Chapter 70
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Dear, I believe you may be misunderstanding.
Episode 70
'A month?'
'Yes, a month. Precisely thirty days including today.'
'...Don't you think that's rather hasty?'
'Not at all.'
'Surely we ought to consider public perception, Duke Black....'
'That is hardly my concern.'
'Ah... yes, you've always been that way.'
Ludwig Zenox, the young king of Zeronium, chuckled softly while gazing into the distance.
In the interim, Ludwig had grown so thin that the garments tailored merely a month prior now hung loosely upon him.
Time was running short for the king as well.
Lucas regarded his longtime friend and sovereign with complicated eyes.
Lost in quiet contemplation, he bore the serene countenance of one who had already completed all necessary preparations.
How many could face death with such elegance?
I felt admiration mingled with the certainty that I could never achieve such composure.
The more acutely I became aware of time's scarcity, the more precious each moment seemed.
Perhaps I would need to exert all my strength simply to avoid dwelling upon it.
To prevent that, I must fill every moment beforehand with purpose and meaning.
'Your Majesty.'
'Hmm?'
'I fear I have fallen in love with my future bride.'
'Pfft.'
The king elegantly sprayed the black tea he had been drinking.
It was remarkable how even the act of spraying tea could appear graceful.
Ludwig stared at Lucas with an expression of utter bewilderment.
Lucas smiled leisurely and spoke.
'When one has found someone to love, how can one bear separation? To be precise, she is someone I am certain to fall in love with... but regardless, having found such a person, I cannot afford to squander a single moment.'
'What?'
'I have no luxury to keep her at my side and idly observe when she might become my wife. I lack such restraint....'
'Do you truly mean that?'
'I do. You understand, after all. That the time granted to us is not truly abundant.'
The time granted to us is not abundant.
This truth applied to them both.
Or rather, since Ludwig's allotted time was far shorter, it weighed upon him far more heavily.
Ludwig exhaled softly and finally pressed his seal of approval upon the documents on his desk.
'One month hence, I approve the marriage. However, given the haste of this decision, proceed first with a simple ceremony, then travel personally to receive the vows of those houses unable to journey to the Capital.'
'By the name of the sun, I shall obey the king's command.'
Lucas bowed with a smile to the melancholy-seeming Ludwig.
The satisfaction of one who had seized what he desired radiated across his face.
He wanted to deliver this news to Grace as soon as possible.
He hadn't seen Grace for several days while hurrying through his work.
He had promised to return to the Estate tomorrow, so he desperately wanted to share dinner with her that evening, but Ludwig had insisted on keeping him for dinner before he left.
When Princess Fresia arrived late and suggested sharing a drink, he firmly refused and returned to the Estate.
Still, the moon had already risen by the time he arrived.
The moment he returned to the Estate, he searched for Grace.
Upon hearing she was taking a stroll in the Western Garden, he rushed toward the Garden with haste.
Yet no matter how far he walked, she was nowhere to be seen.
To make matters worse, she was apparently taking her walk without even Julie accompanying her.
Of course, nothing serious would happen within the Estate.
Though it appeared sparse, guards were positioned throughout in places unseen.
Though Gabriel was advanced in years, he was both a butler and an excellent knight.
Gabriel regularly made his rounds inspecting the security.
Trustworthy attendants also took turns frequently patrolling the Garden and the surrounding areas of the Estate.
'Still, one never knows. Perhaps she's somewhere having fallen and groaning in pain....'
At times like this, he wished he could speak with her through their connection, as if they were conversing.
Then he could have spoken to her even while riding in the Carriage back.
If that were the case, perhaps she would have come out to greet him.
Grace welcoming him the moment he arrived at the Estate.
He imagined Grace stepping down from the Carriage with a bright smile, calling out to him.
For a moment, his head spun and strength surged through him.
"...I've lost my mind. Why am I like this lately?"
Was this what a newlywed felt?
Lucas struck his head with his palm several times, then quickened his pace to find her.
Fortunately, the Estate was bright enough that he could find his way with his eyes closed.
Lucas took the shortcut that would allow him to reach the innermost part of the Western Garden in one breath.
Though the path was somewhat rough, it cut the time in half compared to taking the winding walking path.
Somehow, he seemed to catch the scent of Grace from nearby.
He sensed her presence instinctively.
'It's that way.'
He roughly pushed through the undergrowth and strode toward the path at the end of the Garden.
Landscaping shrubs that reached exactly to Lucas's head blocked his way like a wall, packed tightly together.
But since this was nothing to him, just as he was about to break through—
"Who... are you?"
Grace's startled voice reached his ears.
Her voice was rigid and guarded, filled with fear.
In that instant, Lucas became alert, wondering if there was another presence nearby.
But even holding his breath and concentrating with all his senses, he felt no other presence.
'...Then perhaps?'
Lucas gently touched the landscaping shrub that enveloped him.
As the leaves trembled with a soft rustle, the sound of hesitant footsteps retreating backward echoed through the garden.
"I don't know who you are, but please show yourself."
Grace's voice wavered slightly.
Though she tried to conceal it, Lucas could sense her unease.
Ah, what should I do about this?
Should I indulge the mischievous impulse rising within me, or should I conduct myself as a gentleman and reveal my identity promptly?
I found myself standing at a crossroads.
My mind insisted on the gentlemanly approach, but then again...
It felt a shame to abandon the other option entirely.
In that fleeting moment, I made my decision—I would choose a middle path.
I would emerge immediately, but in a way that would startle her.
'...I truly am Selena Black's son, after all.'
Suppressing a laugh, I took a sharp breath and burst out with long, decisive strides.
"Kyaaaah!"
In that instant, a long branch came hurtling toward me with a whoosh that cut through the air.
'...A tree branch?'
At a glance, I confirmed it was indeed a long branch.
Grace had picked it up at some point and was swinging it at me with all her strength.
Fortunately, I dodged it easily, and I managed to catch her as she stumbled from the force of her own swing.
But the problem was Grace, who was thrashing violently with her eyes squeezed shut.
"L-let go! Y-you wretched intruder! How dare you!"
She flailed her slender wrist, struggling desperately to break free from my grasp.
Trembling though she was, she remained undaunted, kicking and thrashing defiantly.
Perhaps the commotion in the garden had awakened them?
The sleeping birds suddenly soared high into the sky in unison.
Whoosh! Flutter! Flutterflutter—!
...Had there really been so many birds inhabiting the Estate's garden?
Startled by the birds' sudden ascent, I glanced upward.
Grace, equally startled by the tremendous noise, lifted her head abruptly.
Then her eyes widened as she caught sight of a familiar jawline so close to her face.
"...Your Grace?"
"Grace, so you recognize me now."
Looking down at her with a composed expression, I answered smoothly and smiled.
At that smile, Grace's face began to contort in a peculiar way.
'Hmm, even this expression of hers is adorable.'
I thought leisurely as I pulled her waist closer, tightening my embrace slightly.
"Why didn't you tell me it was you, Your Grace?"
"I didn't realize you were speaking to me."
"You didn't realize? But you just burst out from over there—!"
"When I arrived home, I was told you had gone for a walk in the Western Garden. I hurried after you by the shortcut, eager to catch up with you. I apologize. I didn't intend to startle you by taking that route."
...Though midway through, I did feel the urge to surprise her.
Lucas concealed his true thoughts behind a composed smile.
He was grateful that Grace couldn't hear his inner voice this time.
How treacherous the human heart truly was.
Lucas mocked himself inwardly, then gently twisted the stick she held.
"And should you find yourself in a situation where you need to wield something again, don't grip it like that. Instead, hold both hands parallel like this and swing it, Grace. That way, you'll put more force behind it."
...
Before she knew it, Lucas had wrapped his arms around her from behind, demonstrating the proper technique.
Compared to his towering frame, she was so delicate and petite that she nestled perfectly into his embrace.
From behind, she was completely enveloped, entirely hidden from view.
Gulp.
The sound of a dry swallow echoed.
It wasn't his, so it must have been Grace's.
Lucas glanced down at her.
Though he couldn't see her face, her delicate earlobes looked tempting.
They appeared so appetizing—as if biting them would release a sweetness that melted like candy on his tongue.
'Ah.'
...That wouldn't be appropriate.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org