Chapter 24
After that, Grace finished bathing in hot water with Sally’s assistance and completed her preparations perfectly.
When Sally heard from Grace that she would be having dinner with Arthur that evening, she worked with even greater enthusiasm while dressing her.
After finishing her makeup with a deeply focused expression, Grace watched as Sally carefully placed a sapphire hair ornament into her hair to match her blue dress.
“Sally.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“Where does Leon stay?”
“Young Master Leon? He uses the innermost bedroom on the second floor of the annex. But why do you ask?”
“I’d like to go see him, if that’s all right. …He must be quite upset with me by now.”
“…Ah.”
Sally tilted her head briefly, then let out a soft exclamation of understanding.
“Now that you mention it, that’s true. The day you stayed shut in your room and didn’t go for a walk, Young Master Leon came all the way here himself and asked me to let him see you.”
“…Oh my, really?”
“Yes. As you instructed, I told him, ‘Her Grace does not wish to see anyone at the moment.’ He nodded with a very dejected expression and returned to his quarters.”
“…Oh no. Was he very hurt?”
Grace asked with a distressed face. Sally smiled warmly and gently patted her shoulder.
“If you apologize, he’ll gladly accept it. Young Master Leon likes you very much.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Of course. I guarantee it.”
Sally thumped her chest confidently.
Feeling somewhat reassured, Grace checked her reflection in the mirror, stood up, and said,
“Then Sally, could you please guide me to Leon’s quarters?”
“Of course.”
Sally immediately led the way. Grace followed quickly, picturing Leon’s face and wondering how she might cheer him up.
* * *
After walking for some time behind Sally, they stopped in front of the annex with its blue roof and tall staircase.
Supported by Sally, Grace carefully climbed the icy steps and finally entered the annex.
A maid who spotted them hurried over and bowed.
“My goodness, Your Grace. What brings you to the annex…?”
“I came to see Leon. Is he in his bedroom?”
“No, Your Grace. Young Master Leon is currently in the study.”
“I see. Thank you.”
Grace followed the direction the maid pointed.
Soon, she found a door twice as large as the others on that floor.
“Is this the study, Sally?”
“Yes, it is.”
Grace swallowed nervously. Now that she had arrived, she worried Leon might truly be angry with her.
Taking a small breath to steady her pounding heart, she pushed the door open.
“…Hmm?”
Inside, except for the wall with the large window, every wall was lined with bookshelves. Leon was seated at a small desk, reading. At the sound, he lifted his head.
Their eyes met in midair.
Leon pouted when he saw her. Grace smiled awkwardly and walked closer.
“Leon… are you busy?”
Leon nodded silently.
Grace crouched down in front of him.
“…I’m sorry for coming while you’re busy.”
This time, Leon shook his head.
Suppressing a laugh at his gestures, Grace cleared her throat.
“I heard you came to my room two days ago?”
“……”
“I’m really, truly sorry I couldn’t go on our walk that day. There was… something I had to deal with.”
“…Something?”
Leon tilted his head.
Grace gently brushed back his long bangs.
“Yes. That’s why. I’m sorry, Leon.”
“……”
“It won’t happen again. I promise. …Will you accept my apology?”
She asked carefully.
Leon, still pouting, suddenly lowered the corners of his mouth further and slammed his book shut. Then he ran into Grace’s arms and hugged her tightly.
As she embraced his small body, he muttered,
“…I thought you didn’t want to see me because I’m a monster.”
“That’s impossible.”
Grace smoothed his hair back. As she did, his blue-and-red eyes—so like Arthur’s as he had pleaded with her the night before—were revealed.
Her chest tightened painfully as she cupped his little face.
“How could I ever not want to see someone as adorable as you?”
“…Really?”
“Of course. Even when you grow bigger than me someday, I’ll still think you’re just as cute and lovable as you are now.”
She smiled at the thought.
But Leon’s expression drooped again. Tightening his arms around her, he asked quietly,
“…Will you stay by my side until then?”
“Hmm?”
“Until I grow as big as my brother… will you stay with me?”
“…Leon.”
“You won’t leave me alone like Father and Mother did, right?”
Grace looked down at him with aching eyes.
He was only about five years old, yet he already understood the pain of separation and feared it.
And to think he had even been called cursed because of that tragic loss.
Grace forced a bright smile.
“Yes. I’ll stay with you.”
“…Really?”
“Of course.”
“…Promise.”
Leon released her and held out his pinky finger.
Grace looked at the tiny finger for a moment before gently hooking her own around it. She shook their intertwined fingers playfully, and Leon burst into giggles.
Grace lifted him up in her arms.
“Then, to celebrate making up, shall we go for a walk later? I’ll have warm tea and sweet snacks prepared.”
“Why later? Why not now?”
“Hmm? Didn’t you just say you were busy? Don’t you have to finish your studying?”
Leon’s face fell again. He fiddled with his fingers.
“…Actually, I wasn’t busy at all.”
“Oh?”
“I’m sorry for lying.”
Grace gazed at him warmly.
“You just wanted to sulk a little because you were upset with me, didn’t you?”
“…Yes. I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right. I’m more sorry. Then shall we go out right now?”
“Yes!”
Leon answered excitedly.
Grace adjusted him in her arms and signaled to Sally. Sally opened the study doors and hurried off to prepare snacks.
Looking down at Leon smiling in her arms, Grace thought,
How could I ever have considered leaving a child like this behind?
Affection and bonds always carry responsibility—especially when the other person is a child who longs so desperately for love.
Grace reflected on how lightly she had first reached out to Leon.
God, please allow me to stay healthy and remain by this child’s side—and his—for a long time.
Now she feared not only losing her hard-won second life to the curse, but also hurting Arthur and Leon again because of her.
And so she prayed, even if it was something not meant to be granted to her.
* * *
Night fell thick and dark, the faint sliver of the waning crescent moon hidden behind heavy clouds.
A short distance from the capital, in the depths of the primordial forest, a luxurious carriage stopped in front of a small villa.
A man wearing a robe stepped out.
As if familiar with the path, he made his way through the darkness toward the villa and knocked.
An elderly man with a bent back opened the door, holding a small lantern.
“Welcome.”
“Have they all arrived?”
“Yes. They are waiting in the reception room.”
“Lead the way.”
At the man’s cold command, the old servant bowed and turned.
Following him inside, the man clicked his tongue in irritation.
Even during the day, the deep forest let in little sunlight. Yet inside, layers of heavy curtains blocked even the faintest moonlight. The room smelled of old books and thick dust, as if the air itself were stale.
There was not a single thing about this place that did not displease him.
Frowning, he followed the old man.
“This way.”
They stopped before the reception room door. After confirming the man stood beside him, the old servant opened it.
The man gave a slight nod and stepped inside.
