Living a Scheming Marriage with a Mad Villain - Chapter 105

“No. If I let my guard down, who knows when Reus will shamelessly come back again.”

It seemed right to keep my distance until I got a proper explanation. After finishing that thought, I passed by Reus and naturally headed for the stairs. Since I didn’t hear his footsteps following, it looked like he was pretty shocked again.

“Seeing Reus looking so intimidated all the time… maybe I’m getting a little used to it…”

But that didn’t mean I felt good or satisfied. In fact, the whole situation of being angry at Reus just made me uncomfortable.

Who would want to get angry at someone who gave up his daily life to stay by your side, not leaving even for a moment when you were too sick to get out of bed?

Thinking about everything Reus had done for me, I could forgive almost everything.

“Except for the part where he canceled the ship…”

Anyway, I didn’t like this situation either. That’s why I wanted to talk things through and settle things peacefully if possible.

But seeing how he gets flustered over the smallest things and still won’t open his mouth, maybe it’s better not to expect that kind of approach.

We entered the dining room, still keeping some distance. The servants, seeing us walk in separately, couldn’t hide their disappointment.

“Is it just me, or does it feel like everyone else is on the same side?”

I sat down, ignoring their stares as best I could. Reus, who came in late, sat in his usual seat.

Then silence fell. Aside from the sound of footsteps and dishes touching the table, it was completely quiet.

I never thought we talked that much during meals, but I guess I was wrong.

“It’s like we’re back to right after the wedding.”

The difference now is that the one wanting to speak is Reus, not me.

Eating in this uncomfortable silence made things worse. The only sounds were the clinking of utensils.

“I can’t breathe…”

I was starting to regret thinking that sharing a meal might help ease the tension. I could barely eat. Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore and broke the silence first.

“Are you… busy today?”

Reus’ face lit up immediately, happy I spoke first.

“Not too busy.”

“Really?”

Maybe this meant our relationship was starting to improve. I could feel the servants quietly listening in.

“Then… how about we have tea outside after the meal? It’s been a while.”

But Reus shut his mouth again. I let out a small, bitter laugh.

“So… he wants things to go back to how they were, but refuses to say a word about Veliata?”

Thanks to Reus staying silent, the atmosphere froze all over again.

The servants looked anxious, but I actually felt relieved.

“Thanks for making all my sympathy for you disappear.”

To be honest, I was losing the desire to share meals with him anyway. So maybe this was for the best.

I kept eating without saying anything about Reus’ behavior. When I felt full enough, I gently set my spoon down. Unlike yesterday, I placed it softly so it didn’t make a sound—but Reus still noticeably flinched.

“Reus.”

“Yes, Loelle?”

“For now… maybe we should eat separately.”

Reus stiffened for a moment, then looked up with a face like a puppy caught in the rain.

If he had made that face before refusing to talk, I might have felt a little softhearted. But now, it didn’t work.

I smiled faintly, as if asking him one last time if he really wanted to keep acting like this. His eyes seemed to waver, but he quickly looked down again.

“Then finish your meal and go, Reus.”

Strangely enough, Reus didn’t try to stop me this time.

I didn’t want to go straight back to my bedroom, so I headed to the old office I used before.

I hadn’t been able to leave, so I figured I might as well deal with the mountain of letters piling up. Soon, Dwyn arrived with a bundle of them.

“Your Grace… here are the ones you asked for.”

When I said nothing, Dwyn looked troubled and awkward. Eventually, he spoke again.

“I… I’m sorry, Your Grace…”

He had the same expression and tone as that day, when I thought something was off.

“I shouldn’t have brushed off that feeling of déjà vu back then.”

It was too late to blame anyone now, but I couldn’t help feeling a little resentment toward Dwyn.

“I didn’t expect you to fool me so completely. I thought, at least you wouldn’t do that…”

“I have no excuse, even if I had ten mouths, Your Grace…”

After sending the increasingly pale-faced Dwyn away, I began to go through the letters one by one.

“There’s a lot…”

Most of them were from when I was ill, and they were more about concern for my health than formal invitations. At first, it felt overwhelming, but I figured it was better than wandering aimlessly around the grand duke’s castle.

“If I’d escaped properly, I wouldn’t have had to do this…”

I was feeling a little resigned as I skimmed through the letters—then I found one from Shanette.

“Huh? Did they miss this one?”

I’d heard that Reus handled letters from Shanette and those needing a reply. But somehow, hers had gotten mixed in with the rest.

When I checked, it looked like the letter had just arrived. Dwyn must’ve brought it with the latest batch without noticing.

“Perfect. She must’ve been worried. I’ll write back myself this time.”

I slowly read through Shanette letter.

[The autumn wind is getting chilly—are you staying warm?

This year’s fall feels especially cold. I hope you’re taking care of yourself so you don’t catch a cold. I’m also sending a few things I thought you might need.

But I’m growing more worried with each day. Reus says your recovery is still far off, and now I can’t even visit the castle… Should I start looking for famous doctors?]

“What the—this guy!”

Reading through the letter was fine until Reus came up—I got instantly irritated.

“Still far from recovering”?!

Do people outside the castle still think I’m bedridden? Judging by Shanette long list of worries, it seemed like I was still believed to be on death’s door.

What was worse was… I was sure Reus genuinely thought that too.

“Okay. Calm down.”

I barely calmed myself and continued reading. Then one line caught my eye.

[We were supposed to volunteer at the orphanage around this time. Without you, something feels missing.]

“Orphanage volunteer work…”

After reading to the end, I slowly began writing a reply.

I told her there was nothing to worry about—that according to the doctor, I was almost fully recovered and able to go about daily life without problems. Travel wasn’t an issue either, as long as it wasn’t too far.

“And if it’s not too difficult… maybe we could still do the orphanage visit, as planned.”

If I remembered correctly, Reus had other plans that day. So, if I couldn’t bring Theron into the grand duke’s castle, I planned to go out myself and try another way.

“Better to have a backup plan in case things go wrong.”

At the end of the letter, I added that even if we couldn’t meet at the orphanage, I still wanted to visit her soon.

I would make sure this perfectly written letter was secretly delivered by Dwyn, the same one who helped Reus lie to me.

By the time I finished going through the letters, darkness had fallen outside.

I figured I’d done enough for today and left the office. I had only taken a few steps when I saw Reus leaning against the wall.

“What a surprise. He actually let me be for once.”

Reus watched me for a moment, then slowly approached.

“Loelle, you shouldn’t push yourself like this.”

“All I did was sit and read letters.”

“There’s no need to reply to every useless letter.”

“‘Useless’? People took time to send them. You stopped them from visiting, and now I can’t even delay the replies any longer—”

“If it bothers you, I can do it. From now on, I’ll check and reply to all the letters myself.”

And what—tell them, like you did to Shanette, that I’m still not well enough to see anyone?

“And why should I trust you?”

Reus couldn’t answer my sharp words. I guess he does have a bit of a conscience.

“Isn’t it uncomfortable… being like this with me?”

“Reus. Don’t you think it’s time you told me?”

“If I tell you… you’ll run away.”

I was going to run whether he told me or not… So why hesitate like this?

“You’re not planning to stay silent forever, are you?”

“Right, Reus?”

No answer.

This man… he’s still not thinking straight.

“Fine. If you have nothing to say, then don’t.”

“Loelle—”

Reus quickly grabbed my hand as I tried to leave.

“I’m sorry. Please don’t go…”

I’m not falling for that anymore. That look of regret—who knows what he’s plotting behind it.

“I’m really disappointed in you.”

“Don’t follow me.”

As soon as I said that, Reus froze completely. And I walked away, leaving him in the hallway.

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