The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 193

Chapter 193

The rumors spread by the maids across the north quickly reached the capital.

“They say if you send a letter to the north, they’ll send you a healing flower in return. Do you think it’s true? ”

“Well, they’ve always sent them, except for the highest ranks.”

“But this time, even the upper class can receive them?”

Interest in the healing flowers was especially high in this time of unrest caused by the monsters. Whenever two or more people gathered, the talk would inevitably turn to the expeditions. And as the rumor spread among the commoners, it eventually reached the ears of the nobles.

“Has anyone here tried writing to the Grand Duchess? ” 

A weary-looking woman asked softly during a tea party. She was the wife of a viscount whose youngest son had recently returned from an expedition, wounded and still unconscious. 

Having come to tea time while caring for her son, it seemed she was there to confirm the truth of the rumors. In response to her question, others cautiously chimed in.

“I’ve heard that Baron Boel sent a letter, but… It’s not certain.”

“So, no one has actually received the flowers yet?”

“That’s what I understand.”

Though all the maids were in on it, they still looked around cautiously, as if there was no one to overhear. One of the ladies, looking worried, spoke to the viscountess.

“Are you going to send a letter? ”

“If there’s no improvement… then I must. I can’t bear to see my child suffering in pain every day.”

She tried to steady her voice, which was filled with sorrow. The monsters continued to come over to the central command one or two at a time. Each time, the royal knights went out to hunt them.

For now, the royal knights were capable of handling it, but if their numbers continued to dwindle and the hunts prolonged, the noble families from the central command might have to step in to protect the region.

Still, most people hesitate to reach out to the north, fearing accusations of collusion. 

“What if they think we’re conspiring with the north? ”One woman fretted.

“Well, I heard that lately, many families are rallying around Prince Silcaro.” 

Someone murmured. With each subjugation victory, Silcaro’s reputation grew, and even some neutral families had started backing him. Yet, most nobles still remained cautious.

“I thought House Netri would be Silcaro’s main supporter, but they’ve been unusually quiet. They haven’t participated in any expeditions,” said one.

“Considering the rumors about him having a mistress… I suppose it makes sense they’re lying low for now.”

“It seems there are rumors of them having a government, so… We should wait and see for a while.”

The Netri family, which everyone expected to act first, remained silent. Although Erina’s absence from the hunt drew some criticism from certain nobles, it wasn’t completely incomprehensible.

Thanks to this, many central nobles were anxiously observing the shifting situation. However, in the face of a child’s life, no one could remain indifferent.

“I’ve heard there’s a broker willing to send letters to the north these days. Why don’t you check it out? ”

Little by little, more people were looking into how to send letters to the north.

“If it’s okay, could you introduce me? ”

Meanwhile, Scheuer stood in Blenga’s garden, inhaling the fragrance of flowers as she listened to Jess’s report. Outside, the world was bleak and gray, yet Blenga’s garden remained warm and vibrant. Scheuer was selecting flowers to send to regions affected by monster attacks.

“Any letters come in yet, Jess? ” 

She asked as she conjured a chamomile flower with her powers.

“Not yet. It seems people are still hesitant to act on the rumors.”

“Well, I never explicitly said I’d send them out.” 

She murmured, plucking and arranging chamomile flowers. Gathering the blooms into her arms, she hurried back to her room, Jess quietly following.

Once inside, she took out a lovely sheet of paper, wrapping it around the flowers as she asked. 

“Jess, how’s Sir Zeros? ”

“Stubborn as ever, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Good to hear.” 

She replied, tying the paper with a ribbon and lifting the bouquet with a smile. 

“How does it look? Not as pretty as what His Grace would give, but it’s fine, right?”

Jess’s brow furrowed, his expression inscrutable as he stared at the modest bouquet. Scheuer promptly pushed the flowers into his arms, then bent over her desk to write a letter. Once finished, she folded the paper carefully and tucked it inside the bouquet, hidden among the chamomile.

“Would you deliver this to Sir Zeros? ” she asked, her smile bright.

If talk of receiving a flower with a letter remained mere rumor, it was time to set an example. She decided to send a Blenga-branded bouquet to Zeros, one of the few in the capital both allied with the north and directly trained under Raygrain, to make a statement.

***

“The bouquet has arrived for Sir Zeros! ”

A bright bouquet appeared in the somewhat subdued training grounds of the palace. Zeros, checking the health and status of the remaining knights, was startled by the unexpected delivery, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Is that for me? ”

“Yes! Here it is. I definitely delivered it! ” 

The maid, who was only tasked with the delivery, hurriedly thrust the bouquet into his arms and dashed away, her demeanor reminiscent of someone embarrassed.

Zeros’ dazed expression only heightened the comedic effect, prompting some knights to tease him with playful banter.

“Wow, did you just receive a love confession? ”One joked. “Looks like our commander is finally getting married!”Another chimed in.

But the lightheartedness faded quickly as they examined the flowers more closely. Their eyes and mouths grew wide with realization.

“Is that… could it be…?” ”

The bouquet contained healing flowers from the north, sent by Scheuer Blenga. Instantly, the atmosphere in the training ground turned tense, a unified thought resonating among the knights.

“Healing flowers. If we have that…” 

“Could the rumors be true? ” 

“Our commander must have deep connections with the north.”

Whispers echoed in their minds. Zeros was well aware of the rumors circulating about the flowers. However, it was too soon for a response to the Grand Duchess and Duke’s visit to the north, making the delivery of flowers seem oddly timed.

Zeros pretended not to notice and slipped away to an empty corner of the training grounds. Only then did he discover the hidden letter within the bouquet. As he unfolded the small letter, a smile slowly formed on Zero’s lips. After reading its contents, he immediately tore the letter and burned it.

Just as he was about to return to the training grounds, several knights blocked his path.

‘Could it be? Are they planning a duel? ’

As Zeros cautiously sensed the atmosphere and reached for the sword at his waist, the knights collectively bowed their heads.

“Captain, may we please ask for just one flower? ”

“What? A flower? ”

“As you know, my brother from the Third Knight Brigade has been unable to use his leg since he was injured during the hunt.”

“Oh, right. I had checked on that.”

“I’m still fine, so I just need one flower to give to him. Please, I beg you.”

Seeing the knights bowing their heads with earnest expressions, Zeros could only manage a troubled smile.

***

“I will participate in the expedition.”

Silcaro stared at Zeros, who had unexpectedly arrived. Wasn’t he supposed to be unfamiliar with the expedition, being from the north? He had previously put on a friendly facade while volunteering to lead the internal knight division in Erina’s stead, and now he suddenly wanted to join the expedition.

With a smirk, Silcaro responded, 

“Is it because you received flowers from the north yesterday? ”

“I can’t deny that’s part of it.” Zeros chuckled awkwardly.

Seeing his demeanor, Silcaro pressed further. 

“The north wouldn’t just send flowers for no reason, and I didn’t expect you, the commander of the knight division, to engage in such actions, Sir Zeros.”

“So please include me in the expedition. I want to prove my innocence as a knight of the central realm.”

Silcaro’s gaze narrowed. If he stubbornly rejected this request, Zeros could find himself under internal scrutiny. It was a wise move on one hand but rather cunning on the other.

“So you mean to say that having those flowers means you wouldn’t mind getting hurt?”

“I shared them all with the injured knights. I have nothing left for myself.”

He had indeed heard the reports of the flowers being sent to several injured knights’ homes. Silcaro pondered for a moment. Adding one more knight wouldn’t significantly change the situation for the expedition. However, if Zeros distinguished himself more than the others trained in the northern style, it would surely be advantageous.

Having calculated the risks and benefits, Silcaro smiled brightly. 

“Very well. I will inform everyone that Sir Zeros will join the upcoming expedition.”

“I desire violently – and I wait.”