Living a Scheming Marriage with a Mad Villain - Chapter 96

As if she had completely forgotten how terribly their last meeting had ended, Verodica wore a calm and relaxed smile. Just like Briella once said, she was truly an expert at pretending to be kind.

“It’s been a while since then, Your Grace.”

“Yes, Verodica.”

“Roshan, Emily, it’s been a long time.”

“So shameless…”

“It’s… nice to see you, Lady Plona. Thank you for inviting us to such a lovely event.”

Trying to make up for Roshan’s rude remark, Emily quickly spoke up. But it seemed like Verodica wasn’t bothered by Roshan’s words at all.

As if pretending to be friendly was just a way to get closer.

“It’s nice to see you three so close as always, but could you give us a moment? There’s something I really need to say to Her Grace.”

“Ha, what, trying to apologize now? You’re unbelievable. Thinking you could cheat with someone else’s fiancé…”

“We’ll give you some space!”

Emily managed to drag away Roshan, who was standing firm and unwilling to leave.

“You still look beautiful, Your Grace. Oh, and I heard you recently visited the Kingdom of Leveren. Did you enjoy your trip?”

Her voice was sweet, but her eyes were sharp and bold.

I thought maybe Verodica would change a little after Cassien gave up on her. But realizing how foolish that hope was, I let out a small, bitter laugh without meaning to.

“Lady Plona, you haven’t changed at all.”

Seeing that I didn’t respond with the usual polite small talk, Verodica looked slightly surprised, then dropped her fake smile as well.

“If anyone hasn’t changed, it’s you, Your Grace. You’ve always lived such an easy life. I’ve always been jealous of how simple everything is for you, whether in the past or now.”

“You got lucky and became someone’s fiancée, and that wasn’t enough—you even ended up marrying the only Duke in the Empire. People may not say it, but everyone envies how easily your life has turned out.”

“I’ve always known you didn’t like me. But considering the setting, maybe you should choose your words more carefully.”

“Oh—are you disappointed you’re not getting the respect you think you deserve now that you’ve dumped your fiancé and become a grand duchess?”

Verodica scrunched her nose and looked at me with a pitying smile.

“But what can I say? I might respect the Duke, the war hero, but you? I can’t feel any respect for someone like you. After all, the only thing you know how to do is be loved comfortably.”

“Is it so hard to understand the meaning of ‘stay within bounds,’ Lady Plona?”

“Weren’t you the one who first crossed the line? Maybe it’s you who should know your place.”

Her sharp sarcasm made it hard for me to keep a gentle tone.

“Don’t you think it’s time you stopped taking your anger out on me because of Lord Ersian?”

As soon as I mentioned Cassien directly, Verodica’s face clearly stiffened.

“Lord Ersian and I ended a long time ago. I have no reason to stay involved with him anymore, so I don’t understand why you keep acting this way.”

“That’s exactly what I mean. I’m jealous of that—your shamelessness.”

“What did you say?”

“You ruined someone’s life, yet you walk around like nothing happened. Do you even know what state he’s in now? If you did, I don’t think you’d be able to speak so confidently.”

To Verodica, the truth didn’t matter.

Just the fact that I was once Cassien’s fiancée made me the worst person in her world. Judging by the scorn in her eyes, she really believed I was the villain.

She’s out of her mind.

That thought made my rising anger fade. Then came a wave of emptiness. How foolish of me to think I could have a normal conversation with someone like this.

“Verodica. You probably don’t want to believe it, but I’ve never ruined Lord Ersian’s life—not even once. If anything, it’s the opposite.”

“You’re living your life like nothing happened! How could you say that? Don’t you feel even a little sorry for Lord Ersian—?”

“I don’t care what you think of me.”

“But stop with the disgusting delusions. Don’t act out like this and annoy the people around me.”

Despite my words, Verodica responded with a mocking smile.

“If I go against Your Grace, will you get rid of me too, like you did Camilla and Sasha? But guess what? The Duke doesn’t seem to think that way at all. Maybe it’s because he has some basic sense, unlike you. What a relief.”

Until just now, I had been fine, but hearing her bring up Reus made me instinctively frown. Seeing my expression, Verodica smiled sweetly.

“The Duke isn’t someone you can talk about however you want. This is my final warning, Verodica. If you cross the line again, I won’t stay quiet.”

“That’s unnecessary. I have no plans to ever see Your Grace again, so your threats won’t work.”

Once, I had felt sympathy for Verodica, seeing myself reflected in the way she clung to Cassien. But now I realized—even cheap sympathy was wasted on her.

“Verodica. I’m thankful to you for the first time.”

“What?”

“I’m truly relieved that you’ve stayed just as shameless and cowardly as ever.”

“Ha! As if you’re any different!”

Verodica twisted her face in frustration.

“Like you said, I hope we never see each other again after today. For both our sakes.”

“No one wants that more than I do.”

With all smiles gone, we stared at each other in silence. Then a large hand gently rested on my shoulder.

“Loelle.”

Even without words, I could feel that Reus was worried about me. He probably guessed something unpleasant had just happened.

Ironically, maybe Verodica really did respect the Duke—she seemed to watch her words a little around him.

Now that I think about it, she kept calling me ‘Lady Ivelle before, but today she keeps saying ‘Your Grace.’

Just as Reus gave Verodica a subtly displeased look, the Marquis and Marchioness of Plona came walking toward us.

They were just as unwelcome as Verodica herself.

These were the people who never cared that their daughter bullied me. No wonder they could say such things with straight faces.

“It’s so nice to see you and our daughter together again. Now that our families are closer, we hope you’ll visit often, Your Grace.”

“We’ll take good care of you, Your Grace. And of course, the Duke as well.”

They knew Verodica had been seeing Cassien while he was engaged to me.

Shameless people, all of them—Verodica, the Marquis, and the Marchioness.

Since I didn’t respond, Reus smoothly stepped in and ended the conversation.

“If it’s not important, let’s begin the banquet.”

The Marquis and Marchioness thanked the guests and announced the start of the banquet.

“How fortunate that our two families have become closer. I can’t imagine a better opportunity for us to grow and thrive together.”

After that, the Marquis rambled on with empty words as he slowly approached Loelle and Reus.

“The true stars of today’s banquet are the Duke and Duchess of Rochester.”

While Reus remained expressionless, Loelle, conscious of the people watching, answered with a light smile.

“You can’t have a special event without special wine.”

The Marquis began explaining at length just how rare and fine the wine for this banquet was.

He clearly wanted to show off his efforts for the ducal couple, but Reus was more focused on Loelle—worried she might get drunk again.

“Only a little, okay?”

“You’re not seriously worried I’ll get drunk at a formal event like this, are you? Reus, I know how to behave.”

Reus smiled faintly at Loelle’s slightly annoyed tone. The Marquis looked relieved, while Verodica let out a scoffing sigh.

Then Verodica stepped forward and took the bottle from the servant.

“Father, I’d really like to pour a drink for Her Grace myself.”

“As long as Her Grace agrees…”

The Marquis glanced at Loelle uncertainly. She gave a small nod.

Verodica signaled a servant, who brought two glasses to them.

“I wish Your Grace a future full of glory.”

As she handed the glass and poured the drink, Verodica added in a louder voice,

“I mean it.”

Loelle’s brow twitched slightly, but Verodica acted as if she saw nothing, handed the bottle back to the Marquis, and stepped away.

The Marquis then poured drinks for Reus and his wife as well.

“To the everlasting glory of House Rochester and House Plona!”

At those words, everyone in the banquet hall raised their glasses and drank.

But not long after, Loelle’s movements slowed unnaturally. Reus, sensing something was wrong, slowly turned to her.

“Cough—!”

Then, Loelle suddenly coughed up blood, her face twisted in pain, and she collapsed on the spot.

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