Living a Scheming Marriage with a Mad Villain - Chapter 30

The third day since Reus left the Grand Duke’s castle. I had become somewhat used to life in the castle without Reus.

 

I woke up late and headed to the dining room for a late breakfast. But unlike usual, the butler Loteo stood firmly behind me without any sign of leaving.

 

It was the first time something like this happened, so I felt a bit awkward and looked around. Just then, the servants entered the dining room. They placed something on the empty space of the table.

 

It was a whipped cream cake, decorated with white miniature angel-shaped chocolates and edible flowers on top of intricate decorations.

 

“Your Grace, happy birthday. We sincerely congratulate you.”

 

“Oh…”

 

Right. Today was my birthday.

 

I had completely forgotten. Normally, around this time, I would be looking for another chance to escape, wouldn’t I? It hadn’t even been that long ago, yet now it felt so far away.

 

As I stared at the cake, Loteo spoke.

 

“This cake was ordered by the Grand Duke.”

 

“I see. It’s really beautiful.”

 

The butler nodded, clearly touched by Reus’s gesture, but I realized it right away.

 

Derwin must have prepared this.

 

The Laurence Bakery logo was on top of the cake. It was a very popular shop among noble ladies lately. Dwin was resourceful and well-informed about everything in the capital. It had to be him who arranged it.

 

Reus wouldn’t have known about a place like this. Besides, even if that wasn’t the reason, Reus…

 

Doesn’t seem to like me very much…

 

While thinking to myself, I suddenly realized something.

 

Hadn’t Reus always disliked me?

 

In that moment, all the cold looks and reactions I had received from Reus flashed through my mind, from beginning to end.

 

That’s right… he never liked me from the start.

 

I had gotten used to him not being openly hostile because I was his benefactor, and I had completely forgotten that truth.

 

I should forget what needs to be forgotten.

 

It wasn’t that long ago, but I had already started feeling hurt by each of Reus’s cold responses.

 

Before we were involved through the Silent Forest incident, he had always treated me the same. Honestly, he still didn’t welcome me.

 

From now on, I should stop deluding myself or forgetting. Reus never liked me in the first place, and now he’s just showing basic courtesy because I helped him.

 

Snapped back to reality by the sound of loud clapping from the servants, I quickly leaned forward and blew out the candles. Then everyone offered a few words of blessing.

 

“Congratulations, Your Grace!”

 

“Happy birthday!”

 

“Thank you all so much… Thank you for the cake and all the food. I’ll enjoy it. You must have worked hard.”

 

“Not at all, Your Grace! We were told to prepare it at the last minute, so we couldn’t even set up a proper birthday table. It’s us who are grateful to see you happy.”

 

“No, truly. Thank you. I really… really appreciate the celebration.”

 

It was sincere—without a single lie.

 

It was the first time a cake had been set in front of me just for me.

 

At the Count of Ivelle household, Peria absolutely hated my birthday. Unless I celebrated quietly with Annie, there was never even a chance.

 

Even then, we only managed to make a tiny cake-like shape using leftover pastries or bread from Peria and Briella, without candles, just a modest little gesture.

 

And now, receiving a real cake like this, and hearing genuine blessings and warm congratulations simply because I was born… it left me dazed.

 

I felt a strange emotion somewhere between being moved and being sad—it was hard to define, but it made my chest tighten.

 

If I hadn’t signed the contract with Reus, I wouldn’t have had this moment.

 

If Reus hadn’t decided to persuade me, maybe I would still be trapped in the basement, begging Peria for mercy.

 

But now, I no longer lived in the Count’s house.

 

I no longer woke up in a prison cell or a dusty storeroom, but in a warm bed where sunlight poured in every day. I no longer had to beg for leftover food from Peria and Briella—often going hungry. Now I had warm meals, varied dishes, and the constant kindness of the Grand Duke’s servants.

 

That alone always felt new and overwhelming. But to be sincerely celebrated just for being born… I had never imagined such a thing could happen in my life.

 

I wished I could somehow capture this moment forever and keep it close for the rest of my life.

 

I felt a deep, renewed gratitude toward Reus. Even though it was a contract with a goal, it allowed me to make good memories before leaving the Empire.

 

It was the first peaceful birthday of my life—something I would never forget.

 

Today again, I was doing my best to memorize what Derwin had taught me.

 

There were still many things I had to do as the Grand Duchess, and many more I needed to learn. But it didn’t feel difficult. In fact, it was better than doing nothing like I had at first. Actually, it was fun, and every day felt rewarding.

 

It’s not even my house, and yet I’m acting like this…

 

Still, while I was here, I wanted to do my best not to be a burden to Reus or the people who had worked hard for the Rochester house.

 

So I shook off my thoughts and focused harder on the documents. I was deep in concentration when I suddenly felt someone looking at me. Maybe I was still a bit on edge from the incident with Theron, because I quickly looked up.

 

Thankfully, it wasn’t Theron. I didn’t know when he arrived, but it was Derwin, watching me.

 

“Derwin? Do you need a document?”

 

I gave him a look that said, “Just tell me,” but no answer came right away. After hesitating for a long moment, Derwin finally spoke.

 

“His Grace… will probably return sometime today or tomorrow.”

 

“Really?”

 

Reus would be back even before the full week he mentioned was over—perhaps a whole day early.

 

So I really worried for nothing.

 

Remembering how my concern might have seemed like an overreaction to Reus made me feel a little embarrassed.

 

“Did he say what time he’ll arrive?”

 

“At the earliest, it will be close to midnight. So it’s best to expect him around dawn.”

 

“I’m glad he’s coming back earlier than planned.”

 

“Yes.”

 

But Derwin response felt lacking. His gaze dropped, like he had more to say.

 

“Derwin, if there’s something else, feel free to say it.”

 

“Well… His Grace tends to be a bit sensitive when he returns from the battlefield. He doesn’t like being disturbed while recovering.”

 

“I see. Thanks for letting me know. I might’ve made him uncomfortable without realizing.”

 

“And… I hope you won’t be too shocked.”

 

“Do you mean something specific…?”

 

“I mean his injuries. Even if you’re worried, it’s better to keep a bit of distance. There’s a high chance His Grace will see it as meddling…”

 

“I understand. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. Thank you, Derwin. Really.”

 

Dwin gave a faint smile, then turned back to his desk. Something about that smile stuck with me, but I soon returned to my paperwork.

 

In the haze of sleep, I heard a sound—it drifted into my ears, faded, then returned again. I dozed to the rhythm of it, until my eyes flew open.

 

I fell asleep…!

 

After hearing that the Rochester knights would arrive around dawn, I had planned to stay awake no matter how late, just to confirm Reus had returned and then sleep. But I must’ve dozed off without realizing.

 

I quickly got up, fixed my clothes and hair roughly, and followed the faint sound to the dressing room. I opened the door very carefully, not wanting to make a noise that might bother Reus.

 

In the flickering light, I saw Reus standing there. But… something felt off.

 

As I paused mid-step, Reus turned slightly and looked at me.

 

“Did I wake you?”

 

I couldn’t even answer. I just stood there, staring at one spot.

 

What caught my eye was Reus’s clothes—completely stained and blotchy.

 

It wasn’t dirt from rolling on the ground. Something had soaked into the fabric—it was damp, like it had been absorbed.

 

Then I noticed faint red stains showing on his dark clothes.

 

Could that be… all blood…?

 

As that thought crossed my mind, I thought I could smell a faint trace of blood in the air. I completely forgot Derwin warning and stepped closer to Reus.

 

“Reus, your clothes…”

 

“It’s nothing. You don’t need to worry.”

 

His calm voice was the opposite of my anxious reaction. His expression didn’t change at all, like it was no big deal, and that made me confused.

 

Maybe he’s not injured? Maybe it’s someone else’s blood…

 

Right. If he were hurt, there’s no way he’d look this composed and unaffected. I tried to calm my beating heart and stepped a bit closer.

 

That action didn’t match the relief I had just told myself I felt. Maybe some instinct deep inside me had picked up on something.

 

I just want to check, just for a moment…

 

That’s when Reus’s cold voice stopped me.

 

“Are you going to stand there all night?”

 

“If you’re not here to stare, I’d prefer it if you left.”

 

“I’m sorry. I’ll leave so you can change comfortably.”

 

I had wanted to check more closely, but the exhaustion in his posture was heavy and clear. With no other choice, I quietly left the dressing room.