Strategic Marriage with the Mad Villain - Chapter 51

What thoughts were occupying his mind to make him so absentminded?

Roel called out the name of the man who was blankly staring at her once more.

“Reus?”

“…I apologize. I was lost in thought for a moment… Could you please repeat what you said?”

“Ah, I was wondering… after I leave…”

It had been less than a few minutes since she fully realized her feelings. And the first thing she hears is a question that assumes their end.

For a moment, a great wave of emotion surged in his heart, but Reus feigned a calm expression.

“I was curious if you had any plans, even if they’re minor.”

Though that façade quickly cracked, much to his dismay.

“Hmm… For example, taking in a real grand duchess or something like that, you know.”

“……”

Roel brought up this topic for a simple reason, even though she knew a positive answer was unlikely.

She hoped that, unlike in the original story, Reus would not die after the rebellion he had planned for most of his life.

She sincerely wished for him to survive, receive proper compensation for what he had lost, and live a life where he no longer had to give up on anything. She deeply desired for him to be able to lead an ordinary life like others.

However, regardless of Roel’s heartfelt intentions, mentioning life after her complete departure instantly plunged Reus’ dreamy mood into the mud.

“I don’t think… I’ll have the chance to welcome a new grand duchess.”

“Hmm…”

Roel’s downcast gaze clearly revealed her disappointment.

‘It would be nice if Reus could meet someone he truly loves.’

Judging by his ability to care for others, albeit a bit clumsily, and his attempts to show kindness despite his awkwardness, he would surely do even better with someone he genuinely loves.

And if he met such a person, perhaps Reus’ sensitivity would subside a little, allowing him to lead a more comfortable life than before.

“Still, if you do end up welcoming a new grand duchess, I think Reus would treat his wife really well.”

“…Is that so.”

“So instead of only thinking negatively, I hope you’ll seriously consider it. Who knows, maybe a wonderful person will appear as if by fate.”

After a brief silence, Reus gave a somewhat bitter smile, as if in slight agony.

“You have quite a cruel side to you.”

“Pardon?”

“What about you then? Do you plan to marry in Bellita?”

It was a rather impulsive question. As expected, as soon as he uttered those words, Reus wanted to take them back. But it was too late, the water had already been spilled.

Roel was already deep in thought, envisioning her future in Bellita.

‘I’ve never really thought about it since escaping was always the top priority.’

Still, she would be able to lead a relatively stable life in Bellita compared to her time at the Yvelle estate.

‘I’m not sure if it’ll be as good as the grand ducal castle, but…’

As she gradually finds peace and adjusts to life in Bellita…

‘Maybe I could consider marriage again?’

It seemed quite possible once she was well past the anticipated danger. Roel casually voiced her thoughts out loud.

“Since I plan to settle down completely in Bellita if I like it after staying there for a while, I suppose that could happen, right?”

Was she unaware that her answer was fueling his anguish?

Reus thought there was no way she could smile so brightly with a sunlit face if she knew.

‘What kind of answer was I expecting to ask such a foolish question?’

He bitterly mocked his own stupidity, but his heart still felt suffocatingly stuffy.

“I really hope such a happy time comes for Reus in your own way, and for me in my own way. Don’t you agree?”

An ordinary life. It would be the future Roel had longed for her entire life, so it was only right to bless it. However, his lips, which usually fabricated lies with ease, refused to move today.

In the end, Reus couldn’t even bring himself to say empty words wishing for things to turn out as she hoped.

* * *

It was only a few days after having tea time with Reus. Reus abruptly asked me about the festival currently being held in the capital.

“The festival?”

“Yes.”

“I only heard that the fireworks are pretty, so I don’t know anything else about the festival besides that.”

Reus hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“Didn’t you mention last time that you wanted to see the festival?”

“Yes, I did say that, but…”

During our last tea time, I had briefly mentioned wanting to attend the festival once before leaving the empire.

However, I know that as the grand duchess, my participation in the festival would complicate the situation in many ways.

The easiest way for the grand duchess to visit would be to control the festival-goers, but it wouldn’t be a good method for me, who would be under guard, or for the people who would be controlled without notice.

I also knew that fact, which is why I only mentioned it lightly as something I’d like to do once.

‘And in the first place, nobles rarely attend the festival held during this period…’

Even if they enjoyed it, it was only a very small number.

Among them, most would enjoy the festival by reserving the best spots to view the fireworks at the optimal time or something similar.

Otherwise, very young nobles might disguise themselves as commoners and freely roam the streets.

‘I doubt Reus would even allow that, let alone accompany me.’

Does he want to tell me that I can enjoy the festival by reserving a restaurant or a high-end bar?

“If you’re suggesting reserving a place to watch… That’s okay. It was just a passing remark, so you don’t need to worry too much…”

“There’s also the option of directly going to the streets wearing inconspicuous clothing.”

“…Pardon?”

“There’s a magic tool that can… change hair color for a very brief period, I heard.”

My eyes automatically widened at the unexpected suggestion.

I was a bit confused about whether he meant I could enjoy the festival even if it meant disguising myself, or… if he was implying that he would accompany me.

‘No way, that can’t be it.’

Even though Reus has been spending a lot of time with me lately and trying his best to accommodate me, the latter seemed quite unlikely.

“You wouldn’t allow it even if I disguised myself, saying it’s dangerous, right?”

Reus replied in a serious tone to my slightly playful retort.

“There won’t be any problems if we go together.”

“……”

What did I just hear? I widened my already large eyes even further.

‘Does that mean he’s willing to disguise himself and walk around with me?’

Reus, who had been intently gazing at me with his head slightly tilted, spoke.

“I can tell you’re surprised, but your eyes might pop out at this rate.”

“Ah, um… I’m sorry, ahem… So you’re saying you’ll go to the festival streets with me?”

“Yes.”

“…Really?”

Reus nodded once, but I couldn’t believe it, so I asked again.

“Truly…?”

“Yes, truly.”

I didn’t know what led him to make that decision, but it was incredibly difficult to hide my delight. I tried to hold back my smile, but my cheeks and the corners of my mouth kept rising.

With the thought that this might be the last time, I sought confirmation once more.

“For real?”

“Yes, for real. Judging by your expression, you seem to have understood, so why do you keep asking?”

Reus spoke in a slightly mischievous manner, but my smile still didn’t cease.

* * *

We arrived at a hotel owned by the Rochester family to attend the festival. The Rochester family owned three hotels in the empire, and this hotel in the capital was one of them.

I had heard that the hotel premises occupied a fairly large area in the capital, so I expected the hotel to be lavish and grand.

However, only a single building with not much height stood at the center of the premises. Instead of the hotel being plain, it was evident that a lot of effort had been put into the surrounding landscape.

In front of the hotel building with bright ivory-colored exterior walls, there was a very large and elaborate artificial fountain. The space around it was entirely composed of walking paths with excellent landscaping, without a single spot being wasted.

The refreshing green scenery was so pleasant to look at that it instantly lifted my mood.

‘It’s like I’ve come to a summer villa.’

Soon, the carriage slowed down and came to a complete stop. As we got off the carriage, the head manager, Luden, who had been waiting for us, greeted us warmly.

“I can’t express how much I’ve been looking forward to this day, knowing that both of you would be visiting the hotel together. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. I am Luden, the head manager of the Rochester Hotel.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Luden. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Luden had been working as the head manager of this hotel for 38 years already. Having spent almost his entire life taking care of the hotel, he was truly skilled at dealing with people.

As I listened to Luden’s stories, we soon arrived at the suite prepared on the top floor of the hotel.

“Then, I hope you both have a wonderful time.”

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

Luden, who responded with a smile, turned as if to leave. Then he suddenly stopped and turned back to face us.

“If you’re planning to use the spa, please feel free to let me know. I’ll make sure it’s ready for you to use anytime.”

A spa? They have that too?

Noticing my interest, Luden provided a brief explanation.

“There is an outdoor pool for couples located at the spot with the best view of the hotel landscape. Ah, let me add, in case you’re worried, there’s no way the outdoor pool can be seen from outside, so you don’t need to be concerned.”

I understood that the pool was situated where the front landscape of the hotel could be overlooked the best. I also understood that he was recommending the spa to relieve fatigue.

But somehow, the way Luden put it sounded like…

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

I glanced up at Reus, and his gaze told me that my understanding was correct, so there was no need to ask further.