Chapter 13

In my sleep, I was told that a visitor was coming. This is Julian’s room, so why would I have a visitor?” I turned around to see that Julian had already left. I threw a shawl over my pajamas and stepped out.

“Anna, you said there’s a guest. Who is it?”

“Your Grace, the Countess of Winsley is here.”

Anna, who had called my mother “Countess until recently,“ now calls me “Your Grace.“ The change felt unfamiliar, so I fidgeted with the back of my neck.

“I’ll be down in a moment.”

As I descended the stairs, Anna followed behind. When I reached the second floor, where the guest room was, I saw my mother waiting at the foot of the stairs, not in the room. I quickly took her hand.

“Why are you out here? I would have come down.“

“I was anxious. I just couldn’t wait to see you.”

My mother acted as if she hadn’t seen me in ages, at least a year or two, even though we had just seen each other yesterday. Feeling a bit sentimental, I clung to her arm like a child.

“I missed you too. Since getting married, I’ve been thinking about you a lot.”

“Right? We won’t see each other often now, so until we go back to our estate, you must eat with us. Promise?”

I smiled at my mother’s insistent words. I didn’t think she had worried this much when I married Kazak. Even though her concern was a bit annoying, I didn’t entirely dislike it.

“Don’t worry. I want that, too.“

“Speaking of which…”

My mother whispered as she entered the room, and the maid opened it for her.

“What do you think about arranging a meal with His Grace?”

My eyes widened. It wasn’t just my mother’s words but also the fact that the entire family was gathered in the room.

“What’s this? Why is everyone here?“

“Well, Sis…”

Louis started, but it was Adam who finished.

“We want to see how His Grace holds a spoon.“

“What?”

While the rest of the family seemed unsure of how to react, Adam, being young, was confident.

“We want to see if the Grand Duke is a suitable match for you!”

Adam shouted, clenching his fists. The family seemed taken aback by his boldness but didn’t seem opposed.

I looked around at my family, stammering.

“His Grace’s table manners are perfect.”

It was a lie. I had never shared a meal alone with Julian. However, I couldn’t imagine Julian being as noisy as my family. He wouldn’t like it either.

I didn’t expect him to allow my family to stay this long. I didn’t want to burden him further.

But my father clasped his hands together and earnestly pleaded.

“We’re not truly doubting His Grace’s manners. But what father-in-law hasn’t shared a meal with his son-in-law?“

“Laila, it’s just one meal. Can’t you manage that?”

I knew my family well. They weren’t thrilled about my marriage to Julian but accepted him as family since we were married.

Sharing a meal with family. When put like that, it seemed so obvious and trivial that I couldn’t easily refuse.

“I’ll ask. Don’t get your hopes up.”

My family’s faces brightened.

I turned away with a sigh. Anna, standing beside me, pouted.

“It’s just one meal.“

“It’s not ‘just‘.“

I answered, furrowing my brow. Anna looked confused.

Since I had to ask for permission, I headed straight to Julian’s room on the fourth floor. I paused at the stairs. Julian probably wouldn’t like me bringing Anna up there.

“Anna, wait here.“

“What? I’m your personal maid.“

“His Grace might not like it. I haven’t mentioned you to him yet.“

“Your Grace, aren’t you being too cautious? This makes me sad.”

Anna genuinely looked upset. Was I too submissive to Julian, as she said?

But I thought I was getting along quite well with Julian. We were managing without issues. Even when he called me a strange woman, I still spoke my mind. After a moment of hesitation, I decided to leave Anna there.

“Wait here for a bit!”

As I turned back, a butler greeted me silently. I was slightly startled by his noiseless approach. Although servants should be discreet, this butler was exceptionally quiet.

Noticing my surprise, he smiled softly.

“The master is in the study.”

“Thank you.”

Julian was the only reason I came here, so the butler led me to the study.

When I knocked on the study door, a low voice from inside told me to enter. His voice was so distinguished that I doubted anyone could match it. I carefully opened the door and stepped inside.

“Your Grace, do you have a moment?“

“I have time for a brief conversation.”

Seeing me awkwardly standing near the door, Julian looked up puzzledly.

“Sit over there.”

No sooner had Julian spoken than the butler standing behind me naturally followed and began preparing tea. I cautiously looked around Julian’s study.

To my surprise, the study had ample space to receive guests.

Has Julian ever hosted guests in his study? If so, who could it have been?

Suddenly, Princess Abigail came to mind. She might have visited Julian’s study. They called each other by nicknames and seemed quite close…

Lost in such thoughts, I shook my head. This wasn’t the critical issue right now. More importantly, I had no right to be concerned about who he was close to.

Feeling embarrassed, I cleared my throat softly and sat on the guest sofa. Julian finished organizing his papers and approached me.

Judging by the stack of documents on his desk, it seemed that managing the estate kept him very busy. I wondered if there was anything I could help with… But first, I decided to get to the point.

“My family wishes to have a meal with Your Grace.”

Julian didn’t respond immediately. He just looked at me with masked eyes. The longer he did, the more my lips felt dry. I had never considered him scary, but now I felt strangely nervous.

“I understand it’s inconvenient. But my family just wants to spend a little time with you.“

“A meal would be difficult, as you said.”

I quickly nodded. I had expected to be refused, but still, I found myself flustered.

“I thought so. It’s understandable, right? My family meant no harm. They just see you as part of the family now.”

Julian listened quietly to my rambling and then asked.

“What about your maid?“

“Maid? Oh, Anna? I thought it best for her not to come to this floor, so I left her downstairs.”

Julian frowned.

“I don’t want my wife wandering around without her maid.“

“It’s just for a moment, it’s fine.”

As soon as I spoke nonchalantly, Julian leaned toward me. I instinctively leaned back, startled by his crimson eyes being so close.

Julian still wore a frown. I rolled my eyes, trying to avoid his gaze.

“That’s weird.”

His cool breath touched my cheek and dispersed. He slowly straightened up. I adjusted my clothes and sat properly.

“You always do and say whatever you please, but what’s the matter with you today?“

“When did I ever say anything inappropriate?“

Julian’s eyebrow raised at my words. Feeling a bit guilty, I shrugged.

“I don’t want to upset Your Grace.”

I couldn’t say it was because he was my benefactor, so I told a half-truth.

“Friends should be polite to each other.”

Julian exhaled slowly, closing his eyes. It sounded like a sigh but also a relief. It was a subtle sound.

“I’ll decline the meal, but I’m open to other activities.”

“Other activities?“

“Hmm, how about chess?”

Chess? Did he want to play chess with my father? Realizing this, I excitedly straightened up.

“Yes! That sounds great!”

I must have shouted too loudly because even the butler, who never lost his composure, looked at me. But I chattered on, excited.

“My father thinks of chess as a bloodless battlefield. He always keeps a set nearby and enjoys it. If Your Grace also enjoys chess, you’ll be a perfect match. I play often, too, but my father, though rigid, makes brilliant moves.“

“I see.“

“If you play together, you’ll be surprised. Though seemingly obvious, his moves are like a fortress, impossible to breach. His strategy mirrors his personality. Isn’t that impressive?“

“Indeed, befitting a frontier Count.”

Realizing I had been babbling in my excitement, I quickly covered my mouth but couldn’t hide the grin spreading across my face.

My family would be thrilled to hear this news. I quickly drank the tea before me and stood up, smoothing my skirt.

“Then I’ll go tell my family about the chess game. When would be a good time for you? After dinner?“

“…Sure.“

“Alright, I’ll arrange it after dinner! Thank you, Your Grace!”

I quickly left, exchanging nods with the butler, eager to share the news with my family.

Julian, left behind, watched the door I had exited through with an amused smile.

“She seemed so timid a moment ago; I wondered why.”

The butler, smiling, spoke to Julian.

“She is truly a bright person.“

“It seems the butler likes her.“

“If the master likes her, then so do I.”

Julian glanced at the butler sideways as if to say, “Who said I liked her?“

But the butler, who had served Julian since childhood, simply chuckled, not fooled.