Living a Scheming Marriage with a Mad Villain - Chapter 102

The wind had been blowing slightly for a few days, and since morning, the weather had felt off. Staring out at the gloomy view outside the window only made my mood worse.

“He’s not coming today either… Reus…”

 

For the past three days, I had gone back and forth between hope and disappointment, but in the end, Reus never showed up. I should’ve accepted it by now, but without realizing it, I kept glancing at the bedroom door or felt a surge of hope at the smallest sound.

“Ugh, I really have to stop this.”

 

At this point, it seemed better to just check over my packed belongings one more time. I shook my head and headed to the dressing room, trying to force myself to stop thinking about Reus.

“Looks like I didn’t forget anything. That’s a relief.”

 

Truthfully, my bankbook was missing—it was kept with Theron—but I decided to let that go for now. I could always get a new one, and if Reus was busy, then Theron must be too. I didn’t want to cause extra trouble over it.

“The luggage looks fine… Maybe I should take one last walk around the Grand Duke’s estate?”

 

Even though it was a goodbye only on my part, I had already said farewell to most of the staff in the estate. Then I realized—not just the staff, but today was my last day living here as well.

Once I left for Veliata, I would likely never return. So I wanted to walk around the places filled with memories.

I didn’t have time to go through every corner of the estate, but if I walked quickly, I could at least revisit the places I had been with Reus.

First was the glass greenhouse where we had our wedding. Then the garden where we took walks every day.

And lastly, the library, where we spent the most time together.

After sitting in the library for a long while, I finally stood up, stepped outside, and locked the door with the key I had brought.

“This is really the end.”

 

Looking at the tightly shut library doors, it finally hit me that I was truly leaving this estate for good. I stood in front of the door, unable to move, fidgeting with the keys in my hand, until I could finally walk away.

Part of me wanted to walk around until the last minute, but as the day grew darker, the staff kept expressing concern for my health. So I had no choice but to return inside the estate.

That’s when I ran into the butler, Loteo, in the lobby.

“Loteo.”

 

“Your Highness, what brings you here at this hour?”

 

“I just felt like taking a walk down a different path today. Everything’s okay, right?”

 

“Of course. Everything is peaceful, as always.”

 

“That’s good to hear.”

 

No, it’s not.

After I leave today, the one to break that peace will be none other than me.

When Millie talked about the staff who left without a word, I shouldn’t have thought of Reus—I should’ve thought of myself.

“Everyone must feel so betrayed…”

 

Especially Millie. She’ll be heartbroken.

While I was staring out the window with a complicated expression, Loteo spoke.

“Your Highness will likely return to the estate in a few days.”

 

“Oh… is that so.”

 

It sounded like he was telling me to let go of the last bit of hope I was still holding on to.

We exchanged a few more words, but my mood didn’t improve, so I returned to my room. On the way, I ran into Millie.

“Your Highness!”

 

Millie ran up to me with a happy face, but then suddenly hesitated and started reading my expression. Her stare was so intense that I wondered if I had forgotten to manage my facial expression, so I forced a smile.

Then Millie hesitated for a moment before suddenly saying,

“Lately… I’ve been kind of scared, Your Highness…”

 

“Huh? Of what?”

 

“That you’ll suddenly disappear without a word… like the others did.”

 

“W-What?”

 

I was so shocked that I stuttered.

“You haven’t looked well lately either…”

 

“Maybe it’s the weather? When it’s gloomy like this, everyone tends to feel down.”

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“Yes, Millie.”

 

“Even if you’re angry at the Grand Duke, please don’t leave without saying anything to us. Promise me? You can always resolve things by talking.”

 

Then Millie started going off on random thoughts about how married couples shouldn’t part ways so easily, and how she’d always be on my side no matter what.

‘I thought she figured out I was running away… Scared me.’

 

I secretly let out a breath of relief.

Finally, it was time to leave the estate.

The sticky, overcast weather from this morning hadn’t changed. Maybe that’s why I still felt gloomy.

“No, it’s fine. This is a good thing.”

 

After a long journey, today was the day I would finally achieve the dream I had always longed for.

‘I’m finally exiting the original story.’

 

Memories of the hardships I’d endured passed through my mind, and a sudden wave of emotion washed over me—but I quickly pulled myself together.

I could enjoy the joy once I reached the resort.

My new life would begin in Veliata!

‘I should hurry and leave before it’s too late.’

 

I picked up my bags and headed for the stairs.

But then—I saw a faint figure by the railing. I knew immediately who it was.

“Reus?”

 

The man who stepped out from the shadows was none other than Reus Rochester, the villain of this novel—and the man I had entered a contract marriage with. I had thought we might miss our final goodbye since he hadn’t shown up all day, but we ran into each other just in time.

“Looks like you finished late.”

 

“I was handling an urgent matter, so I’m a bit late.”

 

He said this while keeping his eyes on me—or rather, on the luggage in my hands.

“Reus?”

 

Only after I called his name did he finally stop staring at my bags and meet my eyes, smiling softly.

“Your bags look heavy.”

 

“Ah… these? They’re not that bad. I packed light.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

I could always withdraw money from the bank, and I could buy anything I needed once I arrived in Veliata.

I gave him a reassuring smile and adjusted my bags again.

Then I glanced at Reus for a moment and opened my mouth. Since this was the end, I wanted to thank him—just once.

After thinking over my words, I spoke sincerely but simply.

“Thank you… for everything.”

 

It was short for a thank you, but judging by Reus’s reaction, he understood my sincerity.

A short silence fell between us.

I gave him an awkward smile and began to walk past him.

But then—

“You should set your luggage down and get some rest, Loelle.”

 

Because of Reus’s sudden words, I stopped after only a few steps.

‘What is he talking about…?’

 

There’s no way Reus didn’t know where I was heading.

I was starting a new life under a new identity in the resort town of Veliata. I had talked about this endlessly—from the beginning of our contract and throughout the entire time we upheld it.

‘Did he forget? I guess it’s possible… We were just a contract couple, after all.’

 

Whenever I brought up Veliata, Reus always looked bored or uninterested, like he couldn’t care less.

Still, since this was our last conversation, I felt like I needed to explain. So I turned to him again.

“Reus. I think you forgot, but today’s the day. I’m finally leaving for Veliata—like I’ve always said.”

 

Reus smiled gently as he stepped closer and took the luggage from my hands.

“I know.”

 

“Huh? Today… what?”

 

Caught off guard by his answer, I stared at him wide-eyed. Reus continued.

“Even if you go now, there won’t be any ships. It’d be a waste of effort.”

 

No ships?

I couldn’t have gotten the schedule wrong. I checked the tickets multiple times over several days. Then I realized—

“Ah.”

 

No wonder I had a bad feeling. The wind had been strong all day—maybe the ship was canceled because of the weather.

I nodded as if I understood.

“Then… when’s the next ship?”

 

If he already knew about the cancellation, then he must have been told when the next one would be. But Reus didn’t answer.

He just smiled at me.

‘Why does this feel so ominous?’

 

Whenever Reus smiled like that, it never ended well.

He held my gaze for a while, then finally spoke.

“I told you, didn’t I?”

 

“Told me… what?”

 

“There won’t be any ships, even if you go to the port now.”

 

He looked genuinely happy.

While I stood there in shock, Reus gently placed my luggage in the hallway and wrapped his hands around my shoulders. Then he gently turned me around and guided me forward.

“Let’s go back now, Loelle.”

 

Back—toward the bedroom we shared.

I was walking, but I kept my eyes on Reus. I was silently pressuring him to explain.

Eventually, I stopped.

“Reus. I won’t go back until you properly explain what’s going on.”

 

My firm tone made him look troubled. But realizing I wouldn’t back down, he finally spoke.

“It’s just as I said. There are no ships right now.”

 

“Yes, I got that. So that means the ship was canceled. If you heard that, then surely they told you when the next one would be—like a time or date or something.”

 

“There are no ships in the near future. So there’s nothing I can tell you.”

 

He knew how much I had been looking forward to this day. And yet, he seemed far too calm.

A creeping unease began to build in me.

“If not soon… then what about later?”

 

Reus’s face lit up, like he had been waiting for me to ask that.

“There are none.”

 

“What?”

 

I was stunned—not just by the answer, but by the look on Reus’s face. It was as if he himself had made sure there would be no ships to Veliata.

‘No, that can’t be. He has no reason to do that.’

 

Not Reus. He said he genuinely wanted to help me.

‘Yeah. I’m just overreacting because my plan got derailed. Reus wouldn’t do that to me…’

 

Then—his large hand gently cupped my cheek. Reus slowly lifted my chin to make me look at him. Holding my gaze, he spoke softly:

“You’re right. I did it.”

 

As if he had read my thoughts.

“Loelle. There will be no more ships to Veliata.”

 

“Not ever.”

 

He gently stroked my cheek as he spoke.

“I just didn’t want you holding on to false hope.”

 

The face of this twisted villain saying such cruel things…

Was more radiant than I had ever seen.