Chapter 13
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Dear, I believe you may be misunderstanding.
Episode 13
Lucas Black gazed at her with an intensity that surpassed even his usual composure.
'To make such a decision so swiftly.'
Her boldness had begun to unsettle him.
With a somewhat rigid expression, he awaited the honeyed words that would spill from her lips.
Thump. Thump.
A pleasant vibration coursed through his veins, shaking him slowly from within.
"Your Grace, the truth is that I...."
At last, her lips—sealed tight as a budding rose—parted with a soft bloom, as if the petals were unfurling.
"...!"
A jolt.
The carriage came to a halt at precisely that moment.
Her trembling lips pressed shut once more, and she drew open the small window's curtain.
Julie, who had been sitting in the coachman's seat, quickly descended and rapped upon the carriage door.
"Miss, we have arrived at the Estate."
'Ah, the Estate.'
Grace gave a light nod upon recognizing the familiar walls visible through the small window.
"Shall I go inside and retrieve His Grace's coat? Or would you prefer to accompany me, Miss?"
Julie asked tactfully.
Grace deliberated.
She would have preferred to simply fetch the laundered coat from the Estate and hand it over, but that would seem discourteous to the Duke who had extended a formal invitation.
Besides, there was still the matter she needed to discuss with him today, so she would have to visit his Estate regardless....
Grace checked the time.
It was already approaching four o'clock in the afternoon.
If she sent him off now, he would surely insist on sending the carriage back for her.
That too seemed terribly impolite.
Yet the prospect of riding in the same carriage with him for nearly another hour did not appeal to her either.
The atmosphere had been pleasant just moments ago, but that did not mean her feelings toward him had fundamentally changed.
As she glanced uncertainly at Lucas Black, he shrugged his shoulders and spoke with ease.
"I am content to wait here, so please do as you wish."
...In other words, he was suggesting they ride in the same carriage together?
Grace concealed her considerable bewilderment and gathered her courage to speak.
"Please do not trouble yourself. Since you have come this far, I shall take my time preparing and return in our own carriage. Would it not be better for you to rest inside for a while first?"
Julie, who had been waiting, whispered hesitantly from beyond the carriage.
"Miss, forgive the interruption, but I believe all our carriages are in use today."
"What?"
"Both the Duke and the young Duke are away, and the spare carriage was sent for repairs yesterday, or so I was told."
How vexing....
A predicament indeed.
This meant I truly had no choice but to ride in the same carriage as Lucas Black and go to his Estate.
'I didn't even manage to buy a gift earlier, what should I do....'
Hidden beneath my desire to enter the Estate was an intention to prepare a gift for him.
I had tried desperately to prepare something that would please him.
Grace bit her lower lip and looked back at Lucas.
"Then...."
She hesitated, her lips trembling.
What should I do?
My heart fluttered so wildly that my thoughts scattered, and my mouth refused to cooperate.
Had he somehow read my distress?
Lucas Black, who had been gazing at her quietly, smiled softly and spoke first.
"Grace."
Perhaps he was about to suggest postponing the promise for various reasons today?
Grace found herself looking at him with hopeful eyes.
His sensually full lips curved upward in a neat smile, completely shattering her expectations.
"I'm truly fine, so please don't feel burdened. In fact, since things have turned out this way, it wouldn't be bad to leisurely revisit the conversation we couldn't finish earlier."
"The conversation we couldn't finish earlier? ...Oh!"
She pondered briefly what that could be, then hastily waved her hand.
"No. That, that doesn't seem like something to bring up now. I was too hasty."
She shook her head as she denied the earlier topic.
Just now, I had almost impulsively suggested reconsidering our marriage without thinking.
I already had plausible reasons prepared.
'I'm too frail in body, and I seem far too inadequate to become the lady of your household.'
...from such an ordinary reason.
'The Black Family's main estate is in the Southern Plains, but I cannot travel so far. The children at the Orphanage I've taken responsibility for weigh on my mind.'
...to somewhat forced arguments like that.
'I've actually decided not to marry unless it's someone I love!'
...to emotional reasons like this.
Of course, I believe honesty is best.
'You terrify me so much. Ever since I saw you three years ago, I've developed a phobia and haven't slept properly at night. You're so frightening! How could I possibly be with someone so scary, my dear?'
...but I couldn't possibly say that.
"Ah, I see."
Yet his eyes seemed somewhat disappointed.
Pretending not to notice his dejected expression—which was surely entirely her own misinterpretation—Grace quickly added.
"Yes, I'll, I'll tell you again. Soon."
At the word "soon," Lucas asked urgently.
"When exactly do you mean by soon?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm asking precisely when you plan to tell me. I may also need time to prepare myself."
Prepare himself? What on earth did that mean....
Did I perhaps reveal what I was about to say?
Grace stared at him with wavering, flustered eyes.
Lucas belatedly waved his hand with an expression of regret.
"No, it would be best to forget what I just said. I was far too hasty as well."
"I beg your pardon? Ah, yes."
He regarded Grace with a complicated expression for a long moment, then abruptly turned his head away.
Soon after, a muffled voice could be heard as he pressed his forehead against the carriage window, muttering something indistinct.
It sounded as though he were murmuring words like "get yourself together."
'What is wrong with him?'
An awkward silence settled within the carriage.
Grace hesitated briefly before asking Julie to fetch her coat.
It was clear that declining the invitation today would be difficult, so she decided it was time to accept gracefully.
Julie hurried away and returned with his coat carefully arranged in a beautiful box, which she gently placed in the carriage's storage compartment.
The moment Julie settled herself beside Haem, the carriage departed swiftly.
* * *
The carriage sped toward Sunny Hill, where Lucas Black's Estate stood.
Clop, clop!
The sound of galloping hooves echoed cheerfully through the air.
Yet Haem's face, as he drove the horses, was far from bright.
Haem cast a sidelong glance.
'Is she angry about something?'
The maidservant sitting beside him wore an expression that was decidedly unpleasant.
She wasn't frowning exactly, but she looked far too serious.
Her narrowed eyes fixed upon some invisible point in the distance with such intensity—why were they so wide?
'I'm half afraid her eyes will fall out at this rate.'
Haem pouted his lips before sighing.
Chatter was his vitality, and jest was his precious joy.
But it seemed such things would have no effect whatsoever on the woman beside him.
If all went well, he would likely see her often from now on—what a pity. It would be nice if they could become close.
How many more minutes had passed?
The moment I abandoned hope of enjoying a pleasant conversation on the journey home, she unexpectedly spoke to me first.
"Your name is Haem, correct?"
"...Yes? Yes! Haem Demigrass."
Haem, who had been lost in thought, startled and answered stiffly.
Julie smiled warmly at his reaction and continued speaking.
"You're quite reserved, aren't you? The journey is dull—shall we chat a little?"
Chat? Suddenly?
Well, I wouldn't mind...
Haem nodded with a bewildered expression.
"Say, has it been long since you've served the General, Haem?"
Julie asked with a warm smile, as if wondering when I had adopted such a stern expression.
'What is this? Why is she suddenly acting like this?'
Haem was bewildered, uncertain whether the person before him now was truly the same one from moments ago.
When she had stared into empty space, she was terrifying, but now that she spoke with this smile, she emanated the most endearing warmth of any woman he had ever encountered.
Especially with that gentle, measured tone of voice.
'I never knew a voice could be this beautiful.'
As her melodious voice momentarily captivated him, Julie tilted her head with a curious expression.
"Haem?"
Haem snapped back to attention and quickly responded.
"Ah... yes! Actually, my mother served as Lucas Black's nursemaid. According to her, she's been working for the Estate since my great-grandmother's time."
"Wow, so your family has devoted itself across generations? That's remarkable. By that measure, you practically grew up alongside the General."
"Well, truthfully, I've handled most of the General's affairs since childhood, so it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say so."
At his words, Julie's eyes widened further, and she spoke to Haem with genuine astonishment in her voice.
"My goodness! You handle the affairs of the General, who's renowned for his competence? Haem, you must be an extraordinarily capable aide!"
'Is... is it really something to be this moved about?'
Haem was puzzled, yet he couldn't conceal his delight.
He suppressed the corners of his mouth from twitching upward as he replied.
"No, it's not quite to that extent... but well, yes, I suppose so. The General truly cannot do without me."
"Oh my."
At Haem's words, Julie covered her mouth with an exaggerated gesture.
At this moment, she was pouring her full effort into a performance to obtain what she desired.
"You're truly amazing! From the first moment I saw you, I sensed such charisma in your eyes. It seemed so intimidating that I didn't dare approach you until now."
At Julie's praise that drew forth his very soul, Haem's chest swelled with emotion.
Memories of the past—when he nearly tripped over his own feet, and despite his competent work, received little recognition (due to his blunt nature)—flashed before his eyes like a lantern show.
Being acknowledged felt this wonderful.
He straightened his chin before her sparkling eyes.
'I am remarkable!'
Strength naturally coursed through his back and shoulders.
Julie gazed at such a Haem with deeply affectionate eyes.
Seven years as a professional maid.
For Julie, who had grown up as the fourth among six fiercely competitive sisters—the most difficult position—reading a person's character was no challenge.
"Thank you for seeing me that way. Hahaha!"
Haem, shrugging his shoulders with laughter, was no more than a dolphin dancing in the palm of her hand.
'What a cute man.'
She smiled knowingly, silently praising his simplicity.
She lifted Haem up to the heavens once more.
"After all, no matter how fearsome someone's reputation, if they were merely rigid, they would have broken long ago. The fact that he's built such an outstanding legacy instead means it's thanks to excellent aides supporting the General. Exceptional people like you, Haem!"
"Really? Hahaha! I'm embarrassed, but I can't deny it. Hahaha! Hahaha!"
Haem was in high spirits.
So I made an effort to compose an expression far more impressive than before, grasping the reins with deliberate precision.
Merely adjusting my grip on the reins once, yet competence seemed to overflow from my very being.
'Ah, how magnificent I am.'
Julie seized the moment and asked.
"I suspect you know His Excellency better than anyone else, Haem. Might I ask you something?"
"A question? What is it?"
"It's really nothing much. I'm simply curious whether His Excellency has taken a liking to our young lady. Even just a little!"
"Ah."
Haem's expression shifted in an instant.
At the enigmatic way he tilted his head, Julie grew impatient.
What? Surely not? I distinctly saw his eyes following Grace...
"That is..."
"Yes?"
Gulp.
Julie swallowed dryly, waiting quietly for Haem's answer.
After a deliberate pause, Haem spoke with a grave expression.
"This stays between us, Julie. His Excellency doesn't merely concern himself with Grace."
"Pardon?"
'What on earth does that mean, you rascal.'
Julie barely restrained herself from seizing his collar and shaking him vigorously.
Fortunately, before her patience wore completely thin, Haem uttered something else.
"He concerns himself far, far too much. Excessively, really. Truly. Excessively. Phew."
Squeal!
Julie nearly clapped her hands in delight before hastily suppressing the impulse.
"I see. I'm truly relieved to hear it."
Hehehehe.
Haem, observing Julie's reaction from the corner of his eye, followed her lead with a question.
"Then might I ask you something in return?"
"Yes? What is it you're curious about?"
"Your cheek—why is it like that? I noticed Grace's cheek appears swollen as well."
Julie's shoulders stiffened in surprise.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org