The Unlikely Imprint of the Villainess and the Male Lead - Chapter 58
Chapter 58
Translator: Yonnee
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She recalled the time when, as a newly enrolled academy student, she had gifted her brother Lorraine a pair of cufflinks inlaid with blue diamonds for his birthday.
“I had to empty my entire savings for that.”
Was it a mistake to choose a store run by a famous artisan in an attempt to give a good gift?
Luciana had personally experienced how, just as social class determined one’s status at birth in a hierarchical society, the value of jewels could vary vastly depending on their quality.
She was well aware of how exorbitantly high-grade gems were traded, especially if they were crafted by someone as renowned as Jean Ferté.
As she discovered the quality assurance card signed by the artisan himself, a look of concern appeared on Luciana’s face.
What was the male lead thinking when he sent this to her?
“What’s going on in his mind?”
The mysterious sender left her speechless once again.
“Could this be… a birthday gift?”
Uuugh, just imagining it sent chills down her arms.
Logically, she knew it was impossible, but even the thought made her feel an intense wave of rejection down to her toes.
“He doesn’t even know my birthday in the first place.”
Naturally, Luciana hadn’t sent Richt an invitation or even hinted at her birthday.
Though they were bonded as mates, their relationship wasn’t close enough for them to care for one another in any affectionate way. That would be as likely as the sun rising in the west.
“Ah, but it might’ve been different if it were the female lead.”
Unlike her, Luciana was sure Richt would’ve given his all that destined partner of his.
“Well, I don’t know the full story, but maybe it was just placed here by mistake.”
Nodding lightly to herself, Luciana closed the case without hesitation.
Although she couldn’t understand why Richt had sent her such a rare gem, she decided it wasn’t worth delving into. She could always return it later, so there was no need to overthink it.
“Right now, I need to focus on more important matters.”
Luciana began inspecting the magical candles Richt had sent, checking them thoroughly.
She looked for any damage or signs of being stored for too long.
Richt had always kept his promise to provide the highest quality materials, but Luciana checked habitually just in case.
“Good. Their condition is fine.”
Moving the box to her lab, Luciana took out fresh paper and sat at her desk.
“I need to tell the male lead today to communicate in a different way…”
This was something she’d been contemplating for a while.
She did have an idea, but there was no guarantee Richt would accept it. If he insisted on the current method, all her plans would fall apart.
“Well, I won’t know until I try. Let’s start by writing a letter.”
Hoping the duke would comply with her suggestion, Luciana began moving her pen across the page.
* * *
“Ah, Your Grace.”
“Are you coming from Rodwell?”
“Yes, sir.”
On his way to the office, Richt noticed Lik approaching from the opposite direction, carrying a box.
“Well done. You can leave now.”
“Understood.”
After silently taking the box, Richt entered his office and immediately unlocked it.
Click.
“A letter?”
Finding an unfamiliar envelope, he used a letter opener to break the wax seal and began reading.
The contents were unexpected.
「 Greetings, Your Grace. This is Luciana, daughter of the Leslie Marquisate.
I am writing to propose something to you.
So far, we’ve been exchanging messages through maids traveling to and from Rodwell, but I believe the wait time for responses is unnecessarily long. 」
Richt stared at the neat handwriting.
The letter conveyed Luciana’s desire to successfully complete her research as soon as possible.
It was a relief that she was taking the initiative to move things forward.
He appreciated her proactive attitude, especially as he relied on her for this matter.
And yet…
Beneath that gratitude was a strange, lingering dissatisfaction that he couldn’t quite identify.
“…I’m overthinking again.”
It was pointless to delve into feelings he didn’t need and shouldn’t have.
Forcing himself to refocus, Richt returned to reading the letter.
“She’s not wrong.”
In his efforts to avoid a scandal and prioritize security, he had overlooked other aspects of their arrangements.
The plan he’d suggested had been devised hastily, so naturally, it had its flaws.
“So, does she have a solution to address this issue?”
Richt continued reading.
「 Truthfully, I have an alternative in mind. What if, instead of relying on messages, you and I met directly? Perhaps in your bedroom, Your Grace. 」
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