“Yes. It’s truly delightful news.”
Countess Blodin stretched her lips into a long smile.
“Viscount Roseberg has proposed to you. He hasn’t even seen your face, but insists he wants to marry you.”
“I don’t even know who that is.”
“You don’t know him?”
As she looked at Grace’s hardened expression, the Countess smiled even more broadly.
“Viscount Roseberg is undoubtedly the most eligible bachelor in the North.”
Eligible bachelor?
“The Roseberg family doesn’t have a long history, but they’re financially very secure.”
Financially secure?
“In Northern society, noble ladies line up hoping to marry him. And he wants you for a bride. You should be at least a little pleased.”
“…….”
“Aren’t you curious what kind of person he is?”
A forced smile and exaggerated tone.
Grace kept her eyes closely on every unnatural move the Countess made.
“If you go with me to the dress shop, I might tell you more…”
“I’m not interested.”
Grace cut her off.
“I’m not even curious.”
Grace stood as if ready to walk out of the mansion at any time, clearly disinterested.
Seeing her like this, Countess Blodin clenched her fists in strange anger.
“Not curious, you say?”
“I’m not planning to get married.”
“Don’t be stubborn.”
The Countess snapped coldly.
“You think you can live alone your whole life in such dignity?”
“…….”
Seeing Grace’s increasingly stiff expression, the Countess held back her exploding rage.
Not yet. I have to persuade Grace Blodin for now.
“You’re going to have to marry someone anyway. If so, wouldn’t it be better to marry someone who can be helpful to you?”
Countess Blodin continued with as gentle a smile as she could manage.
“Viscount Roseberg isn’t just popular for his background and wealth. He’s considered a true gentleman — a rare breed in the North.”
He owns several mines in the North!
Even just one of them could restore the Blodin family’s former glory.
The most financially secure family in the North.
And that would speed up their political ambitions in the capital!
The corners of Countess Blodin’s mouth twitched slightly from excitement.
“Have you forgotten even basic manners living like a commoner? Even if you intend to decline, it’s proper to meet him once. At least meet him and…”
“I’ll handle the rejection myself.”
Grace cut her off again.
Then, without giving the Countess a chance to stop her, she gave a polite bow and walked out of the mansion completely.
As the door shut, the Countess twisted her lips and glared at it with spite.
“Impudent wench.”
“Mother? What about Grace…?”
Laura, barely audible, asked from behind a pillar.
“Can I go to the dress shop with her?”
I hope so.
Laura murmured, and the Countess turned toward her.
“Of course. Who could refuse your request?”
Wiping away her frosty expression, the Countess gently caressed Laura’s cheek like she was handling a treasure.
Laura’s face lit up.
“Really? I wanted to see her in a pretty dress. That’s great!”
“Why do you care about her?”
The sharp tone made Laura flinch and mumble.
“She’s really pretty… but she never wore nice clothes, even when we were young…”
There was no hint of jealousy or envy in Laura’s voice.
She was simply stating a fact, like saying “apples are red.”
But the Countess wouldn’t accept it.
“Pretty? Her?”
Laura nodded, but the Countess scoffed.
“That won’t matter. Grace Blodin will be married off soon anyway.”
“Married? Does she love someone?”
“No.”
The Countess replied gleefully and dropped herself onto the sofa.
“She’s being sold off to a man 29 years older than her.”
“……What?”
“The Roseberg family offered us an amethyst mine if we let her marry him.”
Laughing, the Countess picked up a cold teacup.
It was an uncultured act, unbefitting a Countess, but no one dared stop her.
Shocked, Laura looked at her mother.
The Countess, unaware of how her daughter saw her, spilled all her plans.
“With that mine alone, our family can surpass the Macbury family. Even the Duke of Grikel won’t ignore us anymore.”
“But… I don’t think Grace would agree to such a marriage…”
“That doesn’t matter.”
Even if she refuses, they know where she lives and works.
“All we have to do is take her North. Even if it means kidnapping her.”
Frightened, Laura turned away from the Countess.
The Countess smiled greedily at her daughter.
“So, my dear, don’t worry. Just stay pretty.”
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
“Lady Grace Blodin moved to Royal Avenue after meeting Countess Blodin,” Jack Moore reported.
Carl nodded lightly, his fingers tapping on the desk beneath his expressionless face.
“Then she must’ve heard the proposal by now.”
Jack nodded in agreement but spoke with concern.
“Do you think the librarian knows about Viscount Roseberg’s reputation?”
“She probably doesn’t.”
“But he’s known even abroad — a lifelong bachelor at 49, waiting to marry the woman he fell for at first sight…”
“Grace isn’t one to follow social gossip.”
Carl replied firmly, his brow slightly furrowed.
“So now it’s like… two men have proposed to her.”
“Excuse me?”
Jack blinked, and Carl asked another question.
“What about the Macbury family?”
“Still quiet. But once word spreads that Countess Blodin and her daughter are in the capital, they’ll make their move.”
The Blodin and Macbury families had an unspoken rivalry in the North.
Carl had found out it was somehow connected to the Duke of Grikel — but not beyond that.
“What exactly is the Duchess of Grikel scheming in the North…”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
“I’m not blaming you. I know it’s not something easy to uncover.”
Carl looked out the window.
A pale moon hung alone in the darkening sky.
His eyes flashed coldly.
“Keep watching the Macburys. I want to know what they’re exchanging with the Grikel family.”
“Yes, understood. And… what should we do about Grace Blodin?”
“Well…”
His voice trailed off, his fingers halting their tapping.
Carl’s lips moved slowly.
“For now, we wait until the agreed date.”
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Two unexpected proposals.
Grace let out a heavy sigh.
She hardly knew either suitor, and the pressure was overwhelming.
“Why is this happening to me…”
Even if it’s just a coincidence, it was absurd.
She had already decided to reject both of them, but the thought of going through the process was exhausting.
Grace glanced toward the white door of the reception room as she left the library.
The same room where she had once had tea with the Crown Prince. She had to meet him there again.
“Not yet…”
Once her heart was a bit more resolute.
There was still time until the appointed date.
She stepped out of the library and walked out of Trion Palace grounds.
Just as she was about to turn after nodding politely to the guards—
She spotted a familiar face.
“Laura?”
“Sis!”
Laura ran into her, nearly in tears.
Grace was startled but held her hand tightly.
“What are you doing all the way out here?”
“Grace… I really like you.”
Laura suddenly burst into tears, her words rambling.
“Since we were kids… you were always so pretty, smart, strong… I admired you so much. I still do.”
What’s going on?
Confused, Grace led her to a nearby café to calm her down.
“Did something happen? Tell me slowly.”
“I know you hate our parents. I understand… I really do. But please, don’t hate me too.”
“Laura…”
“Promise me. No matter what they do… don’t hate me.”
“Alright.”
Grace answered quickly at the almost childlike desperation in Laura’s voice.
“Laura, I won’t hate you. Never.”
“Thank you, sis.”
Laura wiped away her tears.
When her tears were gone, her expression changed.
“Now listen carefully to what I’m about to say. You have to believe me no matter what.”
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Grace couldn’t believe it.
They’re going to force me into marriage… even by kidnapping?
But she knew Countess Blodin all too well.
A woman who would do anything to get what she wanted.
Grace had left the Blodin mansion precisely to avoid that — valuing survival over empty titles or fame.
And now they expected her to marry for the family?
No way.
Unthinkable.
But it wasn’t something she could avoid alone.
Grace bit her lip as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Think. There must be a way. I can’t just take this lying down.
Suddenly, the Countess’s words echoed in her mind.
“You’ll have to marry someone anyway. Better someone who can help you in return.”
Someone who could be mutually helpful.
One person came to mind naturally.
Crown Prince Carl.
“The contract ends the day after the coronation. I’ll declare divorce once I become Emperor, and I promise it won’t bring you any harm or problems.”
She didn’t think he would break his word.
After all, he had nothing to gain from staying in the marriage.
A contract marriage with him would at least keep her from being sold off for the Blodin family.
Grace bolted out the door and ran.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
“Only the dinner remains on today’s schedule?”
Carl entered the library’s reception room looking as immaculate as ever.
Though he had left early in the morning, dusk had already settled.
Yet he looked just as he had in the morning.
“Dinner has been canceled,” his attendant answered as he took Carl’s jacket.
“Why?”
“The Duchess of Grikel reported suddenly feeling unwell. The Empress suggested postponing it.”
“I see.”
“Shall I prepare dinner for you?”
“No. I just want to rest.”
Carl leaned back into the sofa, loosening his tie and undoing the top button.
Cool air brushed against his skin.
With his legs crossed and eyes half-lidded, he looked both cold and distant.
“Would you like some tea, Your Highness?”
“No. I need some rest.”
Carl looked at the fading sky and took a deep breath, closing his eyes.
“Yes, then…”
“Wait.”
The attendant stopped mid-bow.
“You haven’t forgotten my request, have you?”
“The woman, yes. I remember.”
“And that no word of this can get out?”
“O-of course!”
But Carl didn’t trust him.
“If there’s even a whisper of today’s events or that woman—I’ll hold you, your family, and your house fully responsible.”
His elegant voice was ice-cold.
“I swear! I won’t tell a soul!”
The attendant bowed deeply toward Carl, who remained seated with closed eyes.
Carl made a small hand gesture, and the attendant left.
As the door shut, silence returned.
Carl opened his eyes.
Two days until the appointed date.
Will Grace Blodin come?
Carl von Valles was the Crown Prince.
Everywhere he went, he was the highest authority, and his word was law.
Things always went exactly as he willed.
So what was this situation?
He was waiting for someone — someone who might not even show up.
A chuckle escaped him.
Why is the Crown Prince waiting for a mere librarian?
It was absurd.
Carl murmured to himself:
“Because she was the only one I liked.”
Knock knock.
He slowly turned his head toward the door.
“Who is it?”
“…….”
No answer.
If it were a servant, they would’ve spoken.
Unless…
Knock knock.
Another knock.
Carl stood up.
