The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 56
Chapter 56
He continued to gaze directly at her and asked,
“What’s going on?”
As soon as Raygrain’s mouth opened, the hand on Scheuer’s shoulder fell without hesitation. Scheuer instinctively grabbed his hand. Raygrain’s head turned towards her only then.
Scheuer smiled gently and placed his hand back on her shoulder. Fortunately, this time Raygrain didn’t withdraw his hand.
Observing this entire situation, Sevi alternated between looking at him and Scheuer and asked,
“10:10?”
Quick to catch on, Koa intervened,
“Your Grace Blen, congratulations on your marriage. May the blessing of the Lapel Goddess be with you.”
Sevi sighed as if he had just realized,
“Ah, a marriage?”
“Didn’t Your Grace Blen mention a celebration for his marriage?”
“Don’t remember.”
At Sevi’s almost expressionless response, Koa maintained a stoic expression. Sevi, with a bemused look, glanced at her.
“Hmm. I don’t remember receiving any telegrams from Blen recently.”
“So, I wanted to talk about the telegrams while we’re here today.”
“In this situation?”
Sevi shrugged, playfully tapping his chin. The royal knights were still struggling to find the disseminator of the fake slate, causing chaos for Erina and Silcaro.
“Your Excellency Silcaro, it seems difficult to identify the perpetrator in such a short time.”
“I’ll prioritize placing the guests in their rooms for the celebration. We’ll exclude the corridor where the slate was found since it’s going to be closed off.”
“Understood.”
The fact that the North couldn’t interfere in Central politics proved useful in times like these. In reality, the real troublemakers were the royal family and the Central nobles. Even Zelos, the Marquis of North, seemed surprised but didn’t make a big issue out of it. Lords like Henel Hufak and the Count of Sol Martio were alarmed but didn’t seem to find it particularly troublesome. Nettri, the Duke, was busy all over the place. He had served as the head of the royal knights in the past, so he used his connections to assist Erina but seemed unable to spare the energy.
However, Sevi, who was supposed to find the slate, was acting like a bystander. Thanks to this, the tension in the air, like ice, was gradually melting in the hall.
Perhaps due to his care for the lambs, despite his appearance, Sevi found the atmosphere uncomfortable. Peeking discreetly, Sevi muttered with an ambiguous expression,
“Hmm, does he do this on purpose?”
A consideration for the lambs, perhaps… With a sly glance, Sevi seemed discontented with the unexpected flow of events.
“Is there no alcohol at this celebration?”
Doesn’t seem like it.
Scheuer observed him like someone enjoying the scenery and responded with a business-like answer,
“Your Grace might also have commitments, making it difficult to stay in the Central region.”
“Not really, I’d be happy to stay here for a long time. I don’t like working.”
Indeed, even a clergyman ultimately had a job. Considering his actions, Scheuer worried if he might drink and neglect his responsibilities, especially regarding the proper restoration and translation of the stab.
Taking the lead, Koa politely responded,
“If Your Grace entrusts me with the wedding date, I will take responsibility and contact you as soon as possible.”
However, Sevi, still appearing inconvenienced, nonchalantly retorted,
“Couldn’t sleep well last night, feeling tired.”
His grumbling words were simply ignored. Koa, without any change in expression, kindly inquired,
“If it’s not too intrusive, may I ask for your name? It’s for the necessary information to choose a date.”
“Scheuer Blen.”
In response to the question about his name, Raygrain smoothly answered, as if it were only natural.
Just as Sevi was excitedly watching, enjoying the positive response, Sevi interjected with a somewhat annoyed tone,
“Ah, you should talk about your pre-marriage title. Otherwise, we can’t get anything done.”
“Nettri.”
“What? Netri? The southern Netri?”
Sevi, who had been dry all along, widened his eyes as soon as he heard the surname.
“Interesting. I thought, when my little brother asked for the date of his engagement ceremony, the authority would naturally go to the eldest.”
Whether the divine power was false or not, without saying a word, he instantly understood. From afar, Erina, struggling with the guest room issue, and Sevi, who was glancing back and forth, felt someone’s gaze behind them.
Scheuer stretched her neck, trying to find the owner of the gaze in the magnificent hall. Not long after, the face of the knight who had been injured by Raygrain and was now dealing with guest room issues came into view. When their eyes met, he awkwardly approached them.
“Greetings. In the morning, Your Excellency inspected the sword at the armory. I wonder if you remember.”
“I remember.”
“I came to express my gratitude to Lady Scheuer for her kindness.”
In his hand was a bouquet of flowers made entirely of chamomile. It seemed somewhat hastily prepared, including the bouquet not being part of the knight’s uniform. Nevertheless, it exuded an atmosphere of urgency.
As if to confirm his sudden frailty due to his exaggerated actions, Scheuer, including not wearing his knight’s uniform, seemed to be in a hurry.
There might be no one surprised by the stab she had spread, but she greeted him with a faint smile. Horror and amazement filled Sevi’s face as he observed the scene.
“Uh, I, I, I…!”
The knight considered it a criticism towards himself, as shadows deepened on his face. He cautiously extended the bouquet again.
“I apologize for this morning, Your Excellency. Please forgive my rudeness.”
“Thanks. I’ll gladly accept it.”
For now, since security would be strict for a while, it was advantageous to accept any flowers. The knight bowed again, carefully raising his head with a respectful gesture.
“The doctor said that if I take a day’s rest today, I can wield a sword again from tomorrow. It’s thanks to the flowers from Your Grace.”
All eyes in the hall focused on them. Lady Annabelle, who was conversing with Silcaro, also cast her gaze. It seemed that he was not accustomed to such situations, judging by his absence from the previous banquet.
Scheuer, unable to make eye contact, adjusted her height to his level and spoke affectionately,
“It’s not a major injury. Don’t worry.”
“I heard that the Nettri people like flowers, so I wanted to prepare another flower, but…”
“It doesn’t matter about the family. Accept the apology. I hope Your Grace won’t hold it against the Duke for the mistake.”
“No, it’s not incorrect.”
The knight bowed again and returned to where the knights were gathered. Seeing unfamiliar faces among them, they all bowed in unison when Scheuer made eye contact.
Some of them included faces that had made unfavorable comments at the armory. It seemed like they were knights Scheuer had seen at the armory. As they glanced at Scheuer, they quickly bowed and greeted her from a distance.
Among them was a face that had made unpleasant remarks in the armory. Observing the awkward behavior, it seemed they were trying to gauge Erina’s reaction in front of them.
Whether it was the second knight order, the lady in front of them, casting a cold gaze at Scheuer, shook hands with them, smiling.
“If you feel unfairly treated, ask me for a bouquet too.”
Looking around with her eyes, she seemed to be looking for Silcaro this time. However, this time, he was busy talking to Duke Litton, and Annabelle seemed busy in the meantime.
Most guests were either obtaining guest rooms or, after searching and questioning, were returning to the atmosphere. Raygrain, silently, stared at the bouquet Scheuer was holding.
Looking up at him, Scheuer asked,
“Isn’t it fortunate? Right?”
“…”
“Anyway, even if we have to go back, it won’t be forever. It might as well end nicely.”
“Thanks.”
It was an oddly sunny tone. While it might not be much different if others heard it, it felt different to Scheuer’s eyes.
“Smile Love”