Your Grace, It Was a Mistake! - Chapter 28

“Hmm.”

Standing beside me, the Grand Duke let out a low hum and spoke.

“They say spirits reflect the traits of their contractors. In this case, it is reflecting the fact that Vivian is like a rabbit.”

” ”

I shot him a glare before replying.

“I haven’t made a contract yet.”

“You will soon.”

The Grand Duke smirked. As if his words were a trigger, the spirit finally began to move. It circled around me before gently landing on my open palms. Perhaps because it was made of water, the sensation was exactly like touching a liquid.

‘Did it really choose me?’

I asked myself and poked the spirit with my index finger. The spirit shivered as if tickled and began hopping up and down on my palm. It really did look like a rabbit. It almost felt like it was teasing me.

‘This little guy; I don’t like it.’

Do I really have to contract with this thing? As I stared at the spirit in agony, its rabbit-like ears tilted to the side. It looked as if it were asking, ‘Why?’

“Hmm,” I hummed, eyeing the spirit before asking, “Did you really choose me?”

In response, the rabbit ears folded slightly and the spirit hopped about. It seemed to be an affirmative answer.

“Then why did you push me into the lake earlier? I almost caught a cold.”

“!”

The spirit flinched violently and let its two ears droop low. Could this be a sign of apology? The spirit wiggled timidly, looking like it wanted to explain something to me. However, since I wasn’t its contractor yet, I couldn’t hear its voice.

‘I suppose I have to make the contract.’

Even though I wasn’t thrilled because it was a bit of a cheeky brat. I scanned my surroundings. Everyone present was focused on me. Among them was Viscount Sudley, looking incredibly serious. The Crown Prince was there too, looking as if he found the whole thing entertaining.

‘Hmm.’

Thinking about those two—who felt somewhat ominous—and the many others who surely harbored various thoughts about me, I decided it was best to proceed.

‘I’ll have to study spirit arts, but I already have the basic knowledge!’

I gently stroked the spirit’s head—or what appeared to be its head. At that, the dejected spirit flinched. Its perked-up ears twitched busily. It seemed full of anticipation. Seeing that made it look a bit cute, and I couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.

Stroking the spirit, I said, “I’ll contract with you.”

“!!”

The spirit began to bounce around in joy. Looking closely, it behaved more like a dog than a rabbit. I mean, its actions did.

‘Does it like me?’

A small droplet of water popped out from the spirit’s body. The droplet transformed into the shape of a ring and slipped onto the ring finger of my right hand. The ring hardened like transparent ice, and the spirit floated into the air before disappearing into the ring.

As I stared at the ring with wide eyes, a sound like a whisper carried on the wind reached me.

‘This ring is a spirit stone I created.’

I blinked blankly. Was the spirit speaking to me right now?

‘Wait, it sounds like my own voice?’

Then, as if reading my mind, the spirit answered.

‘It’s not strange. Spirits take after the voice of their contractor.’

Ah, I see; no, wait a minute.

‘Don’t tell me you can read my thoughts too?’

‘Yes. A spirit can read the contractor’s thoughts and even look into their memories.’

‘What?!’

I was horrified. Hey, that’s an invasion of privacy! My past “dark history” began to float through my mind; things like my novel, The Empire’s Only Grand Duke is My Lover?!, or all the embarrassing descriptions in it, or the times I giggled while fantasizing about dating the Grand Duke!

“Aaaaack!”

“Vivian?!”

Startled by my sudden scream, the Grand Duke caught me. I looked at him, nearly in tears.

“Grand Duke”

“Vivian, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“This, this privacy-invading spirit!”

“?!”

I tried desperately to pull the ring off my finger. However, the ring wouldn’t budge an inch!

“Vivian, what is it?”

“This is a fraudulent contract!”

‘Ma, Master! Calm down!’

The spirit tried to stop me with a panicked voice. When I continued to try and pull the ring off, the spirit hurriedly added:

‘I won’t do anything you dislike. I mean it. I promise.’

” ”

I paused and looked at the ring.

‘Really?’

‘Yes, really, Master,’ the spirit replied in a flattering tone.

But since it was my own voice, it felt incredibly strange.

‘I can only talk to you like this when I’m inside the ring.’

‘I, is that so?’

‘Yes, the ring acts as the medium that connects you and me. Once I leave the ring and come outside, this kind of conversation is impossible.’

‘I see’

I stared down at the ring and let out a deep sigh. It felt like things had become a bit—no, very—troublesome, but since the contract was already made, there was no way to undo it.

‘So I’m your contractor now?’

‘Yes, Master. When you need me, just call my name out loud.’

‘What is your name?’

‘My name is Undine.’

‘Undine; I see. Take care of me, Undine.’

‘I, likewise’

The spirit seemed shy.

‘Take care of me, Master.’

Being called “Master” felt a bit odd, but regardless, the contract was successfully concluded.

‘Since it promised not to invade my privacy’

Fine; things turned out well, I suppose?

“Congratulations, Vivian!”

At that moment, the Former Grand Duchess gave me a tight hug and offered her congratulations. I felt a bit shy and laughed. I only just realized that all the guests gathered by the lake were looking at me with awe. My family and Marina, however, looked surprised yet very happy.

Marina approached me, took my hands, and spoke with an emotional voice.

“Congratulations, Vivian. I’m so happy for you.”

“Yeah, it’s amazing to me too.”

“Hoo, this will definitely stop people from talking nonsense about you.”

Marina shook her head and whispered low enough so only I could hear.

“I cast a light curse on the people who badmouthed you without anyone knowing; it’s a secret.”

Hehehe; Marina was my friend, but her laugh looked quite scary.

‘As expected, you really shouldn’t make a mage angry!’

“Sister. Is that a spirit stone?”

“Oh? Yes!”

Cassian, who had approached us, showed interest in the stone. Soon, my parents joined in to admire it as well. I received so much praise it made my head spin. I felt once again that making the contract was the right choice.

“As expected, my Vivian is amazing.”

The Grand Duke spoke while gently caressing my cheek, and I looked back at him with a lump in my throat. With this, did I become a little more acknowledged? That I could stand beside the Grand Duke?

‘I can’t handle the spirit perfectly yet, but’

I squeezed the Grand Duke’s hand and spoke in the most serious voice I could muster.

“I’ll work hard so that I can handle this spirit skillfully.”

Perhaps noticing that I was being more serious than usual, the Grand Duke nodded solemnly and replied, “I believe you’ll do great, Vivian. But don’t overdo it.”

I was happy that he understood my heart. Just as I was about to give him a big smile, the Grand Duke’s expression went blank for a moment.

“Whoa?!”

The next second, he suddenly hugged me tightly. It was only for a moment, but it was enough to take my breath away. Releasing me immediately, the Grand Duke rested his forehead against my shoulder and whispered.

“Things will become troublesome in many ways once we go to the capital”

” ”

“I really want to hide you away so I don’t have to show you to anyone.”

Letting out a deep sigh, the Grand Duke stroked my hair and kissed my forehead. I felt so loved that my insides felt ticklish.

‘The capital’

There would surely be many troublesome things.

‘But it’s okay because the Grand Duke is with me.’

I wrapped my arms around his waist. I felt like I could do a good job as the Grand Duke’s fiancée.

The evening party began at six o’clock. Considering the guests would be hungry, the party included a dinner banquet. As a result, the tables were overflowing with all kinds of delicacies.

“Wow”

I let out one exclamation after another looking at the delicious food. I didn’t know much, but the chef of House Glenn had clearly put in a lot of effort.

‘What should I eat first?’

Since I was hungry too, I happily debated which of these delicious dishes to start with.

‘The colors are so beautiful.’

I picked a glossy roasted apple and put it on my plate. Roasted in the oven with butter and sprinkled with cinnamon, it looked delicious.

‘Thank you for the meal.’

After whispering to myself, I cut a small piece of the apple and put it in my mouth. Oh, it was delicious.

‘I’m so happy!’

As I cupped my cheeks with a blissful expression, I heard laughter from the seat next to me. Thinking it was the Grand Duke or Cassian teasing me again, I turned my head with sharp eyes, only to find someone unexpected sitting there.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Hello, Lady Lewis.”

Why is this person here? There was no one around me when I sat down!

‘When did he get here?!’

“You’re eating well. Is that tasty?”

“Ah, yes”

The Crown Prince spoke with a friendly air, and I answered in a somewhat sour voice.

‘Where is the Grand Duke?’

While cutting the apple, I glanced around and saw him talking to a guest in the distance. Judging by their expressions, it seemed like a serious conversation.

‘Grand Duke’

Please come quickly! I prayed fervently in my heart as I ate the apple. Even in this situation, the apple was delicious.

“Choosing fruit as your first dish; your eating habits are like a rabbit’s too, Lady Lewis.”

” ”

But I felt like I was going to get indigestion because of the Crown Prince’s constant talking. Why is this person being so friendly?

‘And calling me a rabbit!’

It’s true that I’m like a rabbit, but the only person allowed to tease me like that is the Grand Duke.

‘It’s annoying when the Crown Prince does it.’

I slowly sliced the apple, subtly showing my discomfort. The Crown Prince didn’t even touch his own food; he just rested his chin on his hand and stared at me.

“Won’t you be hungry if you only eat that? Should I bring you more?”

“What?! No!”

No way; the Crown Prince is offering to be my food shuttle! What kind of crazy talk is this!

“I can get it myself, so don’t worry about it!”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Yes!”

Oh, please. Someone, even Marina, come over. I’m dying of awkwardness.

‘I’ll just finish this quickly and leave.’

I wanted to savor this delicious apple slowly. What a bad Crown Prince.

‘Damn it; is being royalty everything?’

Muttering criticisms in my head that could have me arrested for treason, I finished the apple cleanly. As I hurriedly stood up to escape, the Crown Prince stood up too.

‘Ack!’

Why are you following me! I hurried my steps. Let’s go to where the Grand Duke is! I was worried I might be interrupting his serious conversation, but!

‘I feel like the Crown Prince is doing this on purpose!’

But the moment I almost reached the Grand Duke’s side.

“!”

Someone grabbed my arm firmly.

‘Hiek!’

Thinking it was the Crown Prince, I froze like a deer caught by the neck.

“Oh my.”

But the voice I heard was unexpectedly a very beautiful soprano.

‘Who is it?’

I feel like I’ve heard this voice somewhere? I slowly turned my head. A beautiful lady with honey-blonde hair and golden eyes was smiling at me.

‘Ah, this person!’

I recognized her immediately. After all, there was only one person in the Empire’s high society who radiated such a brilliant light.

“Her Highness Princess Diana!”

“Hello, Lady Lewis. Where are you going in such a hurry?”

The Empire’s only princess, the only daughter whom the Emperor cherished dearly. Princess Diana winked at me as she linked her arm with mine.

“Shall we go to the dance hall for a dance?”

I noticed she was wearing a formal suit with trousers instead of a dress or skirt. I hesitated to answer and glanced back. The Crown Prince, who had been following me, was staring this way with a slightly dissatisfied expression.

“Your answer?”

“Of course.”

Naturally, there was no reason to refuse.

“I’d love to!”

It was clear that Princess Diana had grabbed me to save me from the Crown Prince!

“Hehe, good. Then”

The moment the Princess was about to lead me away.

“That won’t do.”

“!”

The Grand Duke, who had appeared by my side at some point, wrapped his arm around my shoulder and spoke.

“Vivian’s first dance, second dance, and third dance; they’re all mine.”

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