Your Grace, It Was a Mistake! - Chapter 4

“Since when have you liked me?”

“Well… it’s been a while.”

I gave a vague answer instead of confessing the truth: that it had been seven long years. To think he had been “stalked” for seven years! He would surely find it horrifying!

‘Though I only ever watched him from afar.’

“How much do you like me?”

“Um, well. To me, Your Grace is… right! You are someone beyond my reach!”

It was the truth. At first, it was a fluttering first love, but now it was closer to a sense of awe—like looking up at a tree I could never hope to climb. To put it simply, the Grand Duke was like a star in the sky to me.

Even if a freak accident had resulted in us becoming contract lovers, I knew my place.

‘A serious relationship with the Grand Duke? Someone like me? Nonsense!’

In one year, we would part ways cleanly. I would not cause him any trouble. Do you understand, Vivian Lewis?

‘Yes, I understand!’

As I nodded to myself, I felt the Grand Duke’s strange gaze on me.

Did he have something else to ask? As I timidly tried to read his expression, he pulled my hand toward him and kissed it.

“I wish you would feel more comfortable around me, Vivian.”

“D-do you?”

“Yes. Truly.”

He kissed my knuckles one by one, so slowly that I felt like I might faint. Every time his lips touched my skin, a strange thrill surged through me.

“Ugh.”

The most I could do was suppress a small moan. After a moment, the Grand Duke gave a satisfied smile and let go of my hand. I hid my kissed hand beneath my sleeve, unable to lift my head as my face burned.

“Vivian, shall we go and tell them now?”

“Pardon?”

“Your parents. We should tell them that we are officially seeing each other.”

“Excuse me?”

I don’t think “officially seeing each other” is quite right. I was about to protest when a loud noise from outside silenced me. A dark intuition hit me, and a chill ran down my spine.

‘Oh no, surely not!’

I scrambled off the bed and rushed to the window, throwing the heavy curtains aside. Bright light flooded my vision, making me wince. Squinting, I looked out to see dozens of knights holding torches, filling our estate’s garden.

“What in the world…”

They were facing off against our family’s guards. Upon closer inspection, I recognized the crest fluttering on their banners.

‘That’s… the crest of the House of Glenn!’

“It’s my Order of Knights. They are quite competent, so it seems they’ve already found me.”

The Grand Duke had approached me at some point and whispered with a hint of regret. Your Grace? Why do you sound disappointed?

“Ah, this is no time for that!”

I hurriedly found a thick shawl and threw it over my shoulders. The problem was the Grand Duke. Since I had torn his shirt, he had nothing to wear on his upper body!

“Aaaargh, what do I do?”

I ran around the bedroom frantically. Was there anything he could wear—wait, that’s it!

‘I can just steal some of Cassian’s clothes!’

I didn’t even need to go to his room. I just had to snatch a shirt that the maids had left to dry in the laundry room on the first floor. It would be a bit small for the Grand Duke, but if I could find one of my father’s shirts, that would work too.

I rushed toward the door.

“Your Grace, stay here for a moment! I’ll go find something for you to wear!”

I glanced back before opening the door to see the Grand Duke sitting on the edge of the bed with a playful smile. It seemed he intended to wait obediently. My heart felt ticklish as I ran down the hallway. He actually has a cute side!

Ugh, I need to stop liking him so much! I just keep falling for him! What am I going to do?

‘Ah, here it is!’

My running skills were impressive; I reached the drying room in less than three minutes. I threw the door open and stepped inside.

‘Let’s see, something the Grand Duke can wear.’

“Found it!”

Fortunately, there was a silk shirt that looked like it would fit his build perfectly. But this… was probably my father’s shirt. Sorry, Father. I suppose this is why they say raising a daughter is a lost cause!

‘Anyway, let’s get back to the room!’

I opened the door to head back into the hallway when I heard footsteps nearby.

‘Gasp!’

I nearly died of fright. I hid behind the door and covered my mouth. Whoever it is, please just pass by! Hurry!

“My goodness, what a commotion at this hour.”

“Tell me about it. The Grand Duke’s knights, of all people.”

“Is it true that our Young Lady kidnapped the Grand Duke?”

“No way! Our Lady kidnapping that Grand Duke? Impossible.”

“The witness must have lied then, or seen wrong.”

“Our Lady’s hair color isn’t exactly common, but still, it must be a misunderstanding.”

The servants whispered to each other as they passed by. I waited until their footsteps completely faded before rushing out. I didn’t look back as I sprinted away. If anyone saw the half-naked Grand Duke sitting on my bed right now!

‘It would be a catastrophe!’

Run, run, run!

I burst into the room, gasping for air. I made it. Safe! I’m alive! Thankfully, only the Grand Duke was in the room.

“Your Grace, huff, I’m… back.”

“Drink some water first, Vivian.”

He quickly poured some water and handed it to me. Oh, he’s an angel! I took the glass with a moved expression and gulped it down.

“Phew, I feel like I can breathe again.”

My heart was still trying to jump out of my chest, but I was glad I made it back safely. That was a close call.

“Your Grace, here are the clothes.”

He took them gently and gave me a radiant smile. “Thank you, Vivian.”

Ugh, his beauty is lethal to my heart! I quickly covered my eyes with my hand to protect my vision and my pulse from his self-luminous face. Your Grace, if you smile like that so often… I’ll die.

“Mm, it fits perfectly. It’s soft, too. Thank you again.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

I replied in a small voice, avoiding his gaze. I was the one who tore your shirt, after all. There’s no need to thank me.

“Um, Your Grace. Well then—”

Just then, there was a knock.

“My Lady, it’s the butler.”

The sound of the knock was followed by the butler’s voice.

‘The moment of judgment has arrived!’

I felt like I could hear the trumpets of the apocalypse. My life is over—no, wait. The Grand Duke and I are in a relationship, so this situation isn’t entirely unnatural!

‘I just have to be confident. I didn’t kidnap him; I just brought him to my room.’

But on second thought, that was also a massive problem. Dragging a lover into my bedroom when we weren’t even engaged?

‘If word of this spreads, my reputation is finished.’

Waaaaah, what do I do? I was planning to meet a normal person and get married in a year. Am I going to end up living with my parents forever?

‘Maybe I should start some self-development for the future… like becoming a children’s book author? I’m good at drawing and writing.’

“My Lady, it’s an urgent matter.”

“Gasp! Yes! I’m coming out!”

I answered urgently and turned to the Grand Duke. He was grinning as if he were having the time of his life. Excuse me, Your Grace? My heart is turning into ash right now!

“Are you ready, Vivian?”

“Um, yes.”

“You don’t sound very confident.”

“Well, the idea of you being my lover… no matter how much I think about it, I can’t get used to it.”

“You’ll get used to it soon. Both your body and your heart.”

He leaned in close and whispered. His warm breath brushed my ear and trailed down my neck. I instinctively held my breath.

“If you hadn’t kidnapped me, Vivian, you would have continued to live a normal life. What a pity.”

Contrary to the words, his voice didn’t sound pitying at all. In fact, he sounded quite pleased. I trembled. Even though it wasn’t cold, I got goosebumps. Is this really okay? Why do I feel like I keep stepping on landmines?

‘No, no! Thinking of the Grand Duke as a landmine is rude!’

I shook my head. He kissed my cheek and gently took my hand.

‘Ugh, I can’t get used to the physical affection.’

Come to think of it, we even shared a deep kiss earlier! Oh my god, I’m insane! I kissed the Grand Duke!

“L-let’s just go out!”

Covering my beet-red face with my hands, I walked stiffly toward the door. I heard a snicker from behind me. Your Grace, do you find me amusing? Cassian laughs at me too. Maybe I should join a theater troupe as a clown. I seem to have a talent for making people laugh.

‘Oh, wait. The butler is going to be so shocked.’

Our butler already has indigestion and hair loss from being overworked. I’m sorry, Mr. Butler. I wiped away a tear and opened the door.

“Ah! My Lady—gasp!”

As expected, the butler’s eyes grew as wide as full moons when he saw the Grand Duke. He began to tremble and leaned against the wall for support.

“M-My Lady, you finally committed a crime!”

Now look here, Mr. Butler! What are you saying? I did kidnap him, yes, but it was a mistake, not intentional! It was an accident involving a magic tool!

“Butler! Don’t misunderstand!”

“Sniff, My Lady! Why did you take the path of a criminal!”

“No! I didn’t commit a crime!”

“Then why is His Grace in your bedroom!”

“Well, you see!”

I worked hard to explain that the Grand Duke and I were in a relationship. In other words, this was a secret tryst. Do you understand, Mr. Butler?

‘Phew, that should be enough, right?’

I felt a sense of relief, but the butler’s expression only grew stranger. What? Why are you looking at me like that?

“I see, My Lady.”

Oh, he finally understands!

“Sniff, I have no face to show the Count and Countess, sniff!”

“What? Why are you like this, Butler!”

The butler suddenly began to cry, much to my bewilderment. He pulled out a handkerchief and began dabbing his eyes.

“To think I didn’t realize My Lady’s mind was unsound! I am a failure as a butler! Waaaaah!”

Wait, what? I froze in the middle of trying to comfort him.

‘Wait—so the butler thinks I’m crazy?’

I suppose if someone who had zero contact with the Grand Duke suddenly said, “We’re dating,” it would be suspicious. But it’s the truth! Even if it’s a contract!

“Butler, listen carefully. The Grand Duke and I are definitely in a relationship. I am not crazy.”

I placed a firm hand on his shoulder and spoke with conviction. Meeting my clear eyes, the butler stood there stunned for a moment before finally mumbling as if convinced.

“T-then, really…”

The butler looked at the Grand Duke, who gave a simple nod of confirmation. The butler’s face went pale. He stood there with his teeth chattering before looking at me with a tearful face.

“My Lady! Then what about the marriage talks? What about your marriage talks!”

“Oh, that…”

I remembered how the Grand Duke’s aura had turned cold when I mentioned “marriage talks” earlier. I stole a glance at him, and sure enough, his face was as cold as ice.

‘Hieeek.’

“My Lady, you were supposed to be married by the end of this year!”

This butler is no help! I have to do something now!

“W-what are you talking about, Butler! When did I say that? I just said I’d think about it!”

“We’ve already sent your portrait over there!”

“Cough, already?”

“It’s been a week since the talks began, so of course!”

“W-what did they say? Do they want to marry me?”

“The second son of that house said he liked My Lady very much—”

CRACK.

Suddenly, the sound of something breaking rang out. I turned toward the noise. I saw the Grand Duke standing there with my bedroom door handle in his hand.

“Your Grace?”

“Ah.”

The door handle, which had been ripped off the door, was brutally crushed in his hand. I stared at him in horror. He gave an awkward smile and set the handle on the floor.

My god. What just happened? I blinked vacantly at him.

“The door handle was quite weak.”

“Pardon?”

The handle was made of steel and plated in gold. It was firmly fixed with screws. How did he break it? Your Grace, are you even human?

‘Right, he’s a Sword Master!’

Suddenly, I remembered something my brother Cassian had said in passing.

—Masters… they’re all monsters.

‘He was right.’

I realized once again how terrifying the Grand Duke could be. It was a blessing that we were in a contract relationship.

‘Dating the Grand Duke for real would be kind of scary.’

“I’m glad we can break up in a year.”

“What did you say, Vivian?”

“Pardon? Oh… gasp.”

Hieeeek! I said that out loud without realizing it!

‘Stupid! Stupid, dummy Vivian!’

What do I do? How do I explain this? Ah, right! I can say that I’ll be able to break up with him in exactly one year without causing him any trouble!

“I mean, Your Grace, you’re going to break up with me in a year, right? Right?”

The Grand Duke gave a smirk and played dumb.

“I wonder.”

“Pardon?”

What do you mean, “I wonder”? Your Grace, you promised me! What is that look on your face!

“I’m sorry, Vivian.”

He slowly approached me, like a predator stalking its prey.

“I don’t recall.”

“Wh-aaaaat?!”

He doesn’t recall? What is he talking about!

‘Wait, is he going to play dumb about the contract relationship too?’

If he does, I’m finished. He has to stay on the same page as me!

‘I can’t go to prison! I hate it!’

I had to persuade him right now. The butler was watching, but I had no choice. At this point, the butler was an accomplice too.

“Your Grace, we agreed to date! You’re making things difficult if you act like this!”

The butler looked back and forth between us with an expression that said, “What is going on?”

Clasping my hands politely, I asked with teary eyes, “I am your girlfriend, right? Right?”

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