Your Grace, It Was a Mistake! - Chapter 17

Isabel, quickly sensing her husband’s anxiety, flashed a meaningful smile. She set her teacup down and replied.

“It is clear that Vivian likes Knox as well.”

“That is a relief, but still.”

“You never know. She might grow to dislike him later on.”

At Isabel’s ominous remark, Lucas’s eyes widened. His blue eyes, so like his son’s, shook violently.

“That would be a problem.”

“A big problem. So, what should we do?”

“We must hold onto her, for certain. That young lady.”

“That’s my husband. We speak the same language.”

Isabel let out a soft laugh. For the next twenty minutes, the two of them meticulously drafted a plan to keep Vivian tethered to them. They looked like nothing less than a pair of professional swindlers.

However, there was one thing the former Ducal couple overlooked: the fact that their son was a madman who defied all imagination.

“I will hold the engagement ceremony within a week.”

Their son spoke bluntly as he appeared with the young lady in his arms—someone far smaller than his own massive frame. Isabel was once again impressed by her son’s mental fortitude.

He always exceeds expectations. That’s my son!

Lucas sat there, dazed, while Isabel began to egg him on excitedly.

“And? Have you prepared the ring? What about the ceremony?”

“I have already invited Count Lewis and his wife, along with their son. The ring is custom-made and will arrive in three days.”

“Three days? Is that possible?”

“I’ve been preparing it for six months.”

“…”

This time, even Isabel was speechless. Six months? No, exactly how long had this been going on?

“Lennox. I’m asking out of pure curiosity; when did you start having feelings for Vivian?”

“I’ve liked her for five years.”

“What?!”

Isabel shouted in shock, and Lucas stumbled in his seat. The maids carrying freshly brewed tea nearly tripped over their own feet.

“Five years?! No, how? There wasn’t a single sign!”

“Am I required to show signs?”

“Doesn’t it usually happen naturally? Well, yes, I suppose you were never ‘usual’.”

Isabel nodded, murmuring blankly. Lennox let out a disinterested snort at his mother’s reaction, but inside his arms, Vivian squirmed and gripped his collar with her small hands. She looked like a rabbit and acted like one too.

Lennox looked down at her with a gentle smile. Vivian pleaded with teary eyes.

“Please, just put me down!”

How embarrassing to be like this in front of the Dowager Duchess and the former Duke! She grabbed Lennox by the collar and gave him a little shake.

The former Ducal couple stared at Lennox—who was letting out a joyful laugh—with horrified eyes, as if they were looking at a newly discovered magical beast.

What kind of monster is wearing my son’s skin?

For a split second, they truly thought that. Seeing “that” Lennox with such a tender, smiling face. The couple turned their heads simultaneously to look at each other. A silent gaze passed between them. In that moment, they shared the same thought.

We must capture that young lady at all costs.

Meanwhile, Lennox felt like breaking a wall because Vivian was so cute. She was begging him to put her down, but he wanted to keep holding her and make her cry even more. He wanted to wrap her in a blanket and do all sorts of things to her. He lamented the fact that they were currently in the living room with his parents.

“Grand Duke, why won’t you put me down?”

Vivian’s eyes welled with tears. Conflicting emotions swirled in Lennox’s heart. He wanted to soothe her and tell her not to cry, but he also wanted to bully her relentlessly. Struggling with himself, Lennox made a proper compromise with his own greed.

“I’ll put you down. If Vivian calls me by my nickname.”

In other words, it was conditional. Vivian’s face immediately turned into one of perceived injustice. Lennox found her resentful gaze incredibly thrilling. He wished she would look at him with even more resentment.

Vivian stole a glance at the former Ducal couple and hesitated.

“Knox.”

“Hmm? I can’t hear you very well.”

Lennox lowered his head close to hers. Vivian let out a little sob, clenched her fists, and called out again.

“Knox!”

“Good girl. So well-behaved.”

Realizing a moment later that she had shouted too loudly, Vivian’s face turned bright red. Lennox stroked her hair and carefully set her on the floor.

After a moment of being flustered, Vivian regained her composure and greeted them with a trembling voice.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Vivian Lewis.”

She still had the presence of mind to be formal, bowing and bending her knees gracefully. She looked like a porcelain doll, and Isabel’s cheeks flushed as her eyes sparkled.

She really is too cute.

In her mind, a list of “Things I want to do with Vivian” unfolded. Going to dessert shops, shopping, traveling. Just imagining it made her heart flutter.

The problem is my greedy son.

Isabel shot a quick glare at Lennox. He would undoubtedly try to keep Vivian all to himself. Since he possessed monstrous stamina, he might not let Vivian leave the bedroom all day. But Vivian looked as fragile as if she might break if touched.

Isabel thought she would have to give Lennox a stern talking-to. How many times a day was appropriate, how many days a week she needed to rest, and so on.

If I don’t advise him properly, he’ll run that child ragged.

Even now, he looked like he was itching to devour her. It was terrifying to think how wild he would be once they actually started their married life. Isabel stood up, took Vivian’s hand, and pulled her close. When she sat Vivian between herself and Lucas, Lennox’s eyebrows twitched in dissatisfaction.

“Why are you sitting my lover there?”

“I’m trying to save her from you.”

Isabel stuck her tongue out at Lennox to provoke him. It was incredibly childish behavior, but to her husband Lucas, she looked perfectly adorable. It was a filter of love that never faded regardless of time. Lennox looked at his parents—who seemed likely to remain lovey-dovey until their hair turned white—with an exhausted expression.

Vivian, caught between Lucas and Isabel, didn’t know what to do and could only watch the three of them.

“Child, there’s no need to be so nervous.”

“Yes. Make yourself at home.”

Lucas and Isabel coaxed and soothed Vivian from both sides. Soon, a maid brought out a variety of sweet snacks and desserts, and the couple began competing to feed Vivian different things.

“Do you like raspberry jam cookies?”

“Try this biscuit with cream cheese.”

“How do you take your tea? With milk and honey?”

“Just say the word if you want extra cream.”

Sweet cookies and cream were constantly pushed into Vivian’s mouth. Vivian looked dizzy from accepting them so frantically, while the former Ducal couple looked very pleased. They seemed like people desperate to fatten her up.

“If there’s any dessert or dish you want to eat, just say so. I’ll make sure the chef prepares it.”

“Yes, don’t feel pressured and speak freely. You’re so thin, you need to eat a lot.”

“T-thank you.”

Lucas and Isabel’s hands constantly stroked Vivian, while their other hands kept passing her refreshments. Sometimes they even fed her themselves.

Watching this scene, Lennox felt like his insides were boiling.

She’s my Vivian.

He had expected her to be liked by his parents since she was so cute, but he hadn’t imagined it would be to this extent. Petting her like a house rabbit? Lennox felt a sense of rivalry with his parents for the first time in his life. Unable to let this go, he waited for a chance.

“Um, stop, I can’t eat anymore.”

“Oh dear, I suppose we fed you too much.”

Right as Vivian began to feel dazed from all the sugar, Lennox stood up instantly and snatched her away before the couple could react.

“Stop bullying Vivian. I’m taking her to her room so she can rest.”

Isabel’s golden eyes narrowed as she stared at her son’s shameless face.

“You’re the one who shouldn’t bully her. It’s clear as day what you’ll do once you get to the bedroom.”

Vivian’s face turned bright red at those words, and Lucas let out a small cough.

“What exactly do you think I’ll do? I won’t cross the line before the wedding. Tonight, I’m just going to bathe her and put her to sleep.”

This time, Vivian’s face turned pale. Lucas and Isabel both looked horrified.

“You’re going to bathe her? Even as my son, that’s just shameless! Right, honey?!”

“Uh, ahem, I see. Don’t bully Vivian too much, Knox.”

As Lucas signaled with a look of regret for them to leave, Lennox scooped Vivian up and fled the living room. Vivian, who hadn’t been able to say a proper goodbye to the couple, looked miserable.

“Grand Duke, please let me maintain my manners, yes?”

“Sorry. I’ll do that next time.”

Adding that his parents wouldn’t mind at all, Lennox hurried up the stairs. He was desperate to be alone with Vivian immediately. He reached the bedroom at lightning speed. A satisfied smile appeared on his face as he leisurely opened the door.

Finally, they were alone.

The bathroom, where hot water flowed continuously, was truly extraordinary. I suppose this is what the Grand Duke’s castle is like. I stared at the bathroom in awe before unwrapping my towel and stepping into the tub.

The bathroom is so huge. The tub is like a lake.

The bathroom, paved with smooth marble tiles, was decorated with fresh flowers here and there. The bathwater was covered in red rose petals and smelled of fresh blossoms.

The water is deep enough to dive and swim.

I tried diving under as a test. The feeling of the warm water wrapping around my body was cozy and pleasant. All my fatigue and tension seemed to melt away.

“Phew.”

I couldn’t stay under for long because I ran out of breath. I sat leaning against the tub and gathered my long hair to one side. Ah, this feels good. I started humming to myself.

“Ah, happiness.”

Click.

Right then, someone opened the bathroom door and walked in. I froze reflexively. No, it couldn’t be.

It’s not the Grand Duke, is it!

“Vivian.”

As they say, “Speak of the devil.” It really was the Grand Duke.

Splash!

The surface of the water swayed violently because I was so startled. I covered my upper body with my arms and stammered.

“W-what are you doing, coming in so suddenly!”

“Ah, should I have knocked?”

The Grand Duke tossed aside his bathrobe carelessly and approached the tub. I was shocked enough to faint, but I couldn’t take my eyes off him. His naked body was unrealistically beautiful.

He looks like a statue carved from marble.

“Can I come in, Vivian?”

He asked with a polite tone. I was enchanted by the spring-flower smile on his face and his gentle voice, so I nodded blankly. When the Grand Duke entered the tub, the water splashed over the edges, and the sound snapped me back to my senses.

Wait. This situation is a bit dangerous.

I tried to quickly escape to a spot far away from him. However, the Grand Duke gently pulled my shoulder and whispered in a seductive voice.

“Vivian, come here.”

He carefully pulled me into his arms. I could feel every bit of his skin against mine. I kept my mouth shut and screamed internally.

Aaaah!

The feeling of firm muscles rippling as he moved, the smooth touch of his skin. I felt like I might pass out, so I buried my head and closed my eyes. The Grand Duke let out a low laugh as he stroked my body.

“We’re getting married.”

“We haven’t done it yet, have we?”

“It will happen within a month at the latest.”

That’s really fast. I think we’ll be the first nobles to get married in such a short time. The Grand Duke gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and whispered in a tender voice.

“Vivian. Why are you so cute?”

“…”

Even if you ask me that, I have no answer. I found his sparkling blue eyes overwhelming. When I tried to look away, he made a humming sound.

“Then, shall we start washing for real?”

“Pardon?”

I stared at the Grand Duke with an anxious gaze as he lifted himself slightly. He picked up a nearby bar of soap and smiled brightly.

“I’ll wash you, so stay still.”

“I’ll wash you too, Grand Duke!”

I said it impulsively, feeling like I didn’t want to lose. The Grand Duke’s eyes widened, then he burst into laughter.

“I like that. As much as Vivian wants, however much. Let’s do it.”

And so, I became able to “bully” the Grand Duke as well. But for some reason, it feels like only the Grand Duke is benefiting. Is it just my imagination?

“Thank you, Vivian.”

The Grand Duke gave me a light peck on the lips and smiled. It doesn’t seem to be my imagination. I’ve definitely been hooked again.

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