Chapter 21
20
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A moment later, Walter said in a low voice.
"I understand perfectly what you mean."
Joy spread across the faces of the Marchioness and Flora.
"I think I should rest now. You may leave."
The Marchioness rose from her seat with a benevolent smile.
"Yes, then please rest comfortably."
Flora, too, put on the most adorable expression she could muster and said in a whisper.
"Rest well, Your Grace."
As they left, a maid hurriedly cleared away the tea set. Unlike the Marchioness and Flora, who had taken a few sips, the cup placed before Walter hadn't even been touched.
Once the maid had also left, Joseph, who had been standing by Walter's side the whole time, muttered with a whistling sound.
"Oh, I get goosebumps when Your Grace smiles like that. I guess to those who don't know, it just looks impressive."
You're watching to see how to deal with them, aren't you?
Walter didn't even bother to reply, his expression icy. Instead, he gestured with his eyes towards the large vase that Flora had brought, claiming she had arranged the flowers herself.
"Take it away."
"Yes, I was about to do just that."
What kind of family is Lewin? They did their best to help the Marquis and Marchioness send Walter to the Wall of Death and made great contributions to driving out the knightly families.
While Joseph was removing the vase, Walter took out the documents he had been looking at earlier.
It was a statistical document related to the total income of the territory for the first half of the year. It was impossible not to know that most of the income went into the pockets of the Marquis' faction. No, they didn't even bother to hide it in the documents. Thieves who had entered while the owner was away were having a feast.
"Respect."
Walter murmured, leaning the back of his head against the sofa.
"Let's see how respected the owner was."
The sharp tone seeped into the bright autumn sunlight and disappeared.
＊ ＊ ＊
Flora's expression brightened as she stepped into the hallway.
She placed her hand on her throbbing chest and took quick, shallow breaths. A corner of her heart tickled, and her hands and feet tingled.
This feeling, this sensation!
There was no doubt! The Duke was moved by her, even if only for a moment!
As Flora pressed down on her chest, the Marchioness whispered.
"I thought they were at least a fallen noble, but it seems they're not even that? You only mentioned the name."
"How could they imitate the nobility so well?"
"What can't those lowly beings do when all they have is their own body? If you go to the cafe run by Hazel Chernin in the capital, there are many commoners who look like nobles to anyone. But the real and the fake are ultimately different."
The Marchioness looked at Flora intently and smiled.
"In that barren place, he might have been drawn to a woman without even a surname, but when the environment changes, so does the gaze. Indeed, the way the Duke looks at you is unusual."
"Please don't say that, I'm embarrassed."
The Marchioness smiled and pulled Flora's arm. She took her arm as if to link arms and walked leisurely down the hallway.
"Visit the Duke often, looking like a Duchess. Show him that you are beyond comparison to that girl who pretends to be elegant."
"Yes, I will."
"I cherish you. Perhaps because I don't have a daughter, I've thought of you as my own daughter since you were young."
"I also think of the Marchioness as my mother."
"Yes."
Then, as they reached the central staircase, the two women's steps stopped as if by agreement.
Brilliant sunlight streamed through the huge arched glass installed on the landing. The woman's blonde hair, bathed in sunlight, felt as dazzling as scattering light.
The Marchioness whispered the moment Flora's brow furrowed.
"The Duke is lucky. He should keep a child like you by his side so that he can live comfortably here. Imagine keeping a woman by his side who might have been a stray from anywhere. Who would have respect for the Duke?"
At her words, Flora nodded with a determined expression.
"Yes, you're right. I... I will do my best for His Grace's honor."
Grace came up the stairs lightly, holding the skirt slightly with one hand. She could feel the murderous gazes of the two pairs of eyes blatantly, but she intended to ignore them completely and pass by.
But that seemed to provoke the Marchioness even more.
"This is not a place for you."
Grace stopped at the harsh words. When she turned her head to look at the Marchioness, the first thing that caught her eye was the splendid necklace around her neck. Seeing the large diamond reminded her of Eliza's detached palace, which resembled the site of a ruined royal palace.
As her heart grew colder, the Marchioness snapped fiercely.
"This Richmond Duke's Castle is a place where not even a single strand of hair of someone like you can dare to enter, so leave on your own two feet."
Grace couldn't help but say something because she found her confident expression amusing.
"Do you know who I am?"
It was Flora who reacted to the gentle voice as if she were having a seizure.
"How dare a lowly thing open her mouth?! People like us can tell just by feeling. Whether you're lowly or noble. Your actions are different from the start."
"Feeling?"
"Yes!!"
Grace, who quickly pondered Flora's words, smiled faintly and sweetly.
"I see."
Then, before the two could react, she turned around and walked away lightly before they could even grab her. Jessie, who had been grinding her teeth the whole time, muttered fiercely from behind.
"What is she saying."
"Shh."
As Grace stopped Jessie and walked away, the Marchioness, who had been glaring at their backs, said as if chewing.
"How dare she leave without even greeting us!! She must be so arrogant, believing in the Duke's love. Take a good look at that ridiculous sight, Flora."
"Of course, Marchioness."
The plan to see her off with tears in her eyes was canceled.
'I'll hold his hand and laugh in front of you. I'll make you realize it to the bone. Who is truly worthy of him.'
Thinking that, warmth seemed to spread through her heart, which had been cold.
The Marchioness went down the stairs and ordered the maid.
"Do not provide any support to the Chandelier Room."
"Yes, Marchioness."
It was creepy enough that someone who wasn't even a lower noble was using that room.
The Duke and that arrogant woman should feel it a little. Marquise Lincot does not allow anyone to stay in the Richmond Duke's Castle unless she permits it.
＊ ＊ ＊
After the Marchioness and Flora left, Walter went back to reading. But he couldn't concentrate. His mind kept wandering to the door connected to the Chandelier Room.
It had been quite a while since Grace had gone to the detached palace.
'……Grace.'
His thoughts flowed freely, like a randomly flowing stream.
When Walter looked intently at Flora, Joseph felt like he was a beast with prey in sight, but in fact, Walter was thinking of Grace at that moment. It was an irresistible thing.
The expressions, the eyes, the actions that changed every time his gaze went to her.
There were only ten times, but all ten were vivid.
"Ha."
Walter let out a sharp laugh and ran a hand over his face.
Grace Taylor is a dangerous person. He had to be prepared to be cut himself if he tried to hold her and wield her.
It was when he was trying to push her out of his mind.
"……."
Joseph's hands, which had been carefully selecting and arranging flowers from a distance, also stopped abruptly.
The two men simultaneously stared in the same direction and held their breath. They felt a strange presence in the Chandelier Room.
A presence that was large and heavy for a woman.
Joseph approached silently and asked.
"What should we do?"
Walter stared at the door and answered quickly.
"Check it out."
At the owner's command, Joseph headed for the door. Ready to fight if necessary, he quietly sensed the presence beyond the door and then opened it suddenly.
The moment the door burst open, Joseph's eyebrows twitched.
A tall man was standing just one step away from the door. He was staring intently at Joseph, who had opened the door and entered. Just as Joseph had sensed his presence, the man had also sensed Joseph's presence and was waiting.
A handsome man with a lithe impression, with curly silver hair and eyes as red as blood.
Joseph quickly checked for weapons and asked.
"Who are you?"
Then he drew back his lips, as red as his eyes, and smiled, retorting languidly.
"What if I told you who I am?"
Oh, where have I heard that before?
At that moment, Walter, who had been watching their confrontation, stood up. As he stood up, the red gaze that had been directed at Joseph turned to Walter.
Walter fully revealed his presence and walked towards the man.
An assassin? No.
A spy of the Marquis? No.
As Joseph stepped aside, Walter crossed the threshold. But the man did not step back. Rather, he stared at him with a gaze that seemed to dare to test him.
Walter, staring intently into the red eyes, asked in a low voice.
"Did Grace call you?"
