Your Grace, It Was a Mistake! - Chapter 29

The Grand Duke pulled me into his embrace. Looking up at him, I felt my heart thumping wildly. Was it because of the light from the chandeliers? Today, he looked even more dazzling than usual. It felt just like that moment when I was fourteen, the day I fell for him at first sight.

“To think you’d keep Lady Lewis all to yourself, you really are greedy, Lennox,” Princess Diana said with a dissatisfied pout.

Regardless, the Grand Duke wrapped his arms tightly around me and refused to let go. He even went as far as to kiss my forehead, as if marking me as his own!

‘Should I do something too?’

Since he was making a gesture like that, I felt like I had to reciprocate. As I glanced up at him, I heard a laugh from beside us. I turned toward the sound; it was the Second Prince, Israphel.

‘He was here, too.’

Like the Crown Prince, he was a handsome man with black hair and golden eyes. However, he wore his hair long and had a much sharper impression. The Second Prince smiled at the Grand Duke and spoke.

“Your displays of affection are quite bold in such a crowded place, Lennox. I didn’t know you had that side to you, Brother.”

‘Brother?’

I blinked at the title before quickly remembering. The Second Prince was one year younger than the Grand Duke, after all.

‘But were they on such close terms?’

“What’s wrong with kissing my fiancée? Stop meddling needlessly,” the Grand Duke retorted coldly. The Second Prince wore an “I expected as much” expression, seemingly used to his chilly attitude.

I nodded slightly to myself. ‘Yes, this feels like exactly the kind of relationship they have.’ The Second Prince clinging to him like a puppy, and the Grand Duke sending him looks that say “Get lost.” ‘And then occasionally hanging out with him half heartedly.’ That was their dynamic.

‘Among the ladies who fangirl over the Grand Duke, there were a few who shipped him with the Second Prince, too.’ I wasn’t interested in concepts like “top” or “bottom,” so I didn’t know much about that. ‘And sometimes they throw the Crown Prince into the mix.’ I remember the ladies loved it, saying the unstable, rough feeling and the sense of immorality were the best. ‘Not my taste, though!’

“What do you like about Lennox, Lady Lewis?” Israphel asked me suddenly. The nuance of the question was a bit like “What do you see in a guy like this?” but I answered without hesitation.

“The Grand Duke is handsome.”

“Aha, so you only like him for his face?”

“Pardon? No. I love his gentle voice and his gaze, too.”

“Who is gentle?” the Second Prince asked as if he couldn’t believe his ears.

I replied, puzzled, “The Grand Duke, of course!”

“I guess Lennox is only gentle with Lady Lewis?” There was something strange about the way Israphel said that. Was that why? I instinctively felt a sense of wariness. This man, surely he doesn’t actually like him, does he?

‘No way.’ If my romantic rival was the Second Prince, that would be insane! ‘Wait, there’s also Princess Eunice, right?!’ I had no idea if Princess Eunice had given up on marrying the Grand Duke. If I asked him, would he tell me?

As I stole a glance at the Grand Duke, he gave a small smile as if asking what was wrong. I shook my head and smiled back. “It’s nothing.”

He let out a low hum. “If something is bothering you, tell me.”

“Um, no, I was just wondering when I could have our first dance, Grand Duke.”

“I see.” Was that enough of an answer? With a tender smile, the Grand Duke held out his hand. “Then, may I request a dance? My Lady.”

“Of course, I’d love to,” I replied with a shy smile. I felt as excited as if I were attending my very first ball.

‘I feel bad for Princess Diana, though.’ I glanced at the Princess with an apologetic heart, but when our eyes met, she gave me a reassuring smile as if to say it was okay. ‘Thank goodness.’ I was relieved. She was beautiful and seemingly kind hearted. ‘She’s the polar opposite of the Crown Prince!’

The moment I thought that, the Crown Prince came into view. He was standing a short distance away with his arms crossed, watching me with a smile. His face remained impossible to read.

“Ah, this is a song Vivian likes.” I turned back to the Grand Duke at the sound of his voice. Listening closely, it really was a song I loved.

‘How does he know my favorite song?’ I had never mentioned it. As I looked at him questioningly, he smirked as if reading my mind.

“I’ve had everything regarding Vivian investigated.”

“I, Investigated?” Is that like a background check! Since when?! I stared at him in shock.

He gave a nonchalant shrug. “This much is basic.”

“It’s basic?” I don’t think so.

“Because I need to know everything Vivian likes and dislikes.” As he spoke, he gave a soft smile, but for some reason, I felt a chill. ‘It feels like he knows everything, even the secrets I want to hide.’ That kind of feeling.

‘N, No! That’s impossible!’ No matter how great he was, there was no way he could know the secrets I’d kept tightly hidden. ‘Yes, let’s set aside the excessive suspicion!’

As I tried to shake off the thoughts, his voice continued. “I want to keep getting to know a lot more about Vivian in the future.” Mixed with the string quartet, his voice sounded almost like a song. “For example, where you are most sensitive.”

“?”

“What I should do to make you happy.”

It took me a moment to process his words, and when I did, I was horrified. What kind of dangerous things are you saying! We are in a banquet hall! When I looked at him in disbelief, he gave a beautiful smile. His blue eyes sparkled between his crescent shaped lids.

Ah, trying to smooth things over with your beauty again!

“Grand Duke, is being handsome everything?”

“Hmm?”

“That’s right, being handsome is everything. Only for you, of course.”

The Grand Duke burst into laughter seeing me ask and answer my own question. His laughter echoed through the hall. Mmm, what a beautiful sound, like rolling jade beads.

‘Fine, I’ll forgive you since you’re pretty.’ I closed my eyes and nodded to myself.

Soon after, the waltz began. We took each other’s hands, placed our hands on each other’s waist and shoulder, and began to step.

“Hmm, your dancing has improved, Vivian?”

“Hasn’t it?” I lifted my head proudly.

“It has. You’ve only stepped on my feet five times since we started.”

Darn it. As I was about to tear up from embarrassment, he spoke magnanimously. “My feet are sturdy, so step on them as much as you like. It’s okay.”

I couldn’t tell if he was teasing or comforting me. I glared at him and said, “I’m definitely wearing high heels next time.”

“Oh dear, then you won’t be able to walk at all. You’re always tripping, Vivian.”

I found the Grand Duke, who was giggling after teasing me, very annoying. But because his face was literally glowing, the anger in my heart vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Ah, really.

‘Grand Duke, that’s cheating.’ I look decent enough, but your beauty is through the roof! ‘It’s unfair that you can use beauty attacks and I can’t!’

Sob, why am I in the weak position? A rabbit? Yes, like a rabbit. ‘To think I’m a rabbit.’

The wolf, the Grand Duke, who was smiling at me with satisfaction, was overflowing with the composure of a predator. His hand swept up from my waist to my shoulder blades. I flinched and bit my lip.

“G, Grand Duke, don’t do that.” My heart was thumping from the strange sensation.

“Hmm? Do what?” But he feigned innocence, and this time, he began to tap down my spine one by one as if playing the piano.

“Hiek!” Every spot his fingertips touched sent a strange shiver through me. What is this, I must be crazy. ‘Why do I keep getting these strange feelings? What am I supposed to do?’

My insides felt ticklish yet anxious. Something was missing, but I didn’t know how to fill it.

“Grand Duke.” My voice came out piteously as I called him. As I looked at him with teary eyes, he suddenly stiffened and clenched his jaw. His blue eyes seemed to darken.

“Eek!”

The next moment, he scooped me up into his arms. I flustered at the sudden situation. “G, Grand Duke?”

“Let’s go up.”

“Pardon?”

“We’ve shown our faces enough at the reception. Now let’s be alone.”

Truly like a storm, he left the banquet hall and carried me up the stairs. I had never seen anyone climb stairs so fast in my life. In an instant, we reached his room and he opened the door.

As we stepped inside, a wave of warm air hit us; the servants must have lit the fireplace. Added to that was the faint scent of lavender. ‘The scent I often smelled from him.’ That’s right, this was his room!

“Vivian.” Setting me down on the bed, he pulled me into his arms and kissed my cheek. As he naturally laid me down, the fabric of my dress rustled and crinkled.

Holding me from above, he slid his hand down my wrist, removed my lace gloves, and interlaced his fingers with mine. With his other hand, he stroked from my cheek down to my neck, wearing a somewhat dangerous smile. I trembled, feeling goosebumps.

“Just a little.”

“I’m going to devour you, Vivian.”

Then, his lips overlapped mine. I flinched and gripped his shoulders tight. My other hand was held firmly by him, so I couldn’t move it.

“Mmph.” Heat and moisture mingled. A tingling sensation traveled to my fingertips and toes. He caressed my collarbone with his thumb. The top of my disheveled dress was starting to slip off.

Pulling his lips away, he hugged me tight and sucked on my neck. It felt slightly stinging yet electric. In that way, the Grand Duke left marks here and there on my skin.

“Huu, haaa.” I felt like I was truly being devoured and was catching my breath when I realized he had sat up and was staring down at me.

“?” Wondering what he was doing, I saw a satisfied smile on his face. As I blinked blankly, I realized with horror that the top of my dress was barely hanging off my shoulders. If someone were to walk in right now!

“G, Grand Duke, stop now, that’s enough for today!”

“For today?” He repeated my words in a strange voice, and I let my words trail off. He took a handful of my hair, kissed it, and gave a wide, refreshing smile.

“Then I’ll look forward to tomorrow.”

I was a little scared of tomorrow coming.

After that happened, I was shocked while fixing my clothes in the large mirror in his room. From my neck down to my collarbone, there were red marks left all over! And they were so vivid!

My face turned bright red and I covered my neck with both hands. H, How am I supposed to leave like this?

“Vivian? Why? What’s wrong?”

“Grand Duke.” I turned back to him piteously, and he came over and pulled my hands down.

“Hmm.” He stared at me intently as if admiring a masterpiece and said, “Good, I like it.”

“Pardon?”

“You’ll need clothes with a high neck, right? I’ll call a maid and have her prepare them.”

“??” No, wait. What do you mean you like it?! I questioned him persistently, but he maintained a stance of feigned ignorance.

I changed my clothes with the help of a maid while trembling. She seemed a bit surprised when she saw the marks on my skin, but she calmly helped me dress.

“It’s finished.” Once my disheveled hair was neatly braided and pinned up, the grooming was done. The apricot colored dress was an elegant design of silk with lace overlays, and the ribbon in my hair was a deep pink. It draped naturally down to my shoulders, fluttering whenever I moved.

I was still fuming over his actions, but I liked how the maid had made me look. ‘The maids of the house have great skills.’ I stood up and turned back to the Grand Duke, and he spoke after watching me silently.

“I went through the trouble of dressing you so beautifully; why do I feel like taking it off, Vivian?”

I had to clench my fists to keep from hitting him like he was a body pillow in my room.

For the two days following the engagement ceremony, I suffered from his antics, and when I couldn’t take it anymore and told the Great Duchess, he got a beating.

And on the third day, the preparations to return to the capital were finally complete. All the luggage was loaded, and nothing was left behind; the carriage would depart as soon as we boarded.

‘Finally going to the capital.’ For some reason, I felt a bit excited yet unsettled. Because I know all too well what awaits me there!

‘The massive spotlight of high society!’ The hyena like socialites would approach me and attempt their subtle sarcasm. ‘It’s obvious what they’ll say!’

“Lady Lewis, you’re more resourceful than I thought. How did you get him to…”

Or,

“I really had no idea his tastes were so unique?”

Or various other rumors would surely be flying around. But I wasn’t scared. Really. Because I have our cute Un-un with me!

“Un-un, no, Undine!”

‘Don’t call me that, Master.’ Did she not like the nickname I gave her? Undine answered in a slightly dejected voice and popped out from the ring.

Pop! With a cute sound, she revealed herself. Undine was still in the shape of a water droplet with rabbit ears. I placed her on my palm, poked her, and said, “I really want to do well in the capital.”

She folded her rabbit ears slightly and then sprang up. It seemed to mean “You can do it!”

“You have to help me a lot.” This time she folded and unfolded her ears several times. It seemed to say “Of course! I’ll definitely help!” I giggled and gently stroked her. This little thing, I didn’t like her at first, but she gets cuter the more I look at her.

“I’m in your care, Un-un.” But when I called her that, there was no reaction. Such a picky thing.

Anyway, before long, I boarded the carriage to head to the capital. The Grand Duke and my family, Marina, the Former Grand Duke, and the Great Duchess were all together. Since the people I love are by my side, I’ll be fine no matter what happens!

“Board first, Vivian.” He took my hand and helped me into the carriage. As I stepped onto the ladder, I bowed my head slightly and kissed his cheek.

And exactly one minute later, I regretted what I had done.

In the carriage where only the two of us were, honestly, thank goodness for the thick curtains that prevented anyone from seeing inside.

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