, Silcaro surveyed the group, noting the numerous knights absent due to injuries. He turned to his aide standing at the edge of the grounds and asked, 

“What about the letter sent to Lady Erina?”

“Ah, no reply yet, sir.”

“Did you convey the urgency of the matter? ”

“Yes, I emphasized that a quick response was needed.”

It seemed his fiancée had chosen silence for now. Yet, since she had not mentioned breaking the engagement, Silcaro held onto a faint hope. With a cheerful smile, he replied, 

“Very well. Could you prepare another letter, this time addressed to Duke Netri?”

***

They had been together all day. Scheuer lay sprawled on the bed, barely able to move a finger. Her sense of time seemed to be fading.

In contrast, Raygrain was as busy as ever, reading documents with his bare upper body exposed, his blue eyes moving rapidly. He was the same person who had just called her name in a soft voice, now looking completely composed. Scheuer struggled to sit up and crawled over to him.

Glancing at her, Raygrain lifted his arm as he turned the page. With a gap opening beside him, Scheuer eagerly crawled over and settled next to him.

Raygrain naturally wrapped his arm around her waist. Scheuer followed his gaze and read the text in the documents.

“Is this about food? ”

“Yeah, managing supplies is crucial for long-term hunting.”

Even in this situation, he was preparing for the hunt. Scheuer looked up at him, seemingly displeased. His sharp jawline was right in front of her.

Still focused on the documents, she found it frustrating and pulled him closer. At the same time, his well-defined muscles twitched slightly.

“You promised to give me a week.”

“Hmm.”

Only then did Raygrain place the documents on the small table beside him and lower his head. He gently captured her lips and asked, 

“So, you get to see the statues and the garden, but I don’t?”

“Of course! I didn’t promise to give you all of my time.” 

She replied with a playful smirk, her cheeks warming with embarrassment.

In response, he leaned down and kissed her more deeply. No matter how many times, she could never get used to the feeling. As Scheuer tried to steady her breathing, she wrapped her arms around his neck. His rough palm gently brushed her nape, trailing down her neck. His whispering voice slipped between their shared breaths.

“I understand a bit why Leilda was worried.”

As Scheuer inhaled sharply at the unfamiliar sensation, Raygrain seized the moment and pulled her in completely. Even though it had only been a short while since she got up, she had no choice but to match his rough movements again.

This was how Scheuer’s week went. When she opened her eyes, he was there, and after spending a little time together, a light kiss would follow when their eyes met.

Then their breaths would deepen, and inevitably, they would disappear into someone’s room, with none of the attendants giving them a second glance. However, on the last day, Scheuer had to prepare as well.

“That’s not necessary.”

As she gathered a bag full of chamomile, Raygrain suddenly spoke from behind her. Scheuer glared at him, as if to say he was being ridiculous, and replied,

“Don’t regret it later after giving it all to the residents who suffered!”

Like someone tidying up, Scheuer continuously filled the large bag. After all, once lit, with Leilda’s preservation magic, it would last through the long hunt.

Just then, Jess approached them. Still looking frail, he reported in a thin voice, 

“The expedition team is ready, Your Grace. We can depart as early as tomorrow.” Jess seemed tense, as though bracing himself to support Raygrain.

Raygrain, however, responded calmly,

“Jess, you’ll be staying here.”

“What?”

“Pardon?”

Scheuer and Jess both responded in surprise.

Jess was so pale he looked as if he might collapse at any moment. Raygrain looked at him and replied, 

“The Holy Knights are guarding, but I need to leave behind one trustworthy knight from Blenga to feel secure. So, you’ll stay here.”

“But, Your Grace! Then who will lead the expedition… ”Jess protested.

“Leilda will be there, and Naveed is skilled in expeditions. There’s nothing to worry about.” 

Jess cast a resentful look at Scheuer. She quickly shook her head, as if to say she hadn’t asked for him to stay. But Raygrain was firm.

“There are other knights, but I want my most trusted one here.”

Perhaps this comforted Jess somewhat, as he reluctantly bowed his head, though still dissatisfied. He looked like he wanted to argue further, but in the end, he excused himself to go check the equipment.

Scheuer shook her head in frustration. Shouldn’t he take every knight he could to ensure safety? 

“Besides, Sevi will be here too, so Blenga’s probably the safest place. Just bring him along! ”She urged.

“If the capital changes its mind, the Holy Knights must remain neutral. They won’t be able to take your side.”

Silcaro would never come to the north himself. Until the monsters tainted by the black stones he released began to overrun the north, he wouldn’t show himself. But Scheuer knew this from the original storyline, giving her a confidence no one else could share.

Misunderstanding her hesitation as worry, Raygrain lightly kissed her and said,

“If I had known this would happen, I should have gone on the hunt when you pushed me away.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m starting to not want to go.”

How could she feel any different? When she made a sad face, he comforted her, saying,

“I promise I will come back.”

“You’ve fulfilled all my requests, so you must fulfill this one too.”

Just as Raygrain chuckled and leaned in for another kiss, the sound of a fan opening and a disdainful voice echoed from a distance.

“Spare me the theatrics.” 

Muttered Sevi, lying under a parasol and swatting the air in irritation.

Later that night, just before dawn, a horn blew. Its sound cut through the cold northern air as Raygrain led a large contingent of Blenga’s knights into the field. This campaign would later be known as the Grand Expedition in the original storyline.

As Scheuer watched him leave, Cali cautiously tried to comfort her from behind. 

“He’ll be back soon. Don’t worry too much.”

Only then did Scheuer turn from the window. Contrary to Cali’s expectations, her eyes were clear and determined.

“It’s alright, Cali. I have my own plans.”

Raygrain had departed for the expedition, a course she couldn’t change. But Scheuer was staying in the north, and she wasn’t planning to sit back and wait.

“Cali, would you spread a rumor to the capital? Tell them if they want the northern healing flower; they should send letters to Blenga.”

She’d stay here and, in the meantime, stir things up between the north and the central capital.

“No one can ever tells you that bravery feels like fear” – Mary Kate Teske