Your Grace, It Was a Mistake! - Chapter 31

Why is he using such a heavy voice?!

‘Scary!’

I looked at the Grand Duke, feeling incredibly tense. He grabbed my shoulders firmly with both hands and asked with a dead-serious face.

“Vivian, did you not bring an escort knight?”

“Pardon?”

“What about a maid?”

“Um, I came out alone.”

When I said it casually, mentioning I had met Marina briefly earlier, he looked at me as if he couldn’t believe his ears.

“Vivian, what if something dangerous happens while you’re wandering around alone?”

“Nothing has ever happened before.”

“Ha, even so.”

“And I have Undine too!”

I proudly showed off the spirit stone ring on my right ring finger. However, his reaction was chilly.

“You still can’t control the spirit well, Vivian.”

“Ugh.”

Stabbed by the truth, I couldn’t find a retort and just bit my lip. Seeing me like that, he let out a long sigh.

“Fine, it’s a relief you at least have Undine, but bring an escort knight next time.”

“Yes.”

“If something happens to you, I might truly lose my mind.”

The Grand Duke’s eyes were sunken and dark as he spoke. But as I shrank back, he instantly shifted his expression and spoke in a bright voice.

“Anyway, did you get permission from your father to live together before the wedding?”

“Well, Father gave his permission, but Mother…”

“Ah.”

“She says she still can’t trust you, Grand Duke.”

“Hmm.”

He rested his chin on his hand and looked into the distance, seemingly lost in thought for a moment.

‘Living together.’

I thought about it too. After returning to the capital, the Grand Duke suggested we live together until the wedding. I was naturally in favor. Moreover, the Great Duchess and the Former Grand Duke actively supported the idea.

The house for our cohabitation was, of course, decided to be the Glenn Grand Ducal residence. Since it’s where I’ll live after marriage, it seemed best to get used to it early.

‘The problem was my parents and Cassian.’

The three of them were adamantly opposed, though Father eventually gave a reluctant vote of approval.

‘It’s obvious Cassian will oppose it until the very end.’

Mother was still against it, but she seemed to be considering it.

‘Anyway, Cassian’s opinion holds no power!’

Therefore, I only need to persuade Mother!

‘The way to persuade her is.’

A good idea struck me, and I smiled broadly.

“Grand Duke.”

When I called him while taking his hand, he looked back and blinked.

“Grand Duke, I have a good idea.”

“A good idea?”

“Yes, it’s this.”

I explained my plan to him step by step. He listened quietly and nodded as I finished.

“That’s a good idea.”

“Right?”

Hehe. As I laughed triumphantly, he gave a short chuckle. Why are you laughing? He suddenly stroked my hair.

“What do you eat to be so cute, Vivian?”

“Then what do you eat to be so handsome, Grand Duke?”

“The water and air of the Grand Duchy are quite good.”

Oh. So the handsomeness of the Former Grand Duke and the current one is due to feng shui! I see. The Grand Ducal territory must have a mysterious energy flowing through it.

‘That’s why Undine was in that lake.’

“Vivian, are you lost in another eccentric thought?”

His voice brought me back to reality.

“It’s nothing.”

I replied with an embarrassed laugh and linked arms with him. This has become quite natural now.

“Shall we go buy a gift for my mother first?”

“Let’s do that.”

He gave a bright smile, and we headed to the department store first.

My plan was this: Buy a gift Mother likes and have the Grand Duke act charming.

‘Then, after he leaves, I’ll subtly ask her.’

Doesn’t the Grand Duke seem like a truly wonderful person?

‘Yes, throw the bait like that.’

Mother, in a good mood, would likely agree. Then I would gently coax her until I got her permission to move in.

‘The probability of her saying yes is about 80%!’

Alright, let’s try. When the Grand Duke and I stood at the entrance, the department store doors swung wide open. Since this place was mainly used by wealthy merchants or nobles, there was a specific clerk just to open the door. It supposedly started as a large general store but grew this big as the business flourished.

‘I don’t know who the CEO is, but they’re truly impressive.’

This place really had everything. I often came here to browse with Marina, but I never swept up items like others did. Just buying one or two things I liked.

‘Our family isn’t exactly well off.’

So I had never received the so-called VIP treatment. Yes. That was the case. Until now.

“Oh my, look who it is!”

CEO, nice to meet you.

“Is this not His Grace, the Grand Duke of Glenn! We are so grateful for your visit! It is a great honor!”

The CEO, who came rushing out the moment we entered, kept bowing and trying to flatter the Grand Duke. I felt refreshed by this first-ever VIP treatment. Amazing, so this is the taste of power.

‘Power and wealth, indeed.’

The House of Glenn has plenty of money, after all.

“Is the lady beside you the rumored fiancée? You are a beauty, just as I heard! Haha!”

The Grand Duke froze at those words. He glared at the CEO with chilling eyes. Receiving that gaze, the CEO trembled.

“D, Did I say something wrong?”

“Stop making passes at my fiancée and get lost.”

“Pardon?”

“Vanish, now.”

“I, I understand.”

The CEO bowed deeply and disappeared into the distance. He had a face that clearly didn’t understand what he had done wrong. Honestly, I didn’t know either.

‘He’s jealous.’

Undine whispered. I asked back, puzzled.

‘Jealous?’

‘Yes, Lennox is jealous. He feels anxious and wary when you appear beautiful to others, especially men.’

‘…?’

It was a story I couldn’t understand. I’m entirely devoted to him, so why would he be anxious?

‘Did I not give him enough certainty?’

Hmm. Certainty. Just then, he called me.

“Vivian, let’s head over there first.”

“Ah, yes!”

I followed his escort. We arrived at the jewelry section.

“Wow.”

Transparent glass display cases were filled with sparkling accessories. I marveled because there were far more varieties than when I came before. Business is good here.

‘CEO, you really do have good business savvy.’

The CEO probably just wanted to look good to the Grand Duke. Thinking about it, I felt bad for him.

“Vivian, how about this?”

“Ah, that’s.”

I stared at the brooch he brought and chose my words carefully. How should I answer so he feels less hurt?

“I don’t think it’s Mother’s taste.”

Good, well answered!

“Hmm, is that so?”

He examined the brooch from all angles and handed it to a clerk who had approached. Seeing that, I felt refreshed again.

‘I usually have to put things back myself.’

This feels like a bit of a wealth gap. I can feel the injustice of this society. Undine, reading my thoughts, giggled. What’s so funny, you brat.

‘Anyway, the brooch he picked was definitely not it.’

How can one make a poodle shape out of black pearls? I doubt the craftsman’s sense!

‘And the Grand Duke who picked it too.’

But he was fine when picking out my clothes or accessories?

‘…?’

What exactly is the difference? While I was tilting my head, he returned with another accessory. This time the design was better.

‘But still.’

“I don’t think this is Mother’s taste either.”

“Mmm, it’s hard to choose. It was easy picking a gift for you, Vivian.”

My ears perked up at that.

‘I’m curious!’

How was he able to pick my gift so easily? From inside the ring, Undine spoke boastfully.

‘I know the answer.’

I tapped the ring.

‘Be quiet. I’ll hear it directly from the Grand Duke.’

‘Master! How cruel! Tapping the spirit stone! The spirit stone is like my alter ego!’

Ignoring Undine’s mournful cry, I approached him. He was absorbed in choosing a brooch. His face was so serious. I thought even his serious face was handsome.

‘I feel good seeing him almost every day.’

Yes, almost every day. Since we live apart, there are days we don’t see each other. So, I must get Mother’s permission to move in! First, I decided to ask what I was curious about.

“Grand Duke.”

When I called him softly, he turned back. A favorable gaze and a natural smile. It was a starkly different reaction from when others spoke to him, making me feel strange. I wondered if I truly was a special existence to him.

“Is it usually difficult for you to choose gifts for others?”

“Mmm, mostly. I suppose I can’t concentrate.”

Hoh. This feeling of learning something new about him is good.

“But you said it was easy to pick a gift for me.”

“It was.”

“Why is that? I’m curious.”

I clasped my hands and fidgeted, staring at him. He wore a blank face for a moment, then let out a laugh.

“?” Why is he laughing?

“Haha, that’s right.”

He seemed to have realized something and was amused by it.

“Because I’m so focused on you, Vivian.”

“From one to ten, I try to grasp everything without exception.”

“I’ve always been watching you, thinking about you.”

‘…Wow.’

My mouth hung open. What he just said was exactly like my pining for him! I thought I was the only one obsessed with him. Could it be he was also?

“As a result, my ability to intuitively pick what suits you or what you’d like has improved.”

“I see.”

He smiled brightly.

“Because for me, it has always been only you, Vivian.”

It sounded like his world revolved around me. Of course, that couldn’t be the case!

‘It’s okay if his world doesn’t revolve around me.’

Because he is at the center of my world. My feelings for him suddenly became so clear that I hugged him tightly around the waist. A sense of fulfillment filled my heart. Ah, is it okay to be this happy? In novels, something always happens when lovers are this happy.

‘I hope nothing ever happens to us.’

I wish it could always be this warm and peaceful.

“Grand Duke, I really like you.”

“Yes, I know.”

“You don’t know how much I like you.”

“Then show me. How much do you like me, Vivian?”

“That’s.”

“Show me through your actions.”

He smirked and tapped his lips. I was a bit flabbergasted. We’re in a department store! The clerk is watching right over there! After thinking for a moment, I said teasingly.

“I’ll show you after we get married.”

“…?”

“Through my actions, in great detail.”

“I’ll show you then.”

Dropping that bombshell, I turned and fled chicly. I heard his hollow laughter behind me.

He thought he was the predator, but perhaps that wasn’t entirely true. Lennox smiled as he waited for the clerk. Vivian’s cute face wouldn’t leave his mind. How could she be so adorable?

‘Ha, seriously.’

He wanted to swallow her in one gulp, bite her, and lick her carefully. He felt like a madman thinking this, but he wanted to create a dictionary about Vivian from A to Z. And then look into that dictionary whenever he grew tired of work. Of course, the best thing would be holding her close.

A warm and soft body. It was so small and delicate that he felt ecstatic every time he held and caressed her. Even now, he felt like he’d go crazy wanting to hold her.

‘When she hugged me earlier.’

He thought he’d lose his reason. Though she wouldn’t have known.

‘For a rabbit, she keeps provoking me.’

Asking him to hurry and devour her.

‘But what’s even more interesting is.’

That rabbit has a surprisingly strong side, so he might be the one getting devoured.

‘A wolf devoured by a rabbit.’

It’s a bit funny, but isn’t it fresh and okay?

‘I’ll show you after we get married.’

Lennox was looking forward to married life with her immensely. He wanted to marry her as soon as possible. He grinned like a madman. Was that why?

“U-Um, Your Grace.”

The clerk, who had gone to wrap the brooch, approached him while trembling. Lennox looked at the clerk indifferently and took the gift box without a word. Inside was the bribe for his mother in law. He had chosen it with all his focus, so he hoped she would like it.

‘Vivian leaving me while choosing together.’

He considered it a kind of test. An “If you want to be a great husband, try choosing well on your own.” And Lennox was a man who could easily pass that kind of test. If he put his mind to it, as much as needed. He smirked down at the gift box.

‘Alright, shall I go to my future wife?’

The clerk had tipped him off that his fiancée was in the VIP lounge. He headed to the lounge with a step so light he felt like he could fly. He was incredibly happy at the thought of seeing her cute face again.

However. The sight he encountered upon reaching the lounge was quite unexpected.

“Beautiful lady, would you please tell me your name?”

“Excuse me.”

“I’ve fallen for you at first sight.”

The gift box in Lennox’s hand crumpled instantly.

‘That bastard.’

It was the Marquis of Rosewall, the notorious playboy of high society.

‘How dare he.’

A volcanic rage erupted from within him.

‘Lusting after my Vivian?’

He stepped forward with a crooked, terrifying smile.