Living a Scheming Marriage with a Mad Villain - Chapter 100

I had no idea that Verodica would be visiting today, but even if I had known, the result would have been the same.

When I returned to the Grand Duke’s estate and had somewhat recovered, I clearly heard that it was Verodica who had poisoned my wine glass.

“Verodica did something like that… She really planned something like that…?”

I already knew she hated me, even to the point of disgust—but I never imagined her feelings went far enough to want to kill me.

It was shocking to think someone could feel such hatred toward another person, and even more so that I almost died because of it.

I thought I would only die if Reus started a rebellion, but this was already the second time I had faced death.

The first time, it was just an act by Peria. But this time, death had come too close, too clearly.

Suddenly, memories from the incident at the Marquis of Plona’s estate rushed back to me, engulfing my mind.

The feeling of my throat burning. The pain spreading through my body like fire racing along my nerves. The shadow of death that soon followed. Even my vision turning dark in the same color as death.

I felt like I couldn’t breathe, like I would suffocate at any moment. As my breath grew more shallow and shaky, I started gasping without even realizing it. Reus, as if he were the one at fault, began trembling and quickly pulled me into his arms.

‘So when he said we would never meet again back then, it was because…’

That wasn’t all. Verodica even mocked me right up to the moment she handed me the glass.

“I hope your future is filled with great glory, Lady Vision.”

She said that—knowing full well I would die from the wine she handed me.

Back then, Reus reached out and gently held my cheek in surprise. It was only then that I realized I had been crying.

“I’m sorry, Loelle. This is why I didn’t want to tell you.”

I was the one who asked about what had happened, but Reus looked pained, as if he regretted forcing me to hear it.

“No, Reus…”

When I couldn’t finish my sentence, I could feel the worry in the way his hand stayed on my cheek and his arm wrapped around my waist.

“This isn’t something Reus needs to apologize for… My connection with Verodica is my own issue… and she was the one who tried to kill me.”

Reus gently wiped the tears from my eyes with his fingers and spoke softly.

“Loelle, can we make a promise?”

A promise? I looked at him, wondering what he meant this time. Then Reus spoke again in a slightly lower voice.

“This time, let’s promise not to forgive the person who hurt you.”

“Of course, if you truly want to forgive her, I won’t stop you… But I really hope you don’t, at least this time.”

Forgive her?

“No matter how naive I might be… I’m not foolish enough to forgive someone who tried to kill me.”

The emotions I’d been holding back suddenly surged again, and I felt breathless.

“I didn’t think you were. I asked only because I value your feelings most. I’m sorry if I made you feel misunderstood, Loelle.”

Reus pulled me into his arms again. His large hand gently stroked my back, as if to comfort me. Then his voice followed, warm and steady like his touch.

“This time, we really made a promise together.”

But for some reason, there was a trace of satisfaction in his voice.

“To never forgive her.”

Or was it just me? It almost sounded like he was enjoying it a little.

After Verodica left, the Imperial newspaper ran article after article about the Plona family.

[…The fall of House Plona…]
[…How the corrupt House Plona slipped through the law…]

‘Even after all those articles, there’s still more to uncover.’

Apart from my personal history with them, they were truly a wicked family.

Nearly every member of the marquis’ household was set to be put on trial. Of course, Verodica was included. Most likely, the Marquis of Plona and Verodica would never leave prison for the rest of their lives.

Especially Verodica.

Not long ago, she burst into my room out of nowhere, tearfully begging for forgiveness like a parrot, claiming she was sorry. But as soon as the investigation began, she denied everything.

However, according to Reus, overwhelming evidence came out, proving her intent. It was clear that her actions were premeditated and thoroughly planned, which meant she would receive the maximum sentence possible.

Since the law allowed for harsher punishment in such cases, Verodica might never leave that prison—even after death.

She could never torment me again, nor even try to kill me. Still, it didn’t feel entirely satisfying.

But it wasn’t sympathy either. I knew full well that feeling sorry for Verodica was not my responsibility. I just felt uneasy being involved in it all.

‘It’s strange that I don’t feel any peace from this…’

As I kept staring at the headlines, a large hand quietly took the newspaper from me.

Since I wasn’t planning to read further anyway, I simply looked up at Reus.

Honestly, I was just glad he didn’t throw the newspaper out the window.

“There’s barely enough good in the world to look at—why waste time on this kind of thing?”

He wasn’t wrong. Lately, just seeing things like this made me feel drained.

‘I don’t want to think about anything anymore.’

As I slowly closed my eyes, a worried voice reached my ears.

“Loelle, are you feeling unwell?”

His hand flew to my forehead in panic. He acted so dramatically, I feared someone might see and misunderstand.

“No… It’s nothing.”

“Nothing?”

Reus let out a soft chuckle and naturally took my hand.

“Shall I bring you a book?”

“Hmm… No. I don’t really feel like reading today.”

“If that’s the reason, then let me read to you.”

“Reus, I’ve said this before—I’m not a child.”

“I never said you were. I just offered to read to you.”

It was basically the same thing, but he insisted it wasn’t with a completely straight face.

‘Well… technically, I guess he didn’t say exactly that.’

I keep forgetting that you have to let go of your logic a little when talking with Reus.

“By the way, Reus.”

“Yes? Do you need something?”

I wanted to tell him not to act like a servant, since people might misunderstand—but I figured he’d just look at me like he didn’t see the problem. So I let that thought go.

“Are you sure it’s okay to keep using your power like this?”

Lately, Reus grabbed my hand any chance he got. He needed physical contact to use his healing power, and that was the reason he was holding my hand now, too.

“You said it wouldn’t make much of a difference anymore.”

“Hmm. Then let’s just say we’re testing it.”

“I’m already feeling much better… Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Instead of replying, Reus simply smiled and gently laid me down on the bed. Just as I expected, he didn’t let go of my hand.

Only after summer fully passed and cool breezes began to blow did I finally start living like I had before I collapsed.

It’s not that I just now recovered enough to move. I had regained the basics long ago, but…

‘Reus was just being way too overprotective.’

He acted like it would be the end of the world if I took a single step, and we had little arguments over that. Well, it was mostly me raising my voice.

Because Reus fussed so much, I barely walked on my own for a while.

Even yesterday, I tried to regain some strength by going for a walk. But Reus followed me like a shadow, eventually asking if I couldn’t just let him carry me around instead.

I laughed a little and firmly said no.

“Why…”

He looked so heartbroken that I was caught off guard. But still, no was no.

“You heard the physician say I’ve nearly returned to my previous health.”

“But not completely.”

“You can argue all you want, but no means no. I want to walk.”

“Then just a little—”

“No. I’m going to walk the whole way. Even if I’m not fully healed, I’m not going to let you carry me.”

Reus, having failed to negotiate with me, followed quietly behind, looking sulky.

I was already thankful—and sorry—that he kept holding my hand to give me his energy. But Reus still looked like he couldn’t shake his guilt, like he was a criminal.

‘I’m all better now, but he still acts like this…’

Thinking about this and that, I soon found myself in front of Reus’ office.

“Reus, it’s me—Loelle”

Just as I was about to knock, the door swung open and Reus appeared. I was so startled I flinched.

“Did I scare you? I’m sorry, Loelle.”

“It’s okay. I’m fine.”

Lately, it felt like “I’m sorry” had become a regular phrase for Reus. I’d point it out, but I doubted it would change anything.

“You could’ve just called me if you needed something.”

“The physician said staying still too much isn’t good. So I’ve been walking around a bit.”

Reus looked disappointed, like he didn’t approve.

“I told you to call me even then.”

“But you’re busy catching up on work.”

“Not at all.”

I looked over at his desk. Unlike usual, it was covered in papers.

If he was going to lie, shouldn’t he at least clean up first? But knowing Reus, he wasn’t the type to be fazed by things like that.

‘Yeah. Definitely not.’

Just looking at his expression, you could tell he honestly believed he wasn’t busy.

“Alright. Next time… I’ll call for you.”

At my reply, Reus’ eyes lit up beautifully.

“So, what brings you here today?”

He asked casually, but I could tell he thought there was no special reason. However, today, I had something I wanted to say—so I had come to his office on purpose.

“There’s something I wanted to tell you.”

It was something that should be said here, not in the bedroom.

“I’m going to leave the Grand Duke’s estate now.”

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