Chapter 17: 16

Grace, who fixed her makeup in the carriage, got out after Arthur’s escort came up to her. Then, a man in a silver robe, who was waiting in front of her, approached with a sword and said, bending down, “Welcome, Sir Arthur Felix. And Duchess Grace Felix, I’m Tristan Mepis, captain of the Imperial Guard. Today, I’m going to guide you both.”

“Long time no see, Lord Tristan.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Tristan.”

“Then, let’s move. There are many royal families and nobles are waiting for you.”

Arthur and Grace greeted the knight who introduced himself as Tristan and went into the palace under his guidance.

Grace held Arthur’s arm and glanced at the interior of the splendid palace, walking down the long hallway.

“The palace is beautiful.”

For her, who had never been to a party hosted by the imperial family because she was not born with magical powers, the appearance of the palace, which was so colorful that her eyes were twinkling, was truly a different place.

While absentmindedly walking beneath the crystal chandelier, Grace stopped and turned her head to look at Arthur.

Arthur halted in his tracks. Lord Tristan glanced at Arthur and Grace, who had stopped walking, and said, slightly opening the door, “You can go in here.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you.”

Arthur and Grace grabbed the doorknob, thanking Tristan before entering. Even at night, bright and dazzling lights poured out, and the scene inside made Grace awed.

‘…Oh my God.’

It was different from the hallways of the palace, which had just caught Grace’s eye. Dozens of sparkling chandeliers with thousands of candles and glittering crystals hung up, art pieces on the walls, long curtains, glass doors and terraces were seen beyond, as well as nobles dressed in colourful uniforms and dresses. Grace unknowingly opened her mouth at the sight.

‘It’s like a fairy tale picture I saw when I was young.’

Grace felt as if she had become the protagonist of the fairy tale.

“Oh, that’s the new Duchess Felix.”

“It looks like it. How long will this one last?”

But soon after, Grace felt her excitement cool down in an instant at their voices. Grace followed Arthur and bit her lower lip. Every time she passed by someone, she could overhear their chatter.

“Well, since she’s the second child of the current Duke Alberton, wouldn’t she last a little longer than the others?”

“Oh, did you forget? That lady… The new Duchess Felix is a little plain.”

“Ah, really? Yes, they said she wasn’t born with magical powers?”

“Right, ho-ho, that’s why she’s been a pain in the neck. Look at her.”

“So, she married that cursed monster duke, Duke Felix. No matter how the Emperor is, why would a father marry his beloved daughter to let her die or go crazy?”

“Of course, of course. If that marriage partner was Lady Marianne, he would have objected. But, then again, if it was her, the emperor wouldn’t have ordered a marriage, would he?”

“Would a precious child born with magical powers die or go crazy? She was born with no powers, so she was willing to marry him.”

“Ho-ho, cleaning up the trouble, gaining confidence from the Emperor, and Duke Alberton would reap the benefits of this marriage. It’s obvious.”

“Everyone, shall we make a bet? How long will she last without dying or going crazy? I’ll bet two months.”

“I say one month. Rumour has it that she is close to the monster duke’s brother. I think she’s probably under double the curse of her predecessors.”

“Really? Oh my, I don’t know if it’s brave or reckless. She has affection for that little monster?”

All the words that came to Grace’s ear were a mixture of ridicule and contempt. Grace clenched her fist, biting her red lower lip. What a mean and cruel thing to say. Every single word was one that irritated and angered her. Especially what they said about Leon, who was still young, making her turn red with anger.

‘I’d feel better if I could rip that little mouth off right now.’

Grace, with her head bent down, gritted her teeth and unconsciously clenched Arthur’s hand.

“….!”

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“Pretend you didn’t hear it. It’s just words that you don’t need to listen to.”

“……Duke.”

“I’m sorry to make you hear this on my account.”

Arthur held Grace’s hand, which turned white. Then, after a friendly pat on Grace’s pale hand, he turned his head casually. It was so nonchalant that Grace was surprised and frustrated.

‘He was his little brother! Is he not angry?’ Grace turned her head from side to side, furious at the thought.

After a while, she thought that it wasn’t that he wasn’t angry. He had given up on the view and reality that would not change even if he was angry.

‘He was just like me before I died.’

When she gave up because she was tired of longing for love from her family. Grace sighed heavily when she realized that his indifferent and blunt appearance had actually become dull with deep wounds.

“His Majesty is calling for you.”

A knight approached and talked to Arthur. Arthur answered the man, blocking Grace from being near him.

“His Majesty?”

“It’s noisy and difficult to talk here, so he ordered me to call you to his quarters.”

“Okay, but…”

Arthur hesitated and stared at Grace, who stood beside her. Grace smiled as if she was relieved that he seemed hesitant to leave because of her.

“I’m fine. See you later.”

“……alright.”

Arthur paused for a moment. He soon nodded and followed the man who had come to call him.

Grace stared at Arthur’s backside, which gradually faded, sighed for a long time and looked around. She wanted to find a place to stay alone, avoiding eye-catching eyes and words.

She deliberately made her way behind the backs of tall knights, and finally smiled when she found an empty terrace. She could spend the time over there before Arthur came back. At that moment, someone called her–

“Oh my God! Grace! You’re here?”

She heard the voice of her sister, Marianne calling her. Grace turned her gaze and said, looking at her sister Marianne, who had a genuine welcoming look on her face, “…Long time no see, sister. How have you been?”

“I’ve been well. And how are you doing?”

“Well, thanks to you.” Grace replied in a blunt tone to Marianne’s greetings. Marianne’s friendly and attentive sister-like eyes, seemingly asking about her married life, were blatantly looking at Grace’s outfit with cold contempt.

Then, raising one eyebrow as if displeased, she continued, giving Grace a more explicit look.

“Yes, you look like you’re doing really well. Dresses, jewelry, even that makeup. You think Duke Felix is nice to you?”

“Yes. As you can see, he’s been too good.”

“That’s a relief. Aren’t you scared?”

“Scared? Thanks to him, I feel very comfortable. Unlike the Alberton Mansion, the people of the Felix family treat me as precious. If I had known this, I would have gotten married sooner and gotten out of the family.” Grace replied to Marianne, showing the face of a bride drunk on happiness.

Marianne’s face crumpled, even though it was brief. But soon, she fixed her look, and suddenly acted worried, “I’m worried… Grace, just what are you talking about? When did we ever not value you?”

“I don’t know. Starving, giving away old clothes, raising me like livestock, is it really a valuable treatment?”

“So, now you’re not in a position of livestock?”

“At least I’m out of your hands. I’m a part of the royal family.”

“……Ha, that’s ridiculous. How good is it to be the wife of the cursed duke, not knowing if you’ll last a year or not?”

“No one knows whether I’ll last a year or 10 years. Do you happen to know? I don’t know, maybe I’ll last 100 years.”

When Grace smiled and responded, Marianne quickly took off her pretence and openly revealed her dark true self.

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