The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Having returned the books that she had laboriously read, she had something to ask.

“Lady Solle, by any chance, can I find books related to Nettri?”

To Scheuer’s question, she tilted her head in confusion.

“Maybe what you know might be more certain than the books?”

Since Nettri was her hometown, there might be more reliable information available. Unable to deny it outright, Scheuer vaguely circled around the topic.

“Yes, that’s it! I thought it would be good to check how many errors there are regarding the North and the Temple…”

“Ah, okay. Wait a moment.”

Solle hesitated for a moment, then quickly went to check the section.

After a while, when Solle returned, she seemed a bit embarrassed.

“Well, I don’t know who borrowed it, but it seems to be long overdue.”

“How long do we have to wait then?”

“The same book is probably in the Imperial Library as well, and since there won’t be anyone there during the festival, I’ll check it myself.”

“I’m sorry. Please, if you could.”

The day to go to the North was not far away. Moreover, with Leilda urging him to come back soon, he might have to go straight there after the National Foundation Day. There was no room to wait for the overdue book. Although there were no specific instructions from Raygrain yet, Scheuer, feeling somewhat uneasy, asked:

“By any chance, have you read anything about the family’s flower?”

“There are so many books that even if I read through them, my ability to remember the contents is lacking, and without titles, it’s hard to find.”

Solle was truly regretful.

Hesitating, Scheuer asked her:

“I want to know about the conditions under which the flowers bloom in Nettri. Do you happen to know?”

Only one person. That, too, the eldest. This was an unchanging rule. Because of this, occasionally, there were historical incidents where, despite still being able to wield a sword, a Marquis was ousted, and the eldest son was forcibly given a sword for succession, as the history says, to the point that relations between the Netri Marquis and the Temple were not good, Scheuer couldn’t ask about such matters.

With a sense of curiosity, Scheuer handed her his address:

“If by any chance, after I return to the North, the book comes back, could you contact me?”

“Of course! Should I borrow it in my name?”

“If you could do that, I’d appreciate it.”

At Scheuer’s request, she nodded enthusiastically.

***

Naveed, who had taken over the escort behind Scheuer after finishing her afternoon schedule, couldn’t contain herself.

“What’s going on?”

“Oh! Do you have time now?”

Meeting people down to the second schedule, she seemed to be waiting for some leisure.

Only then did Neveed extend a letter from his bosom.

“It’s a letter from Lord Leilda.”

Finally, a response had arrived.

In addition to what Raygrain had said, she had added her own demands.

[Hand over the video gem early.]

She had thrown the answer, unsure if it would be accepted or not, with a feeling of throwing it to see if it sticks, considering that he always demanded compensation.

Scheuer laughed slyly, thinking that the letter might not be thoroughly guarded.

“Why did you wait? Just give it to me.”

“Well, don’t you know what the contents are? Haha!”

With a somewhat embarrassed smile, Scheuer opened the letter, looking at him scratching his head.

Inside was Leida’s unexpected serious response.

[I’ll give you the video gem, but how much can you reduce?

P.S. What’s up with the letterhead?]

It seemed Leilda was right judging by her personality, probably because of the heart.

Is the situation in the North so serious that he directly asked him to come now?

“Neveed, how was the North?”

“Lord Leilda disappeared without having a meal, so everyone went looking for him!”

“Is that all?”

“Yes!”

Neveed, who had been in the North until recently, seemed clueless about the situation.

When Scheuer finished the evening schedule, the imperial garden was already lit by lights instead of moonlight.

As the festival was approaching, the palace, which had recently been bustling with people, was quiet.

“Well, the central area is different indeed. Are these flowers just spread like this?”

It was a well-maintained garden, but it didn’t seem to catch her eye.

Come to think of it, Raygrain hadn’t picked flowers lately since he hadn’t caught any prey.

Without using the sword, emotions must have remained.

If he were to feel that empty gaze again, it was uncertain whether he could return then.

Protecting when there is, is also a way.

In front of Scheuer’s eyes, the familiar figure appeared from behind.

Seeing Jess, he was sure, given that he was there.

Just as she was about to call out his name.

The red hair fluttered behind her.

“Oh, isn’t that the message? Master! Master!”

Scheuer ran at the same time as the cheerful shout.

Huffing, she grabbed Raygrain’s hand before receiving Jess’s greeting.

Only then did he turn his head.

Erina, who had suddenly run up, seemed surprised by the abruptness and her eyes, which had slightly widened, quickly returned to normal.

Scheuer pretended not to notice and chuckled, asking, 

“Duke, I called you, didn’t you hear?”

“I heard.”

“But why won’t you answer?”

They probably didn’t shake hands, right?

As she tightened her grip, his gaze briefly met the hand that held his. Erina spoke as if feeling uncomfortable.

“It seems I’ve asked for too long. I apologize.”

“No.”

What kind of conversation is this? Unable to ask, Scheuer glared at Raygrain, who withdrew his hand.

Scheuer, who was shocked, looked up. Raygrain corrected the hand that had been grabbed messily.

Then he said to Erina, 

“Anything more is a question unrelated to the demon you asked about.”

Even with his sharp words, Erina didn’t lose her smile.

Scheuer held his hand and pulled him away, and he followed willingly as she tugged.

It was a signal to stay quiet.

Erina, despite his uncomfortable words, politely greeted him.

“I have nothing to say when divided dualistically like this.”

A person who had never shown interest in the North suddenly concerned about demons?

Ignoring Scheuer’s gaze, she held his arm like she was hanging on rather than holding a fist.

Normally, she always tied up her hair, and suddenly she was acting strangely.

In response to her aggressive gaze, Erina said with a mocking tone, 

“It seems there’s a lack of trust.”

It wasn’t clear whether the words were directed at her or at Raygrain.

Judging by that unpleasant look, it seemed like it was directed at me…!

Scheuer squeezed her fist on her arm, as if preventing him from moving, and pressed him.

“Duke, I’m tired. I want to go in and rest.”

“Go.”

Watching him turn away without hesitation, she inwardly sighed in relief.

Erina continued to gaze at her until she crossed the garden.

Even in the corridor, Scheuer didn’t let go of his hand.

With a furious expression, she murmured to him, not caring to look ahead.

“You said you were busy. You said you were busy and… in the garden…”

“I just mentioned that I had something to ask on the way back.”

“What is it?”

“How did you handle the demon’s corpse?”

It was a quite straightforward question. If she were an ordinary knight not participating in the founding ceremony, she might have passed it off out of curiosity.

“Smile Love”