HBM 6

chapter 6

“Because of me, a misunderstanding arose, and I failed to clarify it properly, causing Your Grace to hear things you shouldn’t have,” Grace said, trying not to tremble, keeping her head held high.

Even though he was terrifying, it would have been disrespectful to avert her eyes at a moment like this.

“It’s entirely my fault.”

Sincerity comes only when one overcomes fear.

“I’m truly sorry for committing so many offenses.”

Lucas noticed from her tone that she was also including the incident where she had fainted in front of him earlier.

He silently considered her words before speaking slowly and deliberately.

“Once again, Lady Grace,” he said, his voice calm yet firm, “in this situation, you have done nothing wrong.”

It was far more courteous than the tone he had used while dealing with Marquis Oelin moments ago.

He seemed like a man who could project his voice powerfully and widely without straining his neck.

“And one more thing—aren’t you as displeased as I am?”

Lucas Black’s voice rang clearly and forcefully, reaching Grace’s ears with a weight she could feel.

“…What do you mean?” she asked, slightly taken aback.

“No matter how much he is your father, he has no right to insult you by calling you a ‘street woman.’”

Grace was startled. She hadn’t expected him to care about that remark so much.

She looked at him with a peculiar expression.

“So you won’t accept my apology?”

Lucas’s next words caught Grace completely off guard.

It seemed that her apology alone could not calm his anger.

She bit the inside of her lip and forced herself to swallow a sigh.

It felt hopeless.

Would the Oelin family disappear from the map if things continued like this?

Her face went pale in an instant.

Even if she didn’t care much for the family, her life and fortunes were intertwined with them…

‘What will happen to the children in the orphanage I secretly supported if I fail?’

At least she had the baronial title she was granted last year.

And she had some personal funds, earned from developing a storage mechanism—still secret from her father.

Still, being a Marquis family, she reasoned that the Oelins wouldn’t collapse so easily.

All she could do was hope that Lucas was less angry than she feared.

While Grace quietly sighed with a sullen expression, Lucas observed the subtle changes on her face.

The trembling, apologetic face quickly shifted to one of shock at his refusal.

Then, she briefly pouted as if deep in thought, before quickly regaining her composure.

‘She has more expressions than I thought,’ he noted.

He had assumed she was always stiff, but clearly, she had a range of emotions—even if she wasn’t skilled at hiding them.

“I understand your meaning, Your Grace. In that case, it would be improper of me to keep you any longer,” Grace said, her breath still slightly heavy.

She looked calm, even though moments ago she had been clinging desperately to him.

She was a woman whose thoughts could never be fully read, which made it impossible for him to look away.

As Grace took a step back, bowing slightly in farewell, she said:

“Then, I hope you will return without anger.”

Lucas could no longer contain himself.

“Why were you so quiet on the first day, when someone who speaks this well is standing before me?”

Grace’s eyes widened in surprise.

‘What is he talking about now?’

He stared at her as if trying to see right through her, then casually spoke what was on his mind:

“Are you no longer nervous?”

“Pardon? I—what do you mean?”

“You were trembling when you looked at me. I’m asking if you’re still trembling now.”

“Oh…”

Grace blushed. She hadn’t expected him to bring up the fact that she had visibly trembled that day.

But thinking that this might be the last time they met, she mustered a little courage to reply.

“To be honest…” she said, nervously licking her lips, “I still get a little nervous when I see Your Grace.”

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t fear of him personally, but a lingering memory of that day. Her eyes flicked down to her trembling white hands.

Lucas’s gaze followed. Though she couldn’t read his intent, she felt slightly uneasy and quickly lowered her hands to hide them.

“But this will be the last time, I think. We probably won’t meet again…”

Grace forced a calm smile to hide her discomfort.

Little did she know, it was the first smile Lucas had ever seen from her.

Her cautious smile struck something within Lucas Black.

He couldn’t quite pinpoint what had stirred him—her wistful comment about this being the last time, or the faint, delicate smile directed at him.

But one thing was clear: he didn’t want this moment to end as a ‘last’ encounter with a woman like her.

Yes. He had to admit it.

Haem had been right.

Lucas’s blue eyes betrayed a hint of unusual color.

This woman, Grace Oelin, clearly liked him.

And he… didn’t dislike it.

‘Ah, damn it.’

He shook his head with a laugh, part astonished, part exasperated, brushing his forehead as if wiping it clean.

He was trying to restrain a smile that threatened to break free.

“Grace… you really are… something else,” he said.

Startled, Grace tilted her head, asking:

“…Pardon?”

“You are bolder and more honest than I expected. Astonishingly so.”

Grace, unable to comprehend his words, stared at him blankly.

Lucas leaned closer to her.

“That quality keeps making me feel… strange emotions.”

A faint smile played on his face.

The curve of his lips made the nape of Grace’s neck tingle.

Though less intimidating than the day she had fainted, his smile still filled her with fear.

She tried to stifle the startled sound from escaping her mouth with her hand.

He chuckled again.

“You are unexpectedly stimulating.”

His words, the atmosphere, and the closeness—all of it left her dizzy.

‘What is this… some kind of new torture? Is he trying to intimidate me? Why… why is he like this?’

As she fumbled, Lucas let out a soft “Ah,” removed his coat, and quickly draped it over her shoulders.

“You shouldn’t be scolded for wandering around in pajamas. Wear this, Grace.”

“Ah… Y-Your Grace?”

“Of course. The coat must be returned. I have a busy week, so next Tuesday would be best. I’ll send a carriage for you.”

“Me… go myself?” Grace asked, frightened.

Lucas gave her a sideways glance, replying as if it were obvious:

“Of course you should. It will be better for everyone that way.”

He cleared his throat, expression returning to the calm, unreadable mask she knew.

With a slight nod, he acknowledged her.

“Then, that’s all for now.”

The carriage quickly departed, carrying him away.

The oversized coat dragged along the ground behind Grace’s small frame.

Frozen in place, she watched the carriage disappear.

Her hand twitched as if to grab it, but she stopped herself.

“What am I going to do…”

Her face was near tears, a mixture of despair and awe.

‘I think… he’s taken a liking to me…!’

Inside the departing carriage, Lucas glanced back.

Grace Oelin still stood there, watching the carriage leave.

He couldn’t help but admire her resolve.

“That woman is truly something,” he murmured.

A subtle curl of his lips betrayed the faintest smile, unnoticed even by himself.

He kept watching, unable to look away from her distant figure.

‘Though… the coat… it’s way too big.’

To him, it barely reached his knees. To her, it enveloped her like a flowing robe.

It was as if his coat was protecting her, and strangely, he liked it.

Even from afar, it looked as if she were under his protection.

Especially from a father who would scold her like that, calling her a street woman.

‘And to think the Marquis Oelin is so authoritarian and aggressive.’