Chapter 16
15
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The Duke's magnificent main gate lost its presence before the man. He was the kind of person who made everything around him a backdrop.
"That person is..."
Flora murmured blankly, and the woman hidden in the Duke's sturdy frame revealed herself. The cream-colored dress she wore contrasted with the Duke's black cloak, making it appear exceptionally white, like a wedding dress. The woman did not lose her presence even standing next to the Duke.
Flora's eyes narrowed.
"What is that...?"
＊ ＊ ＊
Walter, having entered the Richmond Duke's Main Castle garden, glanced to his left. Grace, who was walking lightly beside him, looked up at him. She blinked once, twice, then smiled slightly and mouthed.
'Smile.'
The moment he saw that, Walter couldn't help but burst into laughter, dumbfounded. Immediately, the small hand he was holding tightened its grip.
Don't laugh mockingly!
It was as if he could hear her scolding voice, so Walter quickly composed himself.
That makes nine times. Counting the number in his head, Walter looked at Grace again as he entered the Main Castle building. Grace, who glanced at him shyly, murmured softly.
"...Your Grace."
It was an extremely elegant pronunciation and tone, and the moment he heard it, his fingertips seemed to tingle. Walter wasn't the only one who felt that way; the Richmond's thieves, who were swarming like clouds behind them, also stirred.
That makes ten times.
On horseback, Grace leaned her head against the man's chest as if it were nothing to be held in his arms.
'Your Grace, please delay my introduction as much as possible. And tell the knights not to call me Lady Grace for the time being.'
'Do you want to delay the news from reaching Taylor?'
'That too. It's advantageous to seem a little naive right now.'
'...Is that ever advantageous?'
'Of course. By the way, do you have a plan for how to treat me affectionately?'
'......'
He could recite with his eyes closed how to subjugate the Magical beasts and how to carry out revenge, but he had nothing to say about how to treat a beloved woman affectionately.
He wanted to praise himself just for coming up with the idea of riding a horse together, but what more...?
When he was silent for a moment, Grace sighed briefly and commanded like a general.
'First, take my hand. And exactly ten times from the gate to the Main Castle, look back at me. Then everyone will know without you having to introduce me in detail. And they'll guess as they please.'
He wondered if that would be enough... but it was. It was entirely thanks to Grace's experience.
It wasn't as if she was putting on a great act. Every time he glanced at her, she showed slightly different reactions. At first, she pretended not to notice, but as the number of times increased, sometimes she bit her lip, sometimes she stared back, and sometimes she smiled faintly. Even Walter, who knew this was acting, couldn't help but look at her, wondering how she would react next.
Judging from the reactions behind him, it seemed that no one had failed to notice that she was his lover. They were just dying to know what her position would be within the Richmond Duke's Castle in the future. They must have already picked out a Duchess candidate that suited their tastes perfectly.
Sure enough, he sensed someone on his right, and the Marchioness put on a smiling face.
"Your... Your Grace."
When Walter stopped, everyone who was moving with him stopped. The Marchioness carefully looked at Grace and asked.
"I will guide the lady who came with you to the drawing-room for a while. We did not receive any notice that you were coming, so the guest room is not adequately prepared..."
"There's no need for that, Marquise Lincot."
A very cool and low voice cut her off. Walter stared silently into the Marchioness's eyes before turning his head towards Grace. Her slender face was filled with clear questions in her eyes.
She was so good at pretending not to know even though she knew everything. Walter couldn't help but tighten his grip on her hand and said quietly.
"From now on, she will stay in the Chandelier Room."
"Yes? The Cha, Chandelier Room... you mean?"
As soon as the Duke's words fell, gasps could be heard from all over. The Marchioness's eyes widened as if they would pop out, and the Marquis also gaped. Flora, who had been glaring with fire in her eyes, also covered her mouth with both hands.
The Chandelier Room. It was the bedroom used by the successive Duchesses.
"Yo, Your Grace! That place is...!"
"Why are you surprised? Do I need to get permission?"
"...No, you don't."
The Duke, who had shocked everyone, stood as if to shield Grace's body and turned his head towards the back. His eyes were sharp to begin with, but because he pulled his chin in to look back, he looked much fiercer. The smile he had shown Grace a moment ago had evaporated like morning dew. Even Joseph, who was watching from afar, felt unnecessarily sad.
Walter looked at the Marquis and Marchioness and the nobles with eyes that showed no humanity at all, and said in a languid tone.
"That's enough of the welcome. Everyone, step back."
Then, leaving behind those who were dumbfounded and speechless, he leisurely went up the stairs with Grace.
Only the nobles remained in the hall of the Main Castle. The place where the Duke had disappeared was as chaotic as if a typhoon had passed through.
"Wha... What is going on?"
Someone asked, as if in vain.
That was because they hadn't even heard the name of the woman who had come with him yet. It wasn't that Walter hadn't shown Grace any courtesy, but that he had ignored them. They couldn't dare to argue. Wasn't it unnecessary for the owner to explain in detail when bringing a guest to his house?
The Marquis bit his lip and said in a low voice.
"It seems that the Duke is going to use some trick, but it won't work out as he thinks, so don't worry."
Walter Richmond seems to think this is his home, but it will never be.
The Marquis, who had been lost in thought for a moment, said with shining eyes.
"Everyone, let's go to the conference room. We need to have a meeting for a while."
"Yes!"
The nobles, who wore the Richmond Duke's family crest, followed him all at once. The Marquis strode across the hallway as dignified as if he were the owner of this castle. The sound of shoe heels scattered loudly into the cold air of the splendid hall.
＊ ＊ ＊
Jessie, who was walking behind Grace, glared at the two maids who kept stealing glances at Grace while pretending to guide her. Every time the maids glanced back, they scanned Grace from head to toe. Jessie narrowed her eyes and carefully noted their appearance.
'Number 1, brown hair, brown eyes. Number 2, gray hair, blue eyes.'
It was then.
"Stay true to your duties."
It seemed that Jessie wasn't the only one who was bothered by their behavior; Walter warned them in a low voice. The maids were startled and quickly bowed to him.
"Yes, Your Grace."
After Walter's warning, they didn't look back at Grace. But after Walter and Grace entered the Chandelier Room, the two changed their expressions completely and whispered, pressing their ears against the door.
"Is she a noble?"
"She looks like one, but seeing as she only brought one attendant with her, is she a fallen noble...? But no matter how fallen she is, can a noble young lady go around in a man's arms like that before marriage?"
"Hey, even ordinary commoners don't do that! It blocks all the marriage prospects of that family!"
"Maybe... His Grace has only been at the Wall of Death all this time. Isn't she a woman who lived near there? I heard that fugitives live around there."
"Ugh, really. Anyway, how can she be given the Chandelier Room when her status isn't even clear?"
"Don't worry. The Duke will change his mind when he sees our Miss Flora, right?"
Jessie was in the hallway, but they didn't care at all. Rather, they scanned Jessie up and down, then deliberately bumped her shoulder and passed by.
"Ah."
"Oh, does it hurt? But what is it? Are you blind? Watch where you're going. You should avoid it yourself."
"And it's funny. She brought a maid-like thing with her?"
"Oh my, look at how elegantly she speaks. A maid? Even a servant wouldn't do. Hey, you. Don't be conspicuous and crawl around on your own. You'll be kicked out soon, so don't get attached to this place. Huh?"
Are these guys crazy?
Jessie's eyes slowly flared up. She glared fiercely at the backs of the two maids, who were chattering and walking away.
＊ ＊ ＊
The maids weren't the only ones whose attitude changed as soon as the door closed. The moment the door closed, Grace straightened her posture, which had been leaning slightly on Walter, and let go of his hand. Then, she put her ear to the door and listened to the sounds outside.
Walter looked down at his hand without realizing it. When he clenched and unclenched his fist and raised his head, Grace turned to him. The shy expression and the look in her eyes that she had shown in front of people had disappeared, and only reason, which had been sharpened to the limit, remained. Her gaze went to the ceiling.
A beautiful chandelier befitting the name of the room hung from the ceiling. Hundreds of crystals, like raindrops, scattered the sunlight that came in through the windows in all directions. Below it was a circular console, and on the console was a bouquet of lilies that was both delicate and eye-catching. Judging by the freshness of the petals, it must have been replaced today.
Grace moved slowly and looked around the room.
Firewood was piled in the fireplace with beautiful patterns engraved on it, and the bedding on the huge bed was freshly changed and fluffy. It seemed that someone was planning to sleep here tonight as well.
Grace let out a dry laugh like a clearing of her throat.
"Oh dear. It seems I've unintentionally taken someone's room."
