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Chapter 8
The Villainess Imprinted with the Male Lead
Eyes filled with sorrow, as if tears would spill at any moment if someone touched her.
The moment he realized that the woman was clearly rejecting him, a merciless sensation spread throughout his body, like a sharp needle piercing his heart.
Even though he himself had no feelings for Luciana whatsoever.
“Ha!”
The moment Richt became aware of the unpleasant change that had secretly taken place inside him, he pushed away the lingering presence of Luciana and let out a mocking laugh.
The terrible instinct that screamed for the scent of his destined partner despite his own will.
It was all a consequence of the imprinting that had occurred overnight.
‘Has that woman’s existence already been carved deep into my bones?’
If that was true, did it mean that he was destined to helplessly fall into a foolish love soon and spend the rest of his life suffering?
‘So pointlessly and so helplessly?’
He had made countless vows to himself that he would never live such a life.
But as the solid wall he had built over countless years began to collapse, his fingertips trembled.
As the emotions rising in his throat grew more intense, he covered his reddened eyes with his hand and breathed roughly.
‘……If I killed her without anyone knowing.’
Consumed by the desire to escape this damned situation, his thoughts had gone in an extreme direction.
He remembered the delicate sensation that had fit perfectly within his hand.
If he twisted it like breaking a branch, she would quickly lose her vitality and wither away.
But the moment he imagined her turning pale and cold, he felt as though he had witnessed a horrifying tragedy and could no longer breathe.
In truth, he knew.
Even if he truly made up his mind to kill her, the moment he stood before her, he would become a ridiculous man who could do nothing under the name of “partner.”
“……”
A terrifyingly destructive emotion crashed over him like a wave.
Knock. Knock.
The one who stopped Richt, who was like a volcano about to erupt, was an unexpected knock.
“Your Grace. It is Godwin.”
“……Come in.”
The butler, who had escorted Luciana back properly so that she would not damage the reputation of the ducal family, approached his master, who sat there with a sharp expression, and bowed his head.
“I have safely escorted the guest back to the mansion.”
While giving his brief report, Godwin’s deep blue eyes occasionally glanced toward Richt’s left wrist, which was hidden beneath his shirt.
Although it would not be visible to his eyes, surely inside there was proof that his master had accepted a partner.
Godwin, being from a family that had served the Cassio family for generations, was the only servant who knew the secrets of the ducal family.
‘The Duke, who avoided women his entire life, has formed an imprint?’
Godwin had served as Richt’s butler since he was young. Even after witnessing it with his own eyes, he could hardly believe it as he swallowed a troubled sigh and asked.
“Did you truly imprint with Lady Leslie?”
“……Yes.”
At the direct question, Richt slightly frowned, but the answer that eventually escaped his lips was an affirmation.
‘Such a thing…….’
Godwin became serious at the easy admission.
Judging from his master’s current state, which was filled more with suffering than happiness from meeting his partner, it seemed the imprinting that happened overnight had not been according to the Duke’s will.
‘Did the young lady act on her own? But then why did His Grace not punish the one who committed such an offense and instead calmly send her back to the Marquis’ estate? Wait, the place the young lady came from this morning was definitely His Grace’s bedroom.’
As Godwin pieced together each circumstance, his expression became increasingly confused.
He had never received any report that a visitor had come last night. And the Duke’s bedroom was a place that no one could enter without following strict procedures.
‘That means there must have been some degree of His Grace’s consent…….’
However, seeing his master’s unstable condition, as if he would explode with the slightest touch, his mind filled with questions again.
‘It feels like I should not ask for more details.’
For now, that was not the important matter.
Godwin’s expression turned serious once more. If his guess was correct and Richt’s imprinting had been caused by an accidental incident, then a very troublesome problem was about to arise between them.
“However, Your Grace. It is winter right now.”
“……!”
At the butler’s words that hinted at something, Richt’s eyelids slowly widened.
“Damn it.”
“You have not told her yet?”
“……”
Richt answered with silence.
Winter. The season of the wolf’s mating cycle.
Although Richt’s outer appearance was completely human, he had inherited the instincts of a wolf from the moment he was in his mother’s womb. Now that the imprint had been properly formed, he would inevitably burn with an extreme thirst toward his partner.
‘Of all times, it had to happen in winter.’
Although his mind had been overwhelmed by this sudden disaster, Richt realized that he had failed to tell Luciana the most important and troublesome fact. He leaned his head back in irritation.
The thought of telling that pitiful woman, who was waiting without knowing anything, about this terrible reality made his stomach feel heavy, as if he had swallowed dirt.
“……It will be fine. We are going to meet again at the ball.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Ah, well……”
Seeing that Godwin did not leave the office as usual, Richt asked.
The butler then handed him a small object, saying it was something the maids had discovered while cleaning the bedroom that morning.
Richt also saw it for the first time.
The badge, about the size of his thumbnail, had a black background with a red rose and a white snake engraved on it.
‘What is this?’
Had that woman left it behind?
The snake curled around itself looked strangely sinister yet elegant.
It did not look like a simple decorative item, but Richt naturally assumed it belonged to Luciana. Other than himself, she was the only person who had stepped into his bedroom.
“I will return it separately. Leave it.”
“Yes. Shall I tell the servants to prepare your attire for the ball immediately?”
Looking at the clock, he realized it was already close to five.
It was still a little early to put on formal clothes, but Richt nodded lightly because he needed to organize what he had to tell Luciana.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
Godwin, whose expression had returned to his usual calmness, left the office to carry out the remaining schedule.
Left alone, Richt rubbed his throbbing temple and stood up.
‘……Luciana Leslie.’
The eyes that remembered the partner he would soon meet again were as cold as frosted glass, without even a trace of warmth.
* * *
“My lady, how should we style your hair?”
“Just make it look natural.”
“What perfume would you like? I selected a few scents that would match your outfit……”
With the ball approaching, the maids became extremely busy.
Luciana checked the clock on the wall while receiving careful brushing from her personal maid, Mary.
The ball would begin at nine o’clock, and since it had only just passed seven, there was still plenty of time before arrival.
“Why do you look so gloomy today?”
“Because I want to rest in bed instead of dealing with society events.”
“Huh? Why? Did you suddenly dislike your partner?”
Mary looked at Luciana curiously. The young lady, who had personally chosen her dress and accessories for the ball two weeks ago, was now acting strangely.
“Ah!”
Then she suddenly remembered that her lady had spent the night away from home yesterday and began making a fuss as if she were watching the romantic life of the heroine of a love story.
“Oh my! Oh my! I was so clueless. My lady, you must be very tired!”
“……No, I’m not. I’m just annoyed.”
“Hehe. Sorry.”
Mary quickly closed her mouth under Luciana’s sharp gaze, but her raised cheeks remained.
‘Ugh. Because of Mary, I ended up remembering last night that I had temporarily forgotten.’
Luciana shuddered at herself for becoming tangled together in the same bed with Richt without even knowing he was the male protagonist.
How wonderful would it be if all of this disappeared like a dream when she opened her eyes.
Even knowing it was foolish, she kept hoping for some impossible miracle.
“Shall I tie it halfway back and secure it with a pin?”
“Yeah. We decided on that necklace, right? The pearl necklace Father gave me as a coming-of-age gift.”
“Yes! I’ll bring it right away.”
“Mary, you don’t have to do so much. Anyone would think you’re preparing a bride for her wedding.”
Luciana calmly tried to soothe Mary, who was overflowing with enthusiasm before the ball.
However, Mary seemed unable to hear her, filled with only one determination:
To make her lady the most beautiful woman in the world tonight.
