Episode 15
The grand gates of the duke’s estate lost their presence in front of the man. He was the kind of person who turned everything around him into just a backdrop.
“That man…”
As Flora murmured absentmindedly, a woman—previously hidden behind the duke’s broad frame—stepped into view. The cream-colored dress she wore stood in stark contrast to the duke’s black cloak, making it look almost like a wedding gown. Even by the duke’s side, the woman didn’t lose her presence.
Flora’s eyes narrowed sharply.
“What… is that supposed to be?”
✦ ✦ ✦
As Walter entered the main garden of the Richmond ducal estate, he glanced to his left. Grace, walking lightly beside him, looked up to meet his gaze. She blinked once, then twice, before mouthing a single word with a sly smile:
“Smile.”
Seeing that, Walter let out a helpless laugh. Immediately, the small hand he was holding gripped his tighter.
Don’t laugh mockingly!
He could practically hear her scolding voice in his head, so he quickly composed himself.
That made nine times. Walter mentally counted as they stepped into the main building and glanced at Grace again. She glanced back at him shyly and muttered softly,
“…Your Grace.”
Her voice and tone were impeccably elegant, but hearing her speak still made his fingertips tingle. It wasn’t just Walter who felt that way—he could hear murmurs from the retainers of House Richmond following behind them like a cloud.
That made ten.
On horseback earlier, Grace had leaned comfortably into his chest, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and whispered,
“Your Grace, please delay introducing me as long as possible. Tell the knights not to call me ‘Lady’ for now, either.”
“You want to delay word reaching Taylor?”
“That too. But right now, it’s better if I come off as unremarkable.”
“…That can be an advantage?”
“Of course. By the way, do you have a plan for how you’ll treat me sweetly?”
“…”
He could recite how to defeat monsters and exact revenge in his sleep—but when it came to treating a beloved woman kindly, he was at a complete loss.
He was already proud of having come up with the idea of riding with her on the same horse. What more could she expect?
When he didn’t respond, Grace sighed and commanded him like a general:
“First, hold my hand. Then, from the gate to the estate entrance—exactly ten times—look at me. That way, everyone will know who I am without needing a lengthy introduction. And they’ll start making assumptions.”
He wasn’t sure that would be enough… but it worked. All thanks to Grace’s seasoned skill.
And it wasn’t as if she was dramatically acting. Every time he looked at her, she responded slightly differently. At first, she pretended not to notice. Then, as the number increased, she would sometimes bite her lip, sometimes meet his eyes, sometimes offer a subtle smile. Even Walter, who knew it was all an act, found himself wondering what she would do next.
Judging by the reactions behind them, no one had failed to realize she was his lover. The only question tormenting them now was what her position in the ducal household would be. They had all surely picked out their ideal candidate for Duchess already.
Sure enough, someone stirred on the right—Marchioness Linco stepped forward with a polite smile.
“Um… Your Grace.”
As Walter stopped walking, everyone following him came to a halt as well. The Marchioness carefully looked at Grace and asked,
“We will guide the lady to the drawing room for now. We were not informed of your visit, so we haven’t had time to prepare a guest room…”
“That won’t be necessary, Marchioness Linco.”
His cold, low voice cut her off. Walter calmly met the Marchioness’s eyes, then turned toward Grace. There was a gentle question in her gaze, as if she didn’t know anything—though she obviously did.
She was so good at playing innocent. Walter unconsciously tightened his grip on her hand and said quietly,
“She will be staying in the Chandelier Room from now on.”
“P-pardon? The Chandelier Room?”
At the Duke’s words, gasps echoed throughout the hall. The Marchioness’s eyes bulged, and the Marquis gaped. Flora clapped her hands over her mouth in shock.
The Chandelier Room. It was the bedroom traditionally used by the Duchesses of Richmond.
“Y-Your Grace! That room is—!”
“Why so surprised? Do I need permission to decide that?”
“…No, Your Grace.”
The Duke, who had just sent shockwaves through the crowd, stepped in front of Grace as if shielding her, and turned to face the nobles. His sharp eyes looked even more piercing as he tilted his chin slightly. The smile he had shown Grace was now gone, evaporated like morning dew. Even Joseph, watching from afar, felt a bit sulky at the change.
Walter scanned the Marquis couple and the nobles with eyes devoid of humanity and said languidly,
“That’s enough of a welcome. All of you, dismiss yourselves.”
Then, leaving the speechless nobles behind, he leisurely ascended the stairs with Grace.
Only nobles remained in the great hall. The space left behind by the Duke felt as chaotic as a storm’s aftermath.
“Wh-what just happened?”
Someone muttered in disbelief.
No wonder—they didn’t even know the name of the woman who accompanied him. It wasn’t that Walter had failed to give Grace due respect—it was that he had intentionally ignored them. After all, the master of the house didn’t need to explain his guests.
The Marquis bit his lip and muttered darkly,
“The Duke’s clearly playing some trick, but things won’t go the way he wants. Don’t worry.”
Walter Richmond may think this place is his, but it would never truly be so.
After a moment of thought, the Marquis’s eyes gleamed.
“To the meeting room. We need to talk.”
“Yes, sir!”
The nobles wearing the Richmond family crest followed him in unison. The Marquis strode through the halls like the true master of the estate, the clatter of heels echoing through the cold, ornate corridors.
✦ ✦ ✦
As Jesse followed Grace down the hallway, she glared at two maids who were supposedly leading them but kept sneakily eyeing Grace up and down. The maids would steal glances and scan Grace from head to toe every chance they got. Jesse narrowed her eyes and committed their appearances to memory.
Number 1: brown hair, brown eyes. Number 2: gray hair, blue eyes.
Then—
“Mind your duties.”
It wasn’t just Jesse who found their behavior annoying. Walter issued a low warning. The maids flinched and quickly bowed their heads toward him.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After the warning, they didn’t glance at Grace again. But once Walter and Grace entered the Chandelier Room and shut the door, the two maids immediately changed their expressions and pressed their ears to the door.
“Is she nobility?”
“She looks like it, but she came with no attendants… Maybe a fallen noble? But even if she is, how could a noble lady go around clinging to a man like that before marriage?”
“Pfft! Even most commoners wouldn’t do that! It would ruin any marriage prospects!”
“You know what? Maybe she’s from near the Wall of Death where His Grace has been stationed. That area’s full of fugitives, right?”
“Ugh. Anyway, how could someone with no clear status stay in the Chandelier Room?”
“Don’t worry. Once His Grace sees our dear Lady Flora, he’ll come to his senses.”
Even with Jesse standing in the hallway, they didn’t care one bit. In fact, they looked her up and down, bumped shoulders with her on purpose, and walked past with smirks.
“Ow.”
“Hey, that hurt? What, don’t you have eyes? Watch where you’re going.”
“And look at this! She even brought some wannabe maid with her.”
“Oh wow, listen to her trying to be classy. Maid? You don’t even qualify as one. Hey, you—keep your head down and crawl around quietly. Don’t get attached here. You’ll be kicked out soon anyway. Got it?”
These witches have lost their minds.
Jesse’s eyes blazed as she glared at the two maids giggling and walking off.
✦ ✦ ✦
The moment the door closed, it wasn’t just the maids who changed their attitude.
As soon as it shut, Grace let go of Walter’s hand and stood upright, no longer leaning into him. She pressed her ear against the door, listening carefully to the sounds outside.
Walter found himself staring at his now-empty hand. He clenched and unclenched it as he raised his head—and saw Grace looking back at him.
The bashful expressions and shy glances she had shown in front of others were gone. In their place was cold, sharpened reason. Her gaze turned upward.
A chandelier fitting of the room’s name hung from the ceiling. Hundreds of crystal droplets scattered sunlight throughout the space. Below it stood a circular console table, topped with a bouquet of fresh, graceful lilies—clearly arranged that very day.
Grace slowly moved to examine the room.
The intricately carved fireplace had neatly stacked firewood. The massive bed was freshly made, the linens soft and clean. Someone had clearly intended to sleep here tonight.
Grace let out a breathy laugh, almost like a cough.
“Well. Looks like I unintentionally stole someone’s room.”
To be continued.
