The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Raygrain was narrowing his brows, staring at her. While others might find it intimidating, Raygrain’s demeanor didn’t pose a threat to Scheuer. As she hesitated and reached out, Raygrain’s arm extended towards her. Only then did she realize that her cardigan was flowing more loosely than expected.

A robust hand lifted the cardigan, and beyond the thin fabric of her inner dress, his touch was directly transmitted. For some reason, it was difficult to swallow. Even though she hastily gathered the cardigan he offered, Raygrain did not withdraw his hand. Unlike when she wore the dress, his fingers brushed against her exposed neck.

In a low voice, almost muttering, he spoke, 

“Not bad.” 

His thumb lightly traced along her jawline and neck. Despite not being significantly different from usual, an awkward feeling enveloped her.

Scheuer forced a disdainful look and retorted, 

“After all, there’s only the Duke.”

***

Getting off the carriage, Scheuer hesitated for a moment. She had boarded the carriage without knowing the destination, simply following Raygrain’s instruction. However, the place she disembarked was a familiar location.

“Goodness, is it Scheuer? Welcome!” 

The warmly welcoming elderly man was Gorfel, the owner of the boutique she visited not long ago. Known for a staggering popularity and a waiting period of three years without a reservation, the boutique had been where Scheuer chose a gift from Raygrain, not through any other connections.

“Hello, I happened to think of Scheuer today, and this…,” 

but Gorfel’s welcoming expression gradually turned serious as his gaze shifted to the side.

The tall and imposing figure with an indifferent face exuded an intimidating aura. It was evident that he held a noble status, and his demeanor and atmosphere seemed as if someone had written ‘noble’ on his face.

Realizing his mistake, Gorfel quickly lowered his head. 

“Apologies, I am Gorfel, the owner of the boutique. Do you have something you are looking for?”

Under the stern gaze, Gorfel’s tension increased. Scheuer chuckled and pulled Raygrain’s hand, saying, 

“If you needed something, you should have said so. I was surprised by your sudden visit.”

“To find what you need.”

“Me?”

She turned to look at herself. Did she happen to mention something while half-asleep, asking for something? Though she frequently made requests, they were often thrown as words without any expectations. Anything she wanted, she usually found on her own. There were times when she needed Raygrain’s approval, but that was about it.

Seeing Scheuer’s troubled expression, Gorfel carefully guided her into the store. Seated on a lavish sofa, Scheuer blinked at the spread of jewels in front of her. When Raygrain’s permission wasn’t given, Gorfel successively brought out other items.

“While regular purchases are usually not possible, considering Scheuer’s presence and all, I brought some items from the inventory. If there is anything you need, I can assist in preparing an order form.”

Raygrain, who had instructed Gorfel to choose, was not looking at the jewels but instead focusing on Scheuer. Sweating nervously, she signaled Gorfel to leave.

Receiving the sign to leave, he retreated slowly, suggesting she should think carefully. Scheuer, after clearing the items on the table, sat down next to him.

Pulling herself close to him, she asked, 

“Your Grace, this is really, truly strange for me to ask, but, um, is my style not great?”

With a shortage of clothes in the South and the belief that there was no point in having clothes for gardening in the North, Scheuer had high standards for what she deemed necessary. Yet, her title was Blenga, and she might have high expectations for clothing despite the circumstances.

I have never seen another duchess, but judging by Raygrain’s face, he is not someone with poor genetics. However, the response to Scheuer’s question took an unexpected turn.

“Is there a problem with what I brought, since you seem not to like it?”

“What did I not like?”

“The cameo.”

She liked it very much. How much must she have liked it to hug the case tightly and even wear it proudly? Yet, the answer to Scheuer’s question was unrelated.

She looked him up and down, then asked, 

“Did you forget to mention something? I was pleased. After all, the Duke listened to what I said!”

“But why didn’t you wear it?”

He stared at her, questioning. The cameo was neatly tucked under her pillow. She had planned to store it well, like baggage going to the North later. Scheuer responded confidently, 

“I have one, right?”

It was a rule that cherished items should exist in three forms: for practical use, for display, and an unopened one. She had yet to muster the courage to open the precious item. Scheuer had intended to display it in a showcase.

If there were any scratches on Raygrain’s profile, that day would undoubtedly be the day Scheuer’s life turned upside down. His eyelids trembled for a moment at her firm response.

Scheuer comfortably sat down and continued, 

“Duke’s robe, fountain pens, and clothes are all ready-made items. You can receive anything he wears anytime. However, it’s not the case for the cameo. It’s a limited edition! One of a kind in the world!”

“So, did you ask to make three plaster molds?”

“Yes!”

With her bold answer, he finally turned his head to the jewels laid out on the table. When Gorfel returned, Scheuer had prepared for the paper to be filled with orders.

“All three for each.”

“Yes, all three… three?”

Gorfel’s expression mirrored Scheuer’s shock as he seemed to lose his senses. The available items for purchase had suddenly turned into ordered ones.

When a bell rang, announcing a new customer, Gorfel greeted them, and their conversation echoed faintly into the separate room.

“Three men’s pins.”

“Yes. Do you have an introduction card?”

“Here.”

She sounded very much like Erina, especially with that arrogant, low-pitched voice. Raygrain also seemed to share the same thought, focusing on that voice.

After the sound of checking the introduction card, she gave a brief answer and left with one final statement.

“For the finest quality, please contact me through Netriga, and we’ll settle the payment in advance. I will send it to the mansion in about a month.”

One month indicated a person with significant influence in the boutique. Since she wouldn’t personally use the men’s pin, and it felt a bit much to give it to Duke Netri or Silcaro, she hesitated on the quantity.

‘The number of knights who died was exactly three.’

“Smile Love”