Chapter 24
Grace liked Lord Alfredo’s fairy tale collection.
Studying words had always been enjoyable, but among all the lessons, she loved reading fairy tales with Alice the most.
Each chapter had beautiful illustrations, and below them were pages filled with fun and fascinating stories.
There were all kinds of characters in each tale. A knight who went to rescue a princess trapped in a cave by a dragon, a princess who nearly died from a poisoned apple given by her stepmother—who was actually a witch—but was saved by a prince’s kiss, and a boy who climbed a huge beanstalk, almost got killed by a giant, but escaped using his wits…
“Quick, dodge! Amy shouted to Peter. B-But the wild boar was charging at Peter at full s-speed. It looked like he’d be knocked into the air at any moment…”
Though it was just drawings and letters, the scenes vividly came to life as she read, and she could feel the characters moving.
When there were parts she didn’t understand or found difficult, Alice kindly explained them to her.
“But then, in the n-next moment, Amy gasped in surprise. Flames burst from Peter’s hand. He threw the fire at the w-wild boar…”
“……”
“A-And the wild boar was engulfed in flames. It stopped charging and started howling. Amy shouted, ‘Y-You’re an Armento!’”
Around halfway through the book, Grace found a strange word and tilted her head.
“…Armento?”
“Yes. They’re people who can control the elements. That person is an Armento.”
“Elements…?”
“Yes. Things that make up the world are called elements—like water, fire, wind, and earth. People who can use those powers are called Armento.”
Alice pointed to the boy in the illustration. He was facing the charging wild boar head-on, and flames were rising from his palm.
“They can make fire like this to burn dangerous wild animals, or use water to freeze them. They could also use wind to blow them away.”
“What an amazing… legend.”
“It’s not a legend, my lady. Armento really exists.”
“Huh? Really?”
Grace’s eyes grew wide. Could people really make things like fire or water come out of their hands?
“Yes. Armento have special powers, so they’re trained in the royal palace. They’re essential in times of war.”
“Ohh…”
Grace nodded. If someone could produce powers like that from their hands, they must be very strong.
“Yes, the elements I mentioned earlier—water, fire, wind, and earth—are called the four original elements. The first Armento could use these four powers.”
“……”
“But nowadays, there are Armento who use abilities that came from those elements. For example, some use the power of trees or fog, which come from earth and wind. Some even use lightning, which comes from fire.”
Alice kept explaining, and Grace’s eyes sparkled with fascination.
“That’s so cool…”
“When you go to the capital someday, you might get the chance to see real Armento. Shall we keep reading the story?”
“Yes…!”
Grace answered eagerly and turned the page.
“Haaam…”
Grace yawned repeatedly after being woken up earlier than usual. She was especially tired because she had stayed up late reviewing her lessons the night before.
“Why… why are you waking me now?”
She pointed at the clock. Even after bathing under the maids’ guidance, it wasn’t yet time for her usual wake-up.
“It’s because today is the day your portrait will be painted. The artist arrived yesterday afternoon.”
“Por…trait?”
“Yes, the Duke and Madam will be painted together. Since you’re now husband and wife.”
“That’s why we’re going to dress you up as beautifully as we can. Please have a seat.”
The maids sat Grace down at the vanity and began her makeover in earnest.
Annie wrapped sections of Grace’s hair around a heated rod, curling it and letting it fall in soft waves. When Rena brushed her cheeks with color, a soft blush appeared.
Sally went to the wardrobe, hesitated briefly, then brought out a pale sky-blue dress.
It was just as elaborate as the one she wore on her wedding day.
“What kind of jewelry should we use today?”
“It should be something that stands out well in the painting. Since the dress is a light blue, how about this emerald?”
Annie eagerly looked into the jewelry box. Sally pointed to an emerald necklace and asked Grace:
“A-Anything is fine…”
“What do you mean, ‘anything’?! Madam, this portrait will be passed down through generations of the Duke’s family! It has to be done in the best condition!”
“That’s right. If we don’t do it well, it’ll be all our fault.”
“Ah… haha…”
The maids’ expressions and tones were so serious that Grace couldn’t bring herself to say again that she didn’t mind.
“You look truly stunning, Madam!”
“You’re always beautiful, but every time, it still surprises me.”
“Mm… thanks.”
After finishing, the maids admired their work with pride. Grace blushed as she looked at herself in the mirror.
“Do you like it, Madam?”
“Y-Yes…”
Grace nodded shyly. Though she couldn’t say it aloud, dressed in the greEnnish dress, she looked as fresh and pure as a blooming bud. It reminded her of how she looked on her wedding day, thanks to the maids’ efforts.
“Let’s go, Madam. Dorota said we have to be at the annex in 30 minutes.”
Her moment of self-admiration didn’t last long. The maids hurried her toward the annex. When she arrived, Grace ran into Frederick at the entrance.
“F… Frederick.”
“You’re here.”
The moment their eyes met, Grace went blank.
Frederick was in formal attire. He wore deep blue jacket and white trousers. His shoulders and pockets were adorned with gold embroidery, and silver buttons shaped like roses fastened the front. His hair was styled upward, neat and polished.
He looked just like a prince from Lord Alfredo’s fairy tale collection—handsome and elegant.
“Why are you staring at me like that? Is something on my face?”
“Ah, no… it’s nothing.”
Only after he spoke did Grace snap back to reality.
“Let’s go inside.”
Frederick stepped into the annex, and Grace followed behind.
What is this?
She lightly placed her hand over her chest. Her heart was pounding loudly, but it wasn’t from fear or surprise. It felt different.
Meanwhile, as they walked down the hallway, Frederick stopped in front of a door.
“You’ve arrived, Your Grace.”
When he opened the door, a spacious room was revealed. A man with long golden hair down to his shoulders stood and greeted them.
“I am the painter, Letius Greenberry.”
“Nice to meet you, Sir Greenberry.”
“And this must be the Duchess.”
The painter approached Grace, gently lifted her hand, and placed a kiss on it.
“…!”
Grace flinched slightly in surprise, but the painter didn’t notice. He straightened and smiled.
“You’re as beautiful as a flower, Madam. It’s an honor.”
“I’ll leave it in your hands.”
“I’ll capture your most beautiful moment, just as you’ve entrusted me.”
The painter returned to his seat.
Grace curiously observed the canvas and easel for the first time in her life. The ladder-like object holding the white paper amazed her.
“Please have a seat on that sofa, the two of you.”
The painter gestured to the sofa across from him. Grace and Frederick followed his instructions.
“Please sit side by side and face forward. Just stay in that pose.”
“……”
“If you don’t mind, Your Grace, could you sit a bit closer to the Duchess?”
“…Alright.”
Frederick, who had been sitting slightly apart, moved closer. Their thighs brushed lightly through the fabric.
Grace’s shoulders stiffened. It was the first time they had ever touched this closely. Even after months of sharing a bed, they had never actually touched.
“You may relax, Madam.”
Letius spoke with a gentle tone. His crescent-shaped eyes added to his warm impression.
Grace tried to relax as he said—but froze again at his next words.
“To add a more intimate feel, I suggest the two of you hold hands.”
H-Hold… hands?
“Is that alright with you, Your Grace?”
“Of course.”
Grace looked back and forth between the painter and Frederick, flustered. Frederick calmly reached out and took her hand.
“…!”
Contrary to his cold appearance, his hand was warm as it wrapped around hers.
Grace’s heart began to race wildly.
