Living a Scheming Marriage with a Mad Villain - Chapter 39

I was so startled by the low voice suddenly coming from behind me that I couldn’t even breathe.

 

A shadow fell over me as I froze in place, and I saw Reus’s face come into view.

 

“Did I scare you?”

 

“I assumed you heard me knock.”

 

“You… knocked?”

 

“If I startled you, I apologize.”

 

“No, it’s okay…! I was just lost in thought, that’s all…”

 

Honestly, I wanted to ask why he hadn’t turned on the lights when he came in, but I decided to let it go.

 

Thinking I should at least turn on the lights myself, I headed toward the door. After switching on the light and turning around, Reus was already behind me, naturally taking my hand and leading me to the table.

 

It was so smooth, I almost didn’t question it.

 

‘He touched me… when no one’s watching?’

 

We barely even talked when we were alone after the wedding. No, we barely made eye contact, actually.

 

While I was thinking about that, Reus gently sat me down in a chair and took the seat right next to me.

 

“So, what did you want to ask me?”

 

“I didn’t say anything…”

 

I tried to play it off, but it was clear from his expression that he already knew my mumbling had something to do with him.

 

At this point, I decided to change the subject.

 

“More importantly! I made up my mind. About the gift…”

 

Thankfully, Reus let it slide, as if deciding to just go along with it. He nodded like he was waiting to hear what I wanted.

 

“Books.”

 

He didn’t say anything in response. There was only a long, heavy silence. I felt a strange sense of rejection, so I hurried to explain.

 

“No…! I didn’t mean one book. I meant a lot. I want a lot of books.”

 

“A lot?”

 

“Yes… I get really bored doing nothing, and I’ve always loved reading.”

 

Now that I thought about it, Reus didn’t just want to give me a birthday gift. It felt more like he wanted to show appreciation for someone who helped him.

 

That’s probably why he didn’t react much when I mentioned my travel bag before—it must’ve felt too small to be a proper gesture of thanks.

 

So this time, I mentioned something that might cost a little more.

 

“Alright. A lot of books. But how will you carry them all to Veliata?”

 

I hadn’t thought about that. Am I the one who’s supposed to carry them?

 

“Then just a few…”

 

“That won’t be necessary.”

 

Why did he sigh like he knew this would happen?

 

“I’ll buy you a lot, so read them all. As for the gift…”

 

Reus had a frustrated expression on his face, like there was no point in asking what I wanted.

 

It was the first time he showed such a personal emotion that wasn’t anger or disapproval, and I found it a bit fascinating.

 

But somehow, that look of giving up… stung my pride.

 

‘It’s not like I’m refusing just to be difficult…’

 

Do I even need a gift? Honestly, the money steadily building up in my account is more than enough.

 

I was about to suggest that, but Reus, quick as ever, spoke first.

 

“When you finally want something—whether it’s an object, a favor, or anything else—I’ll grant it instead.”

 

“A favor?”

 

“Yes, a favor.”

 

So… like a wish?

 

‘If it’s anything, could it be something like a get-out-of-trouble card? Like not getting scolded when he’s angry, or refusing a gift altogether… Something like that.’

 

I looked up to ask just how far that offer went. But before I even spoke, Reus answered.

 

“Of course, small things like what you’re thinking don’t count.”

 

“I didn’t say anything yet.”

 

“I could see it all on your face. You should work on hiding your thoughts better.”

 

I wanted to say something back, but I had nothing.

 

Then Reus placed something on the table. It was an old, faded key.

 

“What kind of key is this?”

 

“It’s the library key.”

 

I gave Reus a quiet, accusing look, feeling a little betrayed.

 

‘So he already knew what I was curious about and pretended not to.’

 

“Sorry for figuring it out in advance.”

 

“Don’t apologize for things like that…”

 

“Okay.”

 

“Did you just smile?”

 

“No. I didn’t.”

 

I was sure I saw a slight grin.

 

But Reus denied it so seriously, I couldn’t question it further.

 

Letting it go for now, I looked at the key. Loteo had seemed hesitant to talk about it, almost like it had a story behind it, so I felt like I should be careful. But…

 

‘I got the key so easily.’

 

It was a good thing, but for some reason, I felt worried instead of happy.

 

Was it a mistake to ask? I couldn’t shake the feeling that Loteo wouldn’t have reacted that way for no reason.

 

‘It was such a subtle reaction… hard to put into words.’

 

As I fiddled with the key, Reus spoke.

 

“I don’t know what Loteo told you, but there wasn’t a particular reason the library was closed. So don’t feel pressured.”

 

Right. If Reus was handing over the key this easily, then whatever the reason was, it couldn’t be that serious.

 

Loteo’s expression still lingered in my mind, but I smiled anyway.

 

“I’ll keep it safe so I don’t lose it. Thank you, Reus.”

 

The next day, after lunch, I headed to the library to use the key.

 

When I put the key into the lock, it made a loud metallic sound, as if to show how long it had been unused. The key kept slipping and didn’t turn easily.

 

After trying this way and that for a while, I finally managed to unlock the door.

 

I gently opened the wooden door, its paint peeling in places, and stepped inside to find a high-ceilinged lobby.

 

“Wow…”

 

From the outside, it looked weathered with age, but the inside of the library was completely different. The spacious lobby, lined with marble, clearly showed signs of care and attention, even in the smallest details.

 

I passed through the lobby and walked toward the door that led deeper into the library. As soon as I opened it, a soft warmth brushed past me.

 

I wondered if I needed to clean, but now I understood why Reus had just handed me the key without saying anything.

 

‘He must’ve placed a preservation spell on it.’

 

Everything inside the library felt frozen in time, just as it had been before it was closed.

 

The dark wooden floor still held traces of footsteps. There were half-organized stacks of books left in the middle of paths. Large wooden desks gave off the faint smell of sunlight. Even the way the sunlight streamed through the shelves at the same time each day.

 

There was nothing grand, but it felt more special than anywhere else in the Grand Duke’s estate.

 

Maybe because, unlike the other neglected parts of the estate, this place held someone’s affection?

 

I wandered quietly through the large library, forgetting that I had come to read.

 

The library, massive even from the outside, was divided into three floors. Exploring every corner from the first to the third floor took quite a bit of time.

 

But I never got bored.

 

Walking along the subtly different walls in each section, I could see traces of hands that had touched the spines of books. That added a small joy to the experience.

 

As I followed those traces, I discovered hidden corners throughout the library, and each time, I made sure to sit down.

 

Just sitting there, with the sunlight and the picture-perfect view outside the windows, lifted my spirits.

 

After wandering around for a long while, I found stairs on the third floor that led up to another level.

 

The steps were discolored, as if someone had walked up and down them often.

 

I followed those steps slowly. At the top was a small space with a glass ceiling.

 

It must’ve been the area under the glass dome I’d seen from afar.

 

The space felt like a cozy room. And it wasn’t just a feeling—it was actually decorated like one.

 

It looked like… someone’s secret hideout.

 

There was a neatly folded blanket and a pillow on the sofa. Light-colored papers and pens were scattered on the floor. And behind them… crayons of many colors.

 

The wall behind the crayons was covered with papers.

 

They were all drawings. The lines across the paper were clumsy, clearly drawn by an unskilled hand.

 

I sat on the sofa, perfect for looking at the pictures, and began examining them one by one.

 

Three people stood in front of a golden palace—what looked like a child with their smiling parents.

 

There were also drawings of the white rose garden on the west side of the Grand Duke’s estate, and other familiar places around the estate, all showing scenes of a happy family.

 

The settings, colors, and poses were all different, but the emotions felt in each drawing were the same.

 

Pure love for the parents. The innocent, boundless happiness the child must’ve felt at the time.

 

As I slowly looked through the drawings, my gaze landed on the especially bright, smiling child.

 

A child with silver hair, holding tightly onto their parents’ hands, smiling like they were the happiest person in the world.

 

This must be the child who drew these.

 

‘It’s Reus…’

 

Of course Reus had a childhood. But until I saw these drawings, I had never really thought about it.

 

‘He used to be… so cheerful.’

 

To know moments like these existed—and that he still held on to them—was a good thing. Yet, for some reason, I felt a lump in my throat.

 

The gap between the cheerful child drawn in bright colors and the Reus of today felt too big to handle.

 

What kind of things must happen to someone for them to change so much that it’s hard to even imagine they were once that bright?

 

What did he lose? What precious things did he have to give up to become who he is now? What kind of heart did it take to endure all of that?

 

I couldn’t even guess, and that made my heart ache even more. I couldn’t bring myself to leave that space for a long time.