Chapter 99
---------------
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 99
"...Really?"
Lucas smiled and nodded at her doubtful question, extending his hand before her with unwavering confidence.
His hand remained steady, waiting for hers.
"You... do know how to dance, don't you?"
"I'll dance well enough not to step on your feet."
"...What if I step on yours?"
"Then we'll simply continue. I'll lead us through it."
'Hmm...'
In that moment, I envisioned how he would move.
He would dance magnificently with that effortless expression, just as he had that day outside the Fountain Pen Shop.
The thought dissolved my tension entirely.
I had learned dancing perfectly during etiquette lessons, but stepping onto the floor while holding a man's hand was my first time since my debutante ball.
"Go ahead, Grace. Lucas asking you to dance is likely a first for him."
"That's right, sister-in-law. My brother has never danced with anyone before. I'm certain of it."
Selena gently patted Grace's back.
Cain Black, whom I had only seen in photographs, spoke warmly to Grace, now family.
Lucas had whispered that he wasn't the kind of man people thought he was.
He had also said that Grace had captured his heart.
"Come here, Grace."
Any further hesitation would surely embarrass my husband.
Especially with everyone watching so intently.
Grace took his hand and moved forward slowly.
My heart raced.
It wasn't merely from nervousness.
My heart pounded with anticipation and trembling, with joy and delight.
Fortunately, the two of us moved seamlessly with the music.
Sometimes with sprightly grace, sometimes with tender softness.
I discovered for the first time that dancing could be this wonderful.
How many songs had changed?
By the time I had completely released my tension...
Lucas whispered.
Let's slip away from here now.
* * *
I swallowed hard.
Grace Oellin was being led up the stairs, practically suspended by Lucas Black's hand.
'Oh, oh, what do I do?'
Not that I was being dragged against my will.
I simply climbed each step with the heaviest gait I could manage, terrified of ascending even one more, following him at a snail's pace.
Lucas Black, thinking I was struggling with the stairs, had been gripping my hand firmly and pulling me along—until he suddenly stopped and turned to face me.
"Would you perhaps like to enjoy the banquet longer?"
He asked with a puzzled tone, glancing down at the watch on his wrist.
It was already well past midnight.
Of course, the banquet was scheduled to continue through the night, but only a handful would remain until the end.
Around midnight, one group would slip away, and by two o'clock when the morning stars hung high, most guests would depart.
The youngest, most romantic, and most pleasure-loving young nobles often stayed until the very end.
Lucas Black naturally assumed I would be exhausted by now.
I'd been busy since morning with the vow ceremony, the celebratory feast, and countless other obligations—of course I would be tired.
Moreover, the marriage ceremony itself wasn't truly finished.
Once we returned to the Estate, close relatives and friends would gather for a brief respite and simple tea party, lasting anywhere from a single day to a week.
Originally, this should have been quite an elaborate affair, but I had actively insisted on condensing it to just one day.
I said I didn't have the stamina to manage it all, nor did I have that many guests to invite.
When I asked if it would be acceptable to use the remaining budget for other purposes, he handed over the financial authority without hesitation.
'There's no need to go that far.'
'Spend it as you wish. I'll assign personnel necessary for financial execution. Since you'll find it most convenient to handle it directly, I'll also find a tutor to teach you accounting, taxation, and financial management in detail.'
'To that extent?'
'It's knowledge that will prove useful to know, so learning it when you have the time wouldn't be a bad idea.'
At his words, I paused to consider, then accepted his proposal with gratitude.
And immediately after accepting his offer, I began studying separately.
I couldn't bear to spend his money carelessly, and besides, with my newly assigned Territory and the tenant fees that would come in, I wanted to think ahead about managing those as well.
That's precisely why I hadn't given much thought to the greatest significance contained in the word 'newlywed.'
Things like the wedding night, or the physical obligations between spouses.
I'd hastily asked Julie and Elia about it, but they were both unmarried themselves.
Moreover, how much more could two people who'd spent nearly half their lives attached to my side possibly know than I did?
At least Julie, who was always inclined toward boldness, offered advice with enthusiasm.
'From what I hear, the more you open your heart, the more enjoyable it becomes, Miss! There's nothing that can't be done, and everything is possible between spouses!'
...That was it.
But how exactly does one open their heart, and what does 'everything is possible' even mean?
I gazed blankly at Lucas Black, who was still waiting for my answer.
His footsteps toward the room prepared for us as he climbed the stairs showed no hesitation whatsoever.
Judging by the wanton demeanor he'd displayed until now, he seemed to have already made all his preparations.
...I swallowed hard again.
I clenched my fists tightly, my throat dry.
My heart felt like it would burst from the sheer tension.
"Grace?"
"...It's not that. It's just strange that I haven't seen anyone on the way up."
"Ah, by the Royal Family's consideration, no one will be entering the top floor of the East Wing today."
Her eyes widened at his words.
"Why, why is that?"
"Well...."
Lucas, about to answer, finally noticed Grace's hesitation as she lingered on the stairs.
'Ah, so that's what it was.'
He grinned mischievously and pulled the hand he'd been holding with considerable force.
Grace's rigid body slid smoothly into his embrace.
"It's their consideration for us to focus solely on our time together as a married couple."
A gulp.
I swallowed hard again.
I couldn't understand why I felt like a cornered little creature.
"To experience a m-m-married couple's time for the first time in the Royal Palace...."
"Why, does that concern you, Grace? Might it not feel even more special?"
Did he know about Grace's trembling legs?
Lucas suddenly lifted her into his arms.
"...!"
Startled, Grace quickly wrapped her arms around his neck.
Supporting her back and beneath her knees, he ascended the stairs with effortless grace, showing no sign of strain.
Lucas never took his eyes off Grace, whispering near her ear.
"I read in a book that spending time alone in someone else's space can be quite stimulating."
Grace's eyes widened as she looked at him.
"There's actually a book that says such things?"
Lucas nodded enthusiastically.
In fact, hadn't I already rattled off the titles of those books to her?
I could see Grace's pupils trembling slightly.
I could feel how nervous Grace truly was.
It was endearing, though somewhat pitiful.
It was clear that reaching the level I desired with someone so innocent would take considerable time.
But well, I wasn't disappointed—every step of that process would surely be enjoyable.
I walked down the corridor that opened before me with an almost buoyant stride.
"However, it seems we're both still far from that stage, so let's build from the basics, step by step."
"The basics... what are those?"
"My, Grace. Surely you have some idea what the basics are?"
Seeing her pupils tremble even more than before, it seemed she didn't.
"That expression says it all. Well, no matter."
As if it truly didn't matter, I strode down the corridor with even longer steps and arrived before a certain door.
Without hesitation, he pushed the door open with his foot.
The door opened nearly soundlessly, yet as it swung wide, a subtle and intoxicating fragrance wafted through, causing Grace's shoulders to stiffen and tremble.
"The room is quite pleasant."
He offered a brief observation as he stepped inside.
The subtle, soothing fragrance, the carefully controlled temperature, and the large bed positioned prominently in the center of the space.
It was unmistakably a room specially prepared for two people who had just become husband and wife.
In one corner of the room.
On a round table draped with lace near the terrace, wine and light refreshments had been arranged.
But Lucas Black was not a man whose resolve would be dulled by a mere bottle of wine.
With unwavering steps, he walked directly toward the bed.
Upon reaching the bed, Lucas gently lowered Grace, whom he had been carrying, onto its surface.
The bed possessed an exceptional cushioning quality, as if one were resting upon clouds themselves.
It was so plush that one might worry about sinking straight through to the floor.
Yet in truth, such concerns were entirely unnecessary.
The Royal Family had specifically selected and arranged an exceptionally sturdy bed for Lucas Black, their prized stallion.
Lucas brushed his lips softly against Grace's cheek—a gentle kiss—as he whispered to her, who held her breath in tension.
"Then... I shall go wash up, Grace."
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------