The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

The statement might have been a bit different if the target were Erina, but as such conditions were not present, the words weren’t incorrect. Erina stared at her with an annoyed look. Scheuer, as if flaunting it, shrugged, extending the gesture to her shoulders. In response, Erina, in an irritable tone, swept her hair aside and said,

 “While you’re in the Central, keep quiet and mind your own business.”

With those words, Erina disappeared into the banquet hall where music flowed. Not long after Erina left, Scheuer, who entered through the doors, immediately searched for Raygrain. Standing at a distance, she observed his figure with her eyes.

She needed to see something pleasant right away. Whenever she was with Erina, there was a certain level of discomfort and annoyance, but when she was with others, she reverted to a calm and composed demeanor.

“Now that I’ve seen him up close, I don’t feel irritated like before.”

Scheuer smirked as she extended her lips.

***

From the moment she entered the hall, Scheuer couldn’t be oblivious to the whispers trailing behind her. It was the same talk she heard when Jess was investigating. However, the person in question seemed perfectly fine. Despite the rumors of a scandal, she conversed well with her sister, made new acquaintances, and engaged in lively chatter, displaying an incredibly intimidating level of friendliness.

Raygrain brushed off a knight’s repetitive inquiry about demons in the North with a dry response. Scheuer, who used to cling to him, seemed to have disappeared after coming to the Central. Her petite figure, combined with the fact that she was easily overlooked, made her almost invisible if you didn’t pay attention.

Tensions rose when they went to the terrace alone, far from everyone else. Despite her efforts to provoke him, she was keeping one promise: not to disturb them. Jass’s concerns about Raygrain’s empty emotions seemed absurd in light of the current situation.

One of the knights, careful not to disturb Raygrain’s distracted thoughts about Scheuer, cautiously asked, 

“Your Highness, do you happen to know anything about Lady Scheuer’s true identity?”

“Is it necessary?”

“It doesn’t seem very pleasant. She’s known for having a purpose when approaching someone. In case she… “

“Interesting.”

“Pardon?”

From Raygrain’s experiences, Scheuer tended to attract many followers. Whether it was due to her originally bright personality or her casual approach, it was hard to tell. Yet, despite her loud and sometimes annoying behavior, she was not someone who seemed to be disliked. Raygrain commented to the knight spreading the rumors, 

“If I ever hear this story from someone else’s mouth, I’ll consider it your doing.”

The knight struggled to continue, but Raygrain moved on without further acknowledgment. With each step, new people approached to continue the conversation. Amidst the persistent stares, she turned her head and locked eyes with Erina.

Every time their eyes met, Erina would wave and smile, seemingly curious about why she didn’t come closer. Raygrain wondered if Erina was concerned about the rumors.

he, who had always been at the center in the North, now found himself on the outskirts, and all attention was subtly drawn in that direction. Even if he looked elsewhere, Scheuer’s movements were noted. Except when dealing with demons, Raygrain had never felt so sensitive before.

In the end, Raygrain pushed away everyone who tried to speak to him and approached Scheuer, who was leaning against the wall. 

“You’re not coming.”

“I was trying to find inner peace while looking at you, Your Highness.”

Most of Scheuer’s words were incomprehensible to Raygrain. Even now, it was the same. 

“If you’re tired, you can go in first. I don’t like these gatherings either.”

“Is it okay for me to go back?”

“What’s the problem?” 

Scheuer pointed at herself. She was the problem, and more than anything. She had been curious, but she endured. She knew the location of his bedroom, not daring to knock, turning away at the door many times—she endured even invading his privacy. Having the opportunity to share the same room, this situation was like a golden chance that would never come again.

Raygrain, with a frowning expression, replied, 

“I don’t care.”

Could such rare news exist in the world? Scheuer couldn’t hide her bright smile and asked, 

“Really?”

“Since when did I care about that? Just do what you were doing.”

His permission was granted. Scheuer couldn’t help but smile broadly in front of him. When she clapped her hands in joy, Raygrain sighed. Though Raygrain seemed to have softened slightly, the truth was unknowable.

***

Always in the warm bedroom, Scheuer sent curious glances towards Raygrain while sitting. On the other hand, Raygrain sat at the table, seemingly ignoring Scheuer. Scheuer, sitting at the end of the bed, looked at him with a curious gaze and finally couldn’t hold back and spoke.

“My lord, were you always like this, with so many scars?”

Raygrain answered dryly,

“Among those who wield a sword, is there anyone without scars?”

“But still, isn’t it too much?”

Scheuer examined Raygrain’s arm with concern. Things that had been hidden by the uniform were now revealed. There were many scars on Raygrain’s arm. He showed his left arm to Scheuer, and his right hand, still busy with work, held a pen.

Scheuer grabbed his forearm and traced the scars with her fingers.

“Is it because of the monsters?”

“Probably.”

“They’re not human, are they?”

“If they were, what would you think?”

“Anyway, just tell me your address. I’ll send you a lucky letter every day.”

“Are you doing fortune telling?”

“Don’t you know about lucky letters? Since the 12th year of the Empire, starting from the south, if you don’t forward it to 12 people immediately, the next day, your dog will run away, and…”

“Such a troublesome thing.”

Guarding the North was tough from the beginning, but now that he was in the Central, it felt even heavier. Perhaps it was because he couldn’t use his sword against the monsters, he faced death. Despite that, due to what Silcaro said, Scheuer was a bit concerned. Without a doubt, Raygrain was perfect even without a sword, but it was a different story when facing monsters.

I thought I could manage by sparing just one, but the moment I decided to spare that one, Raygrain was still steadfastly examining the documents. Scheuer lay on the bed horizontally, propping up her chin with both hands. I saw Raygrain’s side profile sharply.

“Is the North not doing well these days? You seem extremely busy.”

“I don’t know the exact cause, but the number of monsters is increasing.”

“It’s not because they took a break for a year, is it?”

“To say that, the reality is that the numbers have exponentially increased. We haven’t refrained from sending extermination units during this time.”

He mentioned that this issue was causing headaches not only for the Lord of the North but also for the people in his territory.

“Smile Love”