The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 53

Grace bit her lip.

 

She didn’t like seeing Frederick dancing with Valérie, their hands and bodies touching. But she couldn’t stop him. Just because she was his wife didn’t mean she could control all his social interactions.

 

The music began. Frederick and Valérie started to move. After watching them for a moment, Grace turned her back and walked out of the ballroom.

 

Meanwhile, as soon as the dance ended, Frederick began looking for Grace. But she was nowhere to be seen.

 

“Frederick.”

 

“…”

 

“Could we talk for a moment?”

 

Valérie asked with a smile. Frederick felt the urge to say a firm no. He opened his mouth, suppressing the feeling.

 

“Speak.”

 

“Here… doesn’t feel like the right place…”

 

“Just say it.”

 

“Can we step outside? It’ll only take a moment. I promise.”

 

Valérie spoke earnestly. Frederick looked at her silently for a moment, then let out a small sigh through the corner of his lips.

 

“Fine. Follow me.”

 

 

Grace wandered the corridor until she stopped at the terrace.

 

“Whew…”

 

She let out a small sigh as she stood there. She didn’t even understand why she felt this way.

 

“Something about it just feels off…”

 

The image of Frederick with Valérie Houston came to her mind. Was she… jealous? But why?

 

Just because they were once engaged didn’t mean their relationship still had meaning. After all, Frederick had married her.

 

The problem was that Valérie Houston was too beautiful. With her ivory skin and sharply defined features, she was the kind of woman any man would find attractive.

 

“Maybe I’m the weird one…”

 

Blaming herself, Grace rested her chin in her hand and stared straight ahead.

 

At the edge of the garden beyond the terrace, there was a forest. Because it was night, the entrance looked dark. With thick foliage crowding around it, it resembled the open jaws of a beast.

 

“I want to go there.”

 

But it wasn’t the same curiosity that had drawn her to the forest before. This time… it felt like an instinctive pull, a gut feeling.

 

“What is this now…”

 

“Good evening, my lady.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Startled by the sudden clear voice near her ear, she turned around. A young, handsome man with blond hair stood on the terrace, gazing at her.

 

His attire was quite different from the other guests. He wore a single white robe that stretched from his neck to his knees, with a golden bird insignia embroidered on the chest.

 

Who is he? She hadn’t greeted or been introduced to him at the party.

 

“I’m Mikael Rescape. My father, Baron Rescape, once served the Winstaine family. He now serves the Marquess’s house.”

 

“…”

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Duchess Winstaine.”

 

Just as Grace was hesitating whether to introduce herself, Mikael added that line—he already knew who she was.

 

“Your eyes widened. As a guest, how could I not recognize the star of the evening?”

 

“Ah…”

 

He had a point. The entire banquet was held to commemorate her and Frederick’s visit. If he’d been in the ballroom, he might’ve overheard people talking and figured out that she was Frederick’s wife. Grace trailed off, feeling a little embarrassed.

 

“I saw you here on the terrace and thought I’d say hello. Oh, and I’m a priest.”

 

“Ah, I see…”

 

That explained his unusual clothing. Now that she thought about it, it did look similar to what the priest who gave the wedding blessing had worn.

 

“The temple must be quite far… It must’ve been a difficult trip.”

 

“Not at all. It’s been nice seeing familiar faces again.”

 

He smiled with an easy, friendly air.

 

“His Grace was famously unmarried for so long, so I was curious what kind of person his wife would be. I happened to see you out here and thought it was a good chance.”

 

“Are you close with Frederick?”

 

“We had a lot of contact when we were younger. He looked after me quite a bit. I haven’t seen him much since I moved to the capital, though.”

 

So, a childhood friend?

 

She found it hard to imagine Frederick being close with someone this sociable. It didn’t seem like a natural pairing.

 

“How’s life in the territory? The winters are harsh, aren’t they?”

 

“Oh, it’s been fine for me.”

 

“That’s good to hear. I’ve heard people from warmer regions sometimes struggle. Where are you from, if I may ask?”

 

“I’m… from the capital.”

 

Mikael’s eyes widened at her answer.

 

“The capital? Then we lived in the same city. But I don’t think I’ve seen you at any events. May I ask what family you’re from, if that’s okay?”

 

“Ah, I’m from the Reinhardt family.”

 

Should I have said that? Just saying the name of the family that didn’t even feel like her own made her throat sting.

 

“Ah, then… are you the sister of Viscount Benjamin Reinhardt?”

 

“Ah… yes…”

 

The name made her stomach turn. Hearing it from Mikael’s lips made her regret ever mentioning the capital. She should’ve just laughed it off.

 

“I know him a bit, which is why I asked. But I hadn’t heard that he had a sister who married a duke. Were you not active in social circles?”

 

“I was sick a lot as a child… So… I mostly stayed home.”

 

Her voice trembled slightly as she made up the story.

 

“Come to think of it, red hair is a symbol of that family. Haha. I didn’t recognize you, I apologize.”

 

“It’s okay. Red hair isn’t unique to… my family.”

 

“How’s your health these days?”

 

“I’m well now.”

 

Grace felt a little uncomfortable under Mikael’s gaze. His eyes sparkled a bit too much.

 

“There’s something I’d like to ask you, my lady.”

 

“Yes? Please go ahead.”

 

She replied, but she couldn’t help feeling tense, wondering what he would ask.

 

“It’s been a while, Mikael.”

 

Just as Mikael opened his mouth, a familiar voice came from the entrance. Grace and Mikael turned to see Frederick standing at the terrace doorway.

 

“Good evening, Your Grace.”

 

“Looks like you were talking with my wife.”

 

“Yes, we met by chance and were just chatting.”

 

Frederick stepped fully onto the terrace. With the three of them now standing there, the space suddenly felt much smaller.

 

“How’s the temple?”

 

“The same as always. Not much ever changes there. And how are you, Your Grace? I imagine you’re enjoying newlywed life these days.”

 

“No complaints here.”

 

Their conversation flowed naturally, just as Mikael had said they knew each other. After a few more exchanges, Mikael suddenly gave a soft exclamation as if remembering something.

 

“Ah, I think I’ll head back inside. I just remembered someone I need to greet. It was a pleasure seeing you again, Your Grace. And a pleasure meeting you, my lady.”

 

“Right. Let’s meet again sometime.”

 

Didn’t he say he had something to ask me?

 

Before Grace could voice her question, Mikael quickly disappeared. Once he was gone, Frederick’s gaze turned to her.

 

“Did Mikael say anything strange?”

 

“No, he just introduced himself… and asked how life in the North has been.”

 

She considered mentioning that he’d said he had a question, but she thought better of it. She didn’t want to make Frederick suspicious for no reason.

 

“Are you two close?”

 

“We spent some time together when we were younger. Haven’t seen him much since he became a priest. He’s so outgoing that conversation with him just flows.”

 

“I see…”

 

I wonder what he wanted to ask… She couldn’t help but feel that Mikael had left because of Frederick.

 

“How was the party? You disappeared all of a sudden.”

 

“Ah… I just stepped out for some fresh air.”

 

That young lady… Did you finish dancing with her?

 

Grace wanted to ask but held back. She felt silly being jealous over a formal social dance, and it didn’t seem right to bring it up after he’d come to find her.

 

“Did you get to speak with some people?”

 

“Yes. Just introductions, mostly…”

 

“You danced quite well earlier.”

 

Frederick’s voice had a faint trace of amusement.

 

“Ah… Well, that’s because you taught me well. You assigned me a good teacher…”

 

Grace mumbled and looked away, flustered.

 

“It gets cold at night if you stay out too long. And your dress is thin.”

 

“…”

 

“Let’s go back in.”

 

Frederick held out his hand. Grace took it, and together, they returned inside.