I Caught the Villain’s Attention - Chapter 109
Only Krnovel
I Got the Villain’s Attention Episode 109 – #109
It was after a short break and dinner.
“Claire, would you mind speaking with the Duke of Berzel?”
Miss Veronica asked me cautiously. I hesitated for a moment and then nodded, not being so stupid as to not know what that conversation meant.
“Yes, it’s okay. You have to do it once.”
“okay.”
Miss Veronica smiled softly at me. Then she turned her head to look at Alex, who was looking at us with a puzzled expression.
“Duke Berzel. Is this a good time for you? I have something to tell you.”
“It’s okay now, as long as you’re okay with it.”
“Then can we move for a moment?”
“Okay. Follow me.”
“yes.”
Miss Veronica and Alex stood up from their seats. I followed them.
The place I arrived after following Alex was his office.
Abina prepared refreshments at the table.
Miss Veronica didn’t speak until the sweet scent of tea wafted through the office.
Alex also didn’t say anything to Miss Veronica because she was quiet. But he didn’t rush her either.
In the awkward silence, it seemed like I was the only one who felt uncomfortable.
Then, breaking the long silence, Miss Veronica opened her mouth.
“After this trial is over, I plan to leave the Duke of Berzel and return to the Count Maynard family.”
Alex simply nodded to Miss Veronica’s words.
“So, I thought it would be a good idea to have a chat with the Duke before I leave, so I asked for some time.”
“… … It must be because of Claire. Right?”
When Alex asked Miss Veronica again, she nodded.
“Yes, that’s right. Your Majesty, you know that Claire is in love with you, right?”
“I know.”
Alex answered without hesitation.
Even though I had personally told Alex and Miss Veronica about this, somehow my face felt even hotter as they continued to talk about it so casually.
Miss Veronica, who noticed me like that, grabbed my hand. When I raised my head to check on the girl, I saw her smiling faintly at me.
Strangely enough, the moment I saw that sight, my heart melted.
I still felt embarrassed, but not as embarrassed as before.
“So, I thought we should have a proper discussion before we leave. What should we do going forward?”
“Thank you for speaking first.”
“No. It’s Claire’s business.”
Alex smiled faintly at Miss Veronica’s words, as if she were his own older sister.
“I’ve already talked to Claire. If she wants to stay with me.”
“Are you saying that with the assumption of marriage?”
“okay.”
Miss Veronica nodded in agreement with Alex and continued speaking.
“Claire is a commoner, so it won’t be easy for her to get married. Do you have any plans for that? You don’t plan on taking Claire as your mistress, do you?”
Miss Veronica spoke with a sharp tone, perhaps out of concern or anxiety. Alex let out a small laugh at her words.
“No way. We’ve already discussed that. If it’s difficult for Claire, who is a commoner, how about giving her a title?”
“What is it?”
Miss Veronica seemed surprised, then tilted her head.
“But isn’t it justified? Everyone knows. It’s for some purpose. Then, can’t you guess what Claire’s gaze will be like?”
“I have the authority to grant titles, and even if Claire were to receive one, there would be a stigma attached to it. That’s what I was worried about.”
Alex paused for a moment and then continued speaking.
“That doesn’t mean there’s no justification. If Claire hadn’t revealed Christine Lobelin’s existence during the recent Duke Franz incident, who knows what kind of misfortune might have happened. If she gave her a title for that achievement, others wouldn’t be able to speak out so easily.”
“I know that Your Highness has prepared thoroughly for the trial. And I also know that if things continue as they are, the trial will not be very disadvantageous. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be worried.”
Miss Veronica, who had been pondering for a moment, moved her lips several times. It seemed as if she was about to say something difficult.
“What about adoption…?”
“If it’s adoption.”
“Don’t you think Claire needs some sort of protection from the fence? Even if she gets a title.”
Alex and Miss Veronica’s gaze naturally fell on me.
I felt awkward at the gaze that would normally be normal, so I laughed.
“Then I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry? Why?”
Miss Veronica opened her eyes wide and asked at the words I brought up.
“As you said, I can imagine that people will criticize the Maynards for that very reason.”
Of course, I know that there is nothing wrong with being in-laws with Alex. On the contrary, there are many advantages. At the same time, the criticism directed at me will be diverted to the Maynards.
The Earl and Lady Maynard I watched were all great people. It was true that I felt guilty that their reputations were tarnished because of me.
“If that’s the case, then you don’t have to worry about that. I’ve told you over and over again, right? You’re like my little brother.”
“Is that really okay? Will your Majesty be okay with it?”
“I’ll try to convince my father. I don’t think he’ll be very opposed to it. Or, there’s also the option of our family stepping up as Claire’s guardian, so I think it would be a good idea to consider that as well.”
Miss Veronica, who had finished speaking, looked at me intently.
If I wasn’t a wreck, I would rather be indebted to the Earl of Maynard.
I wondered to myself which one would be better.
As I remained silent, Miss Veronica and Alex also waited calmly for me to speak.
Actually, I’ve thought about this part a few times.
Although Alex had talked about giving titles, it was realistically difficult.
The easy way out was for me to be adopted by the Maynards, as Miss Veronica had said. That would have been the least burdensome.
Because the Count and Madame took great care of me when I was young after my parents passed away.
In fact, the Maynard family were like my family.
“Then, even though it’s shameless, can I do that?”
As I began to speak with difficulty, Miss Veronica smiled gently.
“Okay. Of course. I’ll tell my parents.”
“I am worried whether the Count and Madame will allow it.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
I felt relieved when I heard Miss Veronica’s words.
“I’ll contact my parents about this later. Maybe my father would like to meet the Duke in person.”
“That’s right. Since it’s an important matter, it would be better to meet in person and discuss it. If necessary, I wouldn’t mind going myself.”
“It seems like it will be after the trial, so how about making a separate appointment then?”
“I think that would be better.”
Alex also didn’t seem to have much of a complaint about Miss Veronica’s words.
“Then I will get up and go.”
As Alex nodded, Miss Veronica stood up. I followed her, gave Alex a quick greeting, and left the office.
“miss.”
At my call, Miss Veronica turned her head and looked at me. She seemed to be asking what was going on.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Are you talking about adoption?”
“yes…….”
You might think I’m timid, but I couldn’t help but feel worried.
Even though we had been living like family, it might have been uncomfortable for Miss Veronica and Count Maynard and Madame, who had been living as nobles, to accept me, a commoner, as their real family.
After all, this was a class society.
“Are you worried?”
“It can’t be helped. As you know, my lady, I… … .”
“Haven’t I told you over and over again that I thought of you as my own little brother?”
I held my breath for a moment, looking at the girl’s serious expression.
“I’ve never once said anything in vain. I really think of you as my little brother. That’s why I’m glad we became a real family.”
“Would the Count or Madame feel the same way?”
“Of course. If you think about it, Claire, you’re really a coward. I can’t understand how you proposed a contract to the Duke of Berzel for our family.”
When I saw Miss Veronica smiling as if she couldn’t stop me, my uneasy feelings seemed to ease.
“Don’t worry about that and just get some rest. Your head will be in turmoil with the upcoming trial of Duke Franz.”
“What is there to complicate for me?”
Let’s laugh for no reason. Miss Veronica let out a snicker.
“Then let’s go in.”
“yes.”
I headed to the bedroom, mulling over what had happened with Miss Veronica.