Chapter 75
Grady, lost in thought, was left alone as Maurice relaxed leisurely.
His master, who always observed time from a step back, now showed a spark of life on his face.
The anxiety he had felt when Eliana first married had already disappeared.
A man who has something to protect will inevitably grow stronger. So now was the time to support him and wait. And crouching in the shadows, waiting for the right moment—that was exactly what Maurice did best.
“Ah! Do you know about Florian Kels?”
Maurice asked Grady, who was deep in thought with his chin resting on the back of his hand. A matter he almost forgot due to other pressing issues suddenly came to mind.
“Hm?”
“The merchant who runs a trade guild in the Kingdom of Bekel,” Maurice added, clarifying.
“Ah! I borrowed a gun from him,” Grady sighed, recalling the events in Orante Forest. He remembered he had yet to return the gun. In fact, he couldn’t even recall where he had left it.
“He apparently bought a mansion on Rodri Street. Seems he has more money than we thought,” Maurice said, scratching his head as he mentioned the capital’s wealthiest street. At the end of Rodri Street stood the royal palace.
“Really? Rodri Street… That’s unexpected. He acted like he’d leave soon,” Grady murmured.
“Exactly. If he’s opening a guild branch, it shouldn’t be on Rodri. Buying a mansion in the nobles’ district… I can’t figure out his intentions,” Maurice shrugged, indifferent.
Watching Maurice, Grady let out a low sigh.
“If his main clientele is nobles, Rodri Street is indeed the best location. By the way, I just remembered I owe him something.”
“Debt?”
“Yes. I borrowed a gun from him in Orante Forest but seem to have lost it. Get a replacement for him,” Grady said.
“Understood. Shall we have it sent to the mansion?”
Grady shook his head.
Though he hadn’t spoken much with him, he seemed like someone he could get along with. Perhaps even a good friend.
“I’ll deliver it myself.”
“Understood,” Maurice nodded.
“….”
“Oh! And soon, you should meet with the Grand Duchess. There are things that must be confirmed in person.”
Grady hesitated for a long moment at Maurice’s words.
“Is that really necessary?”
“Count Hoffman knows. If we don’t prepare in advance, we’ll be caught off guard.”
“….”
“The Emperor, who tried to evade you at the summer palace and assault the Grand Duchess, will find it much easier in prison than in the palace,” Maurice said coldly. Grady felt his mind go blank.
“…We’ll set a date soon,” he muttered.
Maurice opened the locked door with a satisfied expression. Outside, the noise of the city rushed into his office as if on cue.
“Then, please proceed.” Maurice gestured elegantly, holding the door handle.
Under the clear command, Grady chuckled and stepped out. He even remembered to lightly tap Maurice on the shoulder as he passed.
His heavy heart felt a bit lighter thanks to Maurice’s playful antics.
“Where to, Your Grace?”
After a brief pause, Grady finally spoke.
“Home.”
“Understood, Your Grace.”
Grady opened the carriage window, greeted first by an unbearable stench.
Children ran excitedly toward the carriage, their eyes sparkling. When the coachman tossed coins to them, they scrambled to grab them. The carriage seized the moment to speed forward.
Voices argued over who got what.
‘The one at the highest place…’
Mulling over Maurice’s words, Grady silently gazed up at the palace spire.
As the carriage left the slums, it slowed, and the stench faded.
Grady, who had been leaning close to the window, settled back.
“Rozella?”
He was about to close the window. Seeing a familiar figure dart through the alley, he quickly turned, but Rozella had already disappeared.
“That’s impossible,” Grady muttered. No matter how reckless Rozella was, she wouldn’t be roaming outside the palace at this hour.
He tapped the carriage wall.
“Stop by the florist for a moment.”
“Yes, understood.”
The carriage slowed. A strong floral scent filled his nose.
“Oh my!”
The florist, startled by Grady’s visit, blushed. The flowers, freshly brought from the greenhouse, radiated vitality regardless of the season.
“Make this color big, please.”
“Yes? Yes!”
The florist hurriedly arranged the bouquet Grady had indicated.
“Your Grace… It might look a bit plain like this. Shall we mix in some other colors?”
“No. This suits her best.”
Grady shook his head firmly.
“Ah… yes…”
The largest bouquet the florist had ever made was being created in his hands.
Watching the florist partially hidden behind the flowers, Grady lifted his chin proudly, thoroughly satisfied.
Carrying the heavy bouquet home, Grady felt like a victorious general returning from war.
Thinking back, despite all the mischief with Rozella, he had never given her flowers. He chuckled quietly as he entered the mansion.
“Welcome home, Your Grace.”
Sylvia, now acting like a proper head maid, bowed as she greeted him. Her palms were blackened from handling documents with Eliana in her office.
“Busy day?”
“Yes! Preparing to welcome a new guest.”
“A guest?”
‘A tea party, perhaps?’
The grand house had rarely seen a proper party due to the long absence of its mistress. Now, gathering people would be no harm. The more eyes watching, the less likely Eliana would fall into danger. Though if she were imprisoned, it would all be useless.
“The Grand Duchess is in her office.”
“Understood.”
Hiding the bouquet behind him, Grady wandered toward the office. Even his large frame couldn’t conceal it.
Sylvia glanced at him briefly before turning away. A visitor had been expected at Orante Manor this afternoon, so she had to hurry.
Knock. Knock.
A light knock, but no response came. Hesitant, Grady slowly turned the handle.
“Eliana.”
Calling her name, still slightly unfamiliar, made him smile.
Grady, tense as he looked for her, relaxed his shoulders.
Soft breathing.
Eliana was asleep at her desk.
Grady stepped carefully to avoid waking her. She had turned her head to the side, shielding herself from sunlight.
Gently, he placed the bouquet on the desk, in a spot she would see first upon waking.
“Hmm.”
The scent tickled her nose, slowly rousing her from sleep. Her half-open eyes blinked, unaware of the flowers.
The fragrance quickened her blinking.
Suddenly, Eliana lifted her head, greeted first by the enormous pink bouquet.
“Awake?”
Eliana looked around, bewildered, and finally saw Grady. He offered her a cup.
“When did you get here?”
“Just now.”
Seeing the cup, she felt an instant thirst. As she drank, Grady chuckled and brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. His gentle touch soothed her flushed face, pressed down by sleep.
“I’ll do it,” she said, pushing his hand away. A moment of awkward silence passed between them.
“…Alright. Then.”
Grady withdrew his hand from her cheek. All the sensations had vanished in an instant.
“We have a guest coming today.”
“I heard.”
“You heard?”
Grady sank into the sofa, nodding.
“I met a new head maid on the way here.”
“Ah!”
Only then did she realize he had changed the head maid without saying a word. Despite many events and mishaps, some things had been deliberately overlooked, and her conscience pricked.
‘Grady Kreiber loves Empress Rozella.’
The unchanging truth made it hard to breathe. Eliana could neither question nor dispute it.
Their marriage was contractual, and their physical relationship was only part of the agreement.
