The reason why the villainess saved the male protagonist's terminally ill brother

Chapter 18

“I wanted to purchase it since it was the new masterpiece by perfumer Meardon, but Duke Harold had already bought all the rights to its sale.”

“Even the Marchioness of Mayer tried to get her hands on it but couldn’t.”

“Yes, and I was quite irritated by it, though of course, I’m only joking, Duchess. The Duke is known for purchasing not only the items he likes but also the exclusive rights to them. I assumed you were aware of this, naturally.”

“Ah…”

I had no idea.

Since the novel was primarily told from Ella’s perspective, there weren’t many mentions of the male lead’s terminally ill brother, Harold. ‘Diana’ had been so fixated on Kaiden that she paid no attention to Harold, who often clashed with her.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the perfume Harold gave me was one he’d purchased exclusive rights to.

Although, I shouldn’t have been too surprised—Harold was known to be obsessively possessive about his belongings, to the point that he left nothing to Kaiden and his mother when he died, and even dismissed all his capable subordinates from the dukedom. Looking back, maybe I should have figured that out sooner… Well, probably.

‘So that’s why he kept saying it was “his scent”…’

The fresh fragrance that lingered in the air now felt a bit embarrassing, and I could feel heat creeping up the back of my neck.

But why had Harold given me this perfume? He even went as far as to apply it himself.

It seemed unlike someone who was so possessive of his things to do that. Puzzled, I turned the idea over in my mind until a theory finally clicked into place, and I nodded to myself with an inner ‘Ah!’

Hadn’t he said himself that as long as someone didn’t betray him, he treated his people well? I guess, for now, I was considered one of his people, and this was just his way of taking care of me.
Feeling more at ease with my own conclusion, the confusion in my chest began to settle.

“Haha, I’ve always wondered what the Duke would be like if he ever fell for a woman.”

“Same here. If he’s like that with his possessions, imagine how he’d be with a woman he loves.”

Their curious gazes turned toward me, making me smile awkwardly.

Yeah, I’m curious too. If Harold ever fell for someone, I bet his obsession and possessiveness would only get worse, not better.

If Harold were the male lead of a novel, “possessive male lead” would definitely be one of his keywords.

Possessive male leads are great in fiction, but in real life… well…

I mentally offered my sympathies to whatever woman Harold might fall in love with in the future.

* * *

As the party continued, it was nearing time for the dance.

Before parting ways with the noblewomen, I took a moment to apologize to those who had once been affected by ‘Diana’s’ actions. Then, I started looking for Harold.

‘He was around here earlier…’

I scanned the party hall, but he was nowhere to be seen. Maybe he’d gone to the lounge or the terrace?

‘I hope he hasn’t collapsed from the pain again.’

Although his pain had lessened since we started treatment, but it hadn’t completely disappeared. I couldn’t help but worry that Harold might be enduring it alone somewhere.

I doubted he would since he’d promised me, but just in case, I hurried to find him.

However, before I could spot Harold, my eyes met Kaiden’s instead.

Kaiden approached me, his brows furrowing slightly.

“…That perfume scent.”

His voice was strained as if he were trying to hold back his annoyance.

“Duchess, may I speak with you alone for a moment?”

What more could we have to talk about? I was sure I’d made it clear last time that I wasn’t interested in him.

“Your fiancée, Lady Ella, didn’t seem well. Why are you asking me for a conversation instead of checking on her?”

“Ella said she wanted to be alone.”

I placed my hand on my chest and bowed my head slightly.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think we can have that conversation. I’m looking for my husband.”

“Duchess.”

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

Just as I was about to walk past him, a maid approached me.

“Duke Harold has asked me to escort you, Duchess.”

Oh. Perfect timing.

“Let’s go.”

“Right this way.”

Ignoring the sharp gaze I felt on my back, I followed the maid. She led me to the garden, but when we arrived, Harold wasn’t there.

“Duchess, you’ve come.”

“…Lady Ella.”

The maid quickly disappeared, having fulfilled her task. Ella smiled at me, the timid act she had put on in front of the noblewomen completely gone now that we were alone. She met my gaze directly.
“I’m here to offer you an opportunity, as a friend,” she said slowly, with a smile as serene as an angel’s.
“You need money, don’t you?”
“Why are you suddenly talking about money…?”

“You’ll need to prepare for Duke Harold’s death, won’t you? I can give you that money.”

“…”

“In exchange, leave the empire entirely.”

…Wait a minute. Didn’t I hear a similar proposition from the male lead (Kaiden) before? Is this why they say couples start to resemble each other?

Kaiden had been worried that I might try to cling to him under the pretense of becoming his family. And Ella? Is she afraid I’ll cling to Kaiden and become a nuisance?

If that were truly her concern, she would have urged me to leave the Empire right away when she found me in the bridal waiting room, instead of trying to make me give up the any inheritance.

“I’m going to decline. I have no lingering feelings for Lord Kaiden, so there’s no need to worry.”

Ella bit her lower lip.

“Why don’t you like Kaiden? And why are you trying to change yourself, even with your dress style? I don’t want to pay attention to you, but because you’re changing, I can’t help but be bothered.”

“What?”

I was stunned as she looked up at me with teary eyes, as if genuinely upset.

“You shouldn’t have rejected the opportunity I gave you. Then we could all be happy. Listen carefully, Duchess. Whatever happens from now on, it’s all your fault.”

She whispered those words softly, only loud enough for me to hear, and then suddenly collapsed to the ground, screaming.

“Kyaaah!”

Ella grabbed her hair and mussed it up as though someone had pulled it violently.

“Please, someone help me! Hic…”

Tears streamed down her face as she trembled in fear.

At that moment, Vincent came rushing over from behind her.

“Ella! What happened?!”

“Brother Vincent…”

“Where are you hurt? Tell me what happened.”

“I’m so scared… hic…”

Vincent examined Ella carefully, then shot me a murderous glare. His tone changed when he addressed me in public, formal and biting.

“Hah, again. Isn’t this getting tiresome? Even after marriage, your true nature hasn’t changed!”

“I didn’t—”

“Are you going to deny it with that brazen attitude?”

No. This is completely unfair.

“Vincent, you need to listen to me—”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

He cut me off, not willing to listen to my explanation. His expression left no room for discussion, and he warned me coldly, “I will not let this go.”

By this time, the commotion had drawn a crowd.

“Oh my, not again…”

I glanced behind me. Servants, guards, and even a few nobles who had overheard the chaos gathered around. Their gazes were suffocating, filled with judgment.

‘Of course it’s Diana again.’ Their eyes seemed to say.

I didn’t do anything this time.

“Kaiden…”

Ella, still teary-eyed, looked longingly in Kaiden’s direction. I expected him to be as harsh as Vincent, perhaps to berate me. But instead, Kaiden merely gave me a brief look, then quietly went to support Ella without saying much.

‘What’s going on?’

Before I could ponder it further, the hostess of the party, the Marchioness of Mayer, arrived with several attendants.

“What is going on here?” she asked, surveying the scene, her eyes landing on me.

I instinctively knew that no one else was going to defend me. I was on my own. Taking a deep breath, I began to speak calmly.

“Marchioness Mayer, while I was searching for my husband in the party hall, a maid informed me that Harold had summoned me to the garden. Kaiden can confirm that I spoke with the maid.”

“That’s correct,” Kaiden affirmed.

“I followed the maid to the garden, and she led me to Lady Ella. Ella then asked to speak with me but suddenly started screaming and pulling her own hair.”

“Are you saying you’ve been falsely accused, Duchess?”

“I’m simply stating the facts as they happened.”

I met the Marchioness’s gaze steadily as I finished speaking. She nodded slightly.

“I see. And you, Lady Ella, do you have anything to say in response to the Duchess’s account?”

“Hic… I’m sorry…”

Ella glanced at me nervously, then buried herself in Kaiden’s embrace, trembling as if terrified.

Vincent stepped forward in her place.

“The Duchess is lying. I happened to pass by and saw her pulling Lady Ella’s hair.”

“Why are you lying, Vincent?”

“Why would I lie? Everyone here knows what kind of person you are, Duchess.”

Vincent approached me, leaning in so close that only I could hear his next words.

“You should have listened to me when you had the chance.”

“….”

“Who do you think will believe you? You’re a disgrace, a broken woman.”

A chill gripped my heart.

Anger burned in my throat, but no words came out.

Because, cruelly, what Vincent said was true—no one here would believe me.

A familiar feeling of déjà vu washed over me, overlapping with Diana’s memories.

Crash!

Suddenly, the sound of something breaking echoed through the air, and all eyes, including mine, turned upward.

There, leaning casually against the railing of the second-floor terrace, was Harold. His dark hair fluttered in the breeze, and his navy eyes sparkled under the moonlight.

“Oh, pardon me,” he said, a lopsided smile on his lips. “It seems I found your pathetic attempt to frame my wife so amusing that I accidentally lost my grip.”