Living a Scheming Marriage with a Mad Villain - Chapter 51

What could he be thinking about to be so lost in thought like that?

Loelle called the name of the man staring blankly at him once again.

“Reus?”

“I’m sorry. I was distracted by other thoughts for a moment… Could you say that again?”

“Oh, I meant after I leave…”

It had been only a few minutes since Loelle fully realized his own feelings, but the first thing he said assumed their end together.

For a moment, a strong wave hit his heart, but Reus put on a deliberately calm expression.

“I was just wondering if you had any plans, even small ones. Um… for example, maybe hiring a real duchess or something like that.”

Though that expression quickly cracked. Even though Loelle knew a positive answer was unlikely, the reason he brought up this topic was simple.

He hoped that after Reus’s long history of attempted rebellion, he would not die as in the original story.

That he would definitely survive, be properly compensated for all he lost, and live a life where he wouldn’t have to give up anything anymore. That he could live an ordinary life like everyone else — Loelle sincerely wished for that.

So when he casually asked if Reus planned to have a new duchess after Loelle left, it came from genuine concern.

But regardless, Loelle’s words imagining their end dragged Reus’s previously hazy mood down into a swamp immediately.

“I don’t think I will have a new duchess…”

“Hmmm…”

Disappointment clearly showed in Loelle’s downward gaze.

‘I hope Reus meets someone he truly loves.’

Though a bit rough, seeing how he could care for others and clumsily try to show kindness, it was certain he would treat someone he really loved even better. And if he met that person, Reus’s sensitivity might ease, allowing him to live more comfortably than before.

“Still, if you do meet someone new as your duchess, I think Reus will treat his wife very well.”

“Is that so?”

“So, I hope you won’t think so negatively and seriously consider it. Maybe a good person will appear like fate.”

Reus, silent for a moment, gave a slightly bitter smile.

“You do have a cruel side.”

“Huh?”

“Then you, do you plan to marry in Veliata?”

It was a somewhat impulsive question. Reus immediately wished he could take back his words after saying them. But the question was already out.

Loelle was already deeply imagining a future in Veliata.

‘I’ve never really thought about it since escape was always my top priority.’

Still, life in Veliata would likely be more stable than living at Count Ivelle’s.

‘I don’t know if it will be as nice as the grand duke’s castle…’

By the time he found more peace and adapted to life in Veliata…

‘Maybe I could reconsider marriage.’

After getting far away from expected dangers, it seemed quite possible. Loelle said his thoughts plainly.

“I’m thinking of staying in Veliata for a while, and if I like it, settling there permanently, so probably yes.”

Did he realize his answer was stirring pain?

If so, he wouldn’t have smiled so brightly, with a face like sunshine.

‘What kind of answer was I expecting when I asked that question?’

He mocked his own foolishness but his heart still felt blocked and heavy.

“I hope each of us, Reus and me, can have such a happy time. Right?”

An ordinary life. It was the future Loelle had wished for all his life and deserved blessings. But his usually quick-to-lie lips didn’t move today.

Reus couldn’t even say, not even as an empty phrase, that he hoped things would turn out the way Loelle wished. A few days after tea with Reus, he suddenly asked about the festival currently happening in the capital.

“A festival?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve only heard that the fireworks are beautiful, but I don’t know anything else about the festival.”

Reus hesitated at first but continued.

“You said you wanted to see the festival, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did say that…”

At the last tea time, Loelle had casually mentioned wanting to see the festival once before leaving the empire.

But now, as duchess, he knew that attending the festival would complicate things in many ways.

The easiest way for the duchess to visit would be controlling the festival street crowd, but that wouldn’t be good for either the guarded duchess or the uncontrolled crowd.

Knowing this, Loelle had only lightly mentioned wanting to see it once.

‘And nobles rarely go to festivals held at this time anyway…’

Only a very few would enjoy them.

Among those few, most would rent the best viewing spots for fireworks or the like.

Otherwise, very young nobles disguised as commoners freely roam the streets.

‘Reus wouldn’t allow me to join that kind of thing, much less join himself.’

Did he mean we should rent a restaurant or a fancy bar to enjoy the festival?

“If you mean renting a place to watch, that’s fine. I only said that casually, so you don’t have to worry too much…”

“There is also the option of dressing inconspicuously and going to the street directly.”

“What?”

“I heard there is a magic tool that can even change hair color for a short time.”

The unexpected words made my eyes widen automatically.

Did that mean I could see and enjoy the festival even like that, or…

Could he mean he would go with me? I was a bit confused.

‘No way.’

Even though Reus has been spending a lot of time with me lately and trying to accommodate me, the latter didn’t seem likely.

“If I do that, you won’t allow it, saying it’s too risky, right?”

With a slightly teasing reply, Reus answered seriously.

“If we go together, there won’t be any problem.”

What did I just hear? My eyes widened even more.

‘That means he’ll disguise himself and walk around with me, right?’

Reus, tilting his head slightly and staring at me, said,

“I know it’s surprising, but you’re going to pop your eyes out.”

“Ah, um… sorry, haha… So, you mean you will go with me to the festival street?”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

Reus nodded once, but I didn’t believe it and asked again.

“Really…?”

“Yes, really.”

I didn’t know why he suddenly decided that, but I could hardly hide my excitement. Trying not to laugh, my smile kept spreading.

Thinking it was the last time, I confirmed once more.

“Really?”

“Yeah, really. I think you understand by the look on your face, so why keep asking?”

Reus teased, but I couldn’t stop laughing.

To go to the festival, we came to a hotel owned by the Rochester family. The Rochester family owns three hotels in the empire, and one of them was this hotel in the capital.

I had heard the hotel grounds took up a large area in the capital, so I expected the hotel to be grand and magnificent.

But in the middle of the grounds, there was only a single building with not many floors. Still, although the hotel was simple, great care was clearly taken with the surrounding landscape.

In front of the ivory-colored hotel building stood a large and intricate artificial fountain, and the space around it was a beautifully landscaped walking path without a single wasted spot.

The lush greenery was refreshing just to look at.

‘It really feels like a summer villa.’

The carriage slowed and then stopped completely. When I got out, the manager, Luden, who had come out to greet us, welcomed us warmly.

“I’ve been looking forward to today since I heard the two of you were coming together. Nice to meet you, Your Grace. I’m Luden, the general manager of the Rochester Hotel.”

“Nice to meet you, Luden. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Luden said he had worked as general manager of this hotel for 38 years. Having devoted almost his entire life to the hotel, he was very skilled at dealing with people.

Listening to Luden’s stories, we soon arrived at the room on the top floor of the hotel.

“Well then, have a good time.”

“Thank you. I hope you have a good evening too, Luden.”

Luden smiled and started to leave but suddenly stopped and turned back toward us.

“If you want to use the spa, please let us know anytime. We’ll prepare it for you whenever you want.”

Spa? They have that too?

Noticing my interest, Luden briefly explained.

“There is an outdoor pool for couples with the best view of the landscape. Oh, and to reassure you, no one outside can see the pool, so you don’t have to worry.”

I understood there was a pool at the best scenic spot, and that the spa was recommended to relieve fatigue.

But what Luden’s words implied somehow felt like…

‘It sounds like a place for married couples to use together.’

When I glanced at Reus, he gave a look that said I didn’t need to ask more because I had guessed right.

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