Chapter 87
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------
Dear, I believe you may be misunderstanding.
Chapter 87
Ludwig spoke in a deliberately solemn tone.
"My sister harbors a most ambitious dream. As long as I draw breath, I wish to support it. Yet, as you can see, illness has weakened me considerably."
Grace closed her eyes gently.
"It is Lucas Black who upholds me, the princess, and this entire Royal Family together."
He was speaking of that very man waiting for her outside.
That man who would kick down the King's Bedchamber door without hesitation if circumstances demanded it.
That man who had transformed from my greatest fear into my warmest comfort.
"He is sincere and strong. Despite his disagreeable appearance, he possesses a tender and gentle side as well. Ah, of course... keep it secret that I've just said this to you. The fellow has quite the inflated ego."
At the King's familiar words, Grace smiled quietly. Observing her smile, Ludwig added in a gentle tone.
"You already know."
"Yes. I agree that he is kinder than he appears, and that he is prone to misunderstandings more often than one might expect, Your Majesty."
"Hahahaha."
Fortunately, I had recognized a good person.
Had I judged him by mere appearance, by a single moment's impression, and fled in fear, I would never have known this side of him.
But I had not done so—and for that, I was profoundly grateful.
"When two people make a marriage vow, they must carry many secrets."
"I understand."
Ludwig's gaze fell upon her right hand. It was a matter he had already heard whispered about—strange and perplexing indeed.
'Why? How? What could possibly...?'
He could not say whether death would claim him first or whether the mystery would be solved.
Was it the intuition of one standing at death's threshold?
Ludwig felt, without any rational basis, that The Curse had not simply transferred to Grace's arm.
Yet his strength had waned too greatly to investigate such matters further.
So he could only hope that this small change would bring forth a positive outcome.
"Are you confident you can bear his secrets?"
Grace quietly weighed the gravity of the King's words.
And after careful deliberation, she spoke with unwavering resolve.
"I have no confidence. But having resolved to do this, I will manage somehow."
The King was pleased with her answer.
It was honest and resolute.
Somehow.
Yes... one must endure, persevere, and bear what must be borne.
"I am relieved. Then... when the remaining secrets are revealed, I hope you will not come to hate him too greatly. Do not grieve, do not resent him..."
As the King's words grew fainter, Grace slowly lifted her head.
"For... none of this misfortune is his fault..."
The remaining secrets.
Hatred, sorrow, resentment.
A troubling concatenation of words.
I wanted to ask more, but the weakened King had already closed his eyes.
"I'm tired. I've prepared a small gift for you... When you leave, the Princess will likely be waiting for you."
"A gift, Your Majesty?"
"I was coerced into it... But even so, I wanted to give you something. Personally as well...."
The King lifted his hand weakly, a faint smile crossing his face.
"Congratulations on becoming one of The Curse, Grace Oellin."
At his words of congratulation, Grace buried her questions deep within her heart and quietly left the chamber.
* * *
"Did His Majesty trouble you? Your expression doesn't look good."
As Grace emerged from her cryptic conversation with the King, Lucas asked with concern.
Grace met his blue eyes with her gaze, then shook her head.
"No. He said many kind things."
"But why does your expression look like that...."
"What's wrong with my expression?"
At Grace's question, Lucas rubbed his chin for a moment before offering his observation carefully.
"It's the expression of a squirrel who thought it was biting an acorn but ended up eating a chestnut instead."
"What kind of expression is that supposed to be?"
"The one you're making right now."
Grace found it absurd and caught a glimpse of her own face reflected in the corridor window.
Well, it was admittedly somewhat similar, much to her chagrin....
"No. It was a pleasant conversation. His Majesty said that you...."
"I did?"
He lowered his voice with curiosity.
Grace glanced at him, her eyes crinkling slightly as she shook her head.
"...I won't tell you that. His Majesty and I agreed to keep it a secret."
At Grace's words, Lucas's expression became strange.
She smiled and whispered near his ear.
"You look like a squirrel who's had its acorn stolen."
"...You're quite resourceful, Grace."
"Yes, I've been an excellent student since childhood, or so I'm told."
At her deliberately boastful words, Lucas closed his eyes as he looked at her.
It was the gaze of a wolf contemplating how best to savor its meal.
Grace pretended not to notice and hurried away from him with quickened steps.
The King's words still lingered in one corner of her heart, but this wasn't the time to ask about them.
'The Marriage Oath'.
Only after that was finished could she ask anything at all.
She took a deep breath and stood before the Princess's Reception Room, where the Princess awaited her.
* * *
"Welcome, I've been waiting for you."
Princess Fresia was a person who embodied the verdant beauty of her name.
With hair the color of pale brown gold reminiscent of Ludwig's, and eyes of deep forest green, she greeted Grace Oellin with a radiant smile that brightened the spirits of all who beheld her.
"Your Highness, it is an honor to meet you. I am Grace Oellin."
As Grace Oellin offered her greeting to the princess, she belatedly noticed other figures in the reception room.
Recognizing their faces only deepened her bewilderment.
"Grace! I've been waiting for you!"
Alendia was the first to raise her hand in welcome.
And beside her, Princess Vivian, who had been sipping tea, gazed at Grace Oellin with an amused smile.
There was yet another person to surprise her.
"Grace."
Selena Black rose from her seat and linked her arm through Grace Oellin's in a single fluid motion.
"Why are you so late? I've been waiting. You seem to have lost a bit of weight since we last met... Wedding preparations must be exhausting, mustn't they?"
"Madam, how did you come to be here...?"
"How else? I received an invitation from Her Highness. Come now, sit down. Your legs will ache if you stand."
"Come here, Grace. The tea has a lovely fragrance. How have you been? Preparing for a wedding in just a month must be overwhelming."
"This tea was brought by Miss Alendia—the aroma is distinctive, but quite pleasant. Lydia, do pour a cup for Miss Grace Oellin."
The moment Grace Oellin was seated by Selena, three women converged around her.
Lucas Black, who had escorted her here, went entirely unnoticed.
Smirking faintly, Lucas settled into a chair positioned slightly apart from their table.
As he crossed his long legs, the attendants promptly brought him tea.
"What do you think? Lovely fragrance, isn't it?"
"Yes, indeed. It's quite aromatic."
"Do you like it? Then I'll send some to Grace as well. What do you say? I'm the best, aren't I?"
"No, please don't go to such trouble..."
"I want to give it to you! I'll bring it myself! When would be convenient? Not right after the wedding, surely... Oh dear, that would be too late... Well then, shall I give it to you today? Will you come with me? We can take my carriage. I'll see you home!"
The moment Alendia asked with sparkling eyes, Lucas, who had been sitting quietly in the background watching over them, lifted his eyelids.
"Don't try to cut in line."
At his deliberately stern warning, Alendia made a clicking sound and pouted her lips.
But it was only momentary.
"Then, might I call at Grace's Residence tomorrow for a brief visit? I have the most exquisite silver fox fur. I hunted it myself, you know. What do you say? It's summer now, but you can wear it in winter, can't you?"
"I'm afraid tomorrow won't be possible. There's so much I need to prepare."
"Ah, I see..."
Alendia lowered her head with a dejected expression.
Though Grace Oellin couldn't fathom why Alendia was so eager to give her things, she felt oddly apologetic for disappointing her.
Grace Oellin hesitated, then gently brushed back Alendia's disheveled crimson hair as she spoke.
"Silver fox fur would suit you far better than me, I think. When winter comes, might you show me how it looks on you?"
At those words, spoken with a smile as their eyes met, Alendia stared at Grace Oellin in stunned silence.
"Y-yes! Of course!"
"Thank you. I think that will be more than enough for me, Alendia."
Alendia beamed with delight, nodding her head enthusiastically.
Princess Vivian let out a soft chuckle, while Princess Fresia watched with curiosity.
Selena savored the warm sight of the two getting along so well.
Only Lucas, seated apart at a distance, cast a displeased glance at Alendia.
"Oh my, where is my head? I have something to give to Grace. His Majesty mentioned it to you, didn't he?"
"You said there was a gift."
"That's right. You could call it a gift—or perhaps extortion."
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------