Living a Scheming Marriage with a Mad Villain - Chapter 44

“Does it trouble you?”

 

“If I said I was fine… that would be a lie.”

 

Of course, it wasn’t something said out of concern for  and her group.

 

It was just that, after learning everything about the situation, she found herself a bit concerned about Elia.

 

‘Did I push Elia too far into a corner myself…?’

 

As soon as that thought came to her, Reus spoke with slight frustration.

 

“Her parents took care of the damage, and you didn’t even plan to get that angry. Lady Pillaren was just lucky. So, why would you feel uncomfortable?”

 

“That’s true, but…”

 

“Boldly enough, the Viscount couple even switched out the invitation just to bring you there. So there’s no reason for you to dwell on it any longer. Unless you’re just feeling indignant.”

 

She had a faint sense that she was acting foolishly, but it wasn’t easy to remain emotionally detached as she had hoped.

 

Maybe just the fact that something like this had happened was still weighing on her. At least for today, she could understand why Reus seemed frustrated with her.

 

“And this mountain range too. It’s right next to Horen, which is practically a wasteland.”

 

‘So this mountain range is next to Horen, huh.’

 

Just like Reus said, Horen was known as undeveloped wasteland, similar to the Forest of Silence. The owner had been desperate to sell it but hadn’t been able to.

 

And the surrounding area was in a similar state, so it couldn’t exactly be called good land.

 

They called it a token of goodwill, and it really did seem like the land was chosen to cause her the least burden.

 

Just as she was starting to feel grateful again that Reus had truly taken her words into account—

 

“There’s a gold mine buried beneath it.”

 

“What?”

 

“The Viscount is the type to give up quickly. He didn’t even know there was a gold mine, and after leaving it unused for three years, he was happy to sign over the mountain range when I asked.”

 

“How did you even find that out…?”

 

“I think it’s weirder that the Viscount didn’t know.”

 

It was a real shame that Viscount Pillaren hadn’t known. And right now, Reus…

 

‘He really sounds like a villain.’

 

She stared at him in silence for a moment, and then Reus asked her calmly,

 

“What? Do I seem like a bad person?”

 

“No. Just…”

 

Well. By Reus’s standards, he probably didn’t even count as one of the bad ones.

 

‘More than that, I’m once again amazed by Anas’s information network.’

 

It looked like no one else knew about the gold vein. The Viscount had wasted the land until now and gladly signed the donation papers, completely unaware.

 

Yet somehow, they had discovered that a gold mine was buried deep within the mountain someone had only partially mined. With that level of intelligence, it made sense that they’d discovered the secret of her birth.

 

‘But how did Reus find that out?’

 

Before her father brought her into the mansion, he had spent years removing anyone who knew she was an illegitimate child. It might not be something to call a blessing, but… that’s probably why no one had discovered the truth until now.

 

‘He said he didn’t always know—so who told him?’

 

Just then, Reus sighed softly.

 

“Almost forgot. I’ll be taking proper action against the Lanof and Wellet families as well. I’ve never had direct dealings with them in business, so it could’ve been a headache—but luckily, both families own shops on Ferrochel Street.”

 

Is “luckily” really the right word for something like this…?

 

Ferrochel Street was the second most populous place after the capital of the Ashelit Empire.

 

In other words, it was a prime business location compared to other regions.

 

It was no wonder that many nobles and middle-class merchants were desperate to get even one spot there, to the point of waiting in line for permission.

 

And now, he was saying he’d kick them out of that area entirely, just like that?

 

This was not something to be taken lightly.

 

“I’ve already told them to vacate by the end of the month, so it’ll be handled quicker than you think. Of course, from now on, they won’t set foot on any land owned by House Rochester ever again.”

 

“There’s nothing more, right?”

 

If they were kicked out in that way, even if Reus didn’t say a word, the other nobles would naturally learn what had happened.

 

Rumors would surely spread in society that the ducal family had shown their displeasure, and the families’ reputations would undoubtedly suffer. If there was more to it than that—

 

‘That would be something truly frightening I hadn’t even imagined.’

 

But Reus didn’t respond.

 

“Reus…?”

 

“Unfortunately, we don’t have much connection to the Marquis of Plona… but don’t worry, I still gave a proper warning. We might be crossing paths soon anyway.”

 

Excuse me… Duke, you didn’t answer my question.

 

At this point, she almost started to feel concerned for , who hadn’t yet paid the price.

 

Loelle received a sincere apology from Elia, and the matter with the Viscount’s house was completely settled.

 

Peace returned to the Rochester ducal estate for the first time in a while, but outside the domain, things were still a bit noisy. So, Reus canceled all of Loelle’s public schedules.

 

Unexpectedly free, Loelle spent her time comfortably reading in the library.

 

However, the maid Millie began to worry about her lady.

 

‘It’s already been a week… She hasn’t left the library.’

 

To Loelle, it was a way to relieve the stress she’d felt at the Viscount’s estate. But the servants were worried the duke and duchess might be fighting and hiding it from them.

 

Especially since the Duke returned to the estate two days after the Duchess, and then immediately left again for the Viscount’s house—it added to the confusion.

 

But soon enough, people realized that the Duchess was simply enjoying her quiet time in the library, and the Duke was just disappointed he couldn’t be with her more.

 

‘Still… his jealousy is a bit much if it’s directed at books.’

 

Millie, more than most of the staff, truly admired the relationship between the Duke and Duchess.

 

And with good reason. Noble society was, frankly, a mess.

 

Most noble marriages were purely for gain. Half of the married nobles had affairs, and some even kept separate lovers within their own households—there was no need to say more to show how bad it was.

 

The family Millie had served before coming here was just like that.

 

But the Rochester house was different.

 

There were no shouting matches, no arrogant lovers to wait on, and no tense atmosphere to tread carefully in.

 

And the way the Duke and Duchess cared for each other was heartwarming to see.

 

‘Though I rarely get to see them together, since the Duke is so busy.’

 

So Millie decided to help her blunt mistress.

 

Lately, it was obvious to all the staff that the Duke would stop working just to stare longingly at the Duchess.

 

Then, if I bring Her Grace out to the garden—perfect!

 

“Your Grace, how about reading outside today? You’ve been in the library for days.”

 

“Outside?”

 

“The weather is lovely today. How about reading in the garden like you usually do? I’ll quickly bring your favorite tea and some treats!”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Though Millie’s suggestion was good, her mistress’s reaction was lukewarm. Loelle seemed to consider it for a moment, then leaned back in her chair again.

 

“I think the sunlight coming through here is enough.”

 

“B-but…! If you stay cooped up in the library, His Grace will worry!”

 

Loelle gave a small laugh, maybe finding Millie’s concern cute.

 

“He’s not the type to worry about things like that.”

 

Not the type to worry? As if!

 

Everyone in the estate had seen Reus trying to make Loelle eat just one more spoonful at every meal. Of course he would worry about her staying in the library all day.

 

He even gets jealous over books, after all.

 

“Still! Please read outside today. There’s a nice breeze—it’s perfect weather for reading. And you even skipped lunch today! I’ll bring you something filling right away.”

 

“Right. I did have too many desserts earlier, so I skipped lunch.”

 

Loelle, who always found a way to dodge around concerns, made Millie look even more worried.

 

“I’m just really worried you’ll get sick like this, okay?”

 

Though she was reluctant to move her lazy body, Loelle finally headed to the garden, unable to ignore Millie’s constant worrying.

 

At that time, Reus stood by the window, leaning slightly and gazing out at the garden with bored eyes.

 

His mood had been gloomy for no reason lately, and the weather was annoyingly bright.

 

The sunlit garden, the soft breeze through the green grass, even the birds singing cheerfully—it all got on his nerves.

 

Thinking he might feel better if he got up and moved around, he had risen, only to feel even worse. He decided to end this foolish effort today.

 

Just as he turned away, a woman entered his field of vision. Reus straightened his body again and stepped closer to the window.

 

‘What brings her to the garden today?’

 

But Reus still didn’t look happy. Maybe it was because he’d heard she skipped lunch again. For some reason, she looked even more fragile today.

 

She was merely walking on the grass, yet Reus watched her closely without blinking.

 

‘Does she really have to wear such high heels?’

 

Compared to other noblewomen, Loelle’s heels were practically flat. But Reus still worried, quite seriously, that her slender ankles might get hurt.

 

He had come to accept worrying about Loelle naturally. It was because of a decision he had recently made:

 

To stop denying any thoughts or concerns that came up when it came to Loelle.

 

‘Because Loel… is my savior.’

 

It sounded a bit like he was just rationalizing, but still.

 

Once Loelle safely sat down, Reus’s eyes softened, and rare comfort settled in his blue eyes.

 

He was so focused on watching her that he lost himself in thought—until someone suddenly appeared.

 

Up to that point, Reus hadn’t been in a particularly bad mood.