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Chapter 4
Have We Met Before?
“Have we met before?”
“Uh….”
Grace moved her lips, trying to recall a memory that wouldn’t come. His large build and striking blue eyes—he wasn’t someone easy to forget.
“I mean, we bumped into each other before?”
The man smiled as if that was the correct answer and snapped his fingers. Grace narrowed her eyes at the exaggerated gesture, but he continued casually, his lips spreading into a relaxed smile.
“I’m sorry about that time. Are you okay?”
“I was the one rushing. I’m fine.”
As Grace spoke, the man looked at her with a thoughtful expression. Resting his chin on the back of his hand, his gaze lingered a bit too heavily. Just as it started to feel uncomfortable, he spoke again.
“What were you in such a hurry for? Going to meet a lover?”
“I don’t have a lover.”
“Then who was that letter you just wrote for?”
“This is for a fiancé whose face I don’t even know—”
Grace stopped mid-sentence and closed her lips. The man tilted his head slightly.
“And?”
“Isn’t this a bit strange?”
“What is?”
“Why should I be telling someone I just met in a café that I’m writing a letter to a fiancé I’ve never even seen?”
“Hmm….”
The man took a sip of his coffee and nodded.
“An arranged marriage with someone you’ve never met. It sounds like a novel.”
“Yes. Something that ridiculous is happening to me.”
“So, have you been exchanging letters well? Do you like your fiancé’s letters?”
“The handwriting is decent. The replies are quick, and he seems somewhat attentive… but why am I answering these questions?”
Realizing she had been speaking too freely, Grace looked at him with a flustered expression. The man smiled brightly.
“Doesn’t it feel suffocating? Marrying a complete stranger?”
“Well… yes.”
“Then tell me. I’m a complete stranger too. It might make you feel better.”
Grace pressed her red lips together. He had a point. Ever since she saw the marriage notice in the newspaper, it felt like a heavy stone sat on her chest. She wanted relief but didn’t know how.
Maybe it was fine to open up to someone she would never see again.
The thought passed through her mind.
Finally, she relaxed her stiff expression and took a sip of coffee. The tension in her shoulders eased.
The man leaned lazily on his hand, watching her. His gaze moved from her face to her shoulders, then settled on her red lips.
“My father is a gambler.”
“…What?”
The man’s eyes widened. A small laugh slipped from Grace’s lips.
“That’s why I’m marrying a man I’ve never seen. We need a large sum of money.”
One of his eyebrows twitched.
“Is that the only reason?”
“No. That’s not enough. My side wants money, the other side wants a title. In a way, it’s a perfect marriage.”
“A perfect marriage….”
“Except for me.”
The man stared at her, deeply absorbed in the story. His expression was unreadable. Feeling his gaze, Grace took another sip of coffee. A slight embarrassment crept in.
The man, waiting for her to continue, spoke again.
“It’s quite an interesting story.”
“No. It’s a dry one.”
“Why?”
“Because there’s no love.”
A light laugh escaped from him.
“Is love important?”
“Yes. I believe in love. If I have to marry, love should be the only reason.”
“Do you have someone you love?”
“Sadly, no.”
The man straightened slightly, looking at her with interest.
“These days, I might be the only one in high society who believes in true love. Marriage is just carefully matching family and conditions, like threading a needle.”
“Do you really think so?”
“That’s reality. Even my fiancé agreed to this marriage just to buy a title.”
“You don’t know that for sure.”
“In this situation, it’s obvious.”
“Did he write that in the letter?”
“No. But some things don’t need to be said.”
“Hmm….”
“I’ve already heard enough rumors about him.”
“What kind of rumors?”
The man sat up straight. Grace met his blue eyes and continued.
“He’s quite famous in high society.”
“Really?”
“Even someone like me, who avoids society, knows his name.”
She paused, then added coldly:
“He’s a man whose lower half is lighter than straw. Even if you pour alcohol on it and boil it at 100 degrees, it won’t change.”
“…What?”
The man burst out laughing at her serious tone.
“Unless he’s reborn, a corrupt soul won’t change.”
“He’d be shocked if he heard that.”
The man shook with laughter, wiping tears from his eyes.
“Would he even be surprised?”
After laughing, he asked:
“Is there anything you look forward to in marriage? Like a wedding ring?”
“What matters isn’t the weight of the diamond. It’s a soul more transparent and noble than that.”
“But your fiancé doesn’t have a noble soul?”
“I don’t know.”
“Aren’t you the same? You’re marrying without love too.”
He smiled as he said it—hitting the mark exactly.
“You’re right. I’m the same. I’m just drifting like a ship in a storm, without even the will to resist. So my soul can’t be pure either.”
As she lowered her head to drink coffee again, someone called her name from afar.
“Grace!”
“Oh, Jones!”
Grace lifted her head with a bright smile at the familiar voice. At that moment, the man across from her raised his eyebrows.
He slowly turned his head in the direction of her gaze—and his face hardened.
Jones was walking toward them, waving.
“Sorry, did I keep you waiting?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Grace smiled. The man stared at her intently.
Jones glanced at the man.
“And this gentleman?”
“Ah, he is—”
Before she could explain, the man placed his empty cup down.
“There were no seats, so I joined briefly. I didn’t know you had company. I’ve finished my coffee, so I’ll take my leave.”
His voice was calm, but slightly stiff.
“Alright.”
“I had a good time.”
Grace nodded. The man stood and left with long strides. After he disappeared, Jones sat down.
“Who was that?”
“I don’t know. Just someone I happened to sit with.”
“Really? That’s unusual for you.”
“I can sit with people sometimes.”
“But don’t you avoid noblemen? He looked like one.”
“It’s not that I avoid them. It’s just… the situations they bring are uncomfortable.”
As she explained, a shadow suddenly fell over the table.
She turned her head. A stranger stood there, leaning on the table with a smile.
“I’ve been watching you. May I ask your name?”
Both Grace and Jones looked at him. He was well-dressed—clearly a noble.
Jones watched with interest. Grace spoke coldly:
“That would be rude, so no.”
“It’s a shame to leave just like this.”
“I’m already married.”
“Perfect. So am I.”
Grace sighed and looked at Jones, her eyes full of annoyance.
“See? This is what I hate.”
“That’s understandable. Does this happen often?”
“Sometimes.”
Jones nodded.
The man tapped the table as if demanding attention.
“Are you still here?”
“I won’t leave until you tell me your name.”
“I said I have a husband.”
“So do I. That shouldn’t be a problem.”
Grace let out another short sigh and spoke rapidly:
“My husband is the son of a railroad tycoon. He’s extremely jealous and obsessive. If he sees this, he might come chasing with a gun. With that kind of wealth, making someone disappear is nothing.”
“The tycoon’s son isn’t even engaged yet—”
“Didn’t you see the engagement notice in the newspaper?”
“Then….”
“Believe it or not, that’s up to you. But he probably has someone watching me even now. Can you handle that?”
“Hah, don’t joke.”
“See that man with glasses near the green door?”
All three looked. The man with glasses noticed and glared sharply.
“Do you believe me now?”
“…You’re insane.”
The man shook his head and quickly left.
After a moment of silence, Jones spoke.
“Is it true? The tycoon’s son…?”
“Of course not. I’ve never even met him.”
Grace shrugged lightly.
“You’ve never met him?”
“No.”
“Not even seen his face?”
“No.”
Jones looked shocked, then tried to lighten the mood.
“If he sees your face, he’ll fall for you instantly.”
“Stop talking nonsense and let’s discuss work.”
“Aren’t you curious about your fiancé’s face?”
“His face? There are too many things I’m curious about to pick just one.”
“You must have a lot on your mind….”
Instead of answering, Grace lifted one corner of her lips in a faint smile.
It didn’t look like a real smile at all.
