Strategic Marriage with the Mad Villain - Chapter 90

“By the way, this isn’t a competition I created. I heard it’s been going on for a very long time. It has changed a bit over the years though?”

“Ah, I see…”

“Just in case you misunderstood.”

What misunderstanding?

My head tilted involuntarily at the meaningful words. And shortly after Ansley, the winner of the swordsmanship competition, left, I could understand what Helen meant by those words.

An excited anticipation began to rise from the seats surrounding the circular arena, and soon two knights walked into the fighting arena.

But something was a bit… strange.

Though it was called a swordsmanship competition, both knights were holding wooden swords. Far from wearing armor or light protective gear, both of them had their upper bodies bare.

At that moment, I recalled Reus asking if I really knew what kind of competition it was.

‘So that’s why he asked that…’

I had thought he was looking at me with a somewhat subtle expression, but to think it was the eyes of someone who saw me as a scoundrel!

The swordsmanship competition of the Leveren Kingdom was a kind of popularity vote targeting knights who owned knighthoods throughout the kingdom.

‘I’m done for.’

My eyes involuntarily squeezed shut as I remembered Reus, who had been giving me looks for similar reasons at the festival grounds.

I couldn’t even imagine in what way he would give me looks this time.

* * *

As the competition wrapped up, preparations to leave the royal palace were bustling.

Meanwhile, I expressed my gratitude to Helen for allowing me to stay comfortably at the palace for nearly two weeks.

“Next time, I hope you’ll invite us to the Grand Duke’s castle too. We might not be able to stay long, but if you just invite us, we’ll find a way somehow.”

“Yes, I’ll definitely do that.”

I wanted nothing more than to stay at the Grand Duke’s castle forever waiting for Helen to come, but I would probably leave first before that.

Reminding myself of this fact made today’s parting even more regretful. Helen seemed quite reluctant too, staying by my side with a slightly disappointed face.

I turned my head for a moment to see what the men were doing. But the two were standing far apart, not even greeting each other. Reus aside…

‘Claude isn’t trying to hold Reus back?’

This was completely opposite to Helen’s words, who had shaken her head saying that Claude would bother Reus with ridiculous excuses to keep him from leaving.

Somehow, it even seemed like they were a bit glad that we were leaving?

“I don’t know what’s gotten into Claude. Has he grown up a bit? Maybe he’s trying to keep up appearances because Roel is here or something.”

Helen said this with a somewhat gleeful look on her face.

“Anyway Roel, feel free to come to the royal palace anytime you’re available. You can come without notice, or plan a long stay. I really hope you’ll visit comfortably.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

At that moment, Helen came closer and whispered somewhat secretively.

“If Reus bothers you too much, you can come alone, so really don’t hesitate to come anytime. Understood?”

“Pardon?”

Reus bothering me? If anything, it would be the opposite. Of course, such a thing would never happen, so I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’m not joking.”

“Come on, that probably won’t happen.”

I waved my hand in denial, but Helen briefly furrowed her brows as if she was really worried.

“If it really does happen, I’ll definitely come to the royal palace.”

“Promise me, Roel.”

It was finally time to leave the Leveren royal palace, putting the regret behind. After exchanging heartfelt farewells one last time, I boarded the carriage that had been waiting for a while.

Soon the carriage departed, and through the window, I could see Claude, Helen, and the royal palace gradually fading into the distance. As I gazed out the window endlessly in regret, Reus spoke to me from beside.

“Are you very disappointed?”

“A little…”

“If you want to come again, you can tell me anytime.”

I knew now that such words weren’t just empty talk. Knowing how considerate Reus had been during this trip to Leveren, I just smiled.

But my smile quickly stiffened at his next words.

“So, did you enjoy the swordsmanship competition?”

“…”

Of course! I had let my guard down for a moment, thinking it was just an ordinary question to start a conversation.

Soon Reus spoke in a somehow familiar tone.

“I already knew you liked that kind of thing, but…”

“W-What are you saying! It’s not like that!”

“You seemed fine before going, why are you so embarrassed now?”

“Because I didn’t know it was that kind of competition…!”

“Back then, that handsome men competition you liked-”

“W-Why are you bringing that up again!”

I hurriedly covered Reus’s mouth with both hands as he tried to bring up the festival story.

“I told you it wasn’t like that back then. It’s not like that now either.”

I’m not sure what I was denying, but whatever Reus was thinking, it was clearly nonsense.

“I clearly said it wasn’t like that.”

I wondered why he was in a playful mood again, but judging from this man’s expression, he really seemed to believe it.

Just when did he start misunderstanding like this? I couldn’t help but laugh incredulously.

* * *

We arrived at the largest hotel in the capital of Leveren Kingdom late at night.

Perhaps because it was famous as a good country for traveling, despite the late hour, there were quite a few people from various countries in the hotel lobby. Since Dewin had taken care of everything in advance, we went straight to our rooms without needing to check in separately.

As it was late, we sent the servants to their respective rooms and headed to our floor with only Dewin and Millie.

It was just as we arrived on that floor.

“Oh my…! Aren’t you Duke Rocheter.”

A middle-aged man with brown hair slicked back with mousse rushed over pretending to be pleased to see us and blocked our way.

The well-built man was adorned from head to toe in expensive items, making it immediately clear that he was quite wealthy.

‘He said he had someone to meet briefly for business, did he call them to the hotel?’

But judging from Reus’s face, he seemed to be seeing the man in front of him for the first time. The middle-aged man also seemed to sense something amiss, as he hurriedly added his introduction.

“Ah, my apologies for the late introduction. I am Acenry from the Kingdom of Monzeto. I’m scheduled to meet with Marquis Berdick tomorrow…”

“Ah.”

It was customary to introduce oneself in return when the other party did so, but Reus merely substituted it with a brief sigh, as if he didn’t feel the need. Even in that one-second sigh, a hint of annoyance could be detected.

But Acenry was not deterred at all. Rather, he continued speaking as if he had already anticipated such a reaction.

Although he was a man who led the conversation quite jovially without making the atmosphere uncomfortable, such tactics didn’t work on Reus at all.

‘He really dislikes him…’

If he disliked him, he could quickly wrap up the conversation and leave, but it was puzzling why he was listening to everything.

Just then, someone appeared behind Acenry.

“Dad. Why are you taking so long…”

The woman who suddenly appeared from behind was about to pour out complaints when she abruptly stopped, having noticed something.

‘Isn’t that the crazy woman…?’

The one who had snatched and paid for every piece of clothing I chose, every item my eyes landed on, until she ran away from the watch store when she ran out of money.

I recognized her immediately, but the woman didn’t seem to recognize me.

‘Ah, that’s not it…’

Judging by how she couldn’t take her eyes off Reus, it seemed she had fallen for him at first sight. It was such a common occurrence that it wasn’t a particularly surprising reaction.

But then Millie, who was behind me, suddenly shouted as if she had just realized the woman’s identity.

“Oh, that woman- mmph!”

In my haste, I covered Millie’s mouth a bit roughly and silently warned her not to acknowledge the woman.

But somehow I could feel someone’s sharp gaze on the back of my head. When I turned to look, sure enough, Reus had his eyes slightly narrowed, looking dissatisfied.

The crazy woman also turned her gaze to me as the silence lengthened. Soon, her light red eyes filled with bewilderment.

“Ah! This is my daughter. Greet the Duke and Duchess, darling.”

“…I-I’m Rose Acenry.”

Even as the crazy woman with an unexpectedly pretty name greeted us, Reus kept staring down at me. It seems he had noticed something was off with just one sound from Millie, like a ghost.

‘His intuition is really monstrous.’

At that moment, Acenry showed interest in me.

“Your Grace, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Acenry. I had heard news of your marriage, but I never imagined I’d have the honor of meeting you in person like this. It’s truly an honor.”

“Ah, nice to meet you.”

How long are you going to keep looking at me…!

Feeling like he might just keep staring at me forever if this continued, I quietly took his hand and gave him a subtle hint. But Reus continued to stare intently at the side of my face even after that.

Then he finally turned his head forward, but his gaze was directed at Rose instead of Acenry.

“Do you know my wife?”

In response to the sudden question directed at his daughter, Acenry answered before Rose could.

“Rose has never stayed in Asilite, so she probably doesn’t know the Duchess.”

“Yes, this is my first time meeting you.”

Thankfully, the woman answered tactfully. I quickly pulled Reus’s hand before he could probe further.

“We’re a bit tired from traveling in the carriage for so long, would it be alright if we went ahead?”

“Oh, of course! I didn’t consider that. I apologize, Your Grace.”

“It’s fine. Then.”

After giving Acenry a perfunctory smile, I pulled Reus towards our room. I was worried he might stand his ground like he did on the cruise, but he followed along well as I pulled him.

As expected, the sharp-witted Dewin immediately noticed Reus’s unsettling mood and ran ahead to open the door to our room without being told.

As soon as the door closed with a thud, I quickly spoke before Reus could say anything.

“I’m hungry…!”

Even as I said it, I wondered for a moment if this would work… but incredibly, Reus’s mouth snapped shut.