The Villainous Marquis Is Obsessed With Me

Chapter 81: The Imperial Capital

The next morning, as Vincent and Penelope prepared to depart for the imperial capital, the crisp morning air carried the faint scent of rain that had fallen in the middle of the night.

Penelope made her way toward the waiting carriage, her skirts rustling gracefully against the gravel, while Vincent walked a few paces behind her with Elias. He was deep in conversation with the commanding knight of the elite guards, his demeanor a seamless blend of commanding general and calculative nobleman.

"If you encounter any problems at the barony during our absence," Vincent instructed smoothly, though his gaze remained fixed ahead, "remember that since Elias and I won’t be available, you are to speak directly with Martha and have her decide the outcome. If the matter escalates beyond her control, then you are to reach out to me at once. Understood?"

The knight nodded respectfully, though a shadow of hesitation crossed his features. "Understood, Your Lordship. But... if I may be candid, I fear the potential for bribery. The Viremont family is desperate, and desperation makes people resourceful with their coin."

"Bribery?" Vincent stopped in his tracks, arching a single, dark brow. A faint, almost terrifyingly relaxed smile touched his lips. That smile only made the knight more anxious.

"That is hardly an issue," Vincent replied. "I can easily pay far more than whatever meager bribery the barony has left to offer, that is if they have enough to meet up, not with the huge debt weighing them down already."

He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a casual, conversational tone that carried a deceptively generous warmth.

"In fact, go ahead and inform all the guards currently stationed at the barony that I am a very reasonable man. Tell them that if anyone attempts to bribe them, they should simply come and report it directly to me. I will gladly double the amount of that bribe and add it to their salary."

"Huh?" The knight blinked, completely caught off guard. He became even more confused when Vincent pat his shoulder before walking off. For a split second, the offer sounded like a brilliant, lucrative loophole—an invitation to get rich quick just by playing honest informant.

But as the words hung in the chilly morning air, the deeper, lethal underlying meaning began to sink in. Report a bribe to the Commander? It was a psychological trap. No guard in their right mind would ever have the terrifying audacity to walk up to the legendary, iron-fisted Marquis of Aelgard and admit that a prisoner had almost successfully bought their loyalty, just to ask for a bonus. Vincent wasn’t just offering to outbid his enemies; he was subtly reminding his men that he would know the exact moment their integrity wavered, and that the cost of betrayal would be far higher than any coin they could gain.

The commanding knight of the elite guards swallowed at the man’s twisted trap.

Standing just a step behind Vincent, Elias let out a sudden, sharp snicker. Catching Vincent’s warning glance, he quickly cleared his throat, wiped the grin from his face, and hurried ahead to open the carriage door.

Penelope was already comfortably seated inside the plush interior when he joined her.

"I noticed about six heavily guarded carriages are following us," she said, peering out the window before turning her gaze to Vincent. "What could possibly be in those carriages? Are you transporting something specific to the Emperor?"

"Customs," he replied smoothly, relaxing into the velvet cushions and stretching his legs out. "I have to remind him every now and then that I still have my manners entirely intact. He is annoyingly judgy about those sorts of things."

Penelope leaned forward slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Are you happy to see the Emperor again? I mean, from everything you’ve told me, you must have spent a good fortune of your time serving under him."

Vincent let out a short, dry laugh at the thought, a trace of cynical amusement dancing in his dark eyes.

"Happy is a strong word, Penny. But... let’s just say our relationship is built on mutual necessity and... I suppose, a healthy dose of shared exhaustion. I wouldn’t call it a joyful reunion, but it is certainly always... entertaining."

"Well, it would be nice to see the imperial capital for once," Penelope mused, leaning her chin on her hand as she watched the scenery begin to roll past. "Though I suppose this will also be my first time facing the high-ranking noble Houses from all over the four kingdoms. I must admit, I wish Martha had been able to accompany us. It would feel less lonely."

"But, you have me, don’t you?" Vincent countered smoothly. He leaned forward, closing the distance between them just enough to command her full attention, a dangerous, lazy smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Besides, you are always so occupied with Martha. I would love it entirely more if you clung to me with that much dedication instead."

"Why should I cling to you?" Penelope asked, lifting her chin to challenge him, though the faint pink dusting her cheeks betrayed her attempt at indifference.

"Why shouldn’t you?" Vincent countered seamlessly, his voice dropping to a smooth, low murmur that seemed to vibrate through the small space of the carriage. He leaned in a fraction closer, capturing her gaze and holding it hostage. "I am not just your husband, Penny. I am yyour escort, and your most devoted protector at court. If you find the high-ranking noble Houses far too intimidating, I am more than happy to let you use me as your shield. Or better yet, drape yourself over me. I certainly wouldn’t object."

Penelope scoffed lightly, rolling her eyes as she tried to maintain her composure. "I am a Marchioness, Your Lordship. I have no intention of hiding behind anyone, let alone draping myself over you in public. I can handle a few judgy nobles."

"A pity," Vincent sighed, clicking his tongue, but there was no real bite to it. In fact, it only made the wait more interesting.

He then reached out, his long fingers gently catching her chin and tilting her face just enough to ensure she couldn’t look away. "But public protocol aside, we will be sharing private quarters at the estate, and there will be no Martha, no guards, and no duties to distract you when we are alone. So prepare yourself, cause I fully intend to give you every reason to hold on to me as tightly as you can."

"Nope," Penelope said firmly, placing her palm flat against his chest to stop him from leaning any closer.

She wasn’t going to fall for his smooth words like she had last night. She needed to keep her wits about her, especially with the imperial capital fast approaching.

"You speak very boldly for someone who has a mountain of imperial customs and protocols waiting for him," she countered, offering him a sweet, challenging smile. "Save your energy, Your Lordship. You’ll need it to deal with your ’annoyingly judgy’ Emperor."

Vincent let out a low, rich chuckle, the vibration of it pulsing right against the palm of her hand. He didn’t back down; instead, his gaze darkened with an amused, predatory gleam that told her she had just played right into his hands.

"Is that a challenge, Penny?" he murmured.

Before she could even process the shift in his posture, Vincent’s hand slid from her chin to the small of her back. With a single, effortless fluid motion, he bypassed her resisting hand entirely, gripped her waist, and lifted her straight off her seat.

Penelope gasped, her hands instinctively flying to his broad shoulders for balance as he pulled her across the small gap of the carriage and settled her securely onto his lap. The heavy silk of her skirts bunched around them, sealing the sudden, overwhelming lack of distance between them.

"There," Vincent whispered, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist to lock her in place, his face now level with hers. He looked thoroughly pleased with himself. "Now you don’t have to wait until we reach our private quarters to start holding on to me."

Penelope eyes narrowed slightly to a glare, but she wasn’t offended. Not at all.

She actually loved this side of him, but now he was the one leaving her utterly speechless.

********

The journey to the imperial capital spanned several days, transforming from the lush, rugged greenery of the Aelgard fiefdom into neatly manicured highway paths flanked by towering stone watchtowers. Inside the carriage, the initial tension of departure melted into a rhythm of comfortable intimacy.

Whenever Penelope grew bored of the rolling scenery, Vincent proved to be an unexpectedly captivating guide, detailing the secret scandals and political minefields of the noble Houses they would soon encounter. He kept her entertained, occasionally slipping in smooth, devastatingly flirtatious remarks that left her flustered and entirely distracted from the looming pressure of high society.

By the fifth day, the sprawling expanse of the imperial capital finally materialized on the horizon.

It was a breathtaking spectacle of white marble, gold-leaf spires, and colossal stone walls that had stood for centuries. As their carriage rolled through the massive iron gates, the sheer scale of the city came alive. The streets were teeming with bustling markets, aristocratic carriages bearing vibrant family crests, and citizens dressed in the finest silks. Five heavily guarded baggage carriages followed closely behind them, drawing curious, sharp stares from the local gentry who immediately recognized the black-and-gold livery of the House of Aelgard.

The scenery grew progressively grander until they reached the heart of the capital: the Imperial Palace.

Nestled atop a sweeping hill overlooking the entire city, the palace was a masterpiece of architectural dominance. Its soaring arched walkways, cascading fountains, and imposing crystal windows gleamed brilliantly under the afternoon sun.

The carriage finally came to a smooth halt within the grand cobblestone courtyard of the inner palace. An entourage of royal attendants, clad in imperial blue, immediately stepped forward to receive them.

Penelope could hardly believe her eyes.

Elias pulled the carriage door open, offering a crisp bow. Vincent stepped out first, adjusting the dark, commanding cloak over his shoulders before turning to offer his hand to Penelope. As her fingers rested in his, his grip tightened in a silent, reassuring squeeze.

"Welcome to the viper’s nest, my love," Vincent murmured, a sharp, confident glint in his gray eyes as he led her toward the grand marble steps where the Emperor’s chief herald stood waiting.

Penelope’s gaze followed the different exquisite carriages and the crests they bore. But they weren’t nearly as numerous as she had anticipated for a gathering of this scale. Or are these just the carriages of those who happened to arrive at the exact same time as them? she wondered, her mind tracing the intricate family symbols stamped in gold and silver leaf.

Meanwhile, within one of those very carriages, a heavy velvet curtain was pulled aside. A man quietly stepped out onto the cobblestones, adjusting the cuffs of his tailored coat. His movements were slow, deliberate, and entirely lacking the hurried reverence of the other arriving nobles.

Standing by his carriage door, his gaze locked instantly onto the couple who had arrived at the exact same moment. A faint, unreadable smile touched his lips, one that carried the distinct chill of a predator recognizing an interesting new player on the board.