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Chapter 10
D-Day
In the early dawn, Grace, who had barely managed to sleep, opened her eyes. It was still before sunrise, and the world was silent.
Carefully, so as not to make any footsteps, Grace changed her clothes and grabbed the trunk she had prepared in advance. She had packed as lightly as possible, but the trunk still felt heavier than expected.
As she moved toward the door holding it, she accidentally bumped into a side table, making a loud clunk sound. Startled, Grace froze for a moment and listened. There was no sign of anyone. The night remained still.
She picked up the trunk again and went to the door. Just as she placed her hand on the doorknob—
Knock, knock.
A small knocking sound broke the silence.
Grace was so startled her heart almost dropped. She held her breath and stood still, and then a low voice came from outside.
“Miss, you’re awake, aren’t you?”
“Lisa…?”
“If you go into the study, you must not go in. If you’re leaving, you must leave the mansion immediately. You need to go as quickly as possible.”
Grace immediately opened the door. Lisa stood in the dark hallway, looking restless.
“How did you know I was leaving?”
“The master told me to watch you. He said to lock the door if you tried to enter the study. So please, go now.”
“Thank you… Lisa! Thank you!”
Grace hugged her tightly. After a short but warm embrace, she ran down the hallway without looking back.
Her first-class ticket was in the study drawer, but there was no time to get it. She moved down the dark stairs as quietly as possible.
Third floor, second floor, and now only the first floor remained—but in the dim main hall, she saw a silhouette standing.
Grace quickly turned back up the stairs and crossed the dark corridor. She took the servants’ staircase hidden in a corner and went down to the first floor.
That route connected to the kitchen, and from there she could reach the garden. It was a longer path, but it was suitable for avoiding anyone.
She rushed down the narrow stairs and opened the door connected to the kitchen—
And suddenly, a bright light burst out.
Even though it was too early for cooking, the lights were on, and two male servants were standing in the middle of the kitchen. Their four eyes widened at Grace’s sudden appearance.
“Miss, why are you…?”
“Were you really trying to run away?”
Grace bit her lip tightly and turned around.
“Pretend you didn’t see me!”
“We were ordered by the master to block the exit!”
The moment she heard that, Grace ran back up the stairs again. The sound of hurried footsteps chased her from behind.
Breathing heavily, she returned to the second-floor corridor and, without hesitation, opened a window.
She threw the trunk out.
From afar, servants rushed to stop her.
“Miss, no!”
“I have to go!”
The moment she climbed onto the windowsill—
Her waist was grabbed, and her body was violently pulled back into the corridor.
“Ahh!”
She struggled wildly, and suddenly—smack! A sharp sound rang out. Her head turned to the side.
She froze.
Her cheek burned, stinging and hot. When she slowly looked up, she saw her father, Edward Broughton. And he was furious.
“You dare disgrace the family like this!”
He threw something he was holding onto the floor. With a wet thud, a newspaper scattered across the floor. On it was a personal advertisement.
“Miss Grace Broughton and Mr. Aiden Turner’s marriage has been canceled. They will now live their separate lives. We apologize for not being able to receive congratulations from acquaintances.”
It was the very announcement Grace had placed herself.
It had been published in the newspaper, spreading across the city, while she had planned to be at the train station heading to Erhill.
“If everything had gone as planned…”
“How do you know about this…?”
“Yesterday, I received an urgent message from the Turner family. They said you were acting suspiciously and might leave this morning. I thought it was nonsense… but Filson brought me the newspaper at dawn!”
His voice trembled with rage.
“How dare you plan such a disgraceful act? You’re humiliating my face!”
“Haah…”
Grace lowered her head. It was hopeless. Everything had fallen apart.
How did the Turner family know she was leaving? Did they know she had booked a train ticket? She couldn’t understand. Her mind was in chaos.
The servants who had been following her now stood behind her father.
“Take her to her room and lock her there for the entire day. Don’t let her do anything. No food either. Absolutely nothing.”
The servants nodded, unable to meet his eyes.
Her father’s cold gaze cut into Grace.
“Think carefully about how absurd your actions were today and reflect. Don’t move until tomorrow’s wedding.”
He stepped on the newspaper and walked away. The announcement of Grace’s defiance crumpled under his feet.
* * *
Grace lay face down on her bed.
She hadn’t even changed her clothes.
It was already midday. If everything had gone according to plan, she would now be on the train to Erhill.
A dry laugh escaped her lips.
She didn’t even know how things had gone so wrong. One thing was certain—she had been too careless. She should have prepared more thoroughly. Not such a sloppy plan…
While she blamed herself, noises came from outside the door.
“Ma’am, please stop!”
“Let go of me!”
With a loud crash, the door burst open. Her mother, Selena Broughton, stormed in with heavy steps.
Grace slowly sat up.
“How could you do something like this the day before your wedding!”
Her mother’s voice was sharp with rage. Grace silently looked at her.
“You know what people are saying? That you tried to run away because you hate a man without a title! That you already have another fiancé!”
“….”
“How are we supposed to hold the banquet tomorrow? I can’t even show my face because of you!”
Her mother grabbed Grace’s shoulders and shook her violently.
“If I don’t want to get married, then I just won’t!”
The grip tightened even more. Grace let out a small painful sound.
Her mother’s eyes pierced her.
“This marriage will proceed no matter what. Your will doesn’t matter. The Turner family and the Broughton family both agree. Only you need to comply.”
“Why do I have to?!”
When Grace shouted, her mother raised her hand as if to strike her.
At that moment, Lisa rushed in and grabbed her arm.
“Ma’am, please stop!”
“You just have to endure it. Once you become Mrs. Turner, we won’t ask anything more of you.”
“I can’t accept this.”
Selena gritted her teeth.
“You cannot escape this marriage.”
At those hopeless words, Grace squeezed her eyes shut.
Selena shoved her aside and left the room.
Grace collapsed onto the floor, and Lisa quickly supported her.
“Are you alright, miss?”
“Thank you, Lisa.”
Lisa looked around and took a paper bag from her apron pocket.
“Please eat this. It’s baked sweets. You haven’t eaten anything.”
“Thank you… really.”
From the hallway, a cough echoed.
Lisa quickly left, and Grace was left alone.
She was hungry, but nothing would go down her throat.
She lay on the bed, staring blankly as the colors outside the window changed.
Blue sky turned yellow, then purple, then darkness fell.
Time passed as she slowly learned resignation.
And by the time dawn rose again, she had accepted it.
She had to get married.
Morning came, and the mansion was filled with movement.
Servants walked quickly through the hallways, and soon Lisa entered.
“Miss, after you wash up, we’ll prepare you for dressing.”
Lisa held Grace’s arm tightly even during the short walk to the bathroom. Male servants followed closely behind in case she tried to escape.
After bathing, Grace was helped by Lisa and May into her wedding dress.
The pale dress she had thought she would never wear now wrapped around her body.
Her hair was styled, makeup applied.
Grace became a June bride.
In the mirror, her pale face reflected back—expressionless, lifeless.
After preparations, she was immediately taken to the church.
Lisa and another maid held her arms as she was escorted. It looked like support, but it was practically an escort.
During the carriage ride, Grace only stared out the window.
Heavy silence filled everything.
As the church came into view, her heartbeat began to quicken.
Soon they arrived.
Grace stepped out carefully.
Lisa adjusted her veil and dress, then held her hand again.
A male attendant opened the church door.
Grace stepped inside.
The murmuring congregation fell silent as she appeared, as if water had been poured over them.
Colored light from stained glass poured across the walls.
And a man stood there, bathed entirely in that light.
His brown hair was neatly styled, his posture straight, his build large.
As Grace walked forward, the sound of her footsteps echoed.
Click. Click.
The man slowly turned his head.
When their eyes met, Grace’s eyes widened.
Those blue eyes—like lapis lazuli.
The same smile she had seen at Peace Hall. The man she had met by chance several times, who always smiled gently—
Was now looking at her with a cold, frozen gaze.
