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chapter 13
Lucas looked at Grace with even more tension than she had.
She made her decision this quickly?
Now her boldness was enough to make him nervous.
With a stiff face, he waited for the sweet words that would come from her lips.
Thump. Thump.
A pleasant vibration traveled through his veins, slowly shaking him.
“Your Grace, actually I……”
At last, her tightly closed lips—like a rosebud—opened softly.
“…!”
Clatter.
At that exact moment, the carriage stopped.
Her trembling lips closed again, and she opened the small window curtain.
Julie, who had been sitting at the driver’s seat, quickly climbed down and knocked on the carriage door.
“Miss, we’ve arrived at the mansion.”
Ah, the mansion.
Grace nodded lightly when she saw the familiar wall outside.
“Shall I go in and bring His Grace’s coat? Or would you like to go inside as well, Miss?”
Julie asked carefully.
Grace hesitated.
She wanted to simply bring out the freshly cleaned coat and hand it over, but that felt rude to the duke who had formally invited her.
She had something to talk about today anyway, so she had to go to his mansion…
She checked the time.
It was already almost 4 p.m.
If she sent him back like this, he would probably send another carriage for her later.
That would also feel impolite.
But riding in the same carriage with him for nearly another hour wasn’t something she really wanted either.
The mood had improved earlier, but that didn’t mean her opinion of him had completely changed.
Unsure what to do, she glanced at Lucas Black. He shrugged casually.
“I can wait here. Do as you wish.”
…So in the end, he was suggesting they go together.
Hiding her flustered expression, Grace gathered her courage.
“Rather than that, since we’ve already come this far, I will prepare slowly and take our own carriage. Wouldn’t it be better for you to go in first and rest a little?”
From outside the carriage, Julie whispered awkwardly,
“Miss, I’m sorry to interrupt, but all of our carriages are in use today.”
“What?”
“The Marquis and the young Marquis are both out, and the spare carriage was sent for repairs yesterday.”
Oh no.
That meant she had no choice but to ride with Lucas Black to his mansion.
I didn’t even get to buy a gift… what should I do?
She had secretly planned to go inside and prepare a gift for him.
Biting her lower lip, Grace looked at Lucas again.
“Then……”
She hesitated.
What should she do?
Her heart was pounding so hard that she couldn’t think clearly. Her mouth wouldn’t move.
As if reading her troubled mind, Lucas smiled softly and spoke first.
“Grace.”
Was he about to say he was tired and suggest postponing their meeting?
Without realizing it, she looked at him with hopeful eyes.
His full, sensual lips curved into a neat smile—shattering her expectations.
“I’m truly fine, so please don’t feel burdened. In fact, since it turned out this way, perhaps we can calmly continue the conversation we couldn’t finish earlier.”
“The conversation from earlier? ……Ah!”
She waved her hands quickly.
“No, that’s not something to bring up right now. I was too hasty.”
She shook her head, denying what she had almost said earlier.
Earlier, she had impulsively almost asked if they could reconsider their marriage.
She already had several reasons prepared.
I’m too weak physically to be the lady of your household.
Or,
The Black family estate is far away on the Southern Plains. I can’t leave so far. I’m worried about the children at the orphanage I promised to take responsibility for.
Or even,
I’ve decided I won’t marry unless it’s someone I truly love!
Of course, honesty would be best.
But she couldn’t say,
You scare me. Ever since I saw you three years ago, I’ve had nightmares and can’t sleep properly. You’re too frightening! How can I marry someone who terrifies me?
“I see.”
He looked slightly disappointed.
Pretending not to notice his downcast expression, Grace quickly added,
“Yes. I-I’ll tell you again soon.”
“Soon? When exactly?”
“What?”
“I’m asking when exactly you plan to speak. I may need time to prepare myself as well.”
Prepare himself? What did that mean?
Did he somehow know what she had planned to say?
Grace stared at him, startled.
Lucas waved his hand awkwardly.
“No, forget what I just said. I was being hasty as well.”
“Ah… yes.”
He stared at her with a complicated expression, then suddenly turned his head away.
Soon after, she heard him muttering softly with his forehead pressed against the window—something like, “Get a grip.”
What’s wrong with him?
An awkward silence fell inside the carriage.
After a moment, Grace asked Julie to bring the coat.
It seemed difficult to refuse the invitation today, so she decided to accept it gracefully.
Julie quickly returned with the coat neatly packed in a pretty box and placed it carefully in the luggage compartment.
As soon as Julie sat back beside Haem, the carriage departed swiftly.
The carriage headed toward Sunny Hill, where Lucas Black’s mansion was located.
Clatter, clatter!
The sound of the horses’ hooves rang brightly.
But Haem, who was holding the reins, did not look cheerful.
He glanced sideways.
Is she angry?
Grace’s maid sitting beside him looked very serious.
She wasn’t frowning, but her expression was intense. Her large eyes were narrowed as if staring fiercely at something in the air.
Is she going to stare her eyes out like that?
Haem pouted and sighed.
Chatting was his energy. Joking was his joy.
But it didn’t seem like that would work on the woman beside him.
He would likely see her often in the future, so it was a shame. It would be nice if they could become close.
After a few more minutes, just as he gave up on having a pleasant conversation, she suddenly spoke.
“You’re Mr. Haem, correct?”
“…Yes? Yes! I’m Haem Demigrass.”
Startled, he answered stiffly.
Julie smiled warmly at him.
“You’re quite quiet. Since the road is long, shall we chat a little?”
Chat? Suddenly?
Well, I don’t mind…
Haem nodded awkwardly.
“Have you served His Grace for a long time?”
Julie asked sweetly, as if she had never worn that fierce expression earlier.
What is this? Why the sudden change?
When she had been staring ahead, she looked terrifying. But now, smiling like this, she seemed like the most charming woman he had ever met.
Especially her gentle, soft voice.
Her voice is really beautiful.
Lost for a moment, he snapped back when she tilted her head.
“Mr. Haem?”
“Ah! Yes! Actually, my mother was His Grace’s wet nurse. She said our family has served the estate since his great-grandmother’s time.”
“Wow, then your family has served for generations? That’s amazing. You practically grew up with His Grace.”
“Well… you could say I took care of most things for him since we were young.”
Julie widened her eyes dramatically.
“Oh my! You took care of the capable duke everyone talks about? You must be an incredibly competent adjutant!”
Is that… such a big deal?
Though confused, Haem couldn’t hide his happiness.
“Well, not that much… but yes, I am indispensable to His Grace.”
“Oh my goodness.”
Julie covered her mouth in exaggerated admiration.
In truth, she was acting with all her strength to get the information she wanted.
“That’s truly impressive! I sensed charisma in your eyes from the first time I saw you. You looked intimidating, so I didn’t dare speak.”
Her sincere-sounding praise made Haem’s chest swell.
Being recognized felt this good?
He lifted his chin proudly.
Julie, with seven years of professional maid experience and raised as the fourth of six sisters, could easily read people.
Haem was like a dolphin dancing in her palm.
She smiled sweetly.
“Still, no matter how frightening His Grace’s reputation is, he wouldn’t have built such a great name without excellent adjutants supporting him. People like you, Mr. Haem.”
“R-Really? Hahaha! I suppose you’re right! Hahaha!”
Haem was delighted.
At that perfect moment, Julie asked casually,
“May I ask you something?”
“A question? What is it?”
“It’s nothing serious. I was just curious whether His Grace likes our Miss. Even a little?”
“Oh.”
Haem’s expression changed.
Julie grew anxious.
What? Don’t tell me he doesn’t? I clearly saw His Grace watching Miss Grace!
“Well……”
“Yes?”
Julie swallowed nervously.
“This is just between us. His Grace doesn’t just care about Miss Grace a little.”
“What?”
“He cares too much. Way too much. Honestly.”
Julie almost clapped in joy but quickly held herself back.
“I see. That’s such a relief.”
He glanced at her and then asked,
“Then may I ask something?”
“Yes?”
“That cheek of yours—what happened? I noticed Miss Grace’s cheek also looks swollen on one side.”
Julie’s shoulders stiffened in shock.
