The Unlikely Imprint of the Villainess and the Male Lead - Chapter 62
Chapter 62
Translator: Yonnee
—
Richt recalled the events leading up to him sending the runet to Luciana.
The day he had bought the jewel, it didn’t take long before the rare and valuable item was shoved into storage.
Every time his gaze landed on it, the thought of Luciana distracted him to the point where he couldn’t concentrate on anything.
But even that didn’t last long.
When it disappeared from his sight, he became restless, as though his mouth were parched.
Luciana, Luciana, Luciana.
Her name repeated endlessly, like trying to fill a broken vessel with water.
“Tsk, at this rate, buying it was pointless.”
He had thought that simply obtaining the runet would calm him down, but as his frustration mounted over his lack of progress, an idea suddenly struck him.
“I could just give it to that woman and be done with it.”
He had no particular interest in jewels, and since the runet was known as a gemstone women liked, wouldn’t it be better to just hand it over to her?
To Richt, the runet was nothing more than a cursed object that constantly reminded him of Luciana.
What he didn’t realize was that this decision to give her the jewel was a subtle, crafty form of deception—one he wasn’t even aware of himself.
In fact, he didn’t need to know.
As soon as he decided to hand the runet over to Luciana, the unsettling feeling that had been plaguing him suddenly vanished without a trace.
Satisfied, Richt locked the runet securely in a box, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. He convinced himself that he was simply getting rid of an unnecessary item.
There was no other reason behind it—absolutely none.
“Your Grace? Are you even listening to me?”
He had his response ready. All he had to do was tell her the truth, as he had planned.
But standing in front of Luciana, the words ‘I didn’t need it, so I got rid of it’ wouldn’t come out.
It felt as if his lips were bound, forbidden from uttering that specific excuse.
‘Damn it. I have to say something…’
The longer his silence stretched, the more awkward tension settled between them.
“!”
Just then, pressed by a sense of urgency, Richt finally came up with a plausible excuse and opened his mouth.
“It’s a token of appreciation.”
Huh? What did he just say?
“…Did I do something worthy of thanks?”
“Well, you’ve been conducting the research all by yourself, haven’t you?”
“Oh…”
So, this was his way of expressing gratitude.
“Is this jewel’s name, by any chance…”
“It’s called runet. I heard it’s a rare gem imported from the Kingdom of Ivnia.”
What? He knew exactly what it was?
Does he lack common sense, or is he seriously offering me such a valuable jewel despite knowing its worth?
“Um, I’m fine. Really.”
“……”
When Luciana placed the jewel case back down in front of him, a slight crease formed on Richt’s otherwise smooth brow.
“You’ve already provided me with so many materials, Your Grace. Without your support, I wouldn’t have been able to conduct my research at all.”
The materials she had requested from Richt so far could easily cover the cost of ten dresses made by a famous designer.
‘There’s no one else who can handle this research but me. I know the male lead is doing his part in helping, but still…’
Even if it was meant for her, accepting such a valuable gift felt burdensome.
“So, I think it would be best if you take this back—”
“Just take it.”
“What? No, I really can’t accept it.”
When Richt pushed the jewel toward her, Luciana reflexively shoved it back.
‘Damn it. This isn’t how it’s supposed to go.’
It was supposed to be a jewel women liked.
Richt had fully expected her to be happy to receive it, so her resistance only left him bewildered.
‘At this rate, I’m going to end up stuck with this cursed thing.’
The thought of having to hold on to the runet made him impatient.
Since everything had spiraled from that one word—birthday—he felt that handing the runet over to Luciana was the only way to break free from this loop.
“!”
Suddenly, his red eyes, filled with urgency, landed on Luciana, who was seated across from him.
Her restless gaze and uncomfortable posture only added to the chaos in his mind.
“……”
Looking at her pale profile, a buried memory unexpectedly surfaced.
‘She had that same look back then.’
The day after his rut ended, when his cold words had made her bite her lip.
Even though he had chosen to distance himself, guilt still lingered in a corner of his heart.
Was it the image of her trembling figure that had risen to the surface?
Unable to restrain himself, Richt’s lips moved on their own, dragging out his innermost thoughts.
“No. You should take it.”
“No, I really can’t—”
“It’s also an apology for what happened that day.”
“Huh? What do you mean by ‘that day’…?”
While Luciana was still fumbling, as though lost in a fog, a certain memory flashed through her mind.
‘Could he be referring to his rut?’
The harsh words he had thrown at her when she barely managed to get up from her exhausted state.
As Luciana looked at the duke in confusion, Richt hesitated for a moment before finally saying something she could hardly believe.
Want to read more? Advanced chapters are available on Patreon! (for selected novels only)
≪ Discord ≫
≪ Novel Updates ≫
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
