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chapter 15
“I’m really looking forward to it. Married life with you.”
“…!”
“We might become a very well-matched couple.”
Married life?
A well-matched… couple?
‘Oh my God! Don’t tell me that man is actually looking forward to marrying me?’
That was absolutely not something you say to a woman who is afraid of you.
Then what emotion did he think he saw in her?
Grace stared at Lucas in a daze.
Lucas, who was meeting her eyes, smiled gently. Startled, Grace quickly looked away without meaning to.
She wasn’t sure if her heart dropped because she was scared… or because of something else.
It felt strange.
“…Sigh, I really don’t understand what’s going on.”
She had been planning to tell him she didn’t think they could get married, but he was saying the complete opposite.
What kind of situation was this?
‘Wait… then does that mean I wasn’t invited today because I upset him?’
It felt like a light bulb suddenly turned on in her head. Everything clicked into place.
‘Oh no. I completely misunderstood!’
Grace felt dizzy and held her forehead.
How was she supposed to tell her fiancé—who seemed to be looking forward to their married life—that she couldn’t marry him?
And not just anyone… but Duke Lucas Black!
She had planned to quietly bring it up during dinner, but now her mind was a mess.
“Sigh… what is wrong with that man?”
Grace let out a hot sigh while looking at the wide red sunset in the distance.
Her ears felt strangely warm.
For some reason, she had a faint feeling that things wouldn’t go the way she wanted.
* * *
“…A tailcoat?”
Haem muttered in horror as he looked at the black tailcoat Lucas had taken out.
“A tailcoat. You’re not serious, are you, Your Grace?”
His face looked far too serious.
Lucas glanced at the tailcoat and frowned at Haem.
“Why. What.”
He asked confidently, as if nothing was wrong.
Haem stared at him in shock.
He’s serious? He’s really planning to wear a tailcoat… to dinner?
Because Haem couldn’t say what he was thinking out loud, his face showed everything. Lucas’s expression stiffened even more.
“Ah… this is a bit…”
The jacket was also called a tailcoat because of the swallowtail shape at the back.
It was something stylish gentlemen liked to wear.
But Lucas Black was not a stylish gentleman.
And who wears something meant for a year-end party or the opera to a dinner?
“You look like you have something to say, Haem?”
Lucas crossed his arms and glared at him.
Haem didn’t hold back.
“Your Grace, I’ve told you before. This body of yours—this heaven-blessed body—is art itself. Pure superiority. Haven’t I said that at least a hundred times?”
“…So?”
“So! Putting something bothersome and thin like a tailcoat on a superior body like this is a big NO. No!”
Haem made a big X shape with his arms.
“You shine even in just a shirt and trousers! Add a vest and a decent tie, and you could outshine the princes of most kingdoms! Not this swallowtail thing!”
He grabbed the split back of the tailcoat and shook it in frustration.
“But it’s in style these days,” Lucas muttered.
That’s what the tailor said.
Why? Can’t I wear something trendy?
“Why would someone like you follow trends? Your face doesn’t need trends. If you don’t know that, why not just give me that face?”
“Take it if you can.”
“Damn it. I’d also like to take your height and shoulders while I’m at it.”
Grumbling, Haem went into the dressing room and brought out different clothes.
A clean white shirt, a dark gray vest, and matching trousers.
“With a nice tie as an accent, this will be perfect.”
Lucas looked at the outfit with dissatisfaction.
“It’s too plain.”
“That’s fine. Your face and build aren’t plain at all!”
Is that a compliment?
Lucas glanced at him, then turned to the butler.
“Gabi, what do you think?”
“You would shine in anything, Master.”
Gabriel answered so quickly it seemed automatic.
“Tell me the truth.”
“A swallowtail does not suit a black horse.”
Gabriel replied immediately.
Haem wiggled his eyebrows as if to say, “See?”
Lucas took the clothes Haem handed him, grumbling internally.
The butler helped him change, and Haem chose a tie.
“Hmm, this one seems good. It matches Miss Grace’s eye color perfectly.”
Haem had picked a tie almost identical to Grace’s eyes.
Did I even have something like this?
Lucas took the tie with quiet admiration.
Though he was a perfect nobleman, he always tied his own tie. Being close enough to share breath with someone made him uncomfortable.
He tied it skillfully and looked in the mirror.
It looked better than expected.
“Well, not bad.”
As he considered which cufflinks to wear, a maid knocked.
“The flowers you ordered from the Rose Garden have arrived.”
“Come in.”
The maid entered carrying a large bouquet Lucas had carefully chosen that morning.
The moment he saw it, his expression softened into a smile.
A small dimple appeared faintly on his cheek.
“Very beautiful.”
He meant the flowers, but the maid blushed anyway.
She quickly placed the bouquet down and hurried out.
“Seriously… this is strange.”
Haem muttered.
“He’s handsome, but isn’t he kind of scary? That’s weird.”
“Weren’t you asking for this face earlier?”
“Oh! If you’re giving it to me, I’ll gladly take it.”
“Stop joking.”
Lucas ruffled Haem’s hair roughly.
No matter how Haem resisted, he couldn’t win. Lucas only stopped when Haem’s neatly styled hair was completely ruined.
Lucas then whistled lightly while looking at the bouquet. He looked clearly excited.
What’s making him so happy?
Haem found this side of his master unfamiliar—but nice to see.
Was spring finally coming for Duke Lucas Black, who was handsome but intimidating, rich but uninterested in spending?
And with his official fiancée, too.
It was a good situation.
But…
“Your Grace, are you sure this is okay? I’m a bit worried about Miss Grace.”
“What?”
“Well… compared to you, her build doesn’t match yours. She looks too delicate.”
Haem looked Lucas up and down seriously.
Nearly 190 cm tall. Broad shoulders. Solid thighs.
Compared to him, small and lovely Miss Grace looked like she could be crushed in one hug.
But Lucas reacted differently.
“Delicate? You didn’t see her eyes, Haem. She’s shy and easily startled, but her eyes are full of determination.”
Was that so? What kind of eyes are “full of determination”?
“Isn’t having a strong mind different from having a strong body?”
“Don’t you know the saying, ‘A healthy body comes from a healthy mind’?”
“…Isn’t it the other way around? And isn’t that an Eastern proverb?”
“People are the same everywhere. The mind and body are connected.”
Right… sure.
Haem pouted slightly.
“I’m saying this because I’m really worried. I’m worried whether she can truly handle you.”
“Handle me? What do you mean?”
Haem stared at him.
How does he not know his own situation?
He glanced at Lucas, then at the family crest behind him, and closed his mouth.
“Never mind. I said something unnecessary.”
“What? Why did you stop?”
Lucas frowned, clueless.
Haem sighed.
“Your Grace… you know… that personal secret of yours? You’re very different from others in many ways…”
Different from others.
Ah. That.
