Why Is My Husband the Villainous Schemer! - Chapter 96

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 96
I’d never warmed to House of Dishulie from our first meeting.
‘And that cold feeling hasn’t changed one bit.’
Especially not now, standing face to face with him in such a formal setting.
“It’s been a while since we last met, Marquis, and Marchioness.”
He stood before Linea as though denying her very existence, not sparing her so much as a glance.
No matter how long Carcel and I waited, he deliberately ignored the girl.
‘He’s so conservative that he probably thinks this kind of sudden social elevation is cheating.’
After all, this empire practiced merit-based succession rather than primogeniture.
Unless they were an only child like Lusian, the imperial princes competed to become emperor.
And the Grand Duke of House of Dishulie, unable to prove his own merit, seemed all the more obsessed with his birthright superiority, driven by inferiority.
That was why he considered such sudden shifts in social status to be improper.
Then Carcel spoke to Linea with affection.
“Do you perhaps remember the greeting protocol for children who attend high society gatherings, which was covered in Chapter One of your Etiquette textbook?”
“Yes!”
Innocent Linea began chattering happily about her recent lessons.
“A child accompanying a family at an official gathering is there as a representative, so they should be treated the same as adults.”
“That’s true—they should receive equal treatment. But what should Linea do when she meets an adult?”
“I learned that adults must always greet first, and children should wait until then. It’s a matter of courtesy.”
“Then?”
Carcel fixed his gaze on the Grand Duke with a subtle smile.
The Grand Duke let out a dry chuckle at Carcel’s pointed stare, which unmistakably implied ‘aren’t you going to greet her?’
“Are you now suggesting that I don’t even know basic etiquette?”
“Not at all. Surely it’s a father’s duty to assist in his daughter’s education in high society?”
Carcel smiled knowingly.
“I’m merely hoping that my daughter will naturally master the opening chapter of basic courtesy through this precious opportunity to meet Your Grace.”
In other words, he was saying: ‘This is basic stuff—how can a man of your rank not know it?’
Of course, Linea seemed to have no idea what was really being said.
Though everyone present likely caught the subtle barbs being exchanged.
The Grand Duke had already lost the emperor’s trust.
Without his title, he would have found no welcome in high society at all—he was deeply uncomfortable to be around.
‘If we drag this out any longer, we’ll look just as petty.’
So I decided to bring matters to a close.
“Would Your Grace be willing to give the child an opportunity to learn etiquette?”
I was careful to slip in a subtle jab at the Grand Duke as well.
“Your Grace’s courtesy is so often cited as a model in high society—if you were to teach my daughter, the Marquis’s house would never forget such kindness.”
“Hmm.”
For the first time, the Grand Duke’s expression softened before me.
Just as one accustomed to flattery would.
Once I’d flattered his vanity and strengthened his sense of pride, the Grand Duke extended a greeting to Linea as though he were granting a favor.
“Very well, Young Lady of the Marquis Rivandel. You still have much to learn.”
“Yes! But I learned something today. Thank you so much!”
Linea blushed charmingly and laughed. “Hehe.”
Of course, to a man as twisted as the Grand Duke, the child’s innocent response probably sounded like mockery.
But I knew the truth.
‘Linea thinks she successfully applied what was in the textbook and is proud of herself.’
And it was the Grand Duchess who swooped in to save this awkward conversation.
“So you’re that Marchioness who’s been making waves in high society lately.”
Before introducing her son, Valter, the Grand Duchess offered an explanation to me.
“My son can be difficult at times, I’m afraid, but he’s not a bad person. If we’ve caused offense, I sincerely apologize.”
‘He’s a terrible person.’
He’d been trying to assassinate the young Lusian for ages, and he didn’t even regard those beneath him as human beings.
But I turned to the Grand Duchess with a smile.
“Since House Rivandel carries important duties in the empire just as House Dishulie does, let’s become friends.”
The Grand Duchess, unusually speaking politely despite being of higher rank than I, kindly introduced her son.
“I’m Ideline, and this is our son, Valter.”
I faced Valter, who stood askew with a bored expression, and offered a respectful bow.
“The Marchioness of Rivandel honors the Young Duke.”
Valter gave a perfunctory nod of his head.
I wasn’t bothered, since I already knew what kind of person he was.
I simply intended to slip away from this encounter naturally.
Had Ideline not stopped me.
“Oh, Marchioness. Or… would it be alright to call you Asha?”
“I… well…”
“I’m sorry. The truth is, I knew you slightly a long time ago. You don’t remember me?”
At Ideline’s words, I pressed my lips together.
‘There was nothing like this in the original story. Could they have known each other as children?’
As I scrambled to recall what I could from the source material, Ideline smiled shyly.
It was an endearing smile, like that of a small mouse.
The Grand Duke gazed upon her not with his usual spiteful expression, but with affectionate eyes.
Ideline continued.
“Since we’ve hardly exchanged words before, it wouldn’t be strange if you didn’t remember me.”
“Please forgive me for failing to remember someone as unforgettable as you.”
To me, Ideline was not someone to draw close to, but someone to be wary of.
One of those fated to die, just like myself.
But Ideline’s death came because of the Grand Duke’s rebellion.
And judging by the current circumstances, her fate didn’t seem like it would change.
‘His Majesty is the type who’ll want to eliminate everyone, including Ideline, to be safe.’
Ideline shook her head and then asked me.
“Would it be alright if we invited Asha to our Salon later?”
“An invitation?”
This was unexpected.
‘Ideline barely appears in the original story.’
I steeled my resolve and answered her with a matching smile.
“I haven’t yet perfected my education, so I worry I might cause trouble…”
Noticing my distance, Ideline continued her explanation.
“Oh, don’t worry. Everyone wears masks there, and we follow the rule of conversing as equals.”
“Then, if you’ll have me despite my shortcomings, I’d be delighted to come.”
It was my first invitation to a Salon.
‘Salons are where all sorts of valuable information and gossip circulate, aren’t they?’
It was definitely worth attending!
As my expression grew lighter, Ideline nodded.
“Then Asha, I’ll send an invitation to the Marquis’s residence. The Salon is a place where diverse people come and go freely, so I’m sure you’ll find it delightful.”
With a face pure and innocent for a Grand Duchess, she soon led Valter away.
Their next target was Amira, the beloved princess of the Kelbeta Kingdom.
“Carcel, Carcel.”
“Hmm?”
He leaned toward me as I tugged at his sleeve.
I whispered in his ear and asked, “What kind of person is the Grand Duchess? There were no special notes about her in any documents.”
“She’s not particularly threatening, but I understand she has strong attachment to her son, the Young Duke.”
“Ah… then perhaps she might know about the assassination attempts and simply turn a blind eye.”
Her outward appearance had made me drop my guard for a moment—she seemed so kind and innocent.
But if that were true, she might well share the Grand Duke’s ambition of placing Valter on the throne.
“In high society, you must not readily trust anyone.”
“I understand.”
“But you are different, Asha. You may trust as much as you wish. I can handle everything else.”
Carcel laughed shamelessly, his throat rumbling.
“There now! I’m not the foolish type.”
“Don’t worry about consequences. Just follow your instincts and do as you please.”
I poked him gently in the ribs.
I certainly didn’t dislike Carcel for trusting me so readily.
Then Carcel lightly kissed my cheek.
“There are people around, and Linea too!”
“No one will see.”
“They’ll just pretend not to.”
As we bantered like this, someone approached us from ahead.
“Viscount Belmann greets the Marquis, the Marchioness, and the Young Lady.”
With the Grand Duke’s family gone, Viscount Belmann appeared and offered his respects.
He had honey-blonde hair and mysterious silver-blue eyes—a beautiful man indeed.
Handsome enough to be called pretty, yet his solid frame and angular features made it unmistakably clear he was male.
‘A different feeling from Carcel.’
The moment I thought that, my vision cut off abruptly.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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