Chapter 17
That day, Lea returned to her daily life at the Duke’s estate. The person who welcomed her the most, as expected, was Pauline.
However, the relationship between Lea and Terran had clearly changed.
Every time Lea looked in the mirror, she found herself thinking about the kiss with Terran.
I should have stopped it.
Even when Terran approached her, she should have turned him away. She did not want to be pulled back into feelings like love again.
Still, Terran had given her a different kind of hope.
Think about what Grace dreams of. I will help you make it happen.
That single sentence gave her strength.
When she thought about it logically, it was impossible to face Allen alone. But with Duke Terran Courtois at her side, everything would be different.
“Miss, I brought the newspaper.”
Pauline sounded especially cheerful.
Lea opened it as usual and clipped out the articles related to Allen.
Allen’s influence in Galdensia is growing.
His name was showing up in newspapers all across the continent. He was no longer a poor noble.
Some of the articles even speculated on who his new bride would be.
“By the way, the Duke saw it.”
“Saw what?”
Lea stayed focused on her cutting as she asked casually.
“The notebook you’ve been working on.”
Lea stopped and looked at Pauline, surprised. She had not hidden it carefully, but she never expected Terran to read it.
“Did he say anything?”
“He asked if you liked that man.”
“And what did you say?”
“I said I didn’t know. But since it came up, let me ask you too. Are you collecting all those articles because you admire him?”
“No.”
Lea’s voice was firm. She had been collecting them for the exact opposite reason.
That must be why Terran had said something like this.
There must be no other man in your heart but me.
She had been so surprised when he revealed his feelings so directly.
She had believed he felt nothing for Grace. It left her confused to see his sudden change.
After that, Lea spent some time thinking it over.
Marrying this man might not be a bad decision. If she was going to face someone like Allen, she needed someone strong in every way. Someone like Terran.
She felt less pressure about the idea because of his own pain and past. It helped her see the decision more clearly.
There was no need to carry the burden of love, passion, or even children.
And honestly, the kiss they shared at the church had not been unpleasant. Her heart had raced.
Love is not everything. Marriage can survive on trust and loyalty. Besides, he…
He had never pressured her physically. That alone made her feel less burdened. Though she still felt a little guilty, as if she was using his past for her comfort.
She had once loved a man with all her heart, but still never truly known him.
Thinking she understood Allen had been her mistake. His sweet words had only been a disguise.
Then something struck her.
Wait. I never put the rifle back.
Terran might already know.
She had taken something from his study without permission. Returning it openly would be embarrassing and improper.
I will return it quietly before sunrise.
But just putting the rifle back didn’t feel like enough anymore.
Thanks to Terran, she had been able to take a clearer look at her reality. She needed to observe everything more carefully and prepare herself step by step.
“Pauline, should we go into town today?”
“Really? Do you need something?”
“Yes. I need to buy some books.”
Her mind was crowded with thoughts. Her heart felt heavy. The truth was, she just wanted to get some space from Terran and clear her head.
Luke whistled as he walked into the study.
Even if Terran had gone to extremes, the estate was peaceful again. That was enough for now.
“Miss Grace and Pauline went into town. Don’t worry, I sent someone with them.”
“They went to town?”
“They’re going to a bookstore. Life really is full of surprises. You never know what you’ll see.”
“What do you mean?”
“Who would have thought Miss Grace was such a bookworm? I haven’t confirmed it, but I’m willing to bet she knows more foreign languages than just Landes and Turki.”
Actually, that made sense. The Sultan of Turki had responded to a letter with full approval. Grace had explained the situation clearly and respectfully, especially why camels couldn’t be raised here.
“People grow. Though of course, there are exceptions.”
Terran looked at Luke as he said this. Luke pointed to himself with a mock-offended face.
“That hurts, Duke. I was the one who handled the railway situation so neatly…”
Before Luke could finish, James entered the room. His expression was unusually alert.
“Duke, you have a visitor from abroad.”
“Who is it?”
“He introduced himself as the president of the Allen McDowell Trading Company.”
Terran’s expression darkened instantly. No reply to the letters, and now he had come here in person.
He is more persistent than I thought. This is going to be interesting.
“James, show him to the drawing room.”
“Understood.”
Once James left, Terran motioned for Luke to come closer.
“Luke, it’s time you prove you’re capable of growth.”
He whispered something into Luke’s ear. A sly smile slowly spread across Luke’s face.
Terran waited a full thirty minutes before heading to the drawing room. He wanted Allen to understand clearly that someone like Terran Courtois was not a man who could be seen at the snap of a finger.
When he finally entered, Allen stood up from his seat. He wore a crisp white suit and carried himself with the polished confidence of a successful man. The days of his poor noble background were nowhere to be seen. His expensive suit, well-styled hair, and striking features painted a picture of wealth and refinement.
“It is an honor to meet you, Duke Courtois.”
Allen greeted him with perfect noble etiquette.
“Have a seat.”
Terran remained courteous. He even served Allen the finest tea Rebon had to offer.
“I came to express my gratitude for arranging the funeral of my fiancée. It was a difficult time, and I didn’t get the chance to thank you properly. I also have another matter I wanted to discuss.”
“What kind of matter?”
Terran’s voice was direct and cool. They were not here for small talk. He had spent his life on battlefields and had a sharp instinct when it came to people. He could tell right away whether someone could be trusted or not. Allen clearly fell into the latter category.
“I would like to speak with Lady Grace Vizak in private. Naturally, I came to ask for your permission first.”
“I see.”
Terran didn’t show much reaction, which made Allen slightly uneasy. He had expected resistance, even outrage, from Grace’s fiancé. But instead, he was met with calm acceptance.
“Where are you staying, Mr. McDowell?”
“I am staying at the Rebon Hotel. If it is agreeable to you, I would like to have lunch with Miss Grace on the seventh, at the hotel restaurant.”
“A lunch meeting on the seventh? She has no other engagements that day. I will inform her.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Allen was visibly surprised by how cooperative Terran seemed. The difference from the funeral was stark. Maybe the rumors were true after all.
There had been talk that Grace and Terran’s relationship was strained. Some had even whispered that the duke had become emotionally distant and suspicious of women after his years at war. That would explain why he failed to recognize the treasure he had in front of him.
“Mr. McDowell, I will make sure Grace arrives at the Rebon Hotel restaurant by noon on the seventh.”
“I am sincerely grateful for your generosity, Duke Courtois.”
Allen bowed his head deeply.
Lea and Pauline had finished their errands and were now walking through a nearby park. They had gone to a bookstore hoping to find a book on business management, but the overwhelming number of titles had left Lea frustrated.
She had wanted to take on Allen, yet she could not even choose the right book. That thought alone filled her with self-doubt and disappointment.
“Are you feeling hot, Miss?”
Pauline quickly pulled out a fan and handed it to Lea. Even with a parasol, the August sun was merciless.
“Maybe it was a bad idea to come to the park at this time.”
“It does feel that way.”
“Since we’re already here, let’s take a short walk and then head back.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Just then, a young woman with wild red hair came running toward them and suddenly grabbed Lea’s hand.
“You’re so pretty. As beautiful as a flower.”
She was clearly not in a stable state. She looked to be about nineteen or twenty years old.
“But there are two souls inside you, aren’t there?”
Lea froze in place. A chill ran down her spine.
How does she know?
The strange girl giggled, twisting her messy hair between her fingers, as if she could see right through Lea.
“Miss, the heat brings out strange people,” Pauline said, gently pulling her aside.
She was trying to signal that they should just walk away and avoid any trouble.
But Lea noticed something unusual. The girl was wearing a handmade lace vest with vibrant colors. It was stunning. Whoever made it had real skill. The craftsmanship could easily match items sold to the royal court. Even the yarn was high quality.
“Pauline, I think she has someone with her nearby. Let’s help her find them.”
“Please, don’t get involved. She seems unstable.”
Despite Pauline’s concern, Lea stepped closer and spoke to the girl gently.
“Did you come here alone?”
“No. I came with Grampa.”
Her speech was slow and slurred.
“What’s your name?”
“Chaner. I’m ten.”
There was no way they could just leave her alone in the park.
Lea and Pauline took Chaner with them and looked around. Soon, they spotted an old man wearing a vest in a similar style, though in different colors. Chaner saw him and immediately ran over.
“Grampa!”
“There you are, silly girl. Where did you run off to?”
“These ladies helped me find you.”
“Thank goodness. I thought you had fallen into the pond.”
“I want to live with them from now on.”
Everyone was surprised by her sudden declaration, but Lea was more intrigued by the old man’s reaction.
He had called her silly, yet his voice softened at her words.
Lea had another question.
“Sir, about Chaner’s vest. May I ask who made it?”
She walked over politely. Now that she looked closely, she noticed the old man was wearing a vest made of similar yarn.
“She did. Her mind may be simple, but her hands are remarkable.”
Lea looked at Chaner with awe, as if she had discovered a hidden treasure.
Sometimes, people are the most precious gems of all.
