Chapter 69
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Dear, I believe you may be misunderstanding.
Chapter 69
Lucas Black had joined the Crown Prince's Knight Order four years ago.
Though it was merely a three-year stint, his remarkable contributions ensured the Crown Prince ascended to the throne without incident.
Princess Fresia, too, owed her stalemate against the Third Prince and her rising influence to Lucas Black's efforts.
"Now do you understand the situation? So when Grace returns, handle her gently, Norman. If you speak well of Lucas Black and express your gratitude, it would be appreciated. What's a little pride between family?"
....
Capren spoke with measured composure.
Norman kept his head bowed in stubborn silence. Capren swallowed a silent sigh at his son's obstinate nature.
'This foolish boy.'
Capren rose from his alcohol-hazed stupor and patted the shoulder of his eldest son—the heir to everything he had built for this family.
"In truth, you're right. What need is there for pride between family? Grace is the future duchess and the family's greatest asset. The day will come when your sister's wellbeing becomes your own prestige. Hasn't she already brought us the diamond mines?"
Capren had decided to overlook the deposits Grace held at Thompson Bank.
Soon enough, he would be wearing a wristwatch made of diamonds himself. He could afford to be magnanimous about the pittance Grace had hidden away.
"Remember this well. Welcome her home warmly. Speak kindly of Lucas Black and express your gratitude to him—do this gently, I ask you."
Pat, pat.
After tapping Norman's back, Capren left the Reception Room, leaving his son behind.
* * *
"Insane...."
After Capren departed, Norman quietly ground his teeth.
Even if his tongue were cut out, he could never thank that wench Grace.
Being cast out from the Temple like vermin was infuriating enough, but the words he heard upon returning home were even worse.
Rage boiled within him like molten lava coursing through his veins.
He could not possibly remain still.
"Torres! Prepare the carriage at once!"
He bolted to the Lobby and roughly leaped into the carriage Torres had readied.
"Where shall I take you, sir?"
"Holmes! Right now!"
At the mention of Holmes, Torres flinched as he climbed into the carriage, but quickly composed himself.
With a darkened expression, he set the carriage carrying Norman into motion.
The carriage disappeared swiftly into the darkness as if being pulled into the night.
* * *
"Miss, all the luggage you mentioned has been prepared. Gabriel said he would have the carriage ready right after breakfast this morning."
"Thank you, Julie."
Grace took a slow, deep breath.
What was meant to be a simple dinner invitation had unexpectedly turned into an extended stay at the Black Estate.
Lucas had assured me not to worry, and later Selena treated me with such warmth that I felt increasingly at ease.
Still, it was time to return home now.
'I should open one of the Thompson Bank accounts and simply hand it over to him. The one with the smallest balance.'
The harsh words that would follow were something I had grown accustomed to enduring.
Whatever Lucas had done, his reminders for me to return home had become less frequent, but there was no doubt I would hear a lecture once I got back.
'Come to think of it, Norman was supposed to return home today as well, wasn't he?'
In truth, Norman was far more difficult to face than my father, Capren.
My half-brother harbored genuine hatred and contempt for me.
Even I couldn't fathom why he despised me so intensely.
Norman had tormented me since childhood, so far back that I barely remembered it.
'But now... I don't even want to know the reason anymore.'
I rubbed at the bruise mark on my abdomen that had long since faded. The discoloration was gone, yet sometimes the pain would resurface like this.
I harbored no desire for revenge against Norman. I simply wanted to distance myself from his petty, narrow vision.
His obsessive, deranged hatred had grown unbearable.
"...But if he dares lay a hand on my people, I won't hold back."
"Pardon? Miss? Hold back?"
"Oh, no, it's nothing, Julie. By the way, I think I ate too much at dinner—my stomach feels heavy. Could you find me a shawl for a walk in the garden?"
"Of course!"
Julie responded cheerfully and quickly retrieved a shawl made of pristine white yarn.
Grace stepped out into the garden at once.
* * *
Tap, tap, tap.
The sound of Grace's footsteps mingled exquisitely with the chirping of insects.
The Garden, now draped in twilight, boasted a subtle charm illuminated by lanterns the gardener had lit.
The flowers bloomed in softer hues than under sunlight, their freshness captivating.
Over these past few days, I had grown attached to this place, and now I gazed around the Garden with reluctant eyes.
"I've just finished tidying the western path, so would you care to explore that way? And as you mentioned before, I've carefully dried the coneflower without cutting it back."
The elderly gardener offered me the western Garden.
He mentioned the coneflower I had requested some time ago.
"Oh, truly? I'm grateful you handled it so quickly, even though I only asked recently."
"Not at all. Since the Garden requires maintenance nearly every day, I simply took care of it while I was at it. I never realized such a plant could be so useful. Thanks to you, it's become an opportunity to regard things I once overlooked with newfound appreciation."
The gardener withdrew with a warm smile.
I sent Julie away as well and walked alone through the quiet Garden.
The thought that I would soon bid farewell to this place filled me with unexpected melancholy.
'...For now.'
That word stirred something within me.
It implied I would return here again before long.
Though I suppose I've already come too far to thrill at such things now.
This mark etched upon my hands and arms had become one with me.
Having heard even vague explanations about the curse, there was no turning back.
Since the Marquess mentioned hastening the marriage, it would certainly proceed faster than I had anticipated.
Typically, a noble's wedding takes six months to a year.
Including the formal engagement period, it can stretch to a year and a half, or even ten years if stretched long enough.
That would be if the engagement occurred in childhood.
'Then perhaps ours will take about six months as well.'
Six months was considered remarkably swift even in noble society.
Usually, only those nobles who couldn't restrain themselves, fell madly in love, and quickly produced heirs married so hastily.
Or sometimes they bore children first and married at leisure afterward.
Registry records could be filed anytime, after all.
"Six months might actually invite misunderstandings about us, if we're not careful."
Well, but it didn't matter.
How others perceived me held little importance.
The image one presents to the world is, in truth, merely an illusion.
The facade one wishes to display, the appearance one desires to project—such things.
If one believes in illusions, one is swayed by them; but if one doesn't, they hold no real power over you.
Of course, if one cared about reputation, it might feel unjust, but what reputation did I truly have to concern myself with?
But wouldn't he be different?
As I quietly recalled Lucas Black, I suddenly remembered that day at the Fountain Pen Shop when I had collapsed on top of him.
What had he said then?
'Damn it, this chronic anemia.'
'If Lady Grace hadn't caught me, I would have collapsed to the floor without question. What a terrible breach of etiquette....'
'I must ask—please keep this shameful display of mine a secret today. Especially if the Oellin Marquessate learns of this, I cannot bear to think what they would make of me.'
'So I ask that you keep your lips sealed, and if you do, I shall remember every face here and send my regards separately.'
"...Heh."
Recalling that moment, laughter bubbled up again.
A man with a build like a bear, his face radiating a terrifying charisma, had pressed his forehead with talk of chronic anemia.
And then he'd smiled wickedly—how lethal that gaze had been.
Thanks to that, not a whisper of that day's incident ever spread.
Duke Lucas Black had declared he would personally hunt down anyone who dared gossip—who would be foolish enough to wag their tongue?
He certainly wasn't someone who cared much for his reputation.
'...Then should I move the wedding up a bit?'
Grace habitually rubbed the back of her right hand and her wrist.
She didn't know everything perfectly, but from what she'd gathered so far, the curse passed down through generations.
Which meant the curse could continue to Lucas's descendants as well.
But here a problem arose.
The curse mark had seeped into her arm.
Lucas could be controlled by Grace, but how could his descendants be controlled once they came of age?
Surely she wouldn't have to mummify this arm and use it after her death?
Or would the mark return to the curse mark once she died?
Nothing was certain.
What if she died first in some unforeseen accident?
What if, like her mother, her body suddenly weakened and she died of an undiagnosed illness?
Her heart began to race.
She hadn't been told she would die young, but worry seized her. The realization struck suddenly that this was no time to sit idly by, vaguely accepting that the curse had transferred to her.
"They said I can only approach the secret of this curse through a marriage vow...I must hurry."
A curse passed down for over 750 years—Grace wouldn't be able to unravel its secret easily.
But she couldn't simply abandon it either.
There must be a reason the curse suddenly transferred to her arm, and she would focus on discovering it.
Her heart raced even faster.
When was he thinking of having the wedding?
A year from now? Six months? Or...four to five months?
Grace gazed up at the night sky where the moon hung.
For some reason, he was late today.
Tomorrow he was leaving right after breakfast, so she didn't know if she'd be able to see him before he went.
Since returning to human form, he'd seemed constantly busy. He said there was much backlogged work he hadn't been able to handle while transformed into a horse.
Grace too would need to organize the Elementary School work and the plant encyclopedia she'd been copying once she returned to the Estate.
A few days ago, she'd also received a message from Notia, her personal physician.
Worried by the lack of contact, she'd asked Grace to let her know if there were any ailments since that day.
There was simply too much to do.
For both Grace and Lucas.
If I returned to the Oellin Estate like this, it might become even harder to see him.
'When he was a horse, I could hear his voice whenever I wanted... how convenient that was.'
Never did I think I'd come to miss those days.
With a soft chuckle, I turned to look back and belatedly realized how far I had wandered.
Walking aimlessly, I had arrived at a place I had never visited before.
The path wasn't dark, which was fortunate, but returning would require another considerable walk, so I hastily turned around.
That was when it happened.
Crackle—
From somewhere came the sound of footsteps treading upon dry grass.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org