Your Grace, It Was a Mistake! - Chapter 32

Marquis Rosewall had only just returned from a trip abroad. Consequently, he had no idea what kind of rumors were circulating in the capital. Naturally, he hadn’t heard a single word about the fact that the cute young lady before him was the fiancée of that Grand Duke.

“Your strawberry-blonde hair is absolutely lovely, my lady.”

“What do you think you’re doing? Don’t touch me!”

When he tried to sneak a touch of her shimmering hair, she sharply swatted his hand away. Marquis Rosewall smirked.

‘Feisty, aren’t we?’

The woman was glaring at him with eyes that said she wouldn’t let him off easy if he poked at her any further. But who was Orlando Rosewall? There wasn’t a woman in the world he couldn’t seduce. He possessed a natural talent for capturing a woman’s heart. Thus, he was certain the cute lady in front of him would soon fall for him.

‘She looks as innocent as a rabbit, but she acts so prickly.’

Orlando Rosewall chuckled darkly to himself. No matter how prickly she acted, this woman would eventually surrender to him. It would be difficult to escape his fatal charm.

‘Hehe.’

Orlando gave her his “Fatal Smile No. 1” and was just about to speak when—

“…?”

Suddenly, an intense chill crept up his spine. Feeling the cold shiver, Orlando slowly turned around. Finally, his eyes landed on—

“Gr, Grand Duke Glenn?”

Lennox Glenn stood there, glaring at him as if he wanted to kill him.

‘That absolute scoundrel… how dare he hit on my Vivian?’

Lennox wanted to seize Marquis Rosewall and slam him into the floor. He wanted to break the hand that dared to try and touch Vivian and crush his nose so that he could never show that face in public again. If it were the old Lennox, he might have actually done it.

‘But…’

Lennox stole a glance at Vivian, who was watching with wide eyes. He didn’t want to engage in such violent behavior in front of her. His mother’s advice flashed through his mind.

‘Nox, you should react more gracefully now. You’re going to marry Vivian soon, so how long are you going to lead with your fists?’

…Right. Lennox admitted it. His mother was right. He was thinking of a much further future with Vivian. He wanted to marry, have children, and live a sweet life; how would a father who leads with his fists whenever he’s angry look in a child’s eyes?

Lennox wanted to be a good husband and, eventually, a good father. To make Vivian happy, he had to be.

‘The way to punish that guy is…’

He took a slow, deep breath.

‘There are plenty of ways besides using physical force.’

He was the “Grand Duke of Glenn.” That meant there were infinite ways to punish a single scoundrel noble. Lennox walked forward slowly, glaring at Marquis Rosewall. A dangerous aura, much like that of a predator, radiated from him.

“Gr, Grand Duke. May I ask what business you have with me?”

When Lennox stopped in front of him, Marquis Rosewall asked tentatively. Lennox’s blue eyes, looking down at the Marquis, shone coldly.

“There are some things in this world that you simply should not dare to touch, Marquis Rosewall.”

“Pardon? Ah… well, of course, haha…”

Marquis Rosewall looked as if he had no idea what kind of misfortune had befallen him. Lennox pulled the corner of his mouth into a crooked smirk and said:

“Marquis Rosewall, the person you were just hitting on is my fiancée.”

“…What?!”

W, what on earth…! Marquis Rosewall’s lips trembled. Lennox’s cold voice continued.

“I see you still haven’t fixed that habit of messing around with every woman you see, even at your age.”

“N, no, that is, Grand Duke—”

Marquis Rosewall was three years older than Lennox. However, the difference in their status was like heaven and earth; thus, the Marquis could offer no rebuttal. He bit his lip and thought:

‘Damn it, what is happening! That woman is really the Grand Duke’s fiancée?’

Orlando Rosewall stole a glance at the blonde woman. She had stood up at some point and was watching the situation unfold.

‘She’s cute, but still…’

He rated her appearance about an 85 out of 100. She was pretty enough, but compared to the legendary beauties of high society, she was just okay. And that woman was really the Grand Duke’s fiancée?

‘Unbelievable…’

Did that thought show on his face? Suddenly, Lennox Glenn grabbed him by the collar with a terrifying expression.

“Hi, hiek!”

“…”

Marquis Rosewall forgot all about his dignity and trembled. He wasn’t looking at a human, but some kind of magical beast.

“I wonder if I need to blow that head off for you to stop your disrespectful thoughts?”

“Ye, yes?”

“Marquis Rosewall… realize that the only reason I’m refraining from beating you half to death is because she is here.”

Lennox Glenn’s eyes shone a piercing blue. His gaze was sharp enough to cut—no, it felt like his head would roll right there. Marquis Rosewall swallowed hard. He finally understood why everyone said Lennox Glenn was dangerous. He quickly realized what he had to do.

“Gr, Grand Duke!”

He fell flat on the floor and begged.

“I have committed a mortal sin! P, please, forgive me! I beg of you!”

“Forgive…?”

Lennox’s voice, slowly uttering the word “forgive,” was laced with ice. Marquis Rosewall trembled while face-down on the floor.

“How dare you vulgarly.”

“…”

“Hit on my fiancée.”

“…”

“And the filthy thoughts inside that head of yours.”

“…”

“I cannot forgive you easily.”

“P, Prince!”

Marquis Rosewall was now nearly on the verge of tears. But Lennox showed no mercy. He intended to keep it that way.

‘I believe the House of Rosewall is in debt.’

Due to excessive luxury, Orlando Rosewall had fallen into debt everywhere; Lennox heard he was borrowing from relatives to cover it.

‘The only thing keeping their near-bankrupt finances afloat is… the Rosewall perfume business.’

“…”

Lennox smiled coldly. He had decided on a method of punishment.

‘He won’t be able to act up again once he’s a beggar.’

The rumors about Orlando Rosewall were foul. Not only did he target women with lovers or fiancés, he even had affairs with married women. While extramarital affairs were common in noble society, the Marquis’s case was of poor quality. He had a track record of not just two-timing, but five-timing various noble ladies.

‘A madman.’

Lennox looked down at Marquis Rosewall with a look of disgust. He had to ensure this vermin could never appear before Vivian again. Lennox spoke slowly.

“Marquis Orlando Rosewall.”

“H, hah, yes, Your Grace!”

“Never again…”

“…”

“Will I allow you to show that face before my fiancée.”

“…Pardon?”

“If you have any sense, you’d better run to your relatives right now and ask for help.”

“W, what does that…”

“Because hell is about to unfold.”

Marquis Rosewall’s face turned deathly pale. He stood up unsteadily, muttered something, and then fled the scene immediately. Lennox gave a hollow laugh, glared at his retreating back, and then turned toward Vivian.

“…”

When Vivian, eyes wide, flinched upon seeing his face, Lennox realized he had failed to control his expression.

‘Damn it.’

He should have changed his expression before looking back at her. He hurriedly bowed his head and took a deep breath. After a few moments, Lennox, able to smile again, looked up with a bright expression. The rage to crush the House of Rosewall was surging within him, but now was the time to think only of Vivian. Lennox didn’t want her to be afraid of him.

‘So…’

Please say something, Vivian. Lennox clenched his fists and let his lips tremble. Vivian was simply staring intently at his face. He couldn’t begin to guess what thoughts were behind those light green eyes, as clear as transparent jewels.

‘Did I scare her?’ Lennox thought anxiously. ‘I intentionally restrained myself so I wouldn’t scare her…’

He wanted to appear as a good person to Vivian as much as possible. Of course, he knew that was very difficult. He wasn’t as kind and mature as Vivian thought he was. Still, he wanted to try. So that the day she would run away because she was scared of him, would never happen.

‘You said you liked me no matter what kind of person I am…’

Is that really true? You have no idea how dark my heart is, what I think every time I look at you… you know nothing.

‘Of course, even if you did find out…’

And even if you wanted to run away from me.

‘I have no intention of ever letting you go.’

A hint of obsession flickered in Lennox’s eyes. He slowly reached out and grasped Vivian’s shoulder. It was a fragile shoulder, as if it might break. In fact, every part of her was like that. Her neck was thin enough to be held in one hand, and her limbs looked as delicate as if they’d snap. If he decided to bind her, she would surely be unable to move. Lennox had to suppress the thick desire to do so at every moment.

‘I want to…’

Lock her away and have her see only him, so that something like earlier would never happen again. He wanted those eyes, like the leaves of a summer tree, to reflect only his image. He wanted her lips to call only his name and say that he was the only thing she desired.

“…”

Lennox slowly raised his hand and caressed Vivian’s lip with the tip of his thumb. Her pink lips flushed slightly red as blood rushed to them. Lennox felt an impulse to slide his finger between her lips.

…If only this wasn’t a department store…

‘…Calm down.’

It was the moment he withdrew his hand and let out a sigh.

Grab!

“…!”

Vivian, who had suddenly caught his hand, let out a short “Ah.” She gave an embarrassed laugh and said:

“I did it without realizing… um, because the Grand Duke’s touch felt good…”

“…”

In 그 moment, Lennox’s patience almost broke through its limit before he barely calmed down. Why does this lady say such things so casually? Is her specialty provoking him?

‘Seriously… I have to eat her up as soon as possible.’

He felt like he was going crazy from the constant hunger.

“That person earlier, he’s Marquis Rosewall, right?”

“…You knew?”

“He’s famous.”

Vivian said, shrugging her shoulders. She didn’t seem particularly affected despite experiencing an unpleasant incident.

‘And…’

Lennox studied Vivian’s complexion closely. Nowhere was there any sign of her being afraid of him.

“…”

He felt a bit relieved. Although a sense of unease that he still had to be careful remained.

“By the way, Grand Duke.”

“Yes, Vivian.”

“That… gift box in your hand, it’s crushed.”

“…”

In the end, Lennox had to go and get the gift wrapped again.

While he was getting the gift re-wrapped, Lennox almost bought out every accessory on the display, but he got scolded by Vivian.

“My mother actually hates excessive gifts!”

The hand that smacked his back was quite sharp. Lennox somehow felt good being treated roughly by Vivian. He wondered if he was truly going crazy, but well, since it was Vivian, he let it slide.

“It’s much more effective to give gifts that suit Mother’s taste consistently, a little bit at a time.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, that’s how my father used to soothe Mother’s mood whenever she was angry.”

“Hmm… I see, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Lennox beamed as he looked at Vivian. After stopping at the department store, they had arrived at a restaurant for an early dinner. Lennox, who knew everything Vivian liked, had prepared everything perfectly. He had contacted the chef in advance to ensure the highest quality ingredients, lighting, decorations, and flowers on the table were all flawless.

Though Vivian didn’t know. Watching her stare at the flowers on the table as if she liked them, Lennox smiled slightly.

“But there’s no one in the restaurant?”

Vivian looked around the wide hall and asked, puzzled. At her look, Lennox almost burst out laughing.

‘Of course, there isn’t.’

Since he had bought out the entire restaurant. Vivian would be horrified if she heard, but buying a restaurant or two wasn’t a big expense for Lennox. For Vivian, Lennox could even buy a kingdom.

He feigned innocence and said:

“You’re right, there’s no one today for some reason. Maybe a new restaurant opened somewhere else.”

“Hmm… the trends in the capital must have changed! Moving away from the familiar and enjoying new attempts, right?”

This time, Lennox couldn’t help but laugh out loud. To think she believed him so literally, she was truly innocent.

‘Cute.’

The thing he wanted to eat wasn’t the food on the table, but the cute fiancée sitting in front of him.

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