Your Grace, It Was a Mistake! - Chapter 7

‘To think Lord Lennox would order gifts and flowers for a lady and with such a joyful expression, no less…’

If the former Grand Ducal couple, who had abdicated to their grown son and retired to their estate to live out their golden years in peace had seen this, they would have been utterly aghast.

“As for the gift… Vivian likes poetry and novels. But gifting a book lacks charm,” Lennox said, resting his chin on his hand as he pondered deeply. He then blurted out, “A ring would be best, wouldn’t it?”

“Pardon?”

My Lord, are you serious? The butler felt like he might actually faint.

“Mmm, no. A ring should be placed on her finger in person. And it shouldn’t be something off the shelf; it needs to be properly custom-made.”

“…”

“Then perhaps a necklace or a bracelet. Ah, but if I send those as gifts, I’ll miss the pleasure of putting them on her myself. Dammit.”

The butler decided that the moment he left this room, he would send a letter to the former Grand Duke and Duchess. One that began with: “The Young Lord has been acting strange lately.”

“Yes, I’ve decided. A dress and shoes will be good. I’ll add a brooch, too. Perfect.”

“There is a common superstition, My Lord, that if you gift shoes to a lover, they will run away…”

At the butler’s cautious remark, Lennox scoffed as if he were listening to nonsense.

“Vivian? She would never do that.”

“How can you be so certain?”

“Because Vivian likes me far too much.”

As he said this, Lennox covered his mouth, looking absolutely delighted. His face was even tinged with a faint blush.

“…”

The butler decided to stop thinking altogether. He gave a deep bow and said, “Then I shall prepare them as instructed. Please, try to get some sleep.”

“I will. Thank you, Butler.”

“Ahem, it is only my duty.”

Receiving a thank-you from Lennox was incredibly jarring, but the butler left the room with a satisfied smile.

‘It seems our Young Lord has finally grown up.’

After the butler left, Lennox took a small key from a wooden jewelry box and used it to unlock the bottom drawer of his desk. Inside was a stack of thin booklets, too crudely made to be official publications.

Lennox picked up the one on top. On its smooth cover, written in round, adorable handwriting, were the words:

『The Empire’s One and Only Grand Duke Is My Lover?!』

It was a novel written by Vivian. Her pen name was “Bibi-Rabbit.”

She said a friend had come up with it for her, but the name made it so obvious who the author was that he couldn’t help but laugh.

‘Don’t people usually make these pen names completely unrecognizable?’

Lennox let out a soft chuckle as he turned the pages. He read the words slowly, savoring every single character. He looked forward to the day he could read this aloud to Vivian… he found it incredibly entertaining to tease her.

‘Her reactions are so cute, it’s hard to restrain myself.’

And now, there was no longer a need to restrain himself. He had endured enough. Five years. It had been a long, long time of patience.

Five years ago, she was a mere sixteen-year-old, and Lennox had kept his distance, making sure his feelings for her didn’t grow out of control. He had wanted to protect her. But Vivian was now a proper adult, and from now on, he could tease and pursue her in various ways.

Lennox was still unfamiliar with the way his heart raced whenever he thought of her. Before meeting Vivian, he had been so numb he wondered if he even had a heart. Vivian was the only being who made it beat.

‘It all started because of this booklet.’

Lennox stared at the letters written by Vivian’s own hand and drifted into the past—to the time he first discovered the existence of this book.

Five Years Ago.

Lennox was crossing the Imperial Palace gardens. He was on his way out after an audience with the Emperor and a sparring match with the Second Prince.

The garden of the Second Prince’s palace was unusually noisy that day. It seemed the Second Princess, who loved festivities, had invited guests for an outdoor tea party. Lennox passed by, indifferent to the voices drifting his way.

“’Bibi-Rabbit’s’ writing really is the best…” “I bought three copies this time. One for my collection, one for reading, and one to give away to friends.” “Lady Morias, you truly are a woman of culture.” “Hehe… I brought Bibi-Rabbit’s newest work to show you all today. Wait just a moment… Huh? Where did it go?”

Just as the panicked voice of Lady Morias, daughter of the Marquis, reached him, something thudded against Lennox’s foot. Lennox looked down with a blank face, then leaned over to pick it up. It was a thin, poorly bound booklet.

‘Is this what Lady Morias lost?’

At the time, Lennox didn’t think much of it. He assumed it was just some trivial hobby of the ladies. That was, until he flipped the booklet over to see the front cover.

『The Empire’s One and Only Grand Duke Is My Lover?!』

‘This is…’

Lennox froze for a moment before surreptitiously turning the pages. The author was the aforementioned Bibi-Rabbit. He had suspected as much, but it really was a romance novel featuring himself as the male lead.

“Ridiculous,” Lennox muttered, breaking into a small laugh.

The content was a collection of every dream and fantasy one could have about him.

[“I have no one but you. You are the only person I love.”]

‘Who on earth is this guy saying such cringy lines? This is supposed to be me?’

A romance novel with an absurd plot starring himself. As he continued reading, Lennox felt both baffled and mischievous. He never cared much for people who held fantasies about him; in fact, he often acted harshly just to shatter those illusions. Naturally, he felt a similar urge to tease this “Bibi-Rabbit.”

‘What if I recited these cheesy, childish lines exactly as they are to this Bibi-Rabbit?’

And if he acted out the scenes just like the book…

‘She would surely be at a total loss from the shame.’

He felt a little sorry for Lady Morias, but he couldn’t return this booklet. Lennox tucked it away. He intended to find out exactly who this “Bibi-Rabbit” was. As for what he would do to this impudent rabbit… he’d decide that after he caught her.

Lennox exited the Imperial City with a leisurely stride. Hunting was, after all, his specialty.

After returning to the Grand Ducal estate and carefully reading the novel, Lennox noted several distinct characteristics:

1. 1. The handwriting was not that of a commoner. It was the elegant script favored by noble ladies.

1. 1. The romance was more like playing house. It consisted entirely of holding hands and hugging.

1. 1. The author was intimately familiar with noble society and culture.

Summing up these points, the probability that Bibi-Rabbit was a noble lady was very high… or perhaps a bored noblewoman.

‘I’ll start searching as soon as it’s light tomorrow.’

Lennox was determined to catch this mysterious rabbit. Besides, he had been feeling a strange gaze on him lately; this Bibi-Rabbit might be the owner of that gaze. He didn’t feel any ill intent, but it was strangely ticklish and bothersome. It was similar to the way his admirers looked at him, yet he couldn’t stop thinking about it…

‘…Well, I’ll find out once I catch her.’

Lennox Glen had excellent instincts. Monstrously so. He was half-certain that this Bibi-Rabbit was the owner of that gaze.

The next morning, Lennox left the estate early, skipping breakfast. He planned to investigate alone without notifying his vassals. He couldn’t exactly tell them, “I’m looking for the person who wrote a romance novel about dating me.”

Thus, while wandering the streets alone in disguise, Lennox finally caught a lead.

‘“The Bookworm”… Using a cramped back-alley bookstore as a middleman?’

The shop was so tiny he doubted three people could fit inside. It seemed to double as a printing shop, though it didn’t look like it produced very high-quality books. The only small window was blocked by mountains of books, and the place was a mess, with volumes piled randomly without shelves.

‘It’s embarrassing even to call this a bookstore.’

Regardless, it was certain that this was where Bibi-Rabbit dropped off her manuscripts. If he was lucky, he might even run into the rabbit here.

Should I just snatch her up then? Lennox wore a crooked smile.

“Excuse me, I need to pass!”

Just then, he heard someone shouting behind him. It seemed he was blocking the entrance. Lennox shifted slightly, making just enough room for one person to squeeze through.

‘Now that I think about it, I’ve heard that voice somewhere before…’

Where was it? Lennox pulled his hood down further to hide his face. Strawberry-blonde hair fluttered past his eyes.

“Ah, thank you for moving.”

The girl, who had paused while passing, beamed at him in greeting. Cheeks flushed like fallen flower petals, and light green eyes that curved like crescent moons. Their eyes met for a split second.

Strangely, in 그 moment, Lennox froze like a stone, unable to move.

“…”

“…Uh… then, excuse me.”

When he remained frozen and didn’t answer, the girl smiled awkwardly and brushed past him. Even though there was no wind, her wavy strawberry-blonde hair billowed around her waist. Lennox’s gaze followed the wave as if he were possessed.

“Oh my, My Lady! You’ve come!”

“Hello, Shopkeeper.”

“I was just about to contact you; so many people have been looking for Author Bibi-Rabbit’s new work.”

“Really? That’s perfect. I brought the author’s new manuscript. Here.”

‘Bibi-Rabbit.’

As soon as he heard that familiar name, Lennox’s eyes sharpened. The girl and the shopkeeper, completely unaware of his identity, chatted excitedly.

“I am simply grateful that you bring the author’s new work every time, My Lady.”

“No, I enjoy doing it. Anyway, please take care of the printing and binding. I’ll be going now.”

“Oh, of course. Have a safe trip, My Lady.”

‘She brings the new work every time?’

Lennox’s suspicious gaze pierced the girl as she exited the bookstore. Well-maintained hair and skin, neatly trimmed nails with clear polish, and a simple but high-quality dress. She was undoubtedly a noble lady.

Lennox began to tail her. She seemed to have no maid, no escort, and not even a carriage in sight. For a noble lady to wander around alone like this… she must have no sense of fear. What if she ran into a bandit?

‘But… I’ve seen that face before.’

Lennox tended to be indifferent to others, so even if someone approached him, he would treat them coolly and forget them soon after. It took him quite a while to dig through his memories.

‘…I remember.’

Vivian Lewis. The daughter of Count Lewis.

The lady who would only give a shy greeting and run away whenever their eyes met at social events. While everyone else scrambled for a chance to speak to him, her retreating figure looking satisfied with just a greeting had left an impression. The shy yet proud expression she wore in those moments.

Even for someone as numb as him, a faint smile would touch his lips. He rolled her name slowly over his tongue.

“Vivian Lewis… Vivian, Vivi… it’s Bibi-Rabbit.”

No matter how he looked at it, it was a pen name that practically screamed, “It’s me!” Lennox let out a dry laugh of disbelief. Was Vivian Lewis a fool? Or was she just excessively innocent?

Well, either way—

‘Caught you, you cheeky rabbit.’

The prey had fallen into his hands. Lennox’s lips curled into a lopsided grin.

From that day on, Lennox began to observe Vivian closely. However, his gaze was so discreet that no one noticed not even Vivian herself. In fact, even when he tried not to look, his eyes kept wandering, and before he knew it, he was always tracing her every move.

‘My, she almost tripped again.’

Last time, he had followed her to ensure she got home safely, and she had nearly fallen three or four times then, too. She was doing it again today. It wasn’t as if there were stones rolling around on the smooth ballroom floor, but she stumbled remarkably often.

‘Are her shoes uncomfortable?’

Such a question popped into his head, and he carefully observed the small feet peeking out from beneath her fluttering dress. Today, she was wearing comfortable flat shoes without heels. His gaze lingered particularly on her ankles clad in white lace stockings. Lennox surreptitiously looked away and wet his throat with champagne.

‘I think she was wearing boots last time.’

Those, too, had been comfortable flats. If she was almost falling even in flat shoes… wasn’t that a bit dangerous?

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than Vivian, who was scurrying somewhere, stumbled again. Lennox let out a heavy sigh. Honestly…

‘How trivial…’

Calling a lady “trivial” might be rude, but Lennox thought the expression suited Vivian perfectly. How should he put it? It was like watching a small animal… yes, like a rabbit hopping around.

‘At least she’s not a threat to me.’

Forget being a threat; she wouldn’t even be able to tickle him. Even the romance novel she wrote about him was something he could dismiss as cute.

‘Right, that romance novel. How can they just hold hands and go to sleep?’

He had collected and read every single novel Vivian had written, and they were all wholesome beyond belief.

[A man and a woman fall fatefully in love. They fret over their feelings being discovered, then accidentally confess to each other. They hold hands and hug. They get married and sleep while only holding hands. The End.]

Thinking about it again made him scoff. This wasn’t a romance novel; it was a fairy tale. Of course, he himself was inexperienced and had never been in a deep relationship with anyone… but even he knew that if a man and a woman were attracted to each other, they would at least kiss. And if it went further, they’d end up in bed.

‘And yet…’

He wondered what was inside Vivian Lewis’s head; every novel ended like playing house.

‘It’s not like she hasn’t been educated by her family on how relationships work…’

Just how much of a flower garden was in her brain? Lennox wanted to peer inside if he could.

“Grand Duke, it has been a long time.”

While Lennox was keeping a close eye on Vivian, a noblewoman approached to speak with him. It was the Marchioness of Morias, who was eyeing him as a potential son-in-law.

“I see. It has been a while.”

A while, my foot. He had seen her two days ago. Lennox answered distractedly, his eyes darting toward Vivian. Vivian was putting salad into a paper bag.

…Why was she packing that?

Lennox narrowed his eyes at her eccentric behavior. The Marchioness was saying something next to him, but he didn’t hear it.

‘It’s not like they have no food at home.’

And it wasn’t as if she was being mistreated… Count and Countess Lewis were famous for their kindness. He had never heard a word about them mistreating their children.

‘What is she going to do with that salad?’

Vivian, who had tucked the paper bag full of greens under her arm, looked around and started creeping toward the ballroom exit.

‘Where is she going?’

In that moment, Lennox reflexively flinched. His legs were moving toward Vivian of their own accord. Meanwhile, Vivian was getting further and further away. Now she had slipped out the entrance and was out of sight. Lennox grew anxious.

“Your Grace, would you care for a dance with my daughter?”

“I apologize, but I am not in the mood. I hope Lady Morias finds a better partner. Excuse me.”

Lennox flatly rejected the Marchioness’s polite request and hurried out of the ballroom after Vivian. For someone who stumbled every other step, she was surprisingly fast; she was already a good distance away. Her small frame scurrying along really did bring a rabbit to mind.

‘…She picked a fitting pen name.’

Lennox caught himself smiling and immediately hardened his expression, startled by the fact that he had laughed.

‘…Did I just laugh? Just now?’

Looking at Vivian Lewis as if she were cute…

“…”

For a moment, Lennox was confused. Of course, even he found Vivian cute. But there were plenty of other cute ladies besides her. So why was it that his eyes only followed Vivian, and he only smiled when he saw her?

“…”

While Lennox was feeling bewildered, Vivian had already moved even further away.

‘Oh, no.’

Lennox hurried after her, taking care to keep his footsteps silent. Following her lead, he finally reached her destination. Looking at the surroundings, Lennox frowned.

‘This is… the Emperor’s Forest.’

the Imperial Palace gardens were vast and included a forest. It was a fairly large area that the Emperor opened up for hunting competitions.

‘She shouldn’t be wandering in here.’

What if she got caught by a patrol? Lennox decided he had to watch and see what she was doing. He planned to rescue her if she was caught.

‘It’s definitely not because I’m worried.’

It was simple curiosity. And he just didn’t like other people touching his prey. Lennox rationalized his interest in her that way.

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