Strategic Marriage with the Mad Villain - Chapter 100

Although I was completely unaware that Verodica would be visiting today, the outcome wouldn’t have been different no matter when she came.

When I returned to the Grand Duke’s castle and recovered a little, I was clearly informed that it was Verodica who had poisoned my wine glass.

“Verodica did such a thing… Did she really plot such a thing…?”

I knew she hated me beyond dislike, but I didn’t know it was enough emotion to kill someone.

It was shocking that someone could harbor such malice towards another, and that I had nearly died from it.

Unlike my previous belief that I wouldn’t die unless Reus started a rebellion, this was already the second close call.

The first time it was just a pretense by Peria, but this time death was too vivid.

Suddenly, memories of what happened at the Plona Marquis’s house came flooding back.

The feeling of my esophagus burning. The sensation of pain like fire spreading through my cells to my whole body. The shadow of death that soon enveloped me. Even my vision turning the same color.

My breath caught as if I would suffocate at any moment. As I involuntarily gasped for air, Reus trembled as if he had done something wrong, then pulled me into an embrace.

‘Then even when she said we would never meet again…’

That wasn’t all. Verodica had manipulated me until the moment she handed me the glass.

[“I hope there will be endless glory in Your Highness’s life from now on.”]

Even as she knew I would die from the glass she handed me.

Reus cupped my cheek in surprise. With the gentle touch across my cheek, I realized then that I was crying.

“I’m sorry, Roel. This is why I didn’t want to tell you…”

Although I was the one who asked about the details, Reus looked pained as if he was sorry for forcing me to hear it.

“No, Reus…”

When I couldn’t continue speaking, I could clearly feel the bewilderment in the hand on my cheek and the arm around my waist.

“It’s not something for Reus to apologize for… The bad blood with Verodica was my affair… and it was Verodica who tried to kill me.”

Reus, who was wiping the moisture from my eyes with his curled fingers, spoke in a gentle tone.

“Roel, shall we make a promise?”

A promise? I looked at him as if to ask what kind of promise this time. Soon, a slightly lower voice flowed from Reus.

“This time, let’s not forgive the person who harmed you.”

“…”

“Of course, if you say you want to forgive, I intend to follow… But I’d prefer if you didn’t this time.”

Forgive?

“No matter how foolish I am… I’m not foolish enough to forgive someone who tried to kill me.”

My breath caught again with the sudden surge of emotion.

“I don’t think that. I only asked because your thoughts are my priority. I’m sorry for making you misunderstand, Roel.”

Reus pulled me back into his arms. His large hand continued to stroke my back as if to soothe me. Soon, a voice similar to his touch followed.

“This time, you’ve really made a promise with me.”

But somehow, a hint of satisfaction seemed to leak from that voice.

“To never forgive.”

No. It even sounded a little joyful.

[This is the timeline separator]

After Verodica left, articles about the Plona Marquis family were reported in the Imperial Newspaper day after day.

[…The fall of the Plona Marquis family…] […How did the Plona Marquis family, a hotbed of corruption, escape the law…]

‘Even after such articles broke, there’s still more to be revealed.’

Aside from the bad blood with me, it truly was a vicious family.

Almost all members of the Marquis family were to be put on trial. Of course, Verodica was included. The Plona Marquis and Verodica probably won’t be able to get out of prison for the rest of their lives.

Especially Verodica.

Recently, she burst into my room out of nowhere and begged for forgiveness like a parrot, but as soon as the investigation began, she denied all the facts.

But according to Reus, as all sorts of evidence poured out, her intentionality was proven, and considering that she had meticulously planned it, she’s likely to receive the maximum sentence possible.

Since aggravated punishment is allowed here, Verodica might not be able to leave prison even if she rots and crumbles after death.

Although she could no longer torment me or even attempt to kill me, it wasn’t entirely satisfying.

It’s not that I felt any sympathy at all. I knew all too well that pitying Verodica was not my role. I was just anxious about being involved in the whole process itself.

‘It would be strange to feel at ease, but…’

As I kept looking at the headlines, a large hand naturally took the newspaper away.

I just quietly watched Reus, as I had no intention of looking at it further anyway.

I thought it was quite fortunate that Reus didn’t throw the newspaper out the window.

“There’s no reason to look at such things when there’s not enough good things to see.”

It was an undeniable statement. In fact, lately, just looking at these things made me feel a bit tired.

‘I don’t want to think about anything.’

As I closed my eyes tightly, a voice filled with concern immediately flowed into my ears.

“Roel. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

How urgent was the hand heading towards my forehead. It was so excessive that it was almost scary to think someone might see.

“No… It’s nothing.”

“Nothing?”

Reus, who laughed briefly, naturally took my hand.

“Shall I bring you a book?”

“Hmm… No. I don’t think I’ll be able to read much today.”

“If that’s the reason, I’ll read to you.”

“…Reus. As I’ve said before, I’m not a child.”

“I never said you were a child. I just said I’d read to you.”

It sounds like the same thing to me, but this man calmly insisted they were completely different statements.

‘Right… He didn’t actually say that.’

I keep forgetting that it’s easier to have conversations with Reus when you’re half out of your mind.

“By the way, Reus.”

“Yes. Do you need anything?”

I wanted to say that people would misunderstand if he acted like a servant, but somehow I felt he might get upset… No, he’d probably just look at me as if there was nothing wrong, so I swallowed those words.

“Is it okay to keep wasting your power like this?”

These days, Reus held my hand whenever he got the chance. It was because contact was necessary to use his healing power, and that was the reason he was holding my hand now.

“You said it wouldn’t have much effect anymore, didn’t you?”

“Hmm. Then let’s consider it an experiment.”

“I’m feeling much better now… Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Reus didn’t answer, just chuckled softly and very naturally laid me down on the bed. And as I expected, he didn’t let go of the hand he was holding.

[This is the timeline separator]

It wasn’t until summer had completely passed and cool breezes began to blow that I was able to live similarly to how I did before collapsing.

It’s not that I just became comfortable moving around now. The basics had returned a while ago, but…

‘Reus was making such a fuss.’

Because he acted as if something terrible would happen if I walked, there were minor arguments between Reus and me. Of course, I was the only one raising my voice, but still.

Anyway, because Reus was so flustered, I hardly walked on my own legs for a while.

In fact, even yesterday when I was taking a walk to rebuild my stamina, Reus, who was following me closely from behind, asked if I couldn’t just be carried in his arms.

I let out a small laugh and answered that it was absolutely not allowed.

“Why…”

I was a bit taken aback by Reus’s very disappointed look, but what’s not allowed is not allowed.

“The doctor said I’ve almost returned to my previous physical condition, and you heard it too, Reus.”

“But you haven’t completely returned yet.”

“…Even if you insist, what’s not true is not true. I want to walk a bit now too.”

“Then just walk a little…”

“No. I’m going to keep walking. Even if I’m not completely better, I have no intention of being carried by Reus.”

In the end, Reus, having failed to negotiate with me, quietly followed behind me in a sulky state.

I was already grateful and sorry enough that he kept holding my hand and forcefully infusing his power whenever he got the chance. But Reus still often looked as if he hadn’t escaped from his guilt, as if he was still a sinner.

‘He keeps doing that even though I’m all better now…’

As I was walking lost in these thoughts, I soon arrived in front of Reus’s office.

“Reus, it’s Roel…”

Just as I was about to knock, the door flung open and Reus appeared. I trembled slightly from the surprise.

“Did I startle you? I’m sorry, Roel.”

“…No. It’s okay.”

Somehow, it seems like the word ‘sorry’ has been stuck to Reus’s lips lately. It was worrying that he didn’t seem to think of correcting it even when pointed out.

“If you needed anything, you should have called for me.”

“The doctor said it might be worse if I stay still, remember? I was just walking around here and there for a light stroll.”

Again, what was so displeasing? Reus wore a very disappointed expression.

“Didn’t I tell you to call even at those times?”

“You’re busy dealing with piled-up work, aren’t you?”

“Not at all.”

I turned my head to look at Reus’s desk. Unlike usual, the desk was cluttered with various documents.

If you’re going to lie, shouldn’t you at least clean up the desk before speaking? But Reus isn’t the type to be swayed by such things…

‘Yeah. Definitely not.’

Even now, his expression seemed sincere in saying he wasn’t busy at all.

“Yes, next time… I’ll be sure to call.”

Reus’s eyes curved prettily at my answer.

“But what brings you all the way here?”

Although Reus asked this, he seemed to think there was probably no special reason. But today, I had something I wanted to say, so I came to the office on purpose.

“There’s something I want to tell you.”

Because it was something more fitting to say in the office rather than the bedroom.

“I’m planning to leave the Grand Duke’s castle now.”