The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 44

Chapter 44

However, regardless of their concerns, Blenga’s influence strengthened day by day. They controlled public sentiment, central politics, and military power, yet they seemed devoid of emotions, even lacking ordinary ambitions for power. People around them simply gathered in support of Blenga. However, frequent disputes arose in central politics, where gaining only benefits was not always possible.

Explaining why Blenga occasionally suffered losses in diplomacy was difficult. Blenga calculated such actions as losses, as they couldn’t comprehend the emotion of favor arising from friendly ‘relations.’ In such instances, internal conflicts erupted, unnecessary to Blenga.

In the end, the Walker Empire had to propose an offer to Blenga, the distant descendant. The condition was not to interfere in central politics in exchange for independence.

“That’s the pact. It was obtained in exchange for the north’s independence.”

“What happens if it’s broken?”

“The meaning of independence would vanish.”

His blue eyes casually observed Scheuer’s reaction as he continued, 

“So far, I’ve commanded punitive expeditions at my discretion. If the central interferes, they’ll start supervising the formation of punitive forces, and even mages might be dispatched from the central, not just Leilda.”

It didn’t need to be spoken; it meant that if he couldn’t use the sword, he would lose the ability to independently suppress magical creatures. ‘Until now, the central government had no interest in the northern situation.’

Scheuer instinctively grasped the hem of his clothes, feeling the rising anxiety. Although his gaze momentarily shifted to her hands, he continued impassively, 

“Whether divided or not, there’s a reason. We’ve held on well until now, and there’s no need to borrow the power of the central government.”

He was firmer than ever. If she hadn’t somewhat restored Raygrain’s emotions, he would have smoothly requested support from the central. The severity of the situation he had been in became even more apparent.

The fact made Scheuer’s heart waver. He didn’t want to imagine Raygrain kneeling in the central after breaking the Northern Pact. He was a person who suited victory more than born defeat. So, in the future, she hoped he would remain as strong and firm as now.

“Of course, with recovered emotions!”

She was almost satisfied enough to irritate him. Scheuer set a big goal again. Someday, she would capture his smiling face in her eyes. With sleepy eyes, she asked, 

“So… Your Grace, when you were young, the pact…”

“It seems better to sleep than to talk nonsense.”

“After drinking all of Lady Annabelle’s Earl Grey, why do you appear as three?”

As she spoke, Scheuer’s voice seemed a bit cheerful. 

“Your Grace as three. Then, send one to the military, one to official duties, and one for me… So, will there be three entering the wedding…?”

“Grow up.”

“When entering, there aren’t enough hands. Your Grace is left alone… Where did the other one go?”

Scheuer held Raygrain’s hand hesitantly, and then she stumbled into the blanket, laughing.

“Oh, found it. Alright.”

Raygrain stared at her in silence without a reply. Perhaps she was afraid of being taken away by someone; she tightly held onto his hand.

After a while, even breaths were heard. Even her sleeping habits seemed to tell the whole story. Raygrain stared at his formal uniform being stubbornly held onto.

“A ribbon on the bouquet…”

It was true that recently there were intentions from the central to covet the north. The reason was simple.

“Fear that the increasing monsters will invade the central.”

Of course, it was just an excuse. Even during the year when he couldn’t use the sword, he never allowed the creatures to come near the central. It was hard to understand, even more so after he lost his emotions.

Raygrain fixed his gaze on his formal uniform as he sighed.

“Ribbons on the bouquet…”

It had become a habit for him to reflect on the past recently. It seemed he was thinking about something that couldn’t be spoken.

Whatever happened, discomfort took precedence. It started when he had to specifically call her to the terrace. From then on, beyond discomfort, an indescribable emotion began to accumulate. Since he couldn’t consume with the sword, his behavior became somewhat rough.

Even though Scheuer returned the bouquet herself, there was still something unresolved lingering. Meanwhile, Scheuer declared that she would go outside the palace. Considering her nature of wandering around, even in the bustling areas, the causeless discomfort continued to bother him.

Raygrain looked down at Scheuer’s hand that he held tightly. When he raised his arm, her hand dropped weakly without any strength. Compared to him, her hand was infinitely small. Raygrain quietly rolled Scheuer’s ring finger with his finger. The thin and small fingers looked fragile as if they could break with a little force.

He had tried holding her finger in the carriage as she had held his. Her small hand couldn’t fully wrap around Raygrain’s huge palm. Unlike his rough and scarred hand, her petite hand was smooth and flawless, as if covered in freshly fallen snow. Because of its lack of strength, her hand kept slipping away from his grip.

As if a large hand was swallowing everything, he tightly gripped it.

***

Knock, knock.

Even with the soft knock, Raygrain didn’t respond. Creaking open, Jess entered, bowing his head.

“Are you not asleep?”

“I closed my eyes for a moment.”

His posture was no different from when he was with Scheuer. Placing documents on the nearby table, Jess spoke.

“Find a jeweler.”

“Is it for the wedding? Do you have a specific one in mind?”

“A signet ring. Conspicuous.”

Jess’s eyebrows twitched in the air as if they might fall off at any moment. He looked as if he might collapse at any moment, his pallor as fragile as a moth.

“Uh… excuse me?”

“A signet ring. Find one that stands out.”

“What kind of elusive but strong enchantment is this?”

Jess shook his head in denial.

Raygrain stared at him with cold eyes for a moment. After glancing at the sleeping Scheuer, Jess replied discontentedly.

“I’ll relay it as it is.”

“Understood.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

As Jess gave a neat farewell, a servant promptly entered. To avoid waking Scheuer, they handled her with care. Raygrain spoke to them.

“Wake her up. She’ll accompany me to the martial training ground.”

At his words, one of the maids cautiously shook Scheuer.

“Your Highness, please wake up. It’s morning.”

Scheuer, still in a daze, opened her eyes. As her blurred focus cleared, she jolted up. With disheveled hair, she blinked at Raygrain, who was sitting beside her, and smirked.

“Smile Love”