The Dead Villainess Had A Child With The Male Lead

Chapter 26 Rain Showers

After the meeting, Veronia and Killion strolled through the gardens together.

The Emperor and Empress, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Drea, had combined to force them into the garden.

“I am deeply impressed by what your Majesty has said today.”

“What? What do you mean…?”

Veronia had been distraught ever since the announcement of their upcoming wedding.

She didn’t immediately understand Killion’s meaning, so she had to ask.

“I mean, we should listen to the people’s grievances first.”

“Ah…”

Killion asked, her dark expression bothering him the entire time.

“Doesn’t Your Highness like that?”

“What?”

“The marriage, I mean.”

“…”

Veronia paused for a moment, then finally spoke frankly.

“I don’t think the timing is right, and I don’t want marriage, which is supposed to be sacred, to be taken advantage of in this way, and I don’t want to be taken advantage of… anymore.”

“Then what if instead of thinking you’re being taken advantage of, you actually think it’s for the good of the people?”

Don’t tell me you don’t know, Veronia said with her eyes instead of her voice.

The people were poor and tired.

Their immediate need was for a few gold coins or a few bags of flour.

‘Isn’t the news of a beautiful maiden’s marriage to a brave knight enough for a… fairy tale?’

Veronia looked up at Killion, her heart lodged firmly in her throat.

Understanding the frustration in her eyes, Killion spoke slowly.

“I don’t think money and food are the only things that keep a human alive. I think there are things like love and hope that are essential to life.”

“….”

“If I can bring a little hope to a tired and angry people, I’m all for it. I will be taken advantage of, so don’t be too hard on the message.”

“… Lord Killion.”

Her heart fluttered in her throat as she listened to the softly rumbling bass voice, as she looked into that good-natured face, as she met those ever-straight, ever-bright eyes.

And at the same time, the symptoms came.

The symptom of Killion’s confession from last night playing over and over in my head.

‘I am troubled by the night I spent with you. My kiss with Your Highness bothers me. It bothers me that Your Highness… bothered me.’

Veronia’s face flushed bright red.

It was then.

Whack, whack, whack, and suddenly thick raindrops began to fall.

“Ah…!”

Killion didn’t hesitate to remove his jacket and place it over Veronia’s head.

The large jacket covered most of her upper body.

“Are you all right, Your Highness?”

“There’s a shelter from the rain over there, let’s go there.”

Seeing where Veronia’s finger was pointing, Killion nodded.

Then he pulled her into a quick hug.

“If you’ll excuse me, Your Highness.”

Startled by Killion’s sudden behavior, Veronia swung her legs away.

“Ugh! Lord Killion?”

Killion held Veronia tightly in his arms and began walking at a brisk pace.

The rain quickly increased in intensity, but thankfully, the spacious tent kept them dry.

When they reached the tent, Killion gently set Veronia down.

“Thank you.”

“I apologize for startling you in my haste.”

“It’s okay.”

Veronia smiled, patting her chest, which was still heaving from the surprise.

“But you’re all wet, what shall we do?”

She felt sorry for him, seeing him soaked from head to toe.

“Just give me a cup of hot tea when it stops raining, and I’ll be fine.”

“Yes, I will.”

Veronia and Killion sat side by side and stared out at the unrelenting rain.

Their gazes were fixed on the torrential downpour, but their minds were on each other.

Killion could feel it vaguely.

He was grateful for the adults who had forced them into the garden together, but Veronia was not so keen on the idea.

He regretted it, but he also realized that he had no choice.

It seemed only natural that she would feel overwhelmed by his unannounced confession last night.

Nevertheless, he wanted to stay with her longer.

So, leaning on her apologetic heart, he asked for a cup of hot tea.

‘I know it’s childish… but it’s the only way…’

Killion swallowed a silent sigh, one that Veronia felt as well.

Spending time with him was poison to her.

Every look in his eyes, every sound in his voice, every action he took weakened her heart.

It made her greedy.

‘That’s why I hoped I wouldn’t run into Killion until the day I left…’

But today was not the day she would get her wish.

‘I must escape at least two days before the wedding article is published, for if I disappear after it is published, Killion’s name will be on everyone’s lips for nothing.’

There was another problem.

‘I really don’t want Killion to feel sorry for himself…’

She is afraid he’ll think she ran away because she didn’t want to marry him, and she leaves a deep hole in his heart.

‘It’s not that… it’s never Killion’s fault… it’s all the imperial family’s fault, it’s the original!’

She felt so frustrated that nothing was going her way.

She thought she was freezing, but suddenly she sneezed, and Killion’s face instantly darkened at the sound.

“Are you cold, Your Highness? I’m afraid not, you’ll have to go back now.”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m afraid you’re going to catch a cold this way.”

“…”

Killion’s concern for her well-being was so grave that Veronia panicked for a moment.

‘Oh… Killion, isn’t this a complete… character breakdown? What’s with the sincere concern and the sweetness?’

Veronia was dazed. She was as drunk on romance as she was drunk on alcohol.

She took Killion’s hand gently in hers and grinned.

“I really don’t mind… so we’ll just stay like this for a while.”

“Your Highness…?”

“I just want to… because it’s so nice right now.”

Veronica turned her gaze straight ahead and looked out at the harsh rain.

Thankfully, Killion didn’t encourage it.

She liked the sound of the rain hitting the roof of the tent.

She loved the smell of the rain-soaked grass and the warmth of our interlocking arms.

She loved this time, sitting side by side with Killion.

‘Killion, please don’t misunderstand or blame yourself, I’m not running away from you because I don’t want to marry you, and it’s not because I don’t like you, so please… I must be happy.’

Veronia leaned her head gently against Killion’s shoulder.

She hoped and hopped.

Killion would remember this moment.

For him to know that she liked him.

***

“Good morning, Your Highness! Did you sleep well?”

The maid Linda’s step was quick, for she had a busy day ahead of her.

The day after tomorrow, an article announcing Veronia and Killion’s marriage would appear in the newspapers.

Today was the day to work on the portraits that would accompany the story.

It would take all morning to get their faces puffed up, their make-up applied, their dresses fitted, and their hair done.

‘Busy, busy, busy, but I couldn’t be happier!’

Linda’s face broke into a wide grin.

The thought of being a part of the most important time of Veronia’s life in the months between now and the wedding made Linda feel very happy.

To be able to witness the most beloved woman in the world, the most beautiful woman in the world, as she prepared for her wedding, from start to finish, was the best of fortunes, Linda thought.

“Time to cough, Your Highness, … Your Highness?”

Normally, Veronia was a light sleeper, so she usually woke up immediately when called.

But not today, she was still curled up in her covers, not stirring.

‘I wonder if you’re feeling unwell? You were caught in the rain a few days ago and had a cold, but you seemed to get over it soon enough, so I’m wondering if it’s gone bad again…’

Linda approached the bedside cautiously, her heart racing.

“Your Highness, are you ill, Your Highness?”

Linda shook Veronia gently under the covers, but still no response.

So she shook her a little harder.

“Uh…?’

Something was wrong.

The sensation on her fingertips… was different!

“Your Highness, forgive my rudeness!”

Linda yanked back the covers impatiently.

It wasn’t there.

There was a human-sized pillow, not Veronia, curled up in the duvet.

“Your Highness!”

Thump, thump, thump, her heart was beating like crazy.

Her fingertips trembled.

‘Where have you been so early in the morning? Did you go for a walk? And why is your pillow…?!!’

Linda rushed out of the bedroom. She had to find Veronia.

An ominous feeling of foreboding hit her heart, her head, her whole body.

***

The palace is shaken.

Veronia had disappeared overnight.

“Crazy, stupid, how dare you repay a favour with enmity, rotten, I should have killed you, Veronia, you damned X!”

Sandra screamed at the top of her lungs until her face was red with anger.

It didn’t help.

“Ahhhhhh, don’t worry too much, she will be back on my feet soon enough, she is a child who has only lived in the imperial palace all her life, how could she leave the palace and the capital?”

“You’re right, my dear. The Allied Knights and capital scouts, led by Lord Killion, are scouring the neighborhood, and he will be caught today.”

“Why don’t you start thinking about sister’s punishment when she returns, then you’ll be less impatient to wait, mum.”

Sandra’s frown eased as the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and the Third Prince consoled her.

“Such a dreadful misadventure at this critical time! Veronia, the child must be out of her mind.”

“I knew he was a little out of sorts after the poison he took at his last birthday, but I didn’t realise it was this bad. I should have watched him more carefully, but that’s my fault.”

“It’s not your fault, Brother Tate, it’s your sister’s weakness and ignorance.”

All this from brothers who shared blood with Veronica.