The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 27
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Rumors in high society traveled faster than any human could.
Of course, they were more agile than a horse carrying a person at a gallop as well, and tended to inflate faster than a balloon.
<Marquis Gerun Wilfred and the Introverted Ducal Lady Bellion—A Dangerous Rendezvous!>
<Rumors of Discord between Marquis Wilfred and His Wife, Is This How It Takes Shape?>
<A Marriage In Crisis. A Dangerous Affair.>
Roxelyn chuckled wryly as she read the various headlines from different newspapers.
Perhaps having read the tabloids, the Fleur Boutique had sent a letter first thing in the morning.
It was the kind that assured she had not spoken a word.
Roxelyn didn’t particularly think Fleur had spoken out either.
It was just that there were quite a few people on the street that day, and among them, someone must have been loose-lipped.
The real catalyst for these sensational headlines must have been the dozens of dresses that arrived yesterday.
Delivering so many dresses would have required a large carriage.
Naturally, many would have witnessed the delivery.
A carriage departing from the trending Fleur Boutique arriving at the Bellion Dukedom’s residence.
And Roxelyn Bellion, who had secretly visited the boutique with Gerun Wilfred about a week ago.
All of this overlapped to create a sordid rumor.
And precisely for that reason, she was invited to today’s banquet.
‘…This is driving me mad.’
That day, her temper had flared to her head, and she had spent money at the boutique on a whim.
Who would have thought it would blow up like this.
‘No, perhaps it’s for the best.’
If rumors of a scandal were to spread, it might make it easier to find an excuse for the engagement’s annulment.
“People are bound to talk anyway.”
Roxelyn muttered tiredly.
‘The other side will bear the brunt of this problem.’
It seemed that Gerun had been trying quite hard to mend his relationship with his wife.
“But that’s none of my business.”
Rather, the thought that Gerun Wilfred would face a bit of misfortune was a delight for her.
Roxelyn headed to the garden where dinner would be held today, her mood somewhat lighter.
When she arrived at the garden, leisurely strolling out of her room, most had already arrived.
Those sitting around the dining table turned their heads to see her.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace. Thank you for the invitation.”
Roxelyn greeted formally and straightened her back.
Duke Bellion glanced at her bluish dress and then nodded.
“Sit down.”
There was one unfamiliar man among them today. His hair, a peculiar mix of silver and black, was intriguing.
And his eyes, like the Duke’s, were different colors on each side.
The piercings in his ears and his nonchalant demeanor made it unnecessary to say who he was.
It was only the second time Roxelyn had seen his face.
‘…How unexpected. He hardly ever comes home, yet the prodigal son is now here.’
The Bellion family’s prodigal second son.
Roxelyn’s second uncle.
Ian Bellion.
“What the? You kinda look less gloomy today, huh.”
His casual and teasing tone rang out.
Roxelyn glanced at him briefly and then sat down.
The Duke himself was not quite known for a cheerful personality—perhaps the opposite, rather—but within the Dukedom, there was one such nobleman who carried himself in a way that a noble wouldn’t.
Ian Bellion was a distinctly different noble, in that regard.
He’s the kind of man who would undoubtedly make anyone wonder, How could a person like him have been born into the Bellion family anyway?
A genius in pranks, with a brain that worked faster than anyone else’s when it came to mischief.
A large child.
A crazy drunkard.
A complete rogue.
He had many such appellations.
In some ways, Ian Bellion was very much like Roxelyn.
‘And he died, too.’
He had not been able to escape the imperial family’s purge.
Ian Bellion was involved in an incident that he couldn’t possibly escape.
By then, Aegis was absent, and the Duke began to ail around the time the purge started. With Lady Carmel causing trouble inside and out, there was no time to think.
