Chapter 96
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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Dear, I believe you may be misunderstanding.
Chapter 96
Among the group of women sat one who matched Norman's exact preferences—a woman with voluminous curves and light brown hair, positioned half-turned in her seat.
Though I couldn't see her face clearly from a distance, at first glance, with that full figure and pale brown hair, she had to be the one.
Norman cleared his throat and approached the women with an air of propriety.
"Pardon the intrusion, lovely ladies. Might I be permitted to join your conversation?"
His voice was more refined, measured, and gentle than ever before.
Yet when the three women turned around, their expressions were far from melting at the sound of his voice.
One openly frowned, while another glanced uncertainly at the other two, as if seeking their opinion.
But the woman in the middle—the one who mattered most—gazed at him with an inscrutable smile playing at her lips.
'...Better than I expected?'
Norman, who had anticipated an ordinary appearance, found himself quite pleasantly surprised.
She was far more beautiful than he had imagined.
Though her hair and eye color were somewhat ordinary, her soft, luminous complexion and full, luscious lips were utterly captivating.
Despite smiling with such elegance, she somehow exuded a subtly sensual aura.
'If she looks like this, marriage might actually be worth considering.'
Norman rushed toward Princess Vivian's side with delight.
When the princess whispered something to the women beside her, they rose from their seats.
It seemed she had asked them to leave.
'What, does the princess want to be alone with me too?'
Norman smiled with satisfaction and sat down close beside Princess Vivian.
"Good evening. I am Norman Oellin. I'm not certain if you've heard of me."
Norman introduced himself to her in a voice feigning courtesy, speaking discreetly.
Princess Vivian stared at him silently, then slowly leaned forward, bringing her lips close to his ear.
From Princess Vivian emanated a sweet, lovely fragrance.
It didn't seem like perfume—what could this scent possibly be?
Norman's heart raced as he brought his ear closer to her lips.
What was she about to say?
Could it be an invitation to stay the night at the Royal Palace?
Just as wild fantasies began to bloom in Norman's mind, the princess whispered to his ear in a voice soft as down.
"I'm sorry, but I don't wish to converse with someone of such ruined character. You reek of it.... A most unpleasant stench."
Before Norman could even lift his head in shock, Princess Vivian rose slowly from her seat.
"So please, don't come near me. I despise anything that smells."
With the same elegant smile as before, she departed the spot with graceful, fluttering steps as though nothing had happened.
"What... what?"
In a voice that seemed ready to burst with indignation—what? Ruined character? Stench?
Norman stood speechless, utterly dumbfounded. As he watched Princess Vivian's retreating figure, the one who had insulted him and left, he felt anger slowly beginning to boil within him.
"This, this...!"
This crazy woman!
Norman shot up from his seat in fury, but he lacked the courage to chase after the princess.
She was one of the few women in the Royal Palace who held greater authority than I did.
When he kicked away the chair she had been sitting in, his anger evident in every motion.
A man watching the scene couldn't help but let these words slip from his lips.
* * *
"Should I... kill her?"
It was a bit awkward that he was the brother of the woman who would become his sister-in-law starting today—not his future sister-in-law anymore, but his actual sister-in-law now. Still, they didn't seem to get along well, so wouldn't it be fine to just eliminate her quietly?
If I handled it secretly, so that no one would ever know, not even a whisper of it...
Cain's dull gaze gleamed with sinister intent.
His mind was already conjuring countless methods—each one so discreet that not a soul would ever discover the truth.
Behind Cain, a long, towering shadow approached and spoke in a measured tone.
"Don't."
"...Brother."
"Cain, plenty of people are already after her. Don't do it."
Lucas held out one of the two glasses he'd brought to Cain.
Cain moistened his lips with the tart wine and smiled faintly.
"I know she has many enemies. But brother, I want to kill her myself."
Though he spoke with a smile, his words carried no hint of jest.
'Such a vile temperament.'
Lucas clicked his tongue and took a sip of wine.
"Why are you stopping me? Ah, will you handle it yourself?"
"Well... I'd like to. Always."
Lucas narrowed his eyes and glared at Norman Oellin.
It was hard to believe he shared the same blood as Grace—he was such a contemptible man.
Everything about him, from his thoughts to his actions to his words, was base and vile.
I still couldn't forget the day Grace had come to the Estate covered in bruises, beaten by Norman Oellin.
The rage I'd felt then was sharper than ice water pouring over my head, as intense as a ball of fire piercing through my chest.
But punishing that man was not my role to play.
"If I do it, it won't work."
"Why?"
"There."
Lucas gazed at his bride descending the Second Floor staircase.
Since their wedding reception had already begun and they'd exchanged greetings once, there weren't many eyes particularly focused on her.
As she passed, people offered words like "Congratulations on your marriage. May you have only happiness and blessings," but that was all.
Grace returned their greetings calmly, her gait flawless and composed as she walked toward her destination.
"Grace should do it."
"...Sister-in-law? Hmm."
Cain rolled his throat lazily, as if amused.
Lucas watched Norman Oellin, who was conversing with men of similar ilk, unaware of Grace's approach, his eyes narrowing.
The way Grace advanced toward Norman Oellin was like a small, fierce predator on the hunt.
How could such a delicate woman radiate such a bold and unyielding aura from behind her?
Lucas felt his shoulders rise and his chest swell with emotion.
'My wife is so lovely and magnificent.'
He had known her to be cute, beautiful, graceful, intelligent, and loyal—but magnificent too?
How could anyone not love a woman like that?
"Yes, your sister-in-law. My wife. It's only fitting that she handle this."
After all, she had accumulated the most grievances.
Of course, he would provide her with complete support behind the scenes.
So then....
'Do as you wish, Grace.'
* * *
With her resolve hardened, Grace changed into the evening gown she had prepared and made her way directly to the Banquet Hall.
Now that her mind was made up, there was no hesitation.
Before descending to the Second Floor, she surveyed the crowd filling the Banquet Hall.
Roxanne, Selena, and Countess Gestash were gathered on the right Terrace, engaged in conversation.
In the distance, Alendia and her younger sister Anastasia were feeding a group of children an abundance of delectable desserts.
They were the special children from the Orphanage that Grace had invited.
Beside the children stood Kelly Crackson, the director, dressed modestly yet with sufficient formality.
'It seems they've relaxed a bit.'
Grace felt pity for the children who remained stiff and rigid, and she found herself coming and going several times.
Then Alendia, who had taken it upon herself to be Grace's friend, approached and asked her.
'Are these your guests?'
'Yes, they're children from the place I sponsor and its director.'
'I see! Then I'd like to greet these little guests and the gracious lady as well. Would that be alright?'
Thus Alendia attended to Grace's guests in her stead, as Grace needed to move about constantly.
She looked toward Alendia with grateful eyes, then slowly turned her head to gaze at a group of people below the opposite staircase.
Norman Oellin.
Her shameful brother.
Trisha had laughed it off as fine.
But she didn't want to encounter someone unpleasant and spoil her mood now, so she remained on the Second Floor.
Though with Rowen at her side, being on the Second Floor seemed far more enjoyable than coming downstairs....
Yet what Norman had done would not simply disappear.
Grace took a deep breath and moved forward.
She felt the object gripped tightly in her hand.
Her mind became sharper and clearer.
'I can do this. Absolutely.'
As she descended the staircase.
Her eyes met those of the dark-haired man whose gaze she had deliberately avoided until now.
'Oh dear.... That look is rather burdensome.'
He simply stared at me with an intensity that pierced through, yet made no move to approach—as if he had already read my intentions entirely.
If I turned to meet his gaze, he would surely smile at me.
Seeing Lucas like that, I felt as though my tension might dissolve away.
But it was right that I maintain a certain wariness now.
So I kept my head fixed firmly forward, deliberately avoiding his gaze.
Then I turned and walked straight toward Norman, who stood leaning against the wall behind me.
"Brother."
At the sound of my voice, Norman turned around.
His face contorted strangely.
"...Grace?"
He smiled, conscious of those around us, but his eyes remained utterly rigid.
I too spoke to him calmly, my expression neither smiling nor frowning.
"Shall we talk for a moment?"
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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