The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

In response to Silcaro’s words, which were soothing yet firm, Scheuer approached him with small steps and poured all the water from the watering can directly onto his face. Even the original Scheuer, who caused a scandal by doing such a thing to the Crown Prince, wasn’t an ordinary character.

“Scheuer, what are you doing right now?”

Unable to thrust a sword at her, as he had just received a baptism of water, Silcaro muttered that it might be better this way. Perhaps receiving resentment once would help sort things out.

However, Scheuer’s following words were contrary to that. 

“I watered the flowers.”

“What?”

“So from now on, please bloom only for me.”

“…I am a person. An aristocrat.”

For that action, Scheuer had to endure a month of palace restriction. Even reading the original work was difficult with eyes wide open. She never imagined she would become that Scheuer.

Silcaro might secretly feel relieved. After all, she showed no interest in him now.

“Is that so?” 

Scheuer responded, smiling as usual, fitting the atmosphere. 

“It’s fine. If you have time, we can meet again.”

Scheuer couldn’t know how Erina expressed herself, so she gave a vague and ambiguous answer. In response, Silcaro laughed heartily, clapping his hands. The white smile, contrasting with his blond hair, was enough to confuse Scheuer, especially considering the words he uttered.

“So, to celebrate the Duke’s rare visit to the palace today, I’ve decided to hold a banquet.”

“A b-banquet…?”

“Since the Duke doesn’t visit the palace often, and there’s even a marriage, how can we not congratulate you?”

He was so pleased with himself. Scheuer had to endure a month of palace restriction for that. It was difficult to read the original work, let alone imagine becoming that Scheuer. Silcaro might secretly feel relieved. After all, she showed no interest in him now.

“Um, in that case…”

Scheuer was on the verge of causing a scene, but Silcaro casually passed it off as a joke. 

“…If you do that, not only the royal knights but also Her Majesty and the lady by her side will hate you.”

When Silcaro’s words ended, Raygrain’s gaze turned towards her. Scheuer quickly blinked her eyes as if to say, 

‘When did you look at me?’ 

Raygrain’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment, observing her expression, then returned to Silcaro. Soon, Raygrain spoke.

“You don’t need to bother with the knights.”

“But there are still many who have learned swordsmanship in Blanga in Central. Everyone must have been eagerly waiting for the Duke to come.”

Silcaro politely asked again. 

“So please don’t feel burdened and attend, Duke.”

Who could resist the words of the Crown Prince? Scheuer couldn’t know Erina’s exact words, so she casually gave a vague response. In response, Silcaro smiled brightly, clapping his hands. While the atmosphere was light, Scheuer had no intention of hiding her displeasure.

At this, Silcaro casually diverted the topic. 

“…If you do that, not only the royal knights but also Her Majesty and the lady by her side will hate you.”

Raygrain’s gaze turned towards Scheuer again. Scheuer blinked her eyes, pretending not to notice, and Raygrain’s gaze, which seemed to be suspicious, didn’t show any noticeable signs.

***

Fortunately, Scheuer was given a room at the palace because of the imminent wedding. Scheuer clasped her hands together and sat on the bed in a praying position. Inside, she shouted silently, ‘Indeed, the grace of the one who rules the empire! Thank you, Your Majesty!’

She looked at Raygrain, who was standing in front of her in party attire, and tried to suppress her excited heart. 

“Your Grace…”

Checking the buttons on his sleeves, he responded dryly to Scheuer’s call. 

“Sometimes, it seems like you’re playing dress-up with me.”

“How can I just leave someone who looks good in any clothes alone? You should wear one more thing.”

“Right. Then you desire that outfit afterward.”

Scheuer remained silent, pretending not to hear.

Raygrain, having finished with the attendants, stood up wearing gloves. Scheuer followed suit and asked, 

“Why do you always put on gloves so meticulously?”

“The person holding the sword has sensitive hands. It’s to prevent small cuts.”

He extended his hand to Scheuer as he spoke. 

“And it wouldn’t hurt when escorting.”

Perhaps the former reason was more significant, but a faint cry of joy that she couldn’t completely hold back emerged from Scheuer’s mouth.

Even this perfect self-management was delightful. Raygrain’s elegant escort left no room for Scheuer’s hanging mouth to recover. She had many worries when she came to the center, from the encounter with Erina to meeting Duke Netri, but she decided to forget them. If she had to face it, she might as well enjoy it.

In particular, sharing a room and, moreover, the same bed was a perfect arrangement.

“Finally, the Duke’s sleeping face…”

“What did you just say?”

“Nothing. I said the Duke is Handsome.”

With an indifferent expression, Scheuer blinked her eyes and praised Raygrain without any ulterior motives.

Of course, it seemed that the praise wasn’t very well-received. Scheuer remained silent, quietly savoring Raygrain’s beauty.

As always, his eyes opened neatly, but suddenly, she became curious about what he looked like when he let his guard down. She had always seen him working or training in his office or training grounds, but she had no memory of seeing him close his eyes in the bedroom. She had seen his figure at work a lot since he came to the north. Of course, even that sight never got old, but sometimes, she wished to see him relax and take a break.

No, would he even take a break?

A fundamental question arose.

Originally, as a collector of expressions, it was customary to collect all expressions. In a way, the easiest thing seemed impossible to capture.

“Visual stone…!  I must find a way to obtain it no matter what.”

This time, they only gave her one room in the palace, and it might be an opportunity that wouldn’t come again. Everything was perfect, so it felt even more regretful.

Scheuer sent a gaze full of regret, savoring the taste.

Feeling Scheuer’s passionate gaze, Raygrain felt his side profile getting warmer.

‘When we return to the north, I must visit Lieda.’

Scheuer’s eyes momentarily shone, as if filled with the light of the chandelier.

As they stepped into the long and splendid corridor, showcasing the grandeur of the Empire, a lively melody flowed into the banquet hall, spreading even beyond the walls.

Although Blenga was not lacking, the magnificence of the palace was different from the splendor of what was in front of her. The corridor was so grand and dazzling that it made one dizzy.

As they approached the grand hall, the courtier confirmed their faces and shouted loudly.

“His Grace Raygrain Blen and Lady Scheuer Netri are entering!”

At the thunderous call, Scheuer stopped and stood still. She was called ‘Netri,’ just when they were being called. Originally, as a commoner, she would have been called ‘Scheuer’ without a title. The reason for adding the title was clear.

The Empire’s grandeur was being displayed, and the colorful and dazzling corridor was just the beginning. As they approached the grand hall, the lively tunes flowing inside the banquet hall spread softly even outside.

Scheuer thought that Blenga was splendid enough, but the palace was different in its majestic grandeur. It was not only dazzling but dizzying.

Approaching the grand hall, the courtier checked their faces and shouted loudly.

“His Grace Raygrain Blen and Lady Scheuer Nettri are entering!”

At the thunderous call, Scheuer stopped and stood still. She was called ‘Nettri,’ just when they were being called. Originally, as a commoner, she would have been called ‘Scheuer’ without a title. The reason for adding the title was clear.

It was originally a palace banquet, and it was a welcoming ceremony for one of the two major families known as the Empire’s swords.

If a commoner attended such an event, many aristocrats would likely frown, especially since she didn’t have a title.

Scheuer took a breath and followed Raygrain, entering the grand hall.

“Smile Love”