When A Villain Meets A Villain - Chapter 63

Somehow, the Grand Duchy was in a state of great excitement due to the upcoming national wedding.

As if to prove that, a cheerful atmosphere filled the air the moment the castle gates were crossed through, and the closer it was to the center, the more intense the uniquely excited atmosphere became.

Although the national marriage itself was a reason to be excited about, the biggest reason for their excitement was the news that Lionel Blanc has changed.

Those that fell in love would usually become soft-hearted, even if it was the one and only Grand Duke of Blanc, he was not an exception to the fact.

On the day Atalante first arrived in the Grand Duchy, those that witnessed the grand duke’s expression as he stood next to her proved this in unison.

“I’m sure the Grand Duke loves that lady deeply! I’m sure that he’ll rule the grand duchy in a different way from before!” 

In fact, after Atalante arrived in the Grand Duchy, there was tolerance in Lionel’s manner of handling things, so it wasn’t nonsense.

Thanks to that, the people of the Grand Duchy paid attention to Atalante’s performance, who would become the mother of the nation, as much as they did towards the slowly changing Lionel. They desperately wished for her to revert the grand duke to the ‘Lovely Grand Prince’ of the past.

“A gangster as the mother of the nation?”

After the luggage was dropped onto the floor, Devon expressed his frustration.

He could hear the words spoken by the people of the Grand Duchy vividly, even when he was in the carriage.

Saying about our strong and beautiful mother of the nation, and the goddess of rose… Devon became baffled a few times as he realised that all that chattering was referring to his boss.

“What gangster, can’t you speak nicely?”

“Argo is a gang, so what? Can we become a knight order?”

Devon immediately rebutted Mia’s words and sighed lightly.

“We have to meet the Boss as soon as possible, but it’s frustrating enough that we have to stay here until the national wedding.”

Jenna swept up her hair and continued like she was taking over Devon’s words.

“What about sneaking out?”

“…The Grand Duke has been so lenient with us, so we shouldn’t act as we please. Not only us, but Atalante could also get into trouble.”

For some reason, the three came to an agreement, and ordered the members to rest with stiff faces.

Yuffie, who had already started resting in the carriage… was an exception.

“Yuffie, he’s sleeping well when it’s summer? All that he’s done was sleep the entire day away.”

“Yuffie was so excited about meeting the boss that he stayed up the entire night. Obviously he’d be sleepy.”

“…His body follows his spirit. Sometimes I get goosebumps about the fact that a real seven-year-old is in that wide body.”

Tsk, after clicking his tongue, Devon was about to move towards the veranda to burn a cigarette.

“Who are you guys?”

People dressed in uniforms and knights, which they were seeing for the first time, entered the annex in swarms.

The executives and members of the organisation that were in a combat-ready state aimed their guns and swords at them.

However, instead of being afraid, the suspicious group straightened their shoulders and became irritated.

“Keep your weapons! We’re so busy!”

Although it was Argo’s break that was being interrupted, for some reason it was being drawn as their fault.

Soon afterwards, a woman dressed in unique clothes appeared in the middle. Madame Delica, who scanned the members with tired eyes, clapped her hands lightly and said.

“My name is Madame Delica. I’m here for your wedding ceremony outfits. Didn’t you hear from the Grand Duke? I’m going to get your measurements now, so please cooperate with the members of my staff.”

“Wait a minute, we don’t need those clothes, it’s not like we can pay for them…!”

“I’ve already received the advanced payment from the Grand Duke. Every single minute and second is precious, so let’s get started quickly. Guys, gather over there. Girls, come over here. Right now!”

The astonished Jenna approached Gianna and wasn’t able to do much in particular .

It’s better to obey the grand duke’s words first. The executives, who exchanged glances, ordered the members with a sigh.

“We’ll do as that woman says. Everyone in Argo, from now onwards, we’ll be altering…our clothes.”

It was the first time receiving such an order. Their bewilderment lasted for a moment, before the members of the organisation immediately obeyed the unfamiliar orders.

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Unknowingly, the Grand Duchy’s national marriage was in two days.

The servants of the Grand Duchy were extremely busy, but no one was dissatisfied. This is because they were expectant of the change that will occur in the ducal castle, and the Grand Duchy, after the national marriage.

“Your Highness, all the vassals at the edges of the borders have arrived in the capital. The ceremonial hall is ready and the preparations of all other details have been wrapped up.”

Paul, who visited the grand duke early in the morning, finished his report with an agitated look.

The grand duke, who read the documents he gave out, nodded instead of praising him.

Not only was he not being specially cared for, Lionel’s face was brighter than usual when he should have been busy with preparations for the national marriage.

“You’ve completely turned into a new bridegroom.”

With a smile on his face, Paul, who was being sarcastic internally, cleared her throat.

“What about the members of Argo?”

“Fortunately, they are following the instructions well. The outfits for the members of Argo have also entered the final stage.”

“I see.”

“It seems like Your Highness greeting them personally on that day was rather effective. To be honest, I was a little surprised that the street gang was being so cooperative.”

He was being truthful.

As it was an underground organisation consisting of hooligans, he was fully prepared for their unreasonable behaviour, but they’re more rational than he’d imagined.

“What hooligans, that expression is a little offensive.”

“What? But Argo…….”

“Paul, Argo are knights under Miss Atalante’s direct command.”

“I respect Your Highness’ plan, but aren’t you burying your head in the sand too much…”

“As well as a merchant group directly controlled by the Grand Duchy.”

After stating his piece, Lionel’s lips drew up into a beautiful curve.

Paul nodded modestly instead of responding. The words that the grand duke had personally spoken were accomplished regardless of the means, and the plan didn’t include anything other than making it happen.

His plan was to launder Argo’s identity into a completely different group than before, and the plan was already in place.

History will remember Argo as an upright and just knight and merchant group, not a shadowy underground organisation. All because of the grand duke’s plan.

The reason why Grand Duke is putting so much effort into an organisation that had nothing to do with him was pretty simple.

It is just a preliminary measure so that it wouldn’t interfere with Atalante’s future.

‘It truly is the love of the century.’

While Paul, who had given up on doubting his love, sighed repeatedly, someone knocked on the door of the office.

“I’ll go and take a look…”

“Atalante.”

Lionel, who jumped up from his seat before Paul could turn around, advanced towards the door.

“Your Highness, Miss Atalante is in the midst of receiving care. She couldn’t have come here at this time…”

However, once again, Paul’s words didn’t come true this time.

“Oh? How did you know it was me?”

The person standing on the other side of the door opposite of Lionel was evidently the woman that will become the grand duchess in two days.

‘How did he manage to get it right just by hearing the sound of knocking?’

Paul, who was again impressed by his amazing listening abilities, made himself scarce tactfully. He exchanged an odd glance with Atalante like it was a habit.

‘It will be fine, as long as you bear a tough heart against our Highness.’

‘Don’t cling to me later on, refusing to divorce later on.’

Actually, instead of saying they exchanged glances, it was more accurate to say that they looked at each other with various kinds of thoughts in mind.

But Atalante and Paul’s exchange of glances didn’t continue even further.

They didn’t need to blush, as they were secret partners that would achieve ‘Divorce with Atalante’.

“Is there anything you want to say to Paul?”

Lionel, who noticed their glances without their realisation, asked with a tilted head.

“No, I was just looking because his countenance doesn’t seem all that well.”

“He’s been busy preparing for the national wedding in various ways. After the ceremony, I’m going to give him a bonus and a vacation as a reward.”

Atalante couldn’t help but doubt her ears because of those absurd words.

“Of course, I’ll reward not only Paul, but give an appropriate reward to all the servants that have worked hard.”

It was much more plausible for Lionel Blanc to say that there are mice that prey on cats than sympathise with the servants’ hard work.

At the sight of Atalante with round eyes, Lionel bent his upper body like a dog hoping for praise, and asked.

“I’m kind, right?”

Ahhh. Atalante quickly recognized why he was doing something unlike him, and gave a compliment that she was now accustomed to giving.

“That’s kind of you, Your Highness Grand Duke Lionel, who’s kind, generous and magnanimous.”

As she recited the ticklish compliment like she was chanting a spell, she immediately reached out an arm to ruffle the grand duke’s silver hair.

The special way of praising him was somewhat familiar now, but touching his fine hair was a separate matter. It was pleasant to stroke his silver hair, which was soft and gave a pleasant scent, at any time.

As soon as her hand stopped, Lionel raised his upper body, and spoke with a bashful smile.

“Thank you for the compliment, but I feel strange because it feels like you’re gradually touching me like you would to a dog.”

“How could that be? If you don’t like it, I won’t do it anymore?”

“Aren’t you very clear that I don’t hate it?”

I was just saying it, he mumbled as he closed the slightly open door and asked softly.

“Why have you come to see me today at this hour? The ceremony will soon be upon us, so Miss Atalante must be very busy.”

Even after Atalante ran away like she was escaping that night, Lionel would frequently visit her in her study alone.

The meticulous grand duke even packed Rubel’s carefully prepared late-night snack to prevent his fiancee from fleeing.

As he sat next to her, he asked about Atalante’s daily life and diligently listed the things that were worth being praised for.

Occasionally, when there was a lack of conversational topics, he told a grown-up Atalante the Grand Duchy’s old tales, which were told to children.

As she grumbled, she listened to Lionel’s words, and she began waiting for his visit secretly from some point onwards.

Of course, the story’s ending always ended with the blushing Atalante leaving.

In fact, she made a sudden visit to the Grand Duke’s office in order to avoid the ladies-in-waiting, and also because she was curious about the ending of the old story that she heard yesterday.

‘But I definitely can’t say that.’

She’d be easily ridiculed if the fact that the world’s greatest villain knocked on the door of the grand duke’s office in the morning because she was curious about a fairy tale was made known.

As Atalante’s ears turned red for no particular reason because of a trivial question, opened her mouth after choosing her words for a long period of time.

“I just… I just wanted to play hooky.”

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