The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 48

Chapter 48

“This is an album, and, oh, Your Grace, you didn’t get your handprint here last time. If you put it in and pour plaster, it will make a solid impression. I bought a mold just for it.”

“Now you’re not only collecting statues but making them yourself?”

“It doesn’t seem too difficult.”

Scheuer handed him the plaster mold, saying, 

“Will you give me your handprint?”

“Right now?”

Raygrain quickly nodded. Under her urging gaze, he hesitated for a moment and then reluctantly raised his arm.

Scheuer effortlessly used the cuff links she had placed there, and her face turned crimson when Raygrain wore them naturally.

Raygrain, reading the instructions on making the mold dryly, asked, 

“What exactly is yours?”

Scheuer, in response, placed the plaster mold on the bed and arranged a hammer and a small bottle.

“It’s what Your Grace is giving me right now.”

Raygrain shifted his gaze from the instruction manual to her.

“Right now, at this moment with Your Grace!”

Scheuer said with a bright smile. Raygrain casually replied, 

“You’re always here anyway.”

“I need you to keep that promise!”

Despite Raygrain’s nonchalant words, she looked at him with determination.

At that moment, Scheuer recalled the rumor from the handmaiden about the second slab being discovered today. Simultaneously, a forgotten event from the original novel came to her mind. It seemed that the timing for the unveiling of the second slab at the temple had been moved up, perhaps due to the events occurring more quickly than in the original work.

Originally, the temple was supposed to barely reveal his face a few days before Raygrain returned to the North. Even that would be incidental, as it wasn’t a premeditated visit but coincided with the completion of the slab restoration.

‘If Erina’s invitation to the tournament was moved up, could the events be speeding up overall?’

Either way, it was not pleasant news. The implication was that Raygrain’s tenure might end sooner than planned.

Contrary to Scheuer’s concerns, Raygrain’s voice remained composed, just as usual.

“Do you think I have any intention of separating from you?”

His straightforward tone felt oddly unfamiliar. Initially, she had thought that anyone other than Erina would. As long as she could witness Raygrain walking the path of happiness, she would be satisfied. Though she had accidentally found herself cultivating the land in the North to create a brighter future for Raygrain, she still found the present, where she was actively living alongside Raygrain, much more enjoyable than when she only observed him through the novel.

His cool gaze, firmly set lips, and always tidy side profile—all of it. Just watching him made her heart flutter. Moreover, every times he looked at him, an enthusiasm with an unknown origin ignited within her.

While Raygrain’s words were cool, Scheuer picked up a hammer to break the plaster and continued speaking.

“Then, there you go! Your Grace is giving me this, right?!”

“…Quite combative.”

“I always said you need to conquer what you desire!”

Scheuer held both hands up in a tight grip, and when she glanced at the hand holding the hammer, she seemed to hesitate for a moment. Perhaps she was too persistent in front of someone who wielded a sword. Swiftly, she hid her hands behind her back, pretending not to notice.

Raygrain, quietly observing everything without moving an eyelid or a muscle in his face, continued reading the instruction manual on the table.

Scheuer cheerfully spoke while breaking the plaster.

Scheuer was well aware that this time, they couldn’t simply dismiss the content of the second slate as a matter of the distant past. According to Scheuer’s recollection, the content of the second slate vividly exposed the merciless side of Blenga, highlighting the brutal massacre committed in the past in the name of the royal lineage. It had been circulating as a rumor, but with the imminent public release of the slate, it was about to become official.

As Raygrain continued to lose emotions, the second slate would become a noose tightening around his ankles. Given his inability to feel mourning or sadness, it would pose a significant threat. Following the public revelation of the slate, many would begin to doubt the decisions coming from the North.

People perceived as expendable had been treated as such by Blenga, both in appearance and reality. There had been no instances where he personally chose a target that could be considered a close aide. Most simply lingered by his side without any say.

At a time when the respect for Blenga’s awe-inspiring power was diminishing, especially among the nobility, who had studied the sword in the North, and the tradition of granting central roles to those figures was collapsing, this crack in the foundation had been significant.

However, externally, no information about the slate had leaked so far. Perhaps due to the persistent investigation into the slate, Raygrain’s gaze became sharper.

Scheuer quickly added, 

“Still, just in case. One in a billion chances. The probability of waking up every morning to see Your Grace’s smiling face plastered all over the wall is about the same as that happening.”

Raygrain remained silent.

“In any case, the last one is canceled.”

Checking the time, he rose from his seat. As Scheuer tilted her head up to meet his gaze, he lightly tapped her forehead and said, 

“Don’t worry; I won’t leave it behind.”

“Where are you planning to go?!”

Ignoring her surprised expression, Raygrain called the steward to tidy up his attire.

Leaving that aside, it’s not like we need to be overly anxious.”

With a calm tone, Raygrain reassured Scheuer. Describing the North as a challenging place is an understatement, and the same goes for the Central region.  Scheuerr lightly touched her forehead with her palm, murmuring.

“I’d prefer it if there were three Dukes. Send one for subjugation, one for Central affairs, and one to stay by my side. It feels like I dreamt of holding the hands of three Dukes at a wedding ceremony.”

“Sure.”

It was almost a reflexive response. When  Scheuer discreetly pushed the jewelry towards him, the eyes of the attendants caught it, and Raygrain’s gaze shifted toward her. S Scheuer stared at him with eyes filled with anticipation.

With a sigh, Raygrain let the attendants handle the jewelry. Only then did  Scheuer realize that the top he was currently wearing was the uniform she had crumpled freely last night.

Although subtle, there were still faint wrinkles on the sleeves. Apologetically,  Scheuer lightly smoothed out the wrinkles on his clothes.

“Smile Love”