Your Grace, It Was a Mistake! - Chapter 20

The letter sent by the Grand Chamberlain of Castle Glenn to the Viscounts of Lewis read as follows:

[The Former Grand Duke and Duchess are currently protecting your daughter’s safety, and they wish to discuss the details further at the Grand Ducal Castle.]

That was the gist of it. Consequently, the Lewis family naturally had no idea that Vivian had been “kidnapped” of her own free will.

Cassian stared at his sister with a look of disbelief before shifting his gaze to the Grand Duke. Lennox Glenn wore a beaming smile. While he had at least made an effort to suppress his laughter earlier, he was now openly radiating joy.

‘That son of a’

Cassian took a deep breath, imagining himself landing a punch squarely on that face.

Calm down. First, I have to persuade Sister. Though I never expected she’d be kidnapped by choice.

After steadying his rattling heart, Cassian spoke up.

“Sister. Do you really intend to marry the Grand Duke? It’s impossible. This man will just treat you carelessly and then throw you away.”

These were words meant to hurt her, but he felt that if he didn’t go this far, she wouldn’t wake up to reality. Furthermore, he wanted to prevent the Grand Duke from ever betraying her and leaving her with a massive scar in the future. That was why Cassian chose such harsh words on purpose.

“What is that supposed to mean, prospective brother-in-law?”

However, Lennox Glenn reacted faster than Vivian. The smile vanished from his face, replaced by a terrifying aura.

“I’ll treat Vivian carelessly and throw her away? What kind of bullshit is that?”

He seemed to smirk slightly as he spoke, but it was a smile laced with a chilling frost. Cassian was flustered, his mind racing.

Is this guy serious? Is it not just a light infatuation?

‘That’s’

That felt even worse. If the Grand Duke was sincere, it was certainly a good thing for his sister, but

‘How annoying.’

Damn it. He hated it. He knew it was childish jealousy, but he couldn’t help it. He had worked so hard to protect her; Vivian meant everything to him.

Cassian’s face contorted, appearing both angry and despairing. What made his insides ache even more was the fact that, as the Grand Duke of Glenn, Lennox was someone who could truly protect Vivian from anyone’s reach. That power, the ability to keep her safe, was exactly what the boy had desperately yearned for.

“Young Viscount Lewis. Let me make this clear: I intend to formally marry your sister. I am sincere.”

Lennox drove the point home. In truth, he was exercising a great deal of patience. The only reason he hadn’t lost his temper the moment he heard the “bullshit” about discarding Vivian was that the boy was her brother. Had Cassian Lewis not been her family, Lennox might have slammed him into the floor.

“Is that true? Can you swear it on your life?”

The boy’s lips trembled as he asked. His wounded eyes looked straight at Lennox. After quietly studying the boy’s vivid emerald eyes, Lennox answered firmly.

“My life already belongs to Vivian.”

“ ”

With him going that far, Cassian had no further rebuttal. His shoulders slumped as he stepped back. Though he looked like he had accepted defeat, his gaze toward Lennox remained filled with jealousy and wariness.

Lennox didn’t mind. In fact, he liked it. It meant Vivian’s brother wasn’t a coward.

‘Yes, a man should be at least this much to be my brother-in-law.’

Had he mentioned he was honing his swordsmanship? Perhaps he could look over the boy’s training; though he’d have to push him quite hard since he was Vivian’s brother.

Unaware that his prospective brother-in-law was already drafting a terrifying training regimen in his head, a dejected Cassian retreated to stand beside his parents.

The Former Grand Ducal couple, who had been spectating until then, noticed Valter’s piercing “Please, do something” stare. They cleared their throats awkwardly.

“Ahem”

“Cough. It seems things have settled down. Guests? Why don’t you all take a seat?”

Thus, the party from the Viscountcy sat side-by-side on a long sofa. Since it was the first meeting between the two families, it was essentially an introductory meeting for the marriage, but the atmosphere was far from pleasant.

In the chilly silence, maids brought out refreshments. Even then, Lennox and Vivian, seated next to the Former Grand Ducal couple, were tightly holding each other’s hands. Cassian’s expression crumpled at the nauseating sight. Marina, Vivian’s best friend, looked as if she had reached a state of nirvana.

“I apologize for the late introduction. I am Damon Lewis. This is my wife, Annetta, and next to her is my eldest son, Cassian.”

Viscount Lewis was the first to speak. The Viscountess followed with a brief greeting, and Cassian offered a very polite bow.

“And this young lady is”

“I am Marina Martins. I’m Vivian’s childhood friend.”

Marina took over the Viscount’s introduction with a bright smile. Isabelle, the Former Grand Duchess, looked at Marina with interest.

“Is Miss Martins a mage?”

“Yes. As expected, the Grand Duchess noticed.”

“I am an elementalist. We are sensitive to the flow of mana.”

Isabelle was an outstanding elementalist, ranked among the top five in the Empire. Her golden eyes narrowed as she observed Marina.

“It wasn’t Miss Martins who was instigated by Asmode, the Crown Prince. I don’t feel any traces of black mana.”

“Yes. I have accompanied them to prove that the Lewis family and I were merely used in that matter and are innocent.”

Even in front of Isabelle, an Imperial Princess and Former Grand Duchess, Marina carried herself with considerable composure. At least, on the surface.

‘Ugh, I’m so nervous I could die.’

On the inside, Marina was a bundle of nerves. Unaware of this, Isabelle found Marina’s boldness quite likable.

‘Vivian has good taste in friends.’

As expected, her prospective daughter-in-law was flawless. Cute, lovely, smart; Isabelle, already a doting mother-in-law, looked at Vivian with a satisfied gaze.

Witnessing this, Marina and the Lewis family were left blank-faced.

‘Vivian, what on earth did you do here?’

Marina stared at her friend in bewilderment. Vivian was dressed like a princess, radiating a brilliant glow.

‘I thought she’d been gold-plated.’

How the Grand Ducal family viewed Vivian was evident just by her attire.

‘A top-grade red diamond? You can’t even buy those these days, regardless of the price.’

Marina knew Vivian was cute, she was her childhood friend, after all, but she hadn’t realized she was “bring-down-a-Grand-Ducal-House” cute.

Marina surreptitiously observed the silver-haired Grand Duke. Regardless of the conversation, his blue eyes were practically dripping with honey as he remained busy staring at Vivian.

‘Wow, Vivian, seriously.’

Marina was impressed.

‘She’s the ultimate successful fan.’

She was certain of one thing: when this scandal reached the capital, no, the entire Empire, it would cause a massive stir.

There were many women who adored Lennox Glenn. No, correction: quite a few men did as well. Because of that, Marina was worried. How could the innocent, rabbit-like Vivian navigate that path of thorns?

She looked at Vivian with concern, then glanced at the Grand Duke.

‘Hmm, no need to worry.’

She felt a strong conviction. That man would likely hang anyone upside down just for brushing against Vivian. Truly, a madman in love is the most terrifying thing.

‘There’s the downside of having to tame a crazy person, but that’s what Vivian signed up for. Good luck, little rabbit.’

Vivian was seriously pure, but she had a surprisingly firm and sharp side to her; she would manage. Above all, since the Grand Duke was so head-over-heels, there was almost no need for concern.

Relieved, Marina spoke again.

“I have something to show you.”

It was time to properly prove that she and the Lewis family had no connection to the Crown Prince. Marina reached her hand into thin air. In reality, it wasn’t “nothing.”

It was a sub-space existing in a different dimension. About the size of a closet, it was filled with various trinkets Marina used. When she pulled out a document and a small pouch, the Grand Duchess’s eyes sparkled.

“To be skilled enough to create a sub-space at such a young age, that is truly impressive.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Your Grace,” Marina replied humbly.

Isabelle liked even that aspect of Marina. As expected of my daughter-in-law’s friend, she has excellent manners. Isabelle asked with a smile:

“So, what are this document and pouch?”

“Evidence.”

Marina unfolded the document in mid-air and used levitation magic to make the contents of the pouch float.

“This is”

Isabelle’s golden eyes narrowed as she looked between the black orb and the paper floating in the air. The black bead was a small orb designed to hold magic, and the document was a record of research into a specific spell. The problem was that the magic in question

“It’s black magic.”

It was of the unpleasant variety.

“It’s the exact same kind of orb Vivian accidentally touched. Vivian, do you remember this?”

When Marina pointed to the black bead, Vivian nodded. Turning back to the Grand Duchess, Marina said:

“This orb contains a spell called ‘Malice Enchantment.’”

“I know it. A charm that amplifies human malice to its peak, right?”

“Yes. Please look at this document.”

Isabelle shifted her gaze. Looking closely at the records of the research, a familiar name caught her eye.

“Cale Shannon? The mage who is Asmode’s close aide.”

“Yes. He is currently a professor at the Imperial Academy. I attend the Academy as well.”

“Then, was Miss Marina the original target?”

Marina nodded.

“Originally, the intention was likely to use me to harm the Grand Duke, but Vivian opened my bag by mistake”

“I see. That’s how it happened.”

Isabelle and Lucas looked understanding. Meanwhile, Vivian hid her face by sticking close to Lennox’s side. She was embarrassed by her carelessness in opening Marina’s bag without permission.

Patting Vivian’s shoulder, Lennox said, “Don’t let it bother you. It was that bastard Asmode’s doing. You did nothing wrong, Vivian.”

“But”

As Vivian hesitated, Lennox gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Vivian jumped in surprise, blinking rapidly as she checked her surroundings. The Former Grand Ducal couple wore satisfied smiles.

On the other hand, Marina and the Lewis family looked like they had just eaten rotten fruit. Among them, Cassian looked the worst.

The boy spoke with an expression like he had chewed on a bug. “Please refrain from such behavior in public.”

Lennox was not one to comply. He retorted shamelessly, “What’s wrong with a little affection between a couple about to be married?”

“You aren’t married yet!”

Cassian snapped, half-rising from his seat. The Viscountess beside him firmly pressed down on his shoulder. Lennox smirked at the boy as he slumped back down.

“Are you sad because your sister is being taken away? Young Viscount Lewis.”

“I never!”

Cassian snapped again. This time, the Viscountess pushed down on the boy’s head. As Cassian sat back down, trembling with suppressed rage,

Thwack!

A cheerful sound suddenly rang out. Isabelle had landed a heavy blow on the back of Lennox’s head. She smiled elegantly at her prospective in-laws.

“My apologies. My son is quite arrogant.”

The Viscount and his wife blinked in stunned silence before eventually nodding slowly. They thought to themselves: The Former Grand Duchess is certainly extraordinary.

“Um, then, are the charges against our family cleared?” Vivian, who had been sitting quietly, asked softly.

The Former Grand Ducal couple and Lennox looked at her as if she had asked the most obvious question in the world.

“Of course, dear. We never doubted the Lewis family to begin with. This sort of thing has happened more than once or twice”

Isabelle thought of Crown Prince Asmode.

Asmode Bleak Elpidion. He was the Emperor’s only legitimate son, but a nephew who had grown up a bit twisted due to his environment. As a child, Asmode had followed Isabelle, who had taught him and shown him affection, and he held a sense of respect for her.

And toward Lennox,

‘He feels jealousy, yet at the same time, a twisted sort of affection.’

To put it simply, Asmode was a psycho. He would cling to Lennox like a well-trained cat while simultaneously trying to torment him.

‘I really can’t tell what’s going on in Asmode’s head.’

What was certain was that Asmode took great pleasure in bothering Lennox. Perhaps it was his only joy in life?

‘My poor son, he should just ignore it, but he can’t even do that.’

Lennox’s sharp reactions only served to fuel Asmode’s sadistic streaks.

‘Coming to think of it, I’m curious. How will Asmode react when he finds out Lennox has found someone he loves?’

She tried to imagine it, but no plausible scene came to mind.

‘Well, I’ll see for myself.’

Once Lennox and Vivian were engaged, she decided she would follow them to the capital. She planned to stay with them for a while.

‘Hoho, shopping with Vivian, eating delicious food, doing this and that’

Isabelle grew happy just thinking about spending daily life with her cute daughter-in-law.

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