Living a Scheming Marriage with a Mad Villain - Chapter 28

He hadn’t even raised his voice, but the raw emotion came out so sharply, it felt almost cutting.

 

“If you understood, then why don’t you just get lost?”

 

Reus’s tone and voice were clearly rougher than usual. Anyone could tell he had lost his patience. But Cassien, as if completely unfazed, just went on with something absurd.

 

“I can’t do that. I must speak with Loelle today, no matter what.”

 

Is he seriously out of his mind…?

 

While society was generous toward extramarital affairs for government officials, affairs among nobles were considered one of the greatest taboos.

 

Even if Cassien was known for making all the women in the capital cry, this kind of behavior was unforgivable. It was the kind of thing that would definitely stir up gossip.

 

And yet, knowing that, he still had the audacity to approach a married woman like this. On top of that, he was saying it directly to her husband—who also happened to be a Grand Duke of the Empire—that he wanted to take her away.

 

No wonder Reus openly frowned.

 

“I didn’t know you were still this clueless about your place.”

 

“Your Highness shouldn’t be the one saying that after stealing someone else’s fiancée.”

 

“Cassien!”

 

Startled by the sarcasm in his tone, I reflexively called out his name.

 

A strange tension briefly hung in the air between the two. Soon, Reus stepped a little closer to Cassien.

 

“You think even a conversation like that will make Loelle come back to you?”

 

“If Loelle just knew how I really feel… no, she doesn’t even know what went wrong, so she’s by your side…”

 

Before Cassien could even finish, Reus let out a short, bitter laugh.

 

“Looks like you still don’t get it.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Reus had a full-on sneer at the corner of his lips.

 

“Loelle had already decided to break things off with you completely—even before she met me.

 

“You barely even know her. What do you think you’re going to do if you go back?”

 

The underlying message was clear: it was time to give up the pointless pride.

 

Unlike before, at Count Ivelle estate, Reus didn’t bother wasting any more time on Cassien, who now stood there stupidly. He turned his back. Leaving behind a dejected Cassien, we left the Britian Palace.

 

Not a single word was exchanged between Reus and me until we arrived at the Grand Duke’s castle from the Britian Palace. I wondered if he was angry with me… but that didn’t seem to be the case either.

 

Still, something was definitely different from before we went to the Imperial Palace.

 

‘I heard he was summoned by the Emperor…’

 

What in the world happened between leaving the ballroom and returning?

 

I knew I shouldn’t dwell on it, but it wasn’t easy to ignore. I had to keep seeing him, after all—and like it or not, we even shared a bedroom.

 

‘And now that I’ve realized Reus isn’t a completely bad person… I don’t even dislike him like I used to.’

 

While I was lost in thought, there was a knock on the door. I quickly got up to greet the visitor.

 

“Dewin, come in.”

 

“As His Highness mentioned, I’ll be assisting you for the time being. I look forward to working with you.”

 

“I look forward to it too.”

 

Starting today, Dewin would take full responsibility for teaching me everything I needed to know as the Grand Duchess.

 

It was nice to finally have something to do, but a problem soon popped up.

 

‘Am I even allowed to look at this…?’

 

Contrary to my expectations that it would just be superficial training, the documents Dewin showed me revealed highly confidential information about the inner workings of the Rochester Duchy.

 

Could it be… he’s going to get rid of me before I leave?

 

As I stared at the documents in thought, I hesitantly opened my mouth.

 

“But… am I really allowed to know all this? It’s a bit concerning…”

 

“You are the Grand Duchess, even if just for now. And even someone like me is entrusted with this work.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

“It’ll be much easier for you if you understand the big picture.”

 

Only three people in the castle knew about this contract: Reus, Dewin, and me.

 

If it were just the two of them I had to interact with, maybe all this wouldn’t be necessary. But to everyone else, I was the official Grand Duchess of Rochester. So it was better for me to know as much as possible if I was going to be speaking with others in the castle about work.

 

I understood why they were showing me this much, but… I still couldn’t help feeling anxious.

 

No matter how I thought about it, something just didn’t sit right. While I kept quiet, Dewin seemed to pick up on my worry and spoke in a reassuring tone.

 

“Of course, you won’t face any harm or consequences. His Highness may seem cold, but he’s not the kind of person who would hurt someone who’s helped him.”

 

“Okay.”

 

I smiled politely and nodded.

 

Reus seemed completely calm, even rational. But remembering how he’d eventually lose sight of everything except rebellion and turn into a full-blown villain…

 

‘Well… you never really know with people.’

 

I’d read with my own eyes how he pointed his sword more and more at the Emperor’s closest aides, and eventually led the ducal knights to storm the Imperial Palace. That memory made the current peace feel hollow.

 

I just hoped he could stay sane until I managed to escape.

 

While Dewin was away after being called by Reus, I reviewed the parts he had explained earlier. Then suddenly, I got the strange feeling someone was watching me from behind.

 

I slowly turned my head and couldn’t help but widen my eyes.

 

“You’ve got good instincts.”

 

A tall man was standing right behind me! I was so startled my chair rattled from the sudden jolt of my body.

 

I was too shocked to even say anything, trying to calm my pounding heart. Theron looked at me and chuckled playfully before pushing my chair closer to the desk again.

 

“I meant to tell you that day, but I forgot. I try to stay unnoticed, so I usually move around like this. Ah—and I came today because of this.”

 

Theron moved to the front and placed something on the desk.

 

‘Is this… an ID card?’

 

It was my new identification card, the one I hadn’t been able to get because I’d spent all my money saving Reus.

 

‘It’s real. My new ID card…’

 

I had wanted it so badly, but now that I had it in my hands, it didn’t feel real. I kept turning it over and over.

 

“You like it that much?”

 

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling and gave a small nod.

 

‘Of course I’m happy—it’s worth over 100 million rupes!’

 

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I’d lived my whole life chasing this. I’d spent every day at Count Ivelle estate walking on eggshells just to save that money.

 

I didn’t know what was so funny, but Theron laughed again and handed me something else.

 

“This is a bank account under that name.”

 

“But… there’s money in it…?”

 

I’d assumed the account would be empty since it was under my new identity, but it already had a significant balance.

 

Actually, to me, it felt like a huge amount.

 

“Oh—that? It’s money that came out of Count Ivelle estate recently. Just so you know, the dowry you brought will take a bit longer to convert into cash.”

 

So that means…

 

‘It wasn’t obtained through entirely legal means, huh.’

 

Not that I felt bad about it—my father had used all sorts of tricks to build his fortune.

 

“From now on, any money from the Ivelle estate will be deposited here. If you’re not planning on making frequent trips, I can keep managing it. What do you want to do?”

 

Honestly, I was already so satisfied with the amount in the account that I wanted to keep it in my room and look at it every day.

 

‘Still, better to be careful until I leave the Empire.’

 

“I’d like you to keep managing it, Theron.”

 

“Sure, no problem.”

 

Just when I thought we were done, Theron walked over to the sofa, leaned back, and quietly stared at me.

 

He looked like he was observing me—or maybe trying to figure something out.

 

“Is it tough living with Reus?”

 

“It’s not that hard.”

 

“So you’re not saying it’s easy either.”

 

“I’m surprised though. I thought you’d run away screaming that you couldn’t take it.”

 

Of course it was hard sometimes, and seeing him reminded me of the story version of him, which could be scary…

 

‘But it’s still so much better than being at Ivelle.’

 

Here, I got proper meals with quality food, and even dessert afterward. No one hit me like Peria did, or treated me like I was invisible like Father and Briella did. And best of all, the bed was warm and comfortable.

 

There was no end to the things that were better than Ivelle.

 

‘Well… Reus does ignore me, but in a different way.’

 

Sometimes when we were alone, Reus acted like he forgot I even existed. But honestly, I didn’t mind that at all.

 

It was better than having meaningless conversations.

 

“Still, if it ever gets too hard.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Just tell me. That guy might seem quiet, but he’s got a nasty temper.”

 

Theron flopped onto the sofa and continued.

 

“I can help you take a breather. Worst case, I can get you out to Veliata right away.”

 

“Oh… Thank you. I really appreciate your concern.”

 

I meant it sincerely, but Theron burst into laughter.

 

“Ah, sorry. I’m just used to dealing with ruthless people, so hearing that kind of reaction is new. It’s kind of fun in its own way.”

 

‘What’s so funny about that…’

 

I glanced at him with mild annoyance, but Theron just kept laughing.