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chapter 19
“Madman…”
A murderous light flashed in Lucas’s already intense blue eyes.
His expression didn’t change at all—only his gaze shifted quietly.
That made it even more frightening.
Julie swallowed hard and finally let out what she had been holding back.
“Our lady is a wonderful person. Outside, at least. But inside the estate, she’s treated like she’s insane. Instead of treating her, they were too busy trying to hide her. Honestly… if the marquis finds out I told Your Grace this, I might lose my head.”
Tap.
Tap, tap.
Lucas’s index finger tapped against the table.
He closed his eyes, clenched his fist, and continued tapping lightly.
The moment Haem saw that, he sensed trouble coming.
He’s holding himself back.
Lucas Black was someone who usually controlled his emotions well.
Part of it was because he looked intimidating enough that few people dared to anger him in the first place. But beyond that, he simply wasn’t someone who lost his temper easily.
However, when he had that look in his eyes—it was different.
Haem and Gabriel quietly exchanged glances, carefully reading the mood.
“So the rumors about Marquis Capren Oelin were all nonsense, I suppose. To think he could have such foolish thoughts.”
Lucas’s voice was low and heavy.
“Thank you so much for understanding. Even though she has a phobia, our lady is neither weak nor foolish. She’s brave enough to face even her own weaknesses and try to overcome them.”
Julie kept speaking as she slowly backed away, glancing toward where Grace had disappeared.
“If you stay by her side, you’ll see. She’s truly a good person. An admirable woman. Please… don’t miss your chance. I’ll go to my lady now.”
Defending Grace until the very end, Julie hurried off after her.
Left alone, Lucas sank into his chair and covered his forehead.
“…Master, this is my fault. I should have prepared lamb steak instead of bison.”
“It’s not your fault, Cotti. It was the dish I requested. You only worked day and night for two days at my command.”
“But—”
“For now, clear this away and prepare something softer. If she happened to vomit, she may need something to soothe her stomach.”
“Ah! Yes! Of course! I’ll prepare it right away!”
Cotti rushed off with the skewered bison dish.
The dinner he had thought perfect had completely fallen apart.
Lucas reached to loosen his suffocating tie when he suddenly noticed the soft cloth tucked into his pocket.
‘I dyed it myself. It’s just a small, insignificant piece of cloth, but… it’s the only thing I can give you right now.’
Grace’s embarrassed face came to mind—apologizing for not preparing a proper return gift after he had suddenly invited her to dinner.
The soft touch of her hand as she tucked the cloth into his pocket.
Her shy smile.
He remembered her running after him in thin nightclothes to stop him and apologize for her father’s rudeness.
It felt as if someone was hammering at a corner of his heart.
His chest felt tight—so tight it was hard to breathe.
She was so pure and honest that she couldn’t even hide when she liked someone.
And that fragile person was being secretly abused by her own parents.
His fist clenched without him realizing.
Thinking about how she had endured neglect and verbal abuse from the marquis made something boil inside him.
Really… such a foolishly kind woman. That kind of person. That kind of daughter…
Lucas carefully ran his fingers over Grace’s handkerchief. The soft fabric tickled between his fingers.
He folded it neatly and placed it back inside his inner pocket.
“…To think the marquis household abused her like that. Then… was her swollen cheek also the marquis’s doing?”
Haem muttered in disbelief, looking toward where Julie had gone.
Lucas’s hand stopped mid-motion.
“What did you just say, Haem?”
“Huh? Ah—I said I never imagined the marquis’s family would abuse her—”
“No. After that.”
“After… ah.”
Only then did Haem realize he had made a mistake and quickly shut his mouth.
When he glanced nervously at Lucas, Lucas narrowed his eyes.
“Say it.”
“Th-that is… Your Grace didn’t see it, right?”
“See what?”
“Oh dear.”
Haem had forgotten that his master could be surprisingly oblivious at times.
He had assumed Lucas had noticed.
“Haem. You know I’m not in the mood for wordplay.”
Lucas leaned back loosely, glancing down at him.
When Lucas suppressed his emotions, he acted even more relaxed. Haem knew that well.
Swallowing dryly, Haem blurted it out.
“Didn’t you notice Miss Grace’s cheek was swollen?!”
“…What?”
“If she removes her makeup, there’s probably bruising too. Her face is so small that the swelling on one side was really obvious.”
Lucas froze.
“…You’re certain?”
Haem nodded firmly.
He could clearly see the change in his master’s eyes.
Lucas slowly stood up.
“This is absurd.”
Like a wild beast puffing up its body, his presence slowly, gradually turned violent.
Haem nodded nervously.
“Yes. Julie’s cheek looked swollen too. Both the lady and her maid had swelling on the same side. That’s definitely strange.”
Bang!
Something shattered.
That something included Lucas’s fist.
His punch had struck a stone pillar, leaving a red mark. At the same time, part of the pillar cracked and crumbled.
“Ah! Y-your hand is injured!”
“Master!”
Haem and Gabriel rushed over.
Though blood showed on his knuckles, Lucas remained calm.
He stared at his reddened fist without expression.
Haem couldn’t read minds—but he could understand what Lucas’s eyes were saying.
“Y-Your Grace. You know you can’t hit anyone, right?”
“Why not?”
Oh dear. Our lord…
You know why.
Haem forced a laugh and avoided those terrifying blue eyes.
He’s furious. He’s really furious!
Though Lucas Black usually seemed softer than his appearance suggested, when he truly lost his temper, he was more fiery than anyone.
And what he valued most was family.
Family was his territory.
Protecting his territory was an unbreakable rule for the men of the Black family.
“P-Please calm down, Your Grace!”
If Lucas lost control, something that must never happen could happen.
“I am not. Agitated. At all—!”
“Let’s first confirm the situation! Yes, her cheek was swollen, but it might not have been Marquis Oelin!”
“If not him, then who would dare lay a hand on a marquis’s daughter? And even her maid?”
Haem had no answer.
And then—
“…I’m sorry. That was very rude of me.”
Grace returned to the garden with an awkward smile.
Why is he looking at me like that?
Grace couldn’t find where to place her eyes under Lucas’s intense gaze.
Is he curious about my phobia?
Julie had apologized profusely for telling him everything.
Grace didn’t mind.
The atmosphere had already collapsed because of that metal skewer. He had seen her true self anyway.
Maybe this was better.
Maybe this made it easier to talk about breaking off the engagement.
…Then why do I feel uneasy?
She tilted her head while eating the soft scrambled dish made from finely minced meat.
Unlike the first day, when she had been certain she could never marry him, the thought of breaking the engagement now felt slightly unsettling.
“Does the food not suit your taste?”
“Huh? No, it’s delicious. I feel bad for Cotti. I couldn’t eat the dish he worked so hard on.”
“It’s fine. He has thousands of other dishes he’s good at. You could eat his food for a lifetime and still not try them all.”
There was quiet pride in his voice.
He was a strange man.
Most nobles showed discomfort or prejudice toward outsiders. He showed none.
Even after learning of her phobia, his attitude remained gentle.
He must have many questions… so why isn’t he asking?
She looked up—and their eyes met.
Her heart dropped.
She bit her lower lip and pressed down her trembling hand.
Lucas finally set down his fork and knife.
In a calmer voice, he asked,
“Does Marquis Oelin not treat you well?”
“…What do you mean?”
She had expected a question about her phobia—not about her father.
Lucas stared at her, then gave a rare, soft smile.
“Your cheek.”
“…”
“I’m curious whether it was the marquis who made it like that.”
He was smiling. His voice was gentle. Yet she felt a chill.
It wasn’t directed at her.
Still, it made her heart tremble.
Why did this man keep stepping into her territory?
…Does he really like me?
Her heart churned again—different from before.
She took a sip of lukewarm water and steadied herself.
“No. At least… my father has never laid a hand on me directly.”
Lucas’s brows twisted.
“Then who?”
She looked straight at him.
“My older brother.”
His eyes narrowed.
“…Norman Oelin?”
She smiled faintly.
That calm smile ignited something inside him.
It had been a long time since his emotions had surged like this.
He was not someone who could afford to lose control.
He closed his eyes and focused on breathing.
Damn it. Why do I have to endure this?
His fist clenched tightly.
Grace saw the veins standing out on his massive hand. She saw him gritting his teeth, holding back.
Lucas Black.
She watched him quietly.
You’re truly strange.
He was angry over something that wasn’t even his own problem.
…When had anyone ever gotten angry for her sake?
No one.
Why does my heart feel like this?
No. I can’t grow weak.
She steadied herself.
It was time to say what she had prepared.
“Since it’s come to this, I’ll speak honestly, Your Grace.”
“Go on, Grace.”
She lifted her head.
“I am not suitable to be your wife. As you saw, I have a phobia. I am someone who needs help.”
“Continue.”
“And… I have not been loved by my family as much as I appear. One day, my family may cause you trouble.”
She hated saying this.
Pretending calm while revealing such pitiful truths.
…I’m a coward and stubborn.
She had neither the courage to marry someone she feared nor the desire to sell herself in a marriage that satisfied her father and brother.
That was why she had insisted on breaking the engagement.
She believed it was for both their happiness.
“Grace.”
But this man was shaking her resolve.
“If you need help, then receive help.”
This man, whispering gentle words with a fierce face.
“If you haven’t received love… then that’s good.”
“…Your Grace.”
“That love you’ve never received…”
With sharp eyes but a soft voice, he spoke of love.
“I will give it to you in abundance.”
And he shook her completely.
