The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Scheuer, standing confidently with larger knights in front of her, spoke boldly.

“Duke, you should tease me a little and then let me go safely. You know, right?”

“…Yes?”

“I have my persistence.”

Although she spoke in a bright and friendly tone, the expressions of those who heard her were not as welcoming. Some who noticed Scheuer’s threat promptly moved away. It seemed that most people, including noble ladies and those attending the banquet, had heard rumors about her.

After all, meeting someone who knew her in the central region was awkward. At times like this, it would be helpful to show a bit of ferocity. Betty, who observed the situation, asked with concern.

“Scheuer, are you okay? Did you perhaps make a big scene with His Excellency?”

“She just mentioned a few things if she knew about His Excellency.”

Finally, Lady Annabelle, who was standing beside Betty, let out a relieved sigh.

“Oh my, you suddenly took her away, so I was surprised.”

“That’s right. You should have just talked to His Excellency; Erena is here too.”

Betty’s voice gradually diminished. No matter how weakened the royal authority was, he was still the only reigning monarch, so she spoke cautiously. Scheuer quickly changed the subject, fearing that Betty might mention the absurd proposition that Scheuer had made to Silcaro in the past.

“More importantly, I didn’t know that you were so close to His Excellency.”

“Ah, well, you two have known each other since you were very young.”

Solle’s response, who was from the central aristocracy, prompted Lady Anebelle to add a word.

“Besides, our Duke used to visit the central region quite often before he inherited the title.”

It seemed that Silcaro’s words were not entirely untrue. Scheuer’s knowledge about Ragrain was limited to the events that occurred after he met Erena.

Instead, there seemed to be almost no information about his past.

‘Didn’t they say they have information about the North and Blenga in the central library?’

It seemed better to know in advance. She had to become the person who knew Raygrain the best.

However, she couldn’t be overshadowed by Silcaro in this regard.

Scheuer hid her burning determination behind a shy smile.

“I’m ashamed to say that I’m from the South, so my knowledge about the North is lacking. If it’s okay, could I ask for your help?”

After spending a considerable amount of time here, and with the excuse that they could visit Blenga’s castle when it got bright, it was a perfect excuse.

Betty eagerly nodded in response to Scheuer’s request.

“If I can be of help!”

“When I see Miss Betty and Miss Scheuer, it reminds me that youth is wonderful. Is love the most important thing as long as it exists? Don’t worry.”

Mrs. Anabelle’s words made Solle, who was standing beside her, blush.

Solle hesitated and stammered with her hands fidgeting as if she had something more to say.

Scheuer waited with a gentle smile, looking at Solle with a lingering feeling.

With a slightly trembling heart, Scheuer asked Solle softly.

“If it’s okay, could I ask for your guidance tomorrow?”

“Is it really okay?”

Only then did color return to Solle’s face.

Betty quietly supported her from the side.

“Solle read a lot even when she was young, and I know she often visits the central library. It will definitely be helpful.”

“It’s not that much! It’s just that the central library is so big.”

Watching them, Mrs. Anabelle suggested that after visiting the library, they could have tea together and even schedule the next appointment.

In the midst of their warm conversation, Scheuer felt eyes on her from somewhere.

People who initially showed curiosity had lost interest to some extent over time.

At this point, Scheuer noticed a gaze directed at her red hair.

She recognized that red-haired girl—Erina, who turned away before their eyes could meet.

‘Somehow, I felt a sting in the back of my head.’

At this point, people who were initially curious seemed to have lost interest. They were surrounded by Erina, chatting happily.

Erina’s figure, surrounded by her loyal knights, looked like a protagonist living in a different world.

In the midst of watching them absentmindedly, Scheuer noticed a knight who was staring at her from somewhere.

Not only the knights but also the young nobles from friendly houses gathered around Erina one by one. Observing some of them occasionally meeting her eyes, it was clear they were discussing something about her. Erina seemed uncomfortable, but she maintained her gentle demeanor, perhaps due to the attention around her. However, after a while, Erina approached Scheuer with a somewhat awkward kindness.

“Could we talk for a moment?”

Scheuer didn’t bother asking for a troublesome reason.

Having narrowly avoided unnecessary trouble earlier, she wasn’t going to engage in casual conversation and smile with Erina.

After apologizing to the young ladies present, Scheuer followed Erina out into the corridor.

Confirming there was no one around, Erina shed even the courtesy she had maintained and approached Scheuer with an air of armed politeness.

“I told you not to touch what Silcaro says.”

Her eyes were chilly.

It felt like she hadn’t received Nettriga’s martial arts training for nothing; even in the flowing dress, a sense of vitality couldn’t be hidden.

“Ha, not that I lack people around me, now even you?”

“It’s not like that. It’s just that Silcaro said it first…”

“It’s vulgar. Living on pride alone in a topic where you can’t even blossom a flower.”

Erina seemed uninterested in Scheuer’s explanation.

‘Hmm, this situation feels familiar.’

It was the same before going to the North when she was still in Neitriga.

She knew the reason for this behavior, and even if there were those who liked unfounded accusations, they wouldn’t be favored by many.

Scheuer didn’t want to continue the conversation and decisively turned away.

What was the point of saying something else to someone who wouldn’t listen?

Regardless of what she did in the past, it wasn’t Scheuer’s fault.

Even if there was a mistake, there was no reason to bend down like a sinner for a lifetime.

Erina spoke firmly, regardless of Scheuer’s attempt at explanation.

“There’s a type of person I hate the most. One is someone without ability, not making an effort, just talking.”

She took a step closer to Scheuer.

“Second is someone with only beliefs without action.”

Erina, who had approached Scheuer, slowly lowered her head.

Her soft voice echoed in Scheuer’s ears like a whisper.

“And lastly, someone who ambitiously reaches beyond their own subject.”

Erina’s whisper made Scheuer’s gaze sharper than before.

Was this a message to listen to the last one?

To receive such hatred from the female protagonist…

I wonder if this, too, is inevitable within the original story’s flow.

Scheuer usually wanted to avoid encountering her for a lifetime, but today, collisions kept happening at the banquet. Considering the original story where Scheuer was killed by Erina’s sword, avoiding her might have been the wisest choice. However, as Erina approached first, Scheuer decided not to just stand there and take it. Scheuer innocently asked, adding a pitiful expression as if genuinely worried.

“Even though you called me first, is our relationship lacking in trust?”

There was no way Erina’s pride would allow her to admit such a thing. As Erina still didn’t want to confess the fact that there was no affection between them, Scheuer countered with a touch of innocence.

Erina, on the other hand, retorted,

“Considering that sister is so cool by the Grand Duke’s side, someone who aimed for everything in my life when I was sticking by the Grand Duke’s side like sister, wouldn’t I be anxious?”

In response to her question, Scheuer chuckled and replied promptly,

“Yeah!”

“What?”

“The Grand Duke doesn’t have emotions, right?”

“Smile Love”