Chapter 22

"Hey, Zain. Can you at least show up at the ball hosted by the Gimson family next weekend?"

"…Why me?"

"Bianca, who just debuted, is being really insistent that she wants to dance with you."

"I have plans with Grace next weekend, so it’s impossible."

Boris, who has always doted on his cousin Bianca, clasped his hands together, pleading.

She has always seemed to look up to me and has been asking to meet me whenever possible.

"What if we both show up? If your nephew Ben could dance with a beauty like Miss Grace—"

"Are you kidding me?"

"Oh, what’s this? Jealousy?"

"Yeah."

When I clearly stated this, Boris, who had been smirking, got up from the sofa.

He then looked at me with an expression that seemed to say, "You can’t be serious," and stared at my face intently.

"…Are you really serious about this?"

"Would I joke about something like this?"

Because he has known me since we were young, he is so surprised. I myself have never felt such emotions before.

Just imagining Grace dancing and touching another man makes me increasingly frustrated.

It was the same feeling I had when I saw her talking alone with Ranhardt Gardner the other day.

In fact, I had noticed her presence long before I approached her at that evening party. She stands out more than anyone, both positively and negatively.

"Don’t talk to me so casually, you’re annoying."

She was a completely different person in front of me, and she was turning away the many men who were courting her with a frown.

But I noticed that she was staring intently at Ranhardt Gardner.

Ranhardt, the son of a marquis and a handsome man, is always surrounded by women. It’s said that any woman would fall for him at least once.

Is she interested in that man? Just thinking about it makes me feel restless.

"–Grace"

I couldn’t help but stop her as she started walking towards Ranhardt.

"…Right now, you—"

"Lord Zain, I’m so glad to see you!"

Before I could even process my uncharacteristic and uncomposed actions, my heart leaped when Grace broke into a wide smile upon seeing me.

I felt relieved and happy that her smile was directed at me, making me feel special.

The thought of her smiling at other men made me feel unpleasant and frustrated.

"Well, I’m surprised. I thought you were just going through the motions out of a sense of duty."

I myself had initially intended to do just that.

I thought I would never have anything to do with her if it weren’t for the Mariabel incident, and I considered her the type of person I disliked the most.

"Really, it’s good…"

"Next time, let’s try making something different. Mariabel, you were very good. You can make anything."

"No, I did nothing. It was all thanks to Mariabel’s hard work."

But the real Grace was kind, honest, straightforward, and humble—completely the opposite of what I had imagined.

I have been saved by such a Grace twice.

The idea that she was connected to the criminal and had orchestrated the incident to do us a favor had long since disappeared.

"I want to properly thank you. What would you like?"

"No, it’s enough for me to be your lover. Please don’t worry about it."

"…Understood. Then, as your lover, I want to do everything I can for you."

That’s why, even though she doesn’t want more than that, I wanted to at least act like a proper lover.

Before I knew it, the sense of duty had disappeared.

"Late first love, congratulations."

Boris smiled happily, but the word "first love" seemed so out of place for me that I felt self-deprecating.

"Well, it’s only natural. You saved Mariabel’s life, solved your biggest problem, and she’s cute, kind, and honest only in front of you, not to mention her appearance. It would be impossible not to fall for her."

He sighed in exasperation and leaned back into the sofa again.

Originally, I had planned to marry a wife in name only from a family with aligned interests and adopt an heir from my relatives, considering love a waste and something I had no connection with.

"…She really is cute."

"Right? Even I think so. Hey, stop glaring."

Seeing her carefree smile makes me feel so calm that I can’t help but smile too. I never knew I had such feelings.

"She likes you, so you should just get engaged. Zain, it’s time for you to settle down."

"……"

–Would she accept my proposal, I wonder. I have this doubt.

Grace says she likes me, but sometimes she looks as if I have nothing to do with her future.

"What do you plan to do in the future?"

"That’s not something worth troubling you with, Lord Zain…"

It’s not just the other day; it’s always like this. She seems to be unaware, but it’s clear that I am not part of her future.

It’s possible that it’s because she has only had fleeting relationships with men before. But I can’t shake the feeling that there’s some other reason.

–And every time, I feel betrayed and hurt, and an overwhelming possessiveness surges within me.

That’s why I gave her the necklace. I wanted something to keep her tied to me, as if she would slip away if I took my eyes off her for a moment.

"Your eyes are a beautiful color, and I really like them. I’ve liked them ever since I first saw them."

Whether she knows it or not, Grace says things like this. If it were all calculated, she would be a true, rare villainess.

Seeing me fall silent, Boris lowered his eyebrows in a troubled manner and said, "Well, there’s no need to rush."

"Besides, it’s too different from who she used to be. From what I hear, she hasn’t changed except in front of you. When did she learn to cook?"

"I’ve been wondering about that too."

"Right. You should investigate her a bit. Since you’re a duke, you should do at least that much. And there’s also the matter of Mariabel."

Boris stood up, saying he would introduce me to an intelligence officer who had also served the royal family, and stretched his arms, exhaling.

"But I don’t think Miss Grace is a bad person, no matter what. Well, take your time."

"…Yeah."

It’s only been three months since I met Grace. It’s true that I’m bewildered by how quickly she has become a significant presence in my life.

There’s no need to rush, and I can get to know her gradually. I remind myself of this. –After all, there’s plenty of time.