Your Grace, It Was a Mistake! - Chapter 13

“You’re the knight from the hunting competition!”

“Haha, yes. That’s right. I’m honored you remember me.”

The knight smiled shyly as he handed out tea to the others. Looking closely, he had a very handsome face. The fact that I had forgotten someone like him must mean I was completely mesmerized by the Grand Duke.

‘The hunting competition seven years ago, it’s been a long time.’

Back then, as a fourteen-year-old, I had made a decorative ribbon to give to someone I liked, as noble girls often did. Naturally, the person I wanted to give it to was the Grand Duke. Back then, having just fallen for him, I was even more sincere than I am now.

My mouth felt bitter thinking about my past self, who dreamed of a ‘real’ romance with him.

‘That ribbon was never delivered, though.’

It was the first one I’d ever made, and it was terrible. I had been hanging my head, unable to dare offer such an ugly thing to the Grand Duke, when this blonde knight politely asked if he could have it instead.

‘Back then, I felt strangely comforted.’

Comforted that my feelings hadn’t just been thrown away, perhaps?

“Um, My Lady… the meat is done.”

“Ah.”

I must have been staring too intently while lost in thought. The knight cleared his throat awkwardly and handed me a skewer. I took it with a bashful smile.

‘Is it lamb?’

It smelled like it. The spices seemed to have masked most of the gamey scent, though. I took a bite of the golden-brown, warm meat. The savory flavor and the aroma of spices filled my mouth.

‘Delicious!’

I inhaled the skewer in no time. It was a bit embarrassing to see the other four people watching me eat with such satisfied expressions.

“My Lady, try some of these roasted vegetables too.” “There are potatoes here as well.” “I boiled some chicken broth; would you like some?” “How about some seasoned grilled beef?”

The four of them vied for my attention, offering food. It was as if they were in a competition to see who could fatten me up the most.

You people…! I am not a hamster that just stuffs its cheeks with whatever it’s given!

“Oh, this is really good.” “Isn’t it? Have some warm broth too.” “Ha, that’s refreshing…” “The seasoning soaked into the meat well, didn’t it?” “Yes, it’s delicious!” “The potatoes are great too.” “I agree! So, savory!”

…Actually, maybe I am a hamster.

By the time we finished our meal in that warm atmosphere, the dark clouds had scattered, and the sun was peeking out. The group packed up the tent and belongings and returned to where the carriage was. The carriage was in a pitiful state sunk so deep into the mud it looked like it might stay there forever.

‘If we hadn’t taken shelter, we would have turned into fossils along with the carriage.’

“We need to get the wheels out before the mud hardens.” “Agreed. If we pull the wheels out and lift it, we should be able to manage…”

The knight and the coachman inspected the carriage and rolled up their sleeves.

“One, two, three!”

Fortunately, both were incredibly strong, so pulling the wheels out wasn’t a problem. Baron Harris helped by pushing from behind, and the wheels rolled forward onto the ground that had begun to firm up. They parked the carriage where the ground was driest and waited for the sunlight to dry the rest of the mud.

An hour or two later, the sky was completely clear, the moisture had evaporated under the hot sun, and the road had hardened.

“Shall we head out now? My Lady, Emma, and Baron, please board carefully.”

After giving the hardworking horses water and feed, the coachman spoke. I boarded the carriage with Baron Harris and Emma. Luckily, no rain had leaked inside, so the interior was quite pleasant. Soon, with a shout of “Hyah!”, we were off. The horses let out a disgruntled neigh, making me feel that we needed to find an inn soon to let them rest.

Although we were only half a day away from the estate, everyone agreed with the coachman’s suggestion to stay at a nearby inn for the night. It was a dark, freezing night. Fortunately, the inn was clean and well-kept. I washed up in the double room I shared with Emma, changed into clean clothes, and went to bed. I must have been exhausted because I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep instantly.

When I woke up, my body felt heavy, but it was manageable.

“Shall we go down for breakfast, My Lady?” “Yes.”

I washed my face thoroughly, brushed my hair with a silver comb, and tied it with a green ribbon. When I went down to the first floor, I saw the group already seated. Walking toward them with Emma, I froze when I noticed two additional people.

‘Huh…?’

One of them was a familiar face. Why was he here?

“Uncle?” “Oh! You’re here, Vivian!”

It was none other than Uncle Benjamin, my father’s younger brother.

“I didn’t expect to see you here. Are you traveling too, Uncle?”

I glanced at the man sitting next to him. He looked to be in his mid-twenties. When our eyes met, he gave me a sleazy smirk.

Ugh. Gross.

I almost scowled but managed to keep my face neutral.

“Vivian, wait a moment!”

As I tried to sit down, Uncle suddenly grabbed my shoulder and led me to a different table.

“Here, sit here.” “Uncle?”

Before I could ask, what he was doing, the man approached leisurely and sat across from me.

‘…?’

I had a bad feeling about this. Sure enough.

“Vivian, this young man is Viscount Alvin. Greet him.”

As if arranging a blind date, Uncle urged me to introduce myself with a beaming smile.

‘What is this… an arranged meeting?’

I was so dumbfounded I was speechless. To force a noble lady on her way to recuperate at her estate into a sudden blind date? There was no way my father would have allowed such an absurd meeting; Uncle must have done this on his own.

‘Did he already hear rumors about me and the Grand Duke somewhere?’

If not, he might have simply heard I was heading down to the estate. Regardless, it was an offensive situation. To force a formal meeting without any etiquette in the middle of a grueling journey?

‘Uncle, you’re really… hopeless.’

I knew he was trouble, but this was a new low. I planned to write to my father as soon as I reached the estate to report him.

“A pleasure to meet you, Lady Lewis. I am Scott Alvin.”

Since I remained silent, Viscount Alvin took the lead. I didn’t answer immediately but observed him. He had slightly curly light brown hair, grey eyes, and a decent appearance, but his expression was somehow shifty. He was absolutely not my type.

‘This man must be out of his mind to agree to a blind date in an inn like this…’

I spoke with a tepid expression. “I’m Vivian Lewis.” “Haha, no need to be so nervous.”

I’m not nervous. I just don’t like you.

“You’re as beautiful as I heard. It’s okay if I call you Vivian, right? Or should I use a nickname? Vivi? Viv? Anna? Which do you prefer?” “Excuse me?”

Is he insane?

“Um, for a first meeting, names or nicknames are a bit—” “Vivian, you can just call me Scott.”

The man winked. I was so stunned my jaw literally dropped.

‘Should I be relieved he didn’t use a nickname?’

If he had, I’m sure I would have felt like bugs were crawling all over me. Viscount Alvin crossed his legs and spoke boastfully.

“Actually, a gold mine was discovered on my estate recently. So, I’m quite wealthy.”

I only stared at him without replying. I detested people who bragged about money from the very first meeting.

‘Even if our family’s power has waned… isn’t this too much, Uncle?’

I glared at Uncle, but he feigned ignorance. Wow, this man… I should have known since he gambled away his fortune. Truly hopeless.

“Marrying me will definitely be to your advantage. You want to wear fancy, sophisticated clothes instead of that old dress, don’t you? It’s obvious you’re from a poor family and can’t groom yourself well. But if you marry me.”

“Stop! I can’t listen to another word!”

I couldn’t take it anymore and stood up abruptly. A cup on the table caught my eye. I picked it up and splashed the water right into Viscount Alvin’s face.

Splash!

Water dripped from the Viscount’s frozen face. I spoke in a deliberately angry tone.

“No matter how poor the Lewis family is, we aren’t at the point of begging someone like you.”

A cold silence fell over the bustling inn hall. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me.

‘Ugh… how embarrassing to do this in front of everyone!’

I wanted to run up to my room and hide immediately, but I had to say my piece. How much did they look down on my house and my family to think they could pull a stunt like this in an inn, act so rudely, and openly mock us for being poor? I was so upset I started to tear up.

“The one who wants to beg you is my uncle! Did you gamble everything away again, Uncle?!” “Wh-wh-what? Vivian, you—” “Uncle, how could you? Are you selling your niece because you’re broke?” “Why, you little girl!”

Red-faced, Uncle stood up to approach me, but—

Thud!

Viscount Alvin suddenly slammed the table and stood up. I flinched. Everything that happened next seemed to play out in slow motion. As an escort knight rushed toward the Viscount’s back, and as the Viscount’s hand was about to strike me—I squeezed my eyes shut.

“…?”

I huddled, expecting the pain of an impact, but strangely, I felt nothing.

‘What…?’

I cautiously peeked through one eye. Viscount Alvin was nowhere to be seen. Blinking blankly, I turned my head at the sound of a groan. The sight that met my eyes left me horizontal with shock. A tall man had pinned the Viscount against the wall and was strangling him.

But wait.

“Uh…?”

That back looked familiar. ‘No way.’

I staggered, unable to believe it. ‘Am I dead?’ Or is this a dream? I pinched my cheek, but the Viscount’s agonized groans were very real.

“Ack, gack, ugh…!”

Then, two knights burst through the inn door, shouting frantically.

“Ack! Crazy! Your Grace Lennox!” “Your Grace! He’s going to die at this rate!”

The title ‘Your Grace’ far too heavy to be echoing in an inn like this seemed to freeze the very air.

“Gack, h-huuugh…” “Your Grace! He’s dying!” “Damn it, he’s been quiet lately, why is he doing this again?!”

The knights struggled to pry ‘his’ arm off the Viscount, but they were powerless. I walked toward them in a daze and called out to ‘that person’ in a trembling voice. The only person in the entire continent, in this world, allowed that title.

“Grand Duke…?”

Flinch. Reacting to my voice, the Grand Duke finally looked back at me. His face was so terrifying I couldn’t believe he was the same man who had smiled so kindly at me.

Slide—.

Released from the Grand Duke’s grip, the Viscount slid to the floor. He seemed to have lost consciousness, but fortunately, he didn’t look dead. I looked at the Grand Duke again.

‘What should I say?’

My lips moved, but no sound came out. My mind went blank. The Grand Duke’s cold blue eyes were fixed on me. Meeting that gaze sent a chill down my spine. I took a step back instinctively. Immediately, the Grand Duke lunged and grabbed me.

“H-ah?.”

I swallowed a scream and shrugged my shoulders; the Grand Duke’s grip on me softened slightly. I looked up, trembling. He was looking down at me from very close range. He slowly raised his hand and gently caressed my cheek, as if confirming I was really there.

“Grand Duke…” I managed to whisper. It was unnerving that he just kept watching me in silence. Should I say something? As I hesitated, the Grand Duke leaned in and whispered in my ear.

“Vivian, I am going to kidnap you now.”

“…Excuse me?”

What did he just… While I stared at him with wide eyes, the Grand Duke gave a crooked smile. His blue eyes shifted. The moment I saw that look, I felt a sharp sense of déjà vu.

‘…The look of someone who’s lost it!’

It was the look he had when he wasn’t in his right mind!

“Grand— Eek!”

Before I could say anything, he swept me up into his arms. I could only kick my feet, trapped in his embrace. I heard my escort knight shout, “My Lady!”

“Your Grace! What on earth—!” “Wow, incredible. This is a total disaster.”

The two knights from the Grand Duke’s household followed. The Grand Duke ignored them as if they were ghosts and asked only me:

“Vivian, do you want me to kidnap you?” “What? W-wait, I’m so confused—” “Answer with only ‘yes’ or ‘no’.”

He didn’t set me down but pulled me tightly against his chest. I had to tilt my head back sharply to look up at him. My hands were pressed against his chest, and his sky-blue eyes were trapping me, demanding an answer.

“I…”

I could hear Emma and the escort knight calling from nearby. I ignored their shouts, blinked blankly, and—

“Yes…”

—I ended up answering.

The corners of the Grand Duke’s mouth curled into a long smile. His eyes curved like crescent moons, and his face lit up brilliantly. He hugged me tight, looking delighted to have heard the answer he wanted. While holding me, he turned to his two knights and commanded:

“You two handle that bastard.” “…” “I’m going to crush his family too, so get all his personal information.”

It was a chilling voice that radiated coldness. Yet, the face he turned back to me was nothing but sweet.

“He’s a literal tyrant, seriously…” I heard one of his knights mutter.

Regardless, the Grand Duke smiled brightly at me. “Shall we go, then? Vivian?” “Yes!”

As I gave a timid nod, he kissed my forehead. Soon, with a mysterious vibration, my vision began to shimmer like a heat haze, and I lost consciousness.

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