The Time-Limited Villain Supports My Breakup

Chapter 40

｡･:*:･ﾟ★ Translated by Sid ｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

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A tranquil afternoon beneath the warm sunlight on the terrace.

The ladies were sipping tea and leisurely sharing stories with laughter.

The shop was filled with peaceful music and a sweet aroma.

This place, fittingly described as glamorous, was none other than Rose Bakery.

It was the dessert shop that Luciel had recommended when we first met.

While the desserts were undoubtedly delicious, I had a different reason for coming here.

‘To coincidentally meet Luciel.’

Waiting aimlessly, the possibility wasn’t entirely nonexistent.

‘So…’

I discreetly opened my eyes.

Before me, elegantly dressed ladies were engaged in conversations. They all looked like debutantes or attendees at a ball.

Although the shop was on the larger side, it wasn’t typically adorned so extravagantly.

‘Then there’s only one reason.’

It must be because it was rumored to be a place Luciel often visited.

While Luciel didn’t reveal much about himself to the public, his appearance alone garnered significant fame.

More than fear, curiosity must have driven people. Lately, he had been unusually calm without any outbursts.

“I heard that the Grand Duke often visits this place…”

“I wonder if he’s so angelic that one would feel compelled to pray involuntarily? I’m really curious.”

The ladies constantly glancing outside the terrace were evidence of that.

‘Anyway, it seems like I’ve chosen the right place…’

I adjusted my robe and took a sip of tea.

The simple robe didn’t quite fit among the well-dressed individuals, but there was no helping it.

‘Well…’

“By the way, did you hear about the knight? There was some scandalous incident there, wasn’t it?”

“Ah… that place.”

“Goodness, how could such a dreadful thing happen there! Poisoning…”

It was because Peregrine had recently been at the center of attention.

Even staying quiet garnered attention, and she didn’t want to draw more noticeable actions here.

I listened with one ear to the murmuring voices, pretending nonchalance as I sipped my drink.

“How could Flora, whom we regarded as the angel of the academy…”

“Well… but it could be a false accusation, couldn’t it?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“As you all know, she personally taught Lady Peregrine.”

“That’s right.”

“Perhaps she, as a teacher, might have turned the tables on behalf of someone else.”

…But it seemed I couldn’t just stay silent even after hearing such words.

‘Should I just flip the table?’

In a matter of seconds, with patience that vanished, I tightened my grip on the teacup.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a strong wind blew around the terrace. It was so powerful that the parasol covering the table was swaying and on the verge of falling.

“W-why did a strong wind suddenly…!”

“Ah, the parasol is falling!”

The ladies hurriedly tried to support it, but due to the strong wind, the parasol collapsed with a loud noise.

It was natural that the dresses which looked expensive were stained with tea and desserts.

In an instant, chaos erupted around. However, when I looked around, strangely, not a single breeze blew in my direction.

On the contrary, a gentle spring breeze could be felt. No, it was a bit cool, yet sweet.

Where did I smell this fragrance before? As I was trying to recall.

“How do you like the coffee?”

A voice softer than coffee settled above me.

A slightly visible silver hair through the hood, and clear amber eyes and softly curved eyebrows that always seemed to be smiling.

Even under the shadow of the hood, he had an undeniable beauty. He was the Luciel  I had been waiting for.

“Hello, Lady.”

He greeted me with an angelic smile. I could almost smell the fragrance I had just smelled in his smile.

“Your Highness…” The words almost slipped out, but I belatedly noticed the people around me.

As I quickly shut my mouth, Luciel  smiled and said, “Thank you.”

“Where… where are we…? I… um…”

Unable to call him “Your Highness” directly, as I hesitated, Luciel whispered as if revealing a secret.

“Please call me Rose. It’s my middle name.”

“Um, but…”

Middle names were generally used among close friends or lovers.

‘Can I call him that so casually…?’

While pondering, I suddenly remembered my conversation with the villain.

‘His Highness the Grand Duke is a bit unfamiliar with common standards. He doesn’t understand feelings like affection or love well.’

Growing up separated from family and receiving the title of Grand Duke as soon as he came of age, he was likely called “Grand Duke” more often than by his name.

Thinking like that, I could understand why he asked me to call him by his middle name.

It’s a sign of familiarity. He must have wanted to keep hearing it.

‘Rose… It sounds so lovely that it feels a bit awkward…’

I also felt that it suited Luciel just as well.

Moreover, not knowing when I would meet Luciel again, I couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity.

I cleared my throat and then, as if it were nothing, I politely called out his middle name.

“Well, excuse me for a moment. …Rose.”

Then Luciel’s eyes widened for a moment, then softened immediately.

“Yes, I’m Rose.”

He smiled so beautifully that it made me wonder if I had said something nice instead of just calling his name.

“Rose… What brings you here?”

“I came to have some tea because the weather is nice. It’s been a while since I went out.”

Luciel said that with a fresh smile.

‘If he’s not feeling well, going out must be quite an effort.’

As I was thinking that, Luciel, who had been looking around, suddenly looked disappointed.

“Well, but… there’s no available seats. I guess I came too late.”

Disappointment spread across Luciel’s face.

As expected of a popular place, there wasn’t a single empty seat.

‘Is this a good time to suggest something?’

Glancing at Luciel, I casually said, “If you’re okay with it, do you want to join me?”

“Uh… Are you sure it’s okay?”

Luciel asked with a face that seemed to worry if he was causing any trouble.

‘It’s actually more inconvenient to miss out on that side.’

Suppressing the urge to strongly nod, I casually said, “The weather is nice. I think it’s a perfect day to have tea with someone.”

Despite the sounds of the young ladies complaining due to the strong gust of wind that had just blown, I decided to lightly dismiss it.

“Yes. The weather is nice.”

Luciel, who had briefly glanced at the commotion behind him, soon smiled beautifully and agreed with my answer.

“Well then, excuse me.”

With those words, Luciel grabbed the railing and leaped up with a light skip.

He then landed neatly in the seat next to me.

The whole sequence of movements was so natural and smooth, I couldn’t help but blink.

‘Seeing him do that, you wouldn’t think he has any physical issues.’

It seemed that his “magic reflux disorder” was the real problem.

‘The problem is how to steer the conversation…’

I silently looked at Luciel.

When our eyes met, he smiled again. It was a smile that would have made any other young lady swoon and collapse immediately.

But as someone about to start a business, it just seemed like a hurdle to overcome, nothing more or less.

Honestly, just by looking at his clear and innocent face, one might be tempted to just go ahead and sign the contract…

‘What should I do about this…?’

I was seriously pondering when his smiling face began to blur, and he suddenly started coughing.

“Are you… okay, Rose?”

“I’m f-fine. S-sorry, just… *cough*!”

He raised a large hand to cover his face, but even that seemed difficult due to the pain.

His long silver eyelashes trembled, and he bit his red lips as if trying to stop the cough forcefully.

His eyes were reddening, as if he might start crying at any moment.

He looked very pained, but… well…

‘Why does he look so alluring?’

The sight of the beauty, despite struggling and gasping, not wanting to show his face, was stimulating something deeply hidden within me.

‘No, no. What am I thinking, leaving a sick person like this!’

I quickly shook the thoughts from my head and spoke to Luciel.

“Do you have any medicine with you?”

“Medicine… No, I don’t have any.”

Luciel weakly shook his head.

“There isn’t any medicine to take in the first place. If there was, I would have taken it long ago…”

Struggling to continue, he bit his lip.

‘So, he’s looking for medicine, then?’

I felt sorry for the sick person, but honestly, this was an opportunity.

“Rose, I’m saying this out of concern…”

I cautiously continued.

“I made a medicine, and if you’re willing, would you like to try it…?”

“Yes, please.”

But before I could finish my sentence, Luciel nodded his head.

It was I who ended up being flustered by his quick response.

“Well, still, you should at least check the safety of the medicine first before deciding…”

“It’s painful, milady…”

Nevertheless, Luciel’s face only contorted more painfully.

“Help me, please…”

He struggled, seeking my help.

‘Yes, let’s save the person first rather than explaining!’

I quickly handed him the medicine I brought.

Luciel struggled to drink the medicine.

I anxiously waited to see if the medicine was working or not.

After a while, Luciel began to regain his composure. His blurry complexion returned to normal.

“Are you okay, Rose?”

“…Yes.”

Luciel replied with a slightly flustered expression.

“Do you have any other issues?”

“I’m fine. I feel a bit feverish, though…”

Saying so, Luciel fluttered his shirt.

Every time he did, his slightly sweaty, toned chest was revealed little by little.

Fever? With a sense of concern, I stood up from my seat.

“Excuse me for a moment, Rose.”

I moved closer and placed the back of my hand on his flawless forehead.

Luciel stopped moving and looked at me blankly.

After checking his temperature a few times, I murmured quietly.

“You don’t have a fever…”

“…”

“Do you feel like you have a fever inside rather than outside?”

I asked to at least confirm his condition, even if not accurately.

But this time, Luciel didn’t respond immediately, unlike before.

“…”

He just looked at me blankly, his face seemingly redder than before.