Living a Scheming Marriage with a Mad Villain - Chapter 91

So this really works.

“Why does it work, though?”

But I only felt relieved for a moment. All the effort I had put into avoiding the topic came back to me in the form of a lavish meal late at night. I was the one who had to eat it, so I didn’t understand why it felt like only Reus was benefiting.

“It’s going into my stomach, after all.”

I knew it was a weird line of thinking, but Reus, who was sitting right next to me, looked just as pleased with the situation. Maybe I should feel lucky I wasn’t the only one thinking strange things…?

“If I had known it’d turn out like this, I should’ve just pretended to be sick…”

“Loelle. Didn’t you say you were hungry?”

“Aren’t you going to eat, Reus?”

“I’m not particularly interested.”

Unlike you. His voice carried a slightly irritating tone, as if he was disappointed. Since I wasn’t at the point where I couldn’t eat at all, I picked up my spoon. Just before I started, I asked Reus, just in case.

“Is it wrong to bring personal feelings into work?”

“Who knows.”

“I’m an emotional person, so I wouldn’t know.”

I had practically asked Reus outright what he was thinking, but his answer wasn’t one anyone could agree with.

“I’ve never heard anything like that before.”

“Well, at least now you know a little more about me.”

If nothing else, I was certain of one thing: Reus had a way of making even the most ridiculous things sound serious.

“You weren’t like this before.”

“I’ve always been like this.”

“Liar…”

As if to say “enough stalling,” Reus lightly pushed my suspended arm toward the table. Reluctantly, I began eating.

Then, I suddenly felt dumbfounded again. Who would’ve thought I’d be worrying about such silly things because of this man?

“When did I start worrying about this kind of stuff?”

Reus often did unexpected things in the most unexpected places. With that face that looked like he’d never mix business with personal feelings, I couldn’t help but worry that he might actually do just that—but strangely, it didn’t feel all that weird anymore.

“Now I’m not worried if he’ll do it, but how much he’ll do it”

I didn’t want to defend Rose’s behavior, but I also didn’t want to respond to every childish act of jealousy from someone who wasn’t even of age yet.

“Besides, Theron already embarrassed her in a similar way.”

At first, I thought about pretending not to know anything like I usually do, but I remembered that Reus wasn’t the kind of person to just let things slide. So in the end, I decided to come clean.

“That matter… it’s already over. It wasn’t as serious as you think. Actually, no—it didn’t even become a problem because Theron already—”

“Theron again.”

Suddenly, Reus’s voice turned rough, clearly irritated.

Had I talked about Theron that much? I didn’t think I had, but his reaction made it seem like he was already sick of hearing the name.

“Reus, Theron didn’t do anything wrong—”

“He didn’t act before it became a problem—he waited until it was a problem before stepping in. What kind of bodyguard protects their charge like that?”

“It’s Theron’s first time being a guard—”

“So you’re taking his side?”

“No, I’m not trying to take sides, but…”

I said it out of concern, worried their already strained relationship would get worse. But it seemed like my words only made Reus more upset.

“Why are you so angry…?”

“Why?”

His expression seemed to say, Do you really not know? But of course, I didn’t.

Reus shifted slightly as if he were about to say something, then leaned back into his chair with a heavy thud.

“Forget it.”

If there’s one thing I knew, it was that Reus was not the kind of person to hold back what he wanted to say.

I told him he could speak freely if he had something on his mind, but in the end, he said nothing. He just squinted his eyes in annoyance and turned his head away.

This was the first time he had outright refused to talk to me.

The next morning came, but Reus still didn’t seem to be in a good mood. If anything, he looked even more down than he had the night before.

He didn’t ignore me or refuse to speak, but…

“Reus, you’re not still upset, are you?”

“I’m not.”

“Hmmm…”

He said he wasn’t, but his stiff demeanor clearly showed he still hadn’t let it go.

“Loelle. At the very least, don’t skip meals.”

Even then, he didn’t forget to meddle in anything related to me, and soon after, we left the hotel.

“What exactly is he so angry about?”

If he could still nag me like usual, it didn’t seem like he was truly angry at me. I spent the entire morning thinking it over, but couldn’t find an answer.

“Whatever. I’ll just read a book.”

I had brought five books on this trip, thinking I’d have plenty of time to read—but today was the first time I opened one. I was sitting under the window, deep in the pages, when a voice suddenly dropped from above me, startling me so much I dropped the book.

“You were so focused you didn’t even hear someone come in?”

“Ah… did you knock?”

“Yeah. I even shouted loudly, but you didn’t hear me?”

Theron picked up the book from the floor and placed it on the table. He squinted at the title, then grimaced.

“You’re reading this kind of book on a trip?”

“What’s wrong with it…?”

“How many people read philosophy books while traveling?”

“Well, I find it interesting—”

“Honestly, you may seem quiet, but you’re a real oddball.”

Just like at the Grand Duke’s estate, I was reading because I had nothing else to do. I didn’t know that made me an “oddball.”

“Have you eaten lunch?”

“Oh.”

I looked at the clock and realized it was well past lunchtime. After eating so much last night and sleeping right after, I wasn’t hungry at all, and had missed the meal.

“I think I’ll skip lunch.”

“It’s your choice… but won’t he kick up a fuss again?”

“Um…”

He didn’t say the name, but anyone could tell he meant Reus.

Theron frowned like he was frustrated, then waved it off, as if to say I shouldn’t worry about his reaction.

“Fine. Eat or don’t—it’s up to you. No one dies from skipping one meal.”

That last part, I completely agreed with.

I nodded slightly and reopened the book Theron had placed on the table. Just as I rested my chin on my hand and started reading again, he spoke up.

“Don’t you get bored?”

It seemed he didn’t really understand what I was reading—maybe even the idea of reading itself didn’t appeal to him.

“You’re doing the same thing here that you did at the Grand Duke’s estate. I’m just curious.”

“It’s a bit boring, but it’s only for today and tomorrow.”

“Oh? So you are bored?”

“Well… sitting around doing nothing does get a bit dull.”

“That’s why you always had a book at the Grand Duke’s, too?”

“Hmm…”

I couldn’t deny it.

Back at the Count’s house, I used to help Annie with her tasks or got harassed by Lady Ivelle and her daughter so much that I didn’t have time to be bored…

“But at the Grand Duke’s, there was none of that.”

When we first got married, I was given some duties as the duchess, but Reus didn’t want that, so it didn’t last long. Of course I’d start feeling bored after that.

“Go get some fresh air.”

Normally, I might have been tempted, but today… not so much. I could already guess what kind of nagging I’d get from Reus when he returned.

“He’ll definitely scold me for skipping a meal and going for a walk.”

As I was lost in thought, Theron looked slightly disgusted and asked,

“Don’t tell me he’s already not letting you go out?”

“Huh? Already? What do you mean by that…?”

Why already? What was he implying?

I didn’t know why he said that, but honestly, if I tried to go out at the Grand Duke’s estate, Reus probably would’ve followed me everywhere.

He’s the type to enter a boutique full of women’s dresses without hesitation. I could easily picture him tagging along, fussing about every little thing.

But ultimately, it wasn’t because of Reus that I didn’t go out.

Coming from a background where I couldn’t leave the house freely, staying inside was more comforting than wandering outside.

“If anything, I was glad not to attend parties.”

Reus declined every invitation without a second thought, which was probably why I was living like some idle noble now. Besides, we were leaving soon anyway, and I wanted to stay at the Grand Duke’s estate as long as possible—so it was basically my choice.

Well, mostly because I found everything else annoying.

“I did go to the festival street not too long ago.”

“Come on, that was ages ago.”

“I’m not really the type to go out often…”

“You couldn’t, you mean.”

“Well, that’s true… but still. Everything I need is here at the Grand Duke’s, so I haven’t had much reason to leave.”

“See, that’s the problem. And you don’t even realize it.”

“Uh… well, it’s only like this until tomorrow. We’re planning to tour Leveren the day after.”

“That’s two days from now. If you’re that bored, at least go take a look around the hotel.”

“Eh, I’d rather not go through the trouble—”

“They say there’s a performance by the Monzeto National Ballet in the hall next door. It’s supposed to be a famous show. Not interested?”

Ballet? That caught my attention.

The Kingdom of Monzeto was small, but renowned for its arts. Especially for ballet—many aspiring dancers from across nations saw studying in Monzeto as the elite path.

“If you want to watch it, just go for a bit.”

“Hmm…”

“I was assigned to you so you could move around comfortably. If not, they would’ve sent half the knights in the duchy.”

“But I’m not sure if I’m allowed to go out on my own.”

“There it is. So he is giving you a hard time about going out.”

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