Chapter 50
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Dear, I believe you may be misunderstanding.
Episode 50
'...!'
Sharp, piercing gazes bore into her as if seeking to see straight through her.
As Grace gasped in alarm, her consciousness—trapped beneath the surface of sleep—was forcibly dragged upward.
"Gasp, gasp!"
In that instant, a ringing sound like a bell striking her skull—ziiing—pressed down upon her with unbearable intensity.
Grace cradled her head, groaning softly.
After clutching at her aching head and whimpering for some time, the dream faded like an afterimage, leaving only fragmented impressions behind.
"...Why does my head hurt so much?"
Once the pain subsided, the dream itself became irrelevant; her attention had been entirely consumed by the headache that had awakened her.
She rose from her bed with a shallow breath.
Deciding she needed to drink some water before returning to sleep, as she poured from the pitcher into a cup, her fingers trembled violently and the cup slipped from her grasp entirely.
Watching the water spill across the floor, a throbbing pain returned to her temples.
"...Sigh."
After pressing her forehead repeatedly, Grace lit the lamp on the wall and stepped out into the corridor.
As she walked down the hallway—now a path grown quite familiar—she noticed a faint light seeping from beneath the door of the central room on the second floor landing.
'That's his study, isn't it...?'
She found it strange that his study would be lit at such a late hour.
Could there be a thief? A study would surely contain valuable documents....
Grace extinguished her lamp and approached Lucas's study cautiously, the door already slightly ajar.
In that moment, the study door swung open without warning.
"Eek!"
Startled, Grace let out a cry and stumbled backward.
Though she quickly covered her mouth, the sound had already escaped, and her retreating legs felt weak beneath her.
Just as she was about to fall, a hand extended swiftly, wrapping around her wavering waist to steady her.
"Grace?"
"...Your Grace?"
"What brings you here at this hour?"
"Well, I woke up in the middle of the night and came down for some water, and I noticed the light was on. I was worried a thief might have broken in.... But haven't you retired for the evening yet?"
Lucas smiled quietly at her stammering words, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Her reason was as endearing and lovely as she was.
"Who would dare attempt to rob the Estate of Lucas Black? Unless it were some treacherous serpent...."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Never mind, Grace. Forget you heard that. It was truly nothing at all. Now then, have you not yet had your water?"
"No, I was on my way."
"I see. Since it's still dark outside, shall we go together?"
Having said this, Lucas made no move to leave, his gaze fixed entirely upon her.
He remained in that exact posture from moments before—his arm gently grasping her waist as he had caught her from falling.
"...Your Grace?"
Grace's cheeks flushed slightly as she squirmed, expressing her discomfort.
Only then did Lucas release her with a lukewarm smile.
His reluctant fingertips brushed slowly against the hem of her garment.
Feeling Grace's body heat through the thin nightgown, Lucas had to clench and unclench his palm several times in frustration.
Fearing his wretched hand might pull her closer of its own accord, he hid it behind his back and walked beside her.
"What were you asking me about earlier, Grace?"
"Haven't you gone to sleep yet?"
"Ah, I've accumulated so much work that needs attention. I ended up reviewing only the most urgent matters, which is why it's gotten this late."
"You must be exhausted."
"Not at all. I had so much excess energy, probably because I was idle and carefree while I was Lucky."
He spoke with practiced nonchalance, his smiling face showing no trace of fatigue whatsoever.
Rather, his complexion seemed as vibrant as someone who had just awakened.
Along the quiet corridor leading back to her room.
She hesitated before finally asking the question she hadn't had the chance to pose earlier.
"But, Your Excellency."
Lucas looked at Grace with affection, as if inviting her to continue.
Grace asked what had been troubling her all along.
"How exactly do you... transform by speaking words?"
The corners of Lucas's lips curved upward in a subtle arc.
He appeared both troubled and overwhelmed.
Yet Grace could not yield either. After all, she had become entangled in this matter herself.
"I've heard the word 'curse' mentioned. But you haven't given me the specific details yet. Didn't you promise then that you would tell me everything soon?"
He released a shallow sigh and came to a halt.
The two of them had arrived before Grace's chamber door.
"As you've heard before, this is a curse. One that has descended from ancient times and has been kept secret. It's a top-secret matter known only to a select few in this nation."
All the servants who held important positions in this Estate had sworn loyalty to them across generations.
They were educated to know without knowing, and to harbor no questions about what they did not understand.
No one could carelessly divulge anything regarding the curse.
Not even the subject of the curse themselves.
"This is not merely a curse afflicting our Family alone, Grace."
"Then other families as well... are they also cursed in this manner?"
He reached out and caressed her cheek.
His large, warm hand traced her cheekbone and the corner of her lips.
Her reflection wavered in his deep, blue eyes.
"I apologize. All I can tell you with my own words right now is this much. Once we exchange marriage vows... I will reveal everything to you."
Lucas's lips descended slowly toward her eyes.
What she thought would be a fleeting kiss instead softened against her cheek, as though he meant to leave his mark upon her face.
She thought it would end there.
"...Ah."
Until her defenseless earlobe was gently drawn into the warmth of his lips.
Grace found herself holding her breath, her eyes closing without her realizing it.
Soft, warm, and languid sensations teased the delicate shell of her ear with exquisite sensitivity.
Her trembling legs could barely support her as his lips drew her earlobe in, the sensation almost unbearable.
He had only bitten down ever so slightly.
"It's... not too late yet, Grace."
He whispered low, his lips brushing against her moistened earlobe before slowly withdrawing.
* * *
Just as Lucas Black had told Grace the previous night, he was extraordinarily busy.
Using his transformation as an excuse, he had postponed everything to Haem, and now the accumulated work crashed over him like a tidal wave.
"A request has arrived from Lascentra Territory asking for a reduction in tenant fees. They say a famine has struck and they cannot meet the original quota. I've sent Cher and Onahem to assess the situation. And here—this matter was being coordinated with the Nakium Merchant Guild under your orders..."
Endlessly, truly endlessly, the work kept piling up.
As a result, despite Lucas having returned to his proper human form, he could not find time to spend properly with Grace.
Meanwhile, the Oellin House sent relentless demands for Grace's return.
Lucas dismissed them without a second thought.
He could not return her to a family that had treated her so callously.
Despicable wretches.
"This time, say her arm is broken. Next time, her wrist is injured. After that, she caught a cold. That should work."
Haem sighed as he took notes and spoke.
"My lord, you cannot keep her indefinitely with such excuses."
"I know. Wait. I'll go to the Royal Palace soon."
"When exactly, sir?"
"As soon as possible. Request an audience at the earliest available date."
Lucas replied, his eyes never ceasing their relentless scan of the documents.
Once he finished reviewing these, he would need to go verify the goods entering the merchant guild one by one.
He had delegated the inspection of the products coming up from the Territory to Gabriel.
The faster he could dispatch the work, the sooner he might find time for a walk with Grace.
"By the way, where is Grace?"
"Ah, she's gone shopping with the lady of the house."
"What? Shopping?"
At those words, Lucas's eyes widened with sudden intensity.
Veins rose visibly across the back of his hand gripping the quill.
Watching Lucas's expression harden abruptly, Haem shrank back slightly.
Had I misspoken somehow?
Or perhaps... was he upset that she had gone shopping while he worked without sleep?
But the Lucas that Haem knew was not a man of such petty jealousy.
"Shopping, huh."
Finally, Lucas brought his quill-holding hand down hard against the desk with a sharp crack, muttering to himself.
"I'm envious."
He too wanted to go shopping with Grace.
About a thousand things I wanted to buy for her came to mind.
If I thought about it a little longer, I could easily double that number.
I wanted to give Grace everything she so much as glanced at.
I had more than enough wealth to make it happen.
That was the extent of the Black Family's fortune.
'G-Your Excellency.'
The image of Grace's face from that dawn—blushing like a peach after I'd kissed her earlobe once—surfaced in my mind.
I wanted to see that face again soon.
That sweet, succulent face that made my mouth water just looking at it, as if bursting with juice.
'Sigh. Hurry, hurry. Hurry....'
I had no time to stand here dazed.
My heart grew impatient.
Snapping to attention, I commanded with stern authority.
"Haem, bring me all the remaining tasks. Everything."
"Yes...? All of them?"
"Yes. I'll finish them all today."
That way I could go shopping or on a picnic.
I burned with fierce determination.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org