The Villainess's Secret Bedroom Service
Chapter 22: Private Talk

Chapter 22: Private Talk

Rosalie followed Damien into his manor and as soon as the heavy ornamented wooden doors opened before her, inviting her in, she could not help but gasp in awe one more time.

As she was escorted through the entrance of the Duke’s manor, she found herself immersed in an opulent world of luxury and elegance. The interior exuded grandeur with its intricate marble flooring and gilded accents. Despite its magnificence, there was an unexpected sense of coziness, as plush carpets and velvet drapes softened the space. Warm hues bathed the well-lit rooms, casting a soft glow on the meticulously arranged antique furniture and ornate tapestries.

The long corridor on the second floor beckoned with the promise of hidden treasures and secret chambers. It was a place where extravagance and comfort intertwined, inviting Rosalie to explore its alluring mysteries.

’I never expected it to look so warm and cozy on the inside... Does Damien really care about this place so much?’

As if having read her thoughts, the Head Butler leaned slightly closer to the girl’s face and whispered discreetly,

"His Grace holds a deep reverence for his home and endeavors to maintain it in impeccable condition. It is his way of preserving the cherished memories of his late mother, the Duchess."

"Ah..."

Somehow, Rosalie could not recall anything about Damien’s feelings toward his mother written in the novel but if what the Butler said was really true, then there was definitely an entire unexplored universe hidden behind those cold golden eyes.

The Duke stopped in front of two tall redwood doors and cleared his throat with a brief cough which, apparently, was a cue for both the Butler and his personal aide to take their leave.

"Let us come to my study, Lady Rosalie. We need to have a rather private talk."

Rosalie nodded and took a deep breath, stepping inside the large room which, in comparison to the rest of the mansion, looked somewhat gloomy and cold.

Heavy velvet curtains hung over tall windows, blocking out the sunlight, while the walls were adorned with shelves filled to the brim with dusty tomes and aged manuscripts. Dimly lit sconces cast eerie shadows across the room, and a large mahogany desk stood as the centerpiece, adorned with ancient artifacts and quill pens.

The atmosphere was steeped in mystery, as if secrets whispered among the volumes of forgotten knowledge. It was a somber sanctuary where Damien delved into his most profound thoughts and intricate plans.

The man gestured at the large, black velvet-draped couch in the middle of the room, offering Rosalie a seat, while taking his seat on the opposite couch across the coffee table. And the moment the girl’s body touched the soft surface of the couch, Damien let out a rather annoyed sigh and said in a voice so serious that Rosalie felt her whole body flinch as if it was electrocuted,

"I apologize for my sudden proposal. I... I cannot wrap my head around it, really. When you left me after our... Hm!"

Another awkward cough to clear his throat before continuing again,

"... Kiss! I felt as if my insides were on fire while my head kept spinning... In all honesty, even now that our engagement was made official by the Emperor himself and I see you sitting here before my eyes... I still cannot truly believe that what I did was real."

Rosalie was beginning to grow restless again. If what he was trying to do was simply apologize and break off their engagement, then she feared that her heart might just explode.

"Oh... I see..."

She gripped the skirt of her dress with both hands and shut her eyes. Somehow, she was now unable to look directly at Damien anymore. But the Duke’s following response lifted that unpleasant weight off her shoulders in an instant.

"Do not get me wrong, Lady Rosalie. I just felt... as if I were under some kind of a spell, hypnosis maybe. I am not trying to place the blame on you, forgive me if you thought that was my intention!"

A new glimmer of hope flickered in Lady Ashter’s heart and she felt like she could breathe again.

’Could it be the effect of my Acme? Maybe it really did hypnotize him or something. Whatever the case, it looks like it is working in my favor!’

She shook her head as if attempting to dispel his own uneasiness and beamed with a somewhat excited smile,

"Please, Your Grace, do not feel bad about it! In fact, I am really grateful for what you have done during the ceremony, it both saved my honor and paved the way to our mutually beneficial relationship!"

Damien widened his eyes and raised his eyebrows in bewilderment.

"How will our engagement be beneficial to both of us?"

Rosalie crossed her arms in front of her chest and leaned against the back of the couch, assuming a rather business-like position. Yes, she was ready to talk real business now.

"It is very easy, Your Grace. Let me stay at your place for one year, while being your fiancee. We do not need to get married, I just need to be... protected. From everything and everyone. Even my family."

Damien flinched as the girl mentioned the word "family" and recalled her distressed expression upon seeing her own brother. And it made him unexpectedly angry.

Meanwhile, Rosalie continued,

"In return, I will help you with Acme Fever. You saw it yourself, I can do it."

The Duke’s face turned red again, and this time, the girl understood why. Finally, he wiped his face with both hands and asked, his voice lacking confidence,

"Lady Rosalie... Do you even understand what you are offering?"

Rosalie batted her lashes with an innocent expression on her pretty face, then offered Damien a warm smile, and nodded.

"Of course I do. Do not worry about me, Your Grace, I will keep in mind the nature of our relationship and will never do anything to cross the line or hurt you."

Her confidence was not only stemming from her conviction that she would be able to control her Acme Flow, but also from the hope she got from their encounter in the palace garden – it was possible that they might not even have to go all the way and Damien would be satisfied with a kiss alone.

Thus, whatever her options were, she was ready to embrace them all.