Living a Scheming Marriage with a Mad Villain - Chapter 95

As soon as we returned from Leveren to the Ashelit Empire, our next schedule was already set.

It was because of an invitation that had arrived while we were away from the Grand Duke’s estate.

It was an invitation to a banquet celebrating the new trade agreement between the Plona Marquess Family and the Rochester Grand Duchy, where Plona agreed to use only the Rochester-owned ports for imports and exports.

Because of that, we couldn’t rest even a single day at the Grand Duke’s estate. We headed straight to the capital and departed for the Plona estate at sunrise.

‘But when did the Pillaren Port become the property of the Grand Duchy?’

I clearly remembered the Viscount of Pillaren saying he had been struggling with port ownership issues for years. But somehow, now Pillaren Port belonged to the Rochester Grand Duchy.

‘Even if it was sudden, I’m sure Reus had it all planned.’

There were also several articles stating that this contract would serve as a starting point for more joint ventures between the Rochester and Plona families.

People welcomed the alliance between the two families, who had previously had no connection, and looked at the Plona family with envy for building a close relationship with the Grand Duchy.

But unlike those who were jealous, I felt a little uneasy.

[“Unfortunately, we have almost no connection with the Plona family… But I did give a warning, so there’s no need to worry. It looks like there will be contact soon.”]

Yes, he did say that. But surely he didn’t sign this contract because of that incident…

‘No way.’

It was too large of a deal for that. It seemed unlikely. Even if there were some hidden motives behind it, I had no intention of interfering this time.

‘The Plona family is Verodica’s family.’

Whether the Plona family rose or fell, I had no interest. I just didn’t want to get entangled with Verodica over petty matters anymore.

Although it was uncomfortable to have to meet Verodica today because of family interests, the one bit of relief was that the Marquis Ersian family hadn’t been invited to this banquet.

‘Well, of course. Who in their right mind would invite their business partner’s ex to a party?’

Since the festival, I hadn’t heard much about Cassien. But judging from Verodica’s quiet behavior, it seemed like he had truly lost interest in me after that last conversation.

While I was wondering if maybe even Verodica had changed a little, I heard a now-familiar voice of concern.

“If it’s too hard for you, you must let me know. If you’re tired, maybe rest for a bit…”

“Reus.”

“Yes, Loelle?”

“I’ve been wondering for a while… What do you really think of me?”

We had been moving around a lot lately, but honestly, I hadn’t done anything strenuous.

Even on the cruise back, I mostly stayed in my room, and whenever I looked even slightly tired on the way to the marquis’ estate, we stopped to rest. I hadn’t had a chance to get exhausted.

“I don’t really think much, to be honest…”

Reus stared at my face for a moment.

“I do wonder how you don’t gain weight, even when you eat so much.”

He always said it so casually that I thought he just didn’t understand how much I ate. But now it turned out he’d known all along, which made me feel a little betrayed.

“I’m not as weak as you think.”

He probably thought I was physically weak from doing nothing at the Count’s estate, but during the social season, I had to move around a lot, so this level of travel was easy.

“What did you just say?”

“Huh?”

Leaning back comfortably against the wall of the carriage with his arms crossed, Reus suddenly leaned forward a little.

“What you just said.”

“Oh, that I’m not as weak as you think…”

“Not that.”

If not that, then what? When I looked at him confused, Reus pointed it out exactly.

“Didn’t you just call me ‘you’?”

“Oh… did I?”

“Yes. You clearly said ‘you’ to me.”

He looked quite serious, so I wondered if it was because I had used a term usually reserved for real couples. But then Reus smiled gently with his eyes.

“Looks like you’re finally feeling a bit comfortable with me, Loelle.”

His smile was so pure that for a second, I almost misunderstood and thought he felt the same way I did.

As we arrived at the Plona estate, we saw that they had beautifully decorated the gardens and the first floor of the mansion for today’s banquet. When we entered the open-air banquet hall, people started gathering around us as if they had been waiting.

That was when I spotted Roshan and Emily among the crowd. As I let go of Reus’s arm naturally and moved toward my friends, someone caught my hand.

“Loelle.”

The hand holding me made it clear that he wasn’t pleased.

“My friends are over there. I’ll just go say hi.”

“Friends?”

His expression softened just a little at the word “friends.”

“Yes, Roshan and Emily. I don’t think you know them.”

“Oh, the ones who are always with you at balls.”

“Yes, those friends… Wait, how do you know them?”

Reus looked like he didn’t think it was a big deal. I had assumed he didn’t remember people unless he saw them often, so it was a surprise. But since it wasn’t a problem, I let it go.

“Then I’ll just say hello and come right back, Reus.”

“Alright.”

Reus reluctantly let go of my hand. I could feel his intense gaze behind me. I didn’t need to look to know it was him. But I had gotten used to it by now, so I walked on calmly.

“Roshan, Emily!”

When we made eye contact from afar, Roshan looked happy at first, just like me but then she suddenly had a serious expression and stared at something.

“Emily, what’s wrong with Roshan? Did something happen?”

I asked, but Emily looked just as confused as I was.

Then Roshan narrowed her eyes and asked me,

“Hey… do you have trouble going out?”

“Huh? What do you mean, suddenly…?”

When I was at the Count Ivelle estate, I couldn’t go out freely, and Roshan used to feel a bit sad about that. But this was the first time she asked so directly.

“From the rumors and even today…”

“Rumors? What rumors?”

“What do you mean, what rumors. That you’re actually being held by the Grand Duke— mmph!”

“Roshan! You seem fine, so why say weird things? Let’s talk about something else.”

Emily tried to change the subject, but Roshan quickly pushed away Emily’s hand that covered her mouth.

“No, let me speak! We’re seeing you for the first time in six months since you got married and I only saw you once at the palace. Shouldn’t I be worried? Are you being held captive by the Grand Duke or something…? Oh wait, never mind. Of course, you are. What am I even asking?”

“Roshan! Really, what’s gotten into you…!”

“Why! You just sent an invitation and that was it for your wedding. No explanation. That’s why I’m suspicious!”

I had always felt guilty about only sending a wedding invitation without a proper explanation.

‘But guys… back then, I really had no choice.’

Still, based on how Emily tried to stop her and Roshan made such a fuss, there must’ve been some strange rumor about us going around in high society.

‘Well, there were already plenty of weird rumors even before the wedding…’

Thanks to Cassien, I was used to being gossiped about in social circles, so I didn’t really mind.

“I’m not being held captive. That’s not it.”

“Then how come we haven’t seen you once in six months? Are you really being locked up by the Grand Duke— mmph!”

“Loelle, don’t mind her. She’s just excited to see you again.”

Locked up…? My eyebrow rose at that unexpected word.

“Wait… are you actually asking if Reus is keeping me locked up?”

“No! Loelle, it’s not like that—!”

“Oh, but yeah. I am.”

Locked up? I couldn’t even begin to guess what kind of rumors were spreading in high society for words like that to come up.

“No way. I just got back from Leveren two days ago.”

“Leveren? Why did you go there?”

“Because His Majesty the King of Leveren invited us…”

“What! Then it wasn’t even a vacation? You had to go!”

“No, we did take a cruise on the way, and stayed in the capital of Leveren for about a week to travel.”

Roshan looked very confused. Her expression showed she had seriously believed I was being locked up by Reus.

Then Emily asked in surprise,

“Was it okay to leave the Grand Duke’s estate for so long? It must’ve taken at least two weeks.”

“Thankfully, Lady Shanette helped a little. And the staff at the Grand Duke’s estate are so competent, there were no issues while we were away.”

“But Leveren must’ve been really hot at this time of year. I went last summer too and couldn’t walk around as much as I wanted because of the heat.”

While Emily seemed curious about the trip, Roshan still looked suspicious and frowned.

“Ah, I definitely feel something weird…”

“What? Are you talking about Reus?”

“He’s got something different from that jerk Cassien… Ah! Speaking of which, why isn’t Cassien here today? Did that wretched Verodica not invite—”

“Roshan! Please…”

Before Roshan could go on a rant about Verodica at the Plona estate, Emily quickly stopped her. Luckily, people weren’t close enough to hear clearly — otherwise, the mood of the banquet would’ve turned icy fast.

“Honestly, who doesn’t know what went on with her? A man who flirts with another woman despite having a fiancée, and a woman who knowingly meets a taken man — both deserve the criticism they get.”

Although Roshan didn’t name names, it was obvious who she meant, and Emily grew even more anxious.

“Seriously. If they didn’t want to hear things like that, they should’ve behaved better.”

Just then, Verodica walked gracefully across the grass and approached us.

“Excuse me, but are you talking about me?”

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