The Villainess Who Accidentally Stole Their Hearts - Chapter 20

Chapter 10.2

Even before my return, Viscount Barento had looked out for me in his own way.

Hmm.

“I should go thank him.”

“That’s a wonderful idea! He’ll definitely be very pleased!”

Why does she like the idea of Viscount Barento being pleased so much?

“I really hope… you two can get along well.”

Viscount Barento held real influence in Delosif, so building a good relationship with him would be good.

“Since it’s a special occasion, how about bringing him a gift?”

I nodded calmly.

A tangible gift is often more valuable than mere words.

“It should be something expensive, right? Go pick out an elegant men’s item.”

“Ah… haha, but he’s wealthy himself, so maybe something with a personal touch would be better?”

“Money holds the greatest sincerity and thought.”

“…That’s true, but—no! I’m sure he’d appreciate something more meaningful from you.”

“I can’t do embroidery or anything like that.”

Unfortunately, as the family troublemaker, I’m not exactly refined.

“Well… wouldn’t it be enough if you simply chose the item yourself?”

It sounded a bit bothersome.

“All right, then. Get ready to go out.”

I nodded.

After all, taking Alice’s advice today hadn’t led to anything bad.

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

Relia Arcade.

It was filled with high-end stores, perfect for shopping.

I stepped into what looked like the largest store.

“Welcome, my lady!”

“Would you like tea or coffee?”

The store staff rushed over as soon as they saw me.

“What kind of item are you looking for today?”

“A gift for a man.”

“Ah, understood. We’ll prepare everything perfectly and bring it up to your room.”

I nodded and went straight upstairs. A row of private rooms lined the corridor, and the one I always used was the largest, most secluded room at the very end.

I walked briskly to it and grabbed the door handle.

“M-my lady, please wait…!”

I heard a panicked voice from behind, but I had already opened the door.

“….”

“Hello…?”

The man inside met my gaze, offering an awkward smile as he greeted me.

I returned his smile.

“It’s been a while, Mr. Ten Million Gold.”

Yusril’s face went pale at my words.

The staff member who had rushed over began bowing repeatedly.

“I apologize, Your Highness, my lady. I should have informed you sooner… My deepest apologies, but I’ll have to direct you to a different room today. I’m very sorry.”

“Just bring the items.”

“M-my lady, I’m very sorry, but His Highness arrived first…”

The staff member was visibly sweating, clearly thinking I was insisting on the best room. Not wanting to make things harder for him, I spoke politely.

“We’ll be staying together… isn’t that fine?”

Yusril flinched when he met my gaze, then smiled—a smile quite fitting for a grand duke.

“I wouldn’t pass up the chance to be alone with the most beautiful woman in the empire.”

“You heard him, right? Just bring the items.”

Click.

I closed the door in front of the stunned staff member.

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

When the staff member who had gone downstairs entered the pantry with a dazed expression, another staff member noticed and tilted his head in confusion.

“What’s wrong? Oh! Don’t tell me there was a fuss over the innermost room?”

The innermost room was typically reserved for someone of the grand duchy of Delosif’s status, so it was rare for guests to overlap.

But today, of all days, two high-ranking figures had visited at the same time.

“It was… fine.”

“Phew, that’s a relief. The lady is probably not in a good mood, so grab the items quickly.”

The staff member nodded, quickly gathered the items, and stepped out of the pantry. The manager in the hall frowned when he saw him.

“What are you doing?”

“Pardon…?”

“None of these items suit Lord Cleas. The lady must have come to buy a gift for him.”

At those words, the employee looked down at the tray he was holding. All of the items were suited for Grand Duke Akelos.

“Oh…”

“Go back and bring something that would suit Lord Cleas.”

“Something that would suit me?”

A smooth voice cut in, catching both staff members by surprise as they turned their heads. The first thing that caught their eyes was the brilliant golden hair, radiant like the sun, framing a face as perfectly sculpted as a masterpiece, with a refined smile that could brighten anyone’s day.

Cleas.

As he stood there, flashing a charming smile, the manager quickly masked his surprise and bowed.

“Welcome, Lord Cleas.”

“It seems Nike is here?”

“Please, act as though you don’t know. The lady is here to buy a gift for Lord Cleas.”

The corners of Cleas’s mouth curled up in satisfaction at those words.

‘Yes, this is Nike.’

The way she was trying hard to make a good impression, seeking even the smallest affection from him.

‘That day must have just been an anomaly.’

As expected, Nikaearsha hadn’t changed.

That day, she was likely just feeling restless after failing at the manifestation ceremony. It was clear she was now regretting it enough to prepare a gift as an apology.

“Don’t worry. When I receive it, I’ll act completely surprised, as if I had no idea.”

“Thank you.”

With a soft smile, Cleas turned away.

It was only when he was out of sight that the manager pressed the employee.

“What are you doing? Go and get the right items quickly.”

“Actually… I’m not sure it’s a gift for Lord Cleas.”

“What?”

“The lady is currently with His Highness, the Grand Duke Akelos.”

“What do you mean by that… Are you saying it’s because of the room?”

“No, that’s not it… They looked really close. They were even speaking informally to each other…”

“Informally? With His Highness?”

The manager’s voice unintentionally grew louder, and he quickly covered his mouth. But Cleas had already overheard everything.

‘Nike is with Grand Duke Akelos…?’

And they were alone together, in an intimate atmosphere to the extent that they spoke casually. To his knowledge, there was absolutely no connection between Nikaearsha and Grand Duke Akelos.

‘…No.’

There actually was a connection.

“Where are you going?”

“Do I have to tell you?”

That day, Nikaearsha didn’t stay by his side as she usually did.

‘Even then, she left me and went to Grand Duke Akelos.’

Clench.

As Cleas clenched his jaw and strode upstairs, flinging open the door, the scene before him made his eyes waver.

“You…”

Nikaearsha was leaning so close to the grand duke, almost as if she were pouncing on him.

‘Right now, she’s with another man, leaving me behind…’

She would pull away even if he got just a little closer to her. He had assumed it was out of embarrassment; her bright red face seemed to confirm it.

‘But now, with that guy…’

The sight of her white ankles visible beneath the hem of her lifted dress sent a sudden rush of heat to his head in an instant.

“Come here.”

Cleas grabbed Nikaearsha’s wrist and pulled her toward him.

But at that moment—

“I absolutely hate having my time disturbed.”

—Grand Duke Akelos’s large hand wrapped around Nikaearsha’s waist.

Cleas’s brow twitched.

“Let go of her.”

“And why should I?”

“She’s my fiancée.”

“It doesn’t look like your fiancée wants that.”

As Grand Duke Akelos gave a lazy smile, his arm still resting around Nikaearsha’s waist, Cleas’s grip on her wrist tightened, and sparks flew between the two men.