Living a Scheming Marriage with a Mad Villain - Chapter 13

Reus not only personally escorted me, but also took me all the way to the seat prepared for me in the banquet hall.

I wasn’t the only one who thought this behavior was unusual. The looks from the people working at the Grand Duke’s castle followed us closely. The atmosphere was undeniably uncomfortable.

‘Can I even eat like this?’

However, my complaints quickly faded when high-quality food started appearing on the table. My thoughts changed in an instant.

Glossy, greasy meats, fresh green vegetables, and soup at just the right temperature only made my hunger worse.

‘Looks delicious…’

Since I usually wasn’t even allowed to enter the dining room without my father, it was natural that my empty stomach started to growl even in this tense situation.

Just as I began to feel hungry, I made eye contact with Reus, who was sitting across from me. In that moment, my appetite vanished completely almost like magic.

‘That fox-like guy. What is he scheming?’

I couldn’t read him at all.

‘What if he thinks I saw something I wasn’t supposed to?’

That would explain everything. Bringing me to the Grand Duke’s castle with no thanks or explanation just a ridiculous lie might’ve all been part of his plan to manipulate me.

‘What’s really in the Forest of Silence?’

That land wouldn’t sell even if money was added to the deal. Thinking back, it was suspicious from the start that he was even there.

While I kept glancing at Reus as discreetly as possible, Shanette entered the banquet hall.

“I’m sorry, Lady Ivelle. I was talking to the butler and lost track of time.”

“No worries, Madam. I just arrived too.”

Shanette took her seat and looked at me with that same pleased gaze as before.

“Madam sounds so formal today. I’d prefer if you’d call me comfortably. I’ll call you by your name too. Is that okay, Loelle?”

“Yes, of course, Miss Shanette.”

Somehow, the awkwardness I felt when I entered the hall returned to my chest.

But as always, I hid my emotions better than anyone and put on a natural smile. In the end, I got indigestion. All because that crazy Reus insisted on staying through dessert!

“Why is he doing this to me?”

The face of Reus, who looked annoyed the whole time, flashed through my mind, and so did everything that had happened today.

Shanette over-the-top reactions, the whispers and curious looks from the servants or maybe the crazy Reus, or the even crazier Reus.

Just thinking of his face again made my indigestion worse.

‘Ugh… I feel sick…’

I didn’t think I could sleep like this, so I grabbed a lamp and stepped into the hallway. The hallway was wide, and not even an ant was in sight.

The quiet was almost eerie, but it somehow made me feel calm.

‘At least I won’t run into him here. That’s a relief.’

For now, I was staying in the Grand Duke’s castle, but not in the main building. According to Shanette, this place was specifically prepared for guests.

Still, I couldn’t let my guard down. Just like the Count Ivelle estate, there was a bridge connecting this building to the main one so I could accidentally run into Reus.

But if I was careful, it shouldn’t happen.

‘Even a crazy person like Reus wouldn’t bother me late at night, right?’ I thought as I turned around at the end of the hallway.

Then it happened.

“Ah—!”

The moment I turned, I bumped right into someone coming down the stairs and dropped the lamp in surprise.

The lamp shattered on the floor with a sharp noise, and shards of glass scattered everywhere.

I thought I felt one graze my ankle, but I didn’t even have time to check. I was too focused on the person in front of me.

The very person I’d thought I wouldn’t run into tonight.

Reus Rochester.

“Grand Duke? What brings you here?”

Reus, who had been staring at the floor, slowly looked up and glanced out the window. It faced the upper floors of the building across from us.

“I was bothered by the light going back and forth like a ghost fire.”

It looked like he was referring to my room in the main building. It was clearly visible from here, and I had nothing to say.

If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve just called a servant and asked for a quiet place to walk!

“I just wanted a little walk. I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”

I bowed lightly. Reus didn’t respond, just kept staring at the floor. When I followed his gaze, I saw the broken glass scattered everywhere.

“Ah… I’m sorry. I’ll clean this up.”

I panicked and hurried, but Reus suddenly stepped down from the stairs. I flinched and took a step back. Just as I closed my eyes at the sudden closeness.

—I was lifted into the air.

That’s right. Reus had picked me up. I froze and blinked, unsure of what was happening.

‘Why is he doing this again?’

A moment later, he carried me toward my room.

“Most nobles would make a big fuss over even a small injury.”

“But Lady Ivelle doesn’t seem like that at all.”

I couldn’t say anything.

It didn’t sound like a simple comment about not overreacting.

It felt like he was pointing out something deeper.

As if he knew that I was copying things I’d learned from watching Peria and Briella out of the corner of my eye.

We arrived at the room shortly after. Reus set me down on the sofa and left for a moment. When he returned, he was holding a first aid kit.

I reached out to take it.

“Thank y—”

But I never got to hold it. Reus sat down next to me without warning.

“Like I said, I’ve never heard of a noble lady treating her own wounds.”

“Still, I can’t exactly ask you to do it, Grand Duke.”

That was when Reus finally looked at me.

“If you’d like, I can call someone else for you.”

“Yes, that might be bett—”

“If you’re okay showing your other wounds to someone else.”

At the words other wounds, my hand instinctively pulled back.

Earlier, I’d worn a long dress that reached my ankles, which hid all the injuries I got in the forest. I’d insisted on dressing myself so the Count’s servants wouldn’t see them.

But now, I had no reason to hide them. I was wearing a light nightgown that reached just below my knees.

Anyone could see that my legs didn’t look like they belonged to a proper noble lady. So I couldn’t ask Reus to call a maid.

And because of that damn noble pride, I couldn’t insist on doing it myself either.

‘I want to do it on my own.’

Instead of answering, I gave him a look that asked, Why are you looking at me like that?

“You’ll need to give permission if you want me to help treat you.”

I didn’t know how to answer without it sounding weird, so I just slowly held out my foot.

Reus calmly took my ankle and began treating the wound. His touch was gentler than I expected, and it tickled at first but when the wet cotton touched my skin, a sharp sting made me wince.

I hadn’t realized earlier, but the cut was actually quite deep.

Reus dabbed it a few more times and then wrapped it with a bandage before finally pulling his hand away. I quickly lowered my leg under the sofa.

“But Lady Ivelle.”

“Yes, Grand Duke?”

“Don’t you think it’s time to stop pretending you don’t know anything?”

I’d lost count of how many times I’d been speechless today. It’s not like I wanted to act like this all the time.

‘I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but what choice do I have?’

Even though I came to the Grand Duke’s castle to avoid breaking off the engagement with Cassien , I still planned to escape.

I didn’t know why Reus wanted to keep me here, but the reason I stayed was all part of my escape plan. That’s right. I must not get involved.

I had to hold out until my birthday in Ivelle, save some money, and then run away.

‘Stay focused. Stay focused!’

First things first, I needed to kick this crazy man out of my room.

If I kept acting uncooperative, even Reus would have no choice but to leave.

“Um… Grand Duke. Well, it’s already quite late, so…”

Reus glanced at the clock. Then he said,

“Yes. It’s already that late, huh.”

‘Seriously, this man…!’

Even if I said it politely, anyone could tell I was asking him to leave! Frustrated, I stomped my foot without realizing it.

But Reus completely ignored my obvious intention and continued talking about the earlier incident.

“Why don’t you want to explain? If your reason makes sense, I’m even willing to overlook it. So at least tell me what it is.”

Why was he asking something I couldn’t answer? Reus waited patiently for a long time. But I deliberately avoided his gaze.

Silence filled the room.

‘Please leave… just go…’

Maybe my desperate plea reached the heavens because I heard him finally get up.

‘He’s leaving, right?’

I glanced up with hope, but Reus wasn’t heading toward the door. Instead, he walked toward me and knelt down on one knee so he could look me in the eye.

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