Chapter 19
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Dear, I believe you may be misunderstanding.
Episode 19
'A madwoman....'
A murderous glint flickered across Lucas's already formidable blue eyes.
His expression remained unchanged, yet his gaze shifted with lethal precision.
Somehow, that made it all the more terrifying.
Julie swallowed hard and finally released the words she'd been holding back.
"Our young lady is a remarkable person. In public, that is. But the moment she steps into the Estate, she's treated like a lunatic. Rather than seeking treatment, everyone was desperate to hide it. In truth, if the Marquess discovered that I've revealed this to His Grace, my head might roll."
Tap.
Tap, tap.
Lucas's index finger drummed against the table.
Eyes closed, fists clenched, he tapped the table with deliberate restraint.
The moment Haem witnessed this, he sensed catastrophe approaching.
'He's holding back.'
Lucas Black typically maintained excellent control over his emotions.
His imposing presence meant few dared provoke him in the first place.
Even so, he wasn't one to lose his temper over trivial matters.
But when his eyes held that particular gleam, everything changed.
Haem and Gabriel exchanged silent glances.
They studied each other's expressions, gauging the atmosphere.
"It seems the reputation of Marquess Capren Oellin was nothing but idle gossip. How could one be so profoundly foolish."
Lucas's voice had dropped to a dangerous whisper.
"Thank you for understanding. Though our young lady does suffer from a phobia, she is neither weak nor foolish. She is a remarkably resilient woman who faces her own vulnerabilities head-on and strives to overcome them."
Julie, her anxious gaze still fixed on where Grace had vanished, continued speaking even as she backed away.
"If you observe her closely, you'll see for yourself. She truly is a wonderful person. An exceptional woman. Please, don't let this opportunity slip away. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must attend to our young lady."
Julie, who had defended Grace to the end, hurried off in search of her.
Left alone, Lucas collapsed into his chair, cradling his forehead in his hands.
"...My lord, I take full responsibility. I should have prepared lamb steak instead of elk."
"It is not your fault, Cotti. It was my request, after all. You simply followed my orders and prepared diligently for two days and nights."
"But——"
"For now, clear this away and prepare something gentler, would you? Should she have become ill, she may need a soothing beverage to settle her stomach."
"Ah! Yes! Of course! I'll prepare it at once!"
Cotti hurried away with the skewered elk dish in hand.
The dinner he'd thought would be flawless had become a complete disaster.
As Lucas reached to loosen his suffocating necktie, he suddenly discovered the soft fabric tucked in his pocket.
'I dyed it myself with pigment. It's a humble little cloth, but it's all I have to offer you right now.'
Grace's apologetic face surfaced in his mind—she who had regretted inviting him so presumptuously to dinner without preparing a proper gift.
The soft touch of her hands as she shyly filled his pocket, her embarrassed smile, all of it returned to him.
He also recalled her face as she'd rushed out in her thin nightgown to stop him, apologizing for her father's rudeness.
It felt as though someone were hammering away at a corner of Lucas's heart.
My chest felt so tight I could barely breathe.
She was so pure and innocent that she couldn't even hide her affection for someone.
And yet, those wretches she called parents were secretly abusing such a delicate soul!
Without realizing it, I clenched my fists tightly.
The thought of her enduring the Marquess's neglect and verbal abuse made something inside me boil over.
'Really, such a kind-hearted woman. For someone like that, for such a daughter....'
I carefully fingered Grace's handkerchief, the soft fabric tickling between my fingers.
I folded it neatly again and tucked it into my inner pocket.
"...I never thought the Marquess Estate would abuse the young lady like that. Then could those marks on her cheek be from the Marquess as well?"
Haem, who had been watching the direction Julie disappeared, murmured in disbelief.
My hand, which had been rubbing my forehead, froze.
"What did you just say, Haem?"
"Pardon? Ah, I was just saying I never thought the Marquess Estate would abuse the young lady like that...."
"No, after that."
"After that... Oh."
Only then did Haem realize his slip of the tongue and quickly closed his mouth.
As he glanced nervously at me, I narrowed my eyes and pressed him.
"Speak."
"That is... well, Your Grace didn't see it, did you?"
"See what exactly?"
Good grief.
I'd forgotten how oblivious this man could be.
No, it seemed he lacked observational skills altogether.
I'd naturally assumed he would have seen it, but apparently he hadn't.
"Haem, you know I'm not in the mood for word games right now."
I leaned back loosely, regarding him with a downward gaze.
Lucas Black had a tendency to become even more relaxed in his movements when suppressing his emotions.
Haem couldn't possibly be unaware of this.
Gulp.
Haem barely swallowed his dry saliva and spoke with a resigned attitude.
After all, it wasn't the first or second time his mouth had run away with him.
"I was actually uncertain, so I didn't mention it. But hearing what Julie just said, it seems like my suspicion was correct."
"Stop beating around the bush and speak plainly."
"You definitely didn't see it, did you, Your Grace? No, you were standing so close—how could you not see it? No matter how dull you are, how could you possibly...."
I furrowed my brow and glared at Haem.
He quickly shut his mouth.
That murderous look in my eyes was genuine.
"Haem, you really are kicking up your hind legs after such a long time...."
In that moment, Haem didn't hesitate and blurted it out.
"You didn't notice that Miss Grace's cheek was swollen!"
"...What?"
"Once she removes her makeup, I suspect there will be bruises as well. Given how delicate her features are, the swelling on one cheek was quite conspicuous."
Lucas faltered, his expression hardening as he pressed for clarification.
"...You're certain of this?"
Haem nodded vigorously, his face taut with tension.
He could see the unmistakable shift in his master's gaze.
Lucas rose slowly from his seat.
"This is absurd."
His presence began to darken, swelling like a wild beast preparing for confrontation—gradually, inexorably.
Haem also nodded, his eyes sharp with apprehension.
"Yes. I noticed Julie's cheek was swollen as well. For both the young lady and her maid to have matching swelling on the same side of their faces—that's certainly suspicious."
Crash!
The sound of something shattering echoed through the air.
Lucas's fist was among the casualties.
Where his knuckles struck the stone pillar, crimson streaks remained.
Simultaneously, fragments of the stone column scattered like dust where his fist had made contact.
"Ah! Your hand—you've injured yourself!"
"Master!"
Haem and Gabriel rushed forward in alarm.
Though his bleeding knuckles appeared to cause considerable pain, Lucas remained unmoved.
He gazed at his reddened fist with an expressionless face.
Haem possessed no gift for reading hearts, yet he sensed he could understand what Lucas Black's eyes were saying in this moment.
"...Y-Your Grace. You... you know no one should be struck, don't you?"
"Why not."
Ah, truly, our master as well.
He asks while knowing full well. Ha, haha.
Haem forced a laugh, his eyes darting away from those terrifying blue irises.
'I'm furious. Absolutely furious!'
Though Lucas Black appeared gentle by nature, when genuine anger ignited within him, none burned more fiercely.
And what Lucas Black held most sacred was family.
Family was his domain.
Protecting that domain was one of the iron laws that any man of the Black Family—the dark stallions—must uphold.
"P-Please, Your Grace, compose yourself!"
Yet as his aide, Haem had no choice but to restrain Lucas from excessive fury.
Should Lucas's anger exceed reasonable bounds, something catastrophic might unfold.
"I am... not... becoming... excited... Breathe!"
"Calm yourself! Shouldn't we first ascertain the exact circumstances? Yes, the swelling is evident, but what if Marquess Oellin isn't responsible?"
"Then who else would dare lay hands upon the Marquess's daughter's face? And her maid as well?"
Faced with such logic, Haem had no counterargument.
Yet he could not allow his master to remain in this state of agitation.
And then, at that very moment.
"...I'm terribly sorry. I was far too rude."
After composing myself, I returned to the Garden with an awkward smile.
* * *
'Why is he looking at me like that?'
I couldn't find anywhere to direct my gaze, so intensely aware of Lucas's piercing stare.
'Could it be... that he's curious about my phobia?'
Julie, who had hurried after me, apologized profusely, saying she'd revealed everything about my phobia.
But truthfully, I didn't mind.
The atmosphere that had been ripening over that single skewer had completely shattered, and to some extent, I'd shown him my true self.
Perhaps it was for the best.
This turn of events might actually be better suited for discussing the annulment.
'...But why does this feel so unsettling?'
I chewed thoughtfully on the scrambled eggs—smooth as cream, made from finely minced meat—and tilted my head in confusion.
Unlike that first day when I'd been certain I could never marry him, some corner of my heart felt oddly reluctant at the thought of the annulment.
"Does the cuisine not suit your palate?"
"No? Not at all. It's delicious. I feel terrible toward Cotti Amon. I couldn't eat the dish he prepared with such care."
"Not to worry. Cotti has thousands of other dishes he excels at. You likely couldn't eat through all of his cooking in a lifetime."
There was a subtle pride in his words about Cotti Amon.
He was a peculiar man.
Most nobles harbored discomfort or prejudice toward foreigners, yet he seemed entirely free of such things.
Similarly, even after learning of my phobia, his demeanor remained gentle and refined.
'Still, he must have so many questions. Why doesn't he ask?'
The moment I lifted my gaze slightly to look at Lucas, our eyes met.
It felt as though something heavy had dropped into my chest with a dull thud.
I bit my lower lip gently and pressed down on my trembling hands.
Lucas, who had been quietly observing me, finally seemed unable to restrain himself and set down his fork and knife.
His voice had grown quieter when he spoke.
"Does Marquess Oellin not treat you with care?"
"That is... what do you mean so suddenly?"
My eyes widened at Lucas's abrupt question, striking at me without warning.
I'd expected him to ask about my phobia, but instead he brought up my father—it was unavoidable to be surprised.
Lucas gazed at me intently, then spoke with a rare, gentle smile.
"That cheek."
"...."
"I'm curious whether it was the Marquess who marked you so."
A chill ran through me.
Though he was smiling, his voice was impossibly soft, yet I felt an inexplicable coldness.
It was not directed at me.
Grace felt something strange stirring within her.
That man, Lucas Black.
Why did he keep trying to encroach upon her territory?
'...Does he truly care for me?'
The moment that thought crossed her mind, her chest grew more unsettled.
It was a different kind of turbulence than what she'd felt when seeing the skewer earlier.
Grace steadied herself with measured breaths and took a sip of lukewarm water.
Then, looking directly at Lucas, she spoke.
"No. At least Father has never laid a hand on me directly."
At her words, Lucas's brows twisted.
"Then who in the world did?"
Grace, who had been staring intently at Lucas, felt her lips part slightly.
"My brother."
At her words, Lucas's eyes narrowed.
So it wasn't just the Marquess?
"...Norman Oellin, you mean?"
Norman's name had been spoken.
Grace smiled quietly, as if she would not deny it.
That calm smile somehow ignited Lucas's heart all the more.
It had been a long time since his emotions had surged like this.
He was someone who could not afford to let his emotions run wild.
He shouldn't be...
Lucas squeezed his eyes shut and focused on his breathing. Just a little longer. He could endure this.
He could bear it.
'...Damn it, why do I have to endure this?'
Even as he clenched his fist in a threatening manner, he struggled to maintain control.
Crunch.
From where she sat a short distance away, Grace could see the massive fist with its enraged tendons bulging.
She could also see him gritting his teeth, straining to hold something back.
'Lucas Black.'
Grace regarded him with an enigmatic gaze, then slowly lowered her eyes.
'You truly are peculiar.'
He was angry—not over his own troubles, but over hers.
...When had anyone ever been angry on her behalf like this?
She had done nothing to deserve it.
He had simply resonated with her pain as if it were his own.
...Why does my heart flutter so? Why? Why?
'No, I cannot afford to weaken.'
Grace steadied her racing heart and opened her mouth with composure.
'I have already made my resolve.'
It seemed the time had come to speak the words I'd prepared.
"I'll be honest with you about this, Your Grace."
"Go ahead, Grace."
Grace lifted her head and met Lucas's gaze directly.
"The truth is, I'm far too inadequate to be your wife. As you witnessed just now, I suffer from a phobia. It means I'm someone who needs help."
"Continue."
"And... I haven't received as much love from my family as appearances might suggest. My family could very well cause you trouble someday."
Grace truly despised having to speak of such things.
Though I was feigning composure as I spoke, wasn't this pathetic enough already?
'...The truth is, I'm a coward and stubborn to boot.'
I lacked the courage to marry someone who frightened me, and I had no desire to sell myself into a marriage transaction that would satisfy Father and Norman.
That was why I had stubbornly considered breaking the engagement.
And I believed that breaking it off with him was the right choice for both our happiness.
"Grace."
But that man somehow shook my resolve in the strangest way.
"If you need help, then accept it."
That man with his frightening face whispering such tender words.
"If you haven't received love, then all the better."
"...Your Grace."
"The love you've never known until now..."
That man speaking of love in a gentle voice, so unlike the sharpness in his eyes.
"I will give it to you abundantly."
He shakes me.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org