Chapter 17 (Part 6)

Until a moment ago, the situation hadn’t felt real, but now, left alone, the reality of what she had done hit her hard.  

‘Becoming the heir, huh. Then what about Leo?’  

It didn’t seem likely that Leonardo Fernandez’s plans included her becoming the heir to the Marquisate.  

She hadn’t even considered it herself, so there was no way Leonardo could have anticipated it.  

‘And asking Leonardo Fernandez to join the Marquisate…’  

How could she possibly tell him to come in as her consort now that she was inheriting the title?  

That “Leonardo Fernandez.”  

Of course, if she inherited the title, he would become the husband of the Marquis, but Leonardo was someone who could rise to an even more brilliant position through his own abilities.  

‘Just when I thought we could finally be together… now there’s another headache to deal with.’  

Grace, who knew all too well what Leonardo had given up to be with her, couldn’t bring herself to tell him about the current situation, where he might have to give up even more.  

Drifting off to sleep, Grace had no idea how Leonardo would react later.  

***

Now, “Adiran de Thum” had reached a point of internal stability.  

Leaders had been appointed to each department, and the flood of applications that had poured in when news spread about the new tower had finally slowed.  

After sorting through the applicants and assigning roles, the organization began to take shape.  

All of this had happened within the week Grace had been confined to the Lowell household under house arrest.  

And this also meant it had been a week since the two of them had last seen each other.  

“This looks like everything that needs reviewing for now.”  

Leonardo, who was reviewing the final evaluation documents, removed his glasses and placed them on the desk.  

In just a week, his face had become noticeably thinner, giving him a sharper, more severe look.  

‘He’s clearly worrying about her.’  

In the past, he wouldn’t have cared, but lately, Caleb had found himself increasingly concerned about Leonardo’s sharp demeanor.  

How to describe it? He looked like a dog abandoned by its owner.  

Unable to bear watching Leonardo’s face grow more haggard by the day, Caleb let out a deep sigh.  

‘Why is he being so stubborn?  

If he misses her this much, wouldn’t it be easier to just go see her or ask to meet?  

Even if Grace told him not to come, doesn’t Leonardo have enough shamelessness to ignore that?’  

Unable to hold back any longer, Caleb finally asked Leonardo.  

“Tower Master, are you really not going to visit Sir Lowell?”  

At Caleb’s question, Leonardo turned to look at him.  

Caleb, whose dark circles had deepened from the increased workload, stared back with an impassive face.  

After a brief moment of eye contact, Leonardo turned his head away.  

“Didn’t you dislike Grace Lowell, Sir Martin?”  

The hidden implication behind his words—that Caleb had once actively opposed Grace—made Caleb look awkward.  

After a sigh, Caleb replied.  

“Well, I did, but not anymore. Sir Lowell hasn’t caused any problems, after all.”  

Besides, the Grace Lowell he had observed up close was far more diligent and genuine than he had imagined.  

She always approached her tasks with sincerity and never judged people with prejudice.  

Even when Caleb treated her poorly, she endured it.  

“And besides, isn’t she your lover?”  

Leonardo looked at Caleb with an incredulous expression as he added that leaving her alone like this wasn’t a good idea.  

Caleb, noticing his reaction, tilted his head as if to ask why.  

“Sir Martin, I don’t think you’re in any position to give me advice on relationships.”  

Caleb responded with a look that said, ‘What are you even talking about?’  

“You can learn something even from someone younger than you. You should abandon such narrow-minded thinking, Tower Master.”  

Leonardo, rendered speechless by Caleb’s words, pressed his lips shut.  

At that moment, Delia, who had been sitting in the office reviewing documents, let out a quiet laugh.  

Caleb’s gaze naturally shifted to her, but unlike before, Delia didn’t meet his eyes.  

“Sir Martin is right. You’re being unnecessarily prideful and doing something you don’t need to do.”  

“…Sister.”  

When Leonardo called out to her in protest, Delia walked over, placed the documents she had been reviewing on the desk, and said:  

“I’ll be leaving now. I have some errands to run.”  

“Another excuse to avoid working, I see.”  

Leonardo retorted as he checked the documents she handed over. In response, Delia tossed a small envelope onto his desk.  

“This is only happening because you’re pretending not to notice.”  

“…A marriage proposal?”  

“Correct. So, can I leave now?”  

With that, Delia walked out, leaving behind Caleb, who looked dumbfounded after overhearing their conversation.  

It was only then that Caleb realized Delia hadn’t spoken to him even once since that day.  

Though her changed attitude made him feel uneasy, he was oddly satisfied that she no longer approached him in an overwhelming way.  

‘Was I really satisfied?’  

Without realizing it, Caleb glanced at Leonardo.  

When their eyes met, Leonardo shrugged and said:  

“Didn’t you have something to say?”  

“…Pardon?”  

“Since my sister arrived, you’ve been looking at her like a dog needing to relieve itself. I thought you had something on your mind.”  

Leonardo’s blunt remark made Caleb jump to his feet. Without giving him a chance to stop him, Caleb dashed out of the room without even closing the door.  

Leonardo watched Caleb’s retreating figure disappear and let out a sigh.  

‘This isn’t the time to be solving other people’s problems.’  

As Caleb had pointed out, it had been exactly a week since he last had a proper conversation with Grace or even saw her face.  

If he had known that their last conversation in the office would be their final interaction, he wouldn’t have let his emotions take over and would have handled things properly before meeting her.  

‘Even when I try to contact her, all she says is that everything is fine.’  

She seemed busy with something, but he had no idea what it was.  

It wasn’t as if he could plant a spy in the Marquisate of Lowell or use surveillance magic. That would be crossing a line.  

‘I suppose I’ll have to visit the Marquis myself.’  

If it was a family matter, he could simply go there and hear the situation directly.  

Leonardo neatly organized the documents on his desk and left the tower.  

Just as he exited the Knight Order, he spotted Grace.  

Standing beside Marquis Lowell, Grace looked more composed and mature than ever.  

The moment Leonardo saw them, he instinctively activated a surveillance spell.  

“So, this is the eldest daughter who’s been chosen as the heir?”  

“Yes, that’s correct. It’s a bit late, and I’m embarrassed, but I ask for your support moving forward, Lord Smith.”  

Dressed impeccably, Grace was exchanging greetings with someone from the financial sector, seemingly preparing to become active in politics.  

Leonardo felt as if he’d been struck on the back of the head, his eyes turning cold.  

‘When I discussed my plans with you, you agreed, Grace.’  

He had intended to formally send a proper marriage proposal to the Marquisate once the tower was stabilized.  

If it hadn’t been for this sudden lack of communication, that’s exactly what he would have done.  

‘But why? Why the sudden change?’  

Becoming the heir of the Marquisate meant Grace would take on the Marquisate’s political responsibilities.  

But this decision did nothing to help their relationship.  

Moreover, the Grace he knew had never shown any interest in such matters. 

When had she decided to do this?  

As he replayed the events in his mind, Leonardo suddenly recalled what Grace had said the day she mentioned being placed under house arrest.  

[Something came up… but it’s fine. It’s a family matter, and it’ll be resolved soon. Don’t worry about it.]  

It seemed that the “family matter” she had referred to was the issue of succession.  

Leonardo unconsciously clenched and unclenched his trembling hands.  

In the past, he would have been angry at Grace for doing something so audacious without consulting him. But now, he was simply curious.  

What could she possibly be thinking?  

‘Did you really think you could take advantage of Leonardo Fernandez and then run away?’  

If Grace, standing far away like a decorative folding screen, had heard his thoughts, she would have been deeply offended.  

Unfortunately, she had no ability to read minds.  

Leonardo, his face stiff with tension, stared at Grace standing behind her father. After a long moment, he snapped his fingers.  

A small piece of paper appeared in the air. He scribbled something on it and folded it into the shape of an airplane.  

The paper airplane flew off on its own to an unknown destination.  

Watching it disappear, Leonardo turned around.  

‘Let’s see how you respond, Grace.’