When A Villain Meets A Villain - Chapter 75

“Did you enjoy the meeting with your friends?”

“My wife,” Lionel added as he approached the table, which was only occupied by Atalante.

“The servants seemed to be quite wary of the Argo members in the beginning, but the atmosphere quickly changed to a positive one. I think that they would have good moral character, since they’re your friends.”

There’s no such thing as a criminal organisation with good morals.

As Atalante had that disagreeable thought internally, she set down the cup she was holding and looked at Lionel.

“If you don’t mind, you can visit the annex where the members of Argo stay next time.”

“Thank you.”

There was no need to refuse his goodwill, so Atalante immediately accepted his suggestion.

Lionel sat next to her and placed his arm on the backrest naturally, before opening his mouth.

“I heard that you’re also working diligently on those boring classes to be a grand duchess. All the tutors praise my wife for her fast learning speed. “

“To think that they used to say I didn’t know anything and whatnot…”

“What? Who was it that said something unpleasant to my wife?”

“No… It’s just because I can only get my weapons back when I’ve obtained results.”

It was too dangerous. If she erred while speaking, it would have resulted in disaster for one of her tutors or Agnes.

Watch what you say, and take even more care in what you say, in order to live.

Recently, Lionel has become a little relaxed, perhaps because of the marriage, but he was still an unpredictable madman.

“What do you mean, weapon?”

“I made a simple bet with Agnes. If I achieve tangible results in my classes, I’ll get back my weapons.”

“It seems like you’ve become close to Agnes.”

Lionel seemed to approve, as he nodded with a faint smile.

Was she imagining it when he seemed oddly upset beneath his smiling face?

Atalante averted her gaze from his side profile, which she has yet to get used to, and asked with folded arms.

“I heard that you’d harassed Yuffie?”

“Yuffie? Ahh.”

Yuffie, who had been caught by Devon while wandering around the grand duchy, clung to Atalante and cried for a long while.

Fortunately, Devon was tactful enough that they hadn’t experienced anything threatening, but it was surprising that Yuffie, who refused to concede defeat anywhere, was so scared.

Even though he acts amicably in front of her, Lionel Blanc was, as expected, a scary person.

“He’s a precious friend to me. Not just Yuffie, but all the other executives and members of the organisation. I’ve also treated the grand duke’s people with respect, so I hope that the grand duke will do the same.”

Contrary to her proud demand, Atalante didn’t look in the grand duke’s direction. She just stared at the spot her friend had stayed at a while ago.

“Of course. It seems like I had a misunderstanding with Yuffie. I was just giving him some simple advice.”

“That advice must have been rather frightening.”

Lionel smiled lightly without denying it.

As Atalante thought that that was it, but he was listening to her scolding that wasn’t a scolding with a joyful expression.

After finishing, Atalante asked, “Do you understand?” and scanned his mood for the final time, but an unexpected thought popped out of Lionel’s mouth.

“That’s nice.”

“…Did I say something that you’re unwilling to do? I’ve had this thought for a long while now, but sometimes the grand duke seems to have the temperament of a pervert.”

“Haha, there seems to be a misunderstanding. I just liked an afternoon like this, where I can rest while listening to you speak.”

Lionel smiled warmly after speaking. Atalante’s eyes stung to the point of tears due to the light that entered through the window on her left and the face of the man that sat on her right.

…Of course, she didn’t hate warm things.

“You’re good at saying such cheesy things.”

“What part of it was cheesy? I’ll fix it immediately if you don’t like it.”

Lionel, who made a genuinely apologetic expression, asked with his shining eyes. Atalante stared at that face, before turning towards the window where the sunlight was streaming in from.

Even so, recently, Lionel still seemed much gentler than before. If she could describe it as a slight ticklish sensation now, it was a rather strong riot before.

Atalante, who couldn’t stare at the sunlight for too long, turned her head again and spoke her honest impression.

“But I think you’re less cheesy than before. You used to behave like you were possessed by something.”

“Mm, like a man that’s been drugged?”

“Yes, just like that…”

Atalante, who tried to respond to his words in a playful voice, stiffened.

Did he just say drugged?

Atalante couldn’t help but struggle to stay calm while looking up at Lionel.

‘Does he know about the love position? How? No, since when? If he knew about the drug’s existence, he couldn’t have married me…… No, perhaps he was just saying it offhandedly, making me feel guilty.’

The more Atalante tried to stay calm, the more complicated her thoughts became. It was unexpected of him to know about the drug’s existence before he was given the antidote.

Esma said that as long as his heart is beating, the drug’s effect will work. It’s impossible for Lionel, who’s alive, to awaken from the drug’s effect. But perhaps it’s possible for him to notice that kind of drug’s presence……

“What’s wrong with your expression? Did I say something cheesy again?”

As he said that, Lionel’s eyes were filled with worry.

‘Those eyes aren’t lying. He’s asking that sincerely.’

What he’d said offhandedly caused her mind to be filled with guilt.

If Lionel knew about the truth and was trying to sound her out, this would be a perfect performance from him.

“According to the knights working in the grand ducal castle, straightforward men are popular these days.”

“Straightforward men?”

“Yes. So I’m also actively trying to reach you straightforwardly.”

If this was straightforward, was his actions in the past a rush?

No, it might have been a breakthrough.

Atalante sighed as she looked at the grand duke, who seemed to have completely misunderstood the meaning of the straightforward, before quickly bursting into a short laugh.

“Don’t believe what the knights say. How many of them have been in an actual relationship?”

“That’s true.”

Lionel laughed along with Atalante and naturally circled his arm, which was resting against the backrest, around her.

“Oh-ho.”

Of course, it was immediately stopped by Atalante’s hand. Lionel had a look of regret on his face before removing his arm and whispering.

“Then I’ll ask you. Have you grown slightly fonder of me today?”

“What’s this, it feels like I’m being tested.”

Atalante snorted at Lionel’s earnest attitude and replied with the most mischievous face and voice that she could manage.

“Not at all.”

It was a very short moment, but Atalante was flustered when faced with Lionel’s slightly bitter face.

But Atalante’s embarrassment did not last long due to how his expression straightened immediately.

“I’m glad it wasn’t a minus. I’ll work harder from now on.”

“You should also take care of your left cheek.”

She thought that she’d given a relatively sharp warning, but Lionel just returned with a faint smile.

Lionel took a step closer and placed Atalante’s hand on his left cheek, before speaking in a gentle voice.

“You should also take care.”

His words lacked an object, but Atalante seemed to know what he was asking her to take care of.

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Since then, time passed quickly, and a month has passed since Atalante’s marriage with the Grand Duke.

Many things have changed in that short period of time, but everything important remained in place.

Atalante still has yet to get her weapon back, while there wasn’t any news from Esma about the antidote production.

In fact, Atalante, who’d become the grand duchess, has already achieved enough visibility and results that it wouldn’t pale in comparison if it was recorded in history annals.

Not only did she quickly grasp the grand duchy’s basic etiquette and culture, she also personally guarded the capital by patrolling day and night.

Of course, it wasn’t done out of pure good faith, but because she could carry a weapon as long as she was patrolling.

However, she has never received her own weapons. Because the person that possessed her weapon at the moment was none other than……

“When are you going to return my weapon?”

“Well, I don’t think there’s yet to be any tangible results by my standards, so it’s hard to give you a definite answer.”

It was none other than Atalante’s husband, Lionel Blanc. Lionel, who took her weapon from Agnes like a ghost, has yet to show her the weapon by saying that it was far from enough.

“Aren’t your standards too high? I’ve already done enough!”

“My standards are not high, but my wife’s ability is excellent. You haven’t fully demonstrated your capabilities yet, so it’s hard to say that you’ve achieved results.”

Recently, Atalante was being driven crazy by Lionel, who gave her ridiculous reasons for not returning her weapons back to her.

Atalante, who was pressured to the extreme, even threatened to kill him yesterday, but Lionel didn’t mind. Rather, he said,

“I’d gladly die by your hands.”

He blocked Atalante’s provocation with words strong enough to make her grab the back of her neck.

Without making any significant breakthrough, Atalante led a life as the grand duchess.

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