Chapter 46
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Dear, I believe you may be misunderstanding.
Episode 46
Chapter 4
The Woman Who Makes Restraint Impossible
Grace turned in surprise at the sound, only to find Selena waving gracefully with a warm smile.
"Hello, Grace."
Her eyes sparkled with genuine delight at seeing Grace.
Grace had never received such tender affection from an adult woman before.
She stared at Selena for a moment, then quickly composed herself and offered a respectful greeting.
"Madam."
"I spotted you from over there and rushed right over. You were about to head inside, weren't you? Let's go in together."
Selena spoke naturally as she brushed down Grace's back.
The touch felt entirely different from the escort of the men.
It was soft, tender, and warm.
Was this what an adult woman felt like?
Or was this what a mother's touch felt like?
I became acutely aware of where Selena's hand had touched me.
Such intimate contact was unfamiliar, leaving me with an odd sensation.
"My, are you nervous? Don't worry. I have no intention of devouring you."
Selena laughed softly, patting Grace's shoulder gently once more.
She glanced at Grace's slightly flushed cheeks, then opened the closed Reception Room door.
Grace stepped inside the Reception Room as Selena led the way, then froze.
A creature that had no business being there occupied one side of the table as if it belonged.
Whinny!
'No... why is Lucky here?'
Moreover, a cold-brewed tea sat before Lucky.
Judging by its color, it was black tea.
Black tea is typically enjoyed warm, but to prepare it cold-brewed requires special care and effort.
Only then could the astringency inherent to black tea be transformed into a refreshing taste.
Thus, cold-brewed black tea was something the Estate's masters drank occasionally, or served when distinguished guests arrived.
Yet... it seemed the Black Family served cold-brewed black tea even to horses.
"...Ah. Yes."
I had been confident that nothing could surprise me anymore.
But the moment I saw the wild horse lapping at cold-brewed black tea, I realized my conviction was far less steadfast than I'd believed.
'Ah... yes, this is possible. This is the Black Family, after all. The family that loves horses, loves them dearly. Yes...'
"What are you doing, Grace? Come here quickly."
Look at that.
The Madam didn't spare a glance at whether the horse was there or not, simply finding her seat and sitting down.
Not a trace of surprise crossed her face.
Selena, unable to read the wavering in Grace's eyes, examined the container of tea leaves and asked a question.
"Is there a particular type of tea you prefer, Grace?"
"Oh, no. I enjoy all varieties of black tea."
"My, how similar your tastes are to Lucas's. Personally, I prefer fruit tea to black tea—it can be rather astringent and heavily scented, you know. I find fruit tea so much sweeter. My husband used to tease me about having a child's palate, but there it is."
"I enjoy fruit tea as well."
"Oh! How fortunate. It seems I've found a friend to share good tea with."
Grace felt genuinely flustered.
It seemed she alone in this room was troubled by the presence of that black horse.
Lorana calmly poured the hot water, Haem stood about anxiously, and even Selena, selecting tea leaves, seemed entirely unbothered by the creature's existence.
As though it belonged there by natural right, everyone accepted the presence of the enormous black horse as perfectly ordinary.
'Is this... normal?'
Did families this horse-friendly truly take tea together with a horse in the reception room...?
Like a companion animal, perhaps... a companion horse, or something of that sort...?
When Grace hesitated at a distance, Selena gestured for her to come closer.
The look in Lucky's eyes as he watched Grace was equally peculiar.
'No, never mind. Let it go.'
There was no point worrying alone about what no one else seemed to mind—it would only give her a headache.
Grace sat on the sofa, paying Lucky no more attention than the others did.
A soft snort escaped the horse.
The black horse approached and thrust his head forward.
Grace stroked his forehead and cheeks with care, but Lucky seemed unsatisfied with that alone.
The horse took hold of her sleeve in his teeth and tugged insistently.
There was something almost anxious in his manner.
Selena, who had been smiling faintly, handed her a cup of tea.
"Here, try this. It's Darjeeling—Lucas's absolute favorite. The leaves harvested between spring and summer have such a remarkable bouquet. I'm quite fond of it myself."
Just as Selena described, the tea was slightly astringent yet refreshingly fragrant, its taste crisp and effervescent like champagne on the palate.
It was truly exceptional tea.
Selena watched with evident pleasure as Grace savored the brew in quiet contemplation, then spoke.
"Having spent so long away in my territory without the company of young ladies, I find myself drawn to you, Grace—you're quite lovely. So much so that I catch myself stealing glances without meaning to. If my gaze seemed at all discourteous, I do apologize. Please forgive me."
Grace's cheeks flushed at Selena's forthright compliment.
"It's quite all right. Your gaze held no offense."
"I'm relieved. Your mother must treasure you beyond measure—I imagine she could gaze upon you endlessly without tiring."
"You're too kind. My mother passed away long ago."
"Oh, how dreadful."
"It was so long ago that my memories of her are faint, but... I do remember her holding me often. Had she lived, I believe she would have loved me even more than she did."
Selena watched Grace's serene smile with quiet attention, then nodded slowly.
"I'm sorry. I was so caught up in excitement that I didn't guide our conversation with proper sensitivity."
"Oh, no. There was nothing wrong with the topic at all."
"You must have suffered greatly at such a tender age."
"I did grieve deeply, but... I'm truly all right now."
At Grace's words, Selena nodded as though recalling something significant.
"...Yes, that's right."
Selena had already sent a beloved across the river of death before her.
She sipped quietly on the Darjeeling tea her husband had loved.
"Time is truly remarkable, isn't it? Even as the world drowns in silent sorrow, it somehow mends us. Cruel and yet merciful all at once."
I didn't want to be fine, yet time made me fine anyway.
His scent, his laughter, the smallest of his habits—I never wanted to forget them, yet time stole those precious memories away without asking.
Heartless and yet grateful.
For forcing me to rise and stand again.
For reminding me that those still here are just as precious as those who've already gone.
*Sip.*
Grace watched Selena drink her tea in silence, then turned her head as something nudged her side repeatedly.
'Oh, startled me.'
A massive black horse had approached without her noticing, pressing its head against her side.
Deep, luminous blue eyes gazed down at her.
Those large eyes were as clear as the sea.
*Whinny...*
Lucky gently caught the hem of her dress and tugged.
It was as if he were urging her to leave.
She laughed and gently scratched beneath Lucky's chin.
"What is it? Bored? Want to play?"
At her whispered words, Lucky shook his head sharply and firmly.
Lucky's blue eyes flashed brilliantly, then fixed sharply on Haem.
At Lucky's glance, Haem fumbled to speak.
"M-Madam! The dinner should be nearly ready—shall we move to the Dining Room?"
Yes, well done, Haem!
When moving to the Dining Room, it seemed I could simply whisk Grace away.
But unfortunately, time was not on my side.
"Cotti asked if you might spare a bit more time."
Gabriel asked politely for understanding.
Since the teacup hadn't even cooled, Selena readily agreed.
"Cotti seems to be pushing a little. Well, why not. You didn't come all this way just to be tired. Right, Grace? Shall I pour you another cup of tea?"
"Yes, thank you."
'Oh—damn it all!'
Impatience made me paw at the ground.
At the sound of my hoofbeats, Grace's gaze flickered toward me.
She smiled and rubbed my muzzle.
'I'm going mad.'
Unaware of anything, I burned with frustration as Grace's gentle touch caressed me.
—Grace, Grace! Please, Grace... listen to me, hear my voice.
I'd been trying to communicate with her since earlier, but it was useless.
Grace's mind was entirely consumed by Selena's sudden arrival.
'Mother mustn't speak first.'
I had never truly understood Haem's heart.
So the letter I'd sent through Haem wouldn't contain all these detailed circumstances.
Moreover, Haem and Gabriel still didn't know that Grace and I could hear each other's voices.
'Damn it, I should have just told Haem and Gabriel that I could hear their voices too.'
Then they would have tried to hear my side of the story through Grace first.
But it was already spilled milk.
I was simply bewildered and anxious.
This feeling of being such a fool was entirely new and utterly miserable.
'Sigh.'
My anxious mouth had turned bitter.
Above all else, I feared that Grace might feel betrayed once she learned the truth.
That worry continued to gnaw at me.
Guilt had become a thorn in my heart, buried deep within my chest.
I had foolishly missed the moment to remove it.
I had never felt this anxious in my entire life.
I cast aside all pride and dignity, pressing my forehead against Grace's nape.
It was a gesture born from the need to never be separated.
"What is it? You're being quite affectionate today."
I had been delighted thinking we'd grown much closer since our hearts began to truly connect.
—Thank you, Your Excellency.
That sweet voice I'd heard in the early dawn seemed as though it would vanish into thin air.
'Alas... this is a grave I've dug with my own hands, a calamity I've brought upon myself.'
Whirrrrr...
At the sound of my weary sigh, Grace gently rubbed Lucky's forehead with concern.
I'd seemed anxious and uneasy since earlier, and it weighed on her mind.
She quietly examined Lucky carefully.
She looked closely, wondering if perhaps something was wrong.
Selena, who had been silently observing the two, spoke softly.
"You two look so beautiful together. It's a lovely scene."
"You're too kind. The horse is naturally so graceful that it would look like a painting anywhere it stands."
At Grace's response, Selena gazed at her with admiring eyes.
"How remarkable... Grace, you're truly bold. That's impressive."
"I beg your pardon?"
When Grace looked at her as if asking what she meant, Selena added her thoughts.
"When he first transformed into a horse, I was so shocked that I cried. He barely managed to stop me from running away."
"...What?"
What did she just say?
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org