The Time-Limited Villain Supports My Breakup

Chapter 57

｡･:*:･ﾟ★ Translated by Sienna ｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

Vanier couldn’t believe it.

For several days now, the Duke and Daphne have been dining together.

She was beginning to worry that Daphne was getting too close to the Duke.

The only consolation was that the meal plan devised by Vanier was still being followed, unlike the first day.

‘That’s right. The one close to the Duke is still me, not Daphne.’

Moreover, Daphne didn’t suggest drinking tea together or having a conversation.

‘She does seem to have some sense of propriety, at least.’

Vanier’s mouth twisted into a smile.

“Then I’ll head upstairs first.”

As usual, Daphne obediently got up from her seat. The Duke watched her intently.

All the servants had left the room.

Just as Vanier was about to hurry and help the Duke up, he spoke.

“Harlan.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Prepare the same menu that Daphne arranged.”

“Yes?”

Harlan’s eyes widened in surprise. Vanier was no different.

“Your Grace, why…”

“The previous menu, although the portions were large, was easier for me to digest.”

That was true.

The existing meal plan often left him with an uncomfortable stomach. His stomach struggled with digestion, and he continued to feel bloated.

But the day he ate Daphne’s food, his stomach felt comfortable.

The Duke thought this was one of Daphne’s schemes.

That’s why he didn’t say much, even when Daphne joined the meal. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity for Daphne to uncover her hidden intentions.

But Daphne showed no ulterior motives at all, simply eating her meal quietly and then leaving. She didn’t bring up any other agenda or make any demands.

From the Duke’s perspective, there was no reason to refuse the menu that was more comfortable for his stomach.

However, for the proud Vanier, this came as a shock.

‘Why?’

Why is he choosing that woman’s menu over the one she prepared?

But the Duke remained resolute.

“Prepare the meal according to Daphne’s diet.”

“B-but…!”

As Vanier tried to argue, the Duke’s icy gaze fell upon her.

“This is an order.”

“…!”

At those cold words, Vanier shuddered.

Although his health may have wavered a bit, his spirit remained unwavering. Just the sight of him was suffocating.

“…Yes, Your Grace.”

In the end, Vanier could only nod reluctantly.

And…

‘So the plan worked out as intended.’

Hiding behind the wall, Daphne secretly watched the situation unfold, a smirk slowly spreading across her lips.

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

Vanier’s heart must be in turmoil right now.

‘She’s probably thinking I’ve pulled some kind of trick.’ 

But the food I had prepared didn’t contain any special seasonings.

Instead, it was a bit bland and lukewarm, lacking a fresh feel.

However, these perceived flaws may have become advantages in the Duke’s eyes.

‘The Duke has a constitution that doesn’t agree with cold food.’

When I worked part-time at a traditional Korean medicine clinic, there were many people, regardless of age or gender, who said their stomachs would hurt if they ate only cold vegetables.

They all said the same thing.

“What? I was eating them on purpose to get healthier, so why is my stomach feeling sick?”

They had a point.

‘Generally, people think they should eat salads instead of meat for health reasons.’

But for those whose constitutions don’t agree with cold foods, raw vegetables can be detrimental.

That’s why I had Sukia find out the Duke’s meal schedule and diet.

‘Sure enough, most of them were vegetarian-oriented.’

I thought that was strange.

Even vegetarians don’t just eat salads all the time.

But the Duke’s diet was excessively focused on vegetables.

He possessed a spirit that didn’t fit the image of an aging man.

For such a person to suddenly adopt a vegetarian diet was a bit puzzling. Moreover…

“Milady, I heard the servants try not to move around much when the Duke is having his meals.”

“Why is that?”

“I’m not sure. The butler just said we should generally avoid moving around during mealtimes, except for that woman, Vanier.”

Listening to Sukia, who had crumbs all over her mouth but had gathered this important clue, I could feel more certain of my suspicions.

In Daphne’s memories, the Duke always had a fearsome expression. But he wasn’t constantly frowning like he is now.

‘But there could be a reasonable explanation for that.’

However, the fact that he didn’t know about Daphne’s broken engagement was a bit puzzling.

And the way Vanier, who was said to have the Duke’s favor, was not being more specific about her role was a bit strange.

“Ah, and they said Vanier plans the Duke’s meals.”

“Vanier?”

“Yes. That’s probably why all the servants think she was favored by the duke.”

Moreover, Sukia’s final statement helped tie all the clues together.

‘The Duke’s health has deteriorated.’

The Duke’s sudden retreat to the sanatorium in Legarta. Keeping a commoner maid by his side for an extended period. Adopting a vegetarian diet. And restricting the servants’ movements during mealtimes.

‘He must have been trying to keep his deteriorating health a secret.’

Furthermore, the Duke continued to furrow his brow. His eyesight is likely poor.

For someone with impaired vision, reading handwritten letters would be difficult.

‘Vanier must have been reading those letters for him and only sharing the content she wanted him to know.’

There wasn’t anything particularly dangerous, so the Duke and the butler didn’t question it.

‘The reason Vanier went to such lengths to control the information was likely because…’

“They say that woman is a real tyrant. She never spoke informally, but I heard she acted like a boss.”

“…Is that so?”

“They say she constantly calls them ‘commoners’, but puts on a sweet act in front of the butler or the Duke. The servants are even gossiping that she might be his hidden granddaughter.”

…She must have wanted my position.

Duke Peregrine’s favorite adoptive granddaughter, a title like that.

But this is the first time I’ve been born with a golden spoon, so I absolutely can’t let go of this opportunity.

So I stubbornly went to find the Duke during every meal.

Honestly, I couldn’t even tell if the bread was going into my mouth or my nose, it was so uncomfortable.

‘Think of this as a meeting with the CEO of a major corporation. If I can just get through this time, I can land the contract!’

…I used self-suggestion to try to control my mindset.

The self-suggestion worked wonders. I was able to finish the meal without letting my anxiety show.

Of course, even as I was trembling, I didn’t forget to occasionally address the Duke as “Grandfather” to make Vanier’s stomach burn.

Each time, the Duke looked at me with an ambiguous gaze, but he didn’t reprimand me.

‘Good, everything is going according to plan.’

I quietly turned and climbed the stairs.

Suddenly, Sukia, who must have been hiding somewhere, quickly approached me and quietly asked,

“How was it, Milady?”

“Better than I expected.”

The problem is, how long can I keep up with these meals?

My original plan was to naturally bring up the events at the Duke’s manor during the meals.

But Vanier never left the Duke’s side for a moment.

I could just blurt out the whole situation to the Duke without regard for subtlety, but I’ve already lost his trust. No matter what I say, he’s unlikely to believe me.

Moreover, Vanier is known to be a commoner orphan. It’s unlikely that such a child would come to the Duke out of the blue.

‘There must be someone behind this.’

And that someone is likely Count Drave. Considering Vanier came after Count Drave’s frequent visits,

‘Then…’

I turned to Sukia and said,

“Can you call the servants I brought from the Duke’s manor?”

“What’s the matter?”

“I’ve come up with a good plan.”

A plan to kill two birds with one stone.

I smiled, lifting the corners of my mouth.

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

Vanier slammed the door shut with a rough hand.

BANG!

The loud sound rang, piercing her ears, but her mood did not improve at all.

No, it felt even more suffocating.

When the Duke had allowed Daphne to join his meals without much comment, it had already displeased her, but this was on another level.

‘The Duke even changed his meals according to her suggestion.’

Moreover, he had finished all of it.

While the meals she had planned were often left unfinished, that tasteless-looking food was all cleaned up!

It felt like a slap in the face for her, his caregiver. But no one knew about her role as a caregiver.

‘If that gets out, I’ll be driven out of this place even before I can claim the granddaughter’s position.’

As Vanier suppressed her anger and looked at her twisted face in the mirror, she suddenly regained her composure.

‘No matter how angry I am, I can’t lose my cool.’

The noble attitude she had so longed for was not like this.

But she couldn’t hide her restlessness.

‘If Daphne takes my place, I won’t be able to stay here anymore… Then Count Drave won’t leave me alone.’

When she came to the duchy with him, Count Drave had said this to her.

“Listen well, Vanier. No matter what, you have to capture the heart of Duke Peregrine.”

“Will I be able to succeed?”

“Of course you will. You’re the only one who knows the Duke’s weakness, even his own family doesn’t know that.”

The whispering Count Drave sounded almost like a devil.

A devil who whispers sweet temptations, leading to ruin.

“It’s truly unfortunate that a smart child like you had to be content with being a commoner just because you were born to the wrong parents.”

“B, but how could I…”

“Nonsense, look at Daphne, the Duke’s only granddaughter. She can’t do a single thing better than you, can she?”

“Well, that’s… true…”

“So, Vanier, if you handle this well, you can become a noble too.”

A noble.

Vanier clenched her fists tightly.

That’s right, just as the Count said, she is a person worthy of being a noble, she just happened to be born to the wrong parents.

‘I have to regain my momentum somehow.’

But no matter how much she racked her brain, she couldn’t come up with a suitable plan.

‘What should I do? How can I…’

It was then.

“Did you search properly? Like what the Lady ordered?”

The voice came from not far away.

The servants Daphne had brought from the Duke’s mansion were talking.

“What… ah, the letter?”

“Shh! What if someone hears?”

Someone scolded her in a lowered voice. It seemed like a secret that absolutely must not be revealed.

‘A letter? What could that be about?’

Vanier’s eyes narrowed. She instinctively pressed her body against the wall, straining to listen.