Chapter 31
Grace was suddenly torn.
Should she just run away?
But it was already too late.
Frederick had spotted her and was walking over without a hint of hesitation.
The knights in front of him respectfully stepped aside to let him pass.
Grace stood frozen, her face bright red with embarrassment as she stared blankly at Frederick.
“What brings you here?”
“I, um…”
Frederick asked the moment he reached her.
Grace fidgeted, avoiding his eyes, barely managing to respond.
“Is there some kind of problem?”
“N-no, it’s not that…”
“If there’s something wrong, tell me so I can take care of it right away.”
Frederick seemed to think she had come because of some urgent matter.
Grace swallowed hard and forced herself to continue.
“I just…”
“…”
“I came to see you, Frederick.”
“Me? All of a sudden?”
Frederick was puzzled.
They shared breakfast and dinner together every day and even went to bed at the same time.
What reason could there be to come see him like this?
“I wanted to… see you use a sword.”
“…”
“And… just because.”
Frederick looked closely at her face.
So this is what they call artistic passion.
He concluded that Grace had come to the training grounds purely out of artistic curiosity.
It wasn’t a subject she had shown much interest in before.
“Well, since you’re here, it would be good to formally introduce you to the knights.”
“Huh…? Me?”
“You haven’t really spoken with them yet. And I think they’ve been wanting to meet you.”
Frederick motioned toward the knights.
All eyes were now on them.
Grace, flustered and unsure of what to do, looked to Frederick, who then offered her his hand.
“…”
She stared at it for a moment, then gently placed her hand in his.
The two of them began walking side by side.
His warmth spread through her hand.
It was the third time.
The first was on their wedding day, when he escorted her.
The second, when the painter requested a pose for the portrait.
And now—an introduction to his knights.
Grace silently wished her pounding heart wouldn’t give her away.
As they approached, the knights bowed deeply to them.
“We greet the Duchess!”
Their unified voices rang out, like the ground itself was rumbling.
“Nice to meet you. I’m… Grace.”
Grace waved not only her hand but also raised her voice, so the knights in the back could notice her too.
“Thank you… all for your hard… work.”
She smiled as brightly as she could.
It was sudden and a little awkward, but she wanted to leave a good impression.
“Yes, my lady!”
The knights replied loudly, still bowing.
Then came a round of applause.
It was a warm welcome for their new mistress.
When the knights raised their heads, every face was full of cheer.
Grace’s chest swelled with emotion.
She had never imagined she would be welcomed so warmly by so many people.
“Let me introduce you to the key members of the order.”
Still holding her hand, Frederick led her among the knights.
Grace felt like her heart might burst from the warmth of his hand and the welcoming atmosphere, so she discreetly pressed a hand to her chest.
“This is Linus Stonewest, the commander. He’s the second son of the Marquis of Stonewest.”
“Greetings, my lady.”
Linus had broad shoulders and tanned skin—he looked strong and full of vitality.
“Hello.”
“I’ve always wanted to meet you. It’s an honor.”
Grace smiled shyly.
Linus lifted her hand and kissed it.
“I’ve heard many good things about you, my lady. Everyone in the household truly loves and respects you.
They say you’re the most kind and thoughtful person they’ve ever met.”
“Oh…?”
It was the first time Grace had ever heard rumors about herself.
Her face, already flushed, turned even redder from the compliment.
“We hope to be in your good graces.”
“Y-yes… of course.”
“I’ve heard you always listen to our concerns… So if His Grace gives us a hard time, can we come to you for help?”
“Linus.”
“Haha, just joking, Your Grace. No one treats us better than you.”
Linus and Frederick seemed quite close—comfortable enough to joke around like that.
Though Frederick called his name in a stern tone, it didn’t sound like he was truly upset.
Meanwhile, Lisetta, who had been standing nearby, felt a strange mix of emotions as she watched Grace and Frederick together.
“She said she came to see the training…”
Until now, Lisetta had never seen Frederick take Grace anywhere himself.
Since it was a political marriage, she had assumed they were more of a formal couple than a real one.
But looking at them now, standing close together—they actually seemed like a well-matched couple.
And Frederick, introducing the duchess to the knights without any prior announcement, was wearing a gentle expression Lisetta had never seen before.
“Maybe… being naive is better, after all.”
She recalled the cold words Frederick had once said when Grace first arrived—how he spoke of her without the slightest interest.
But now… it didn’t seem like he felt nothing for her anymore.
Even the rumors about Grace had changed.
At first, people said she was a fool—mentally slow.
But now, the word was that she was not only competent, but beloved by the staff for her kind nature.
Lisetta had witnessed Grace’s first awkward moments at the estate, and had been puzzled by the transformation—but soon stopped thinking about it.
Frederick never mentioned his wife, and Grace never showed up in the training grounds.
But now she had.
She had entered the space that Frederick and Lisetta had always shared.
It felt like her territory had been intruded upon.
Frederick and Grace, unaware of Lisetta’s thoughts, walked toward her still holding hands.
“This is Lisetta Phylon, the vice-commander. She’s the eldest daughter of Count Phylon.”
“Good day, my lady.”
Lisetta masked her emotions and greeted them politely.
Grace looked at her with an innocent expression.
“Nice to meet you.”
Her voice was soft and her tone natural—much more so than when they first met.
Lisetta was slightly taken aback.
Even with proper tutoring, could someone change this quickly?
It wasn’t that long ago Grace could barely speak from fear.
“You’ve met before, right? Do you remember, Lisetta?”
“Yes, I do. It was when the lady came to the forest—I first met her then.”
“Yes…!”
Grace’s eyes widened in recognition.
“You… you rode horses with me…”
“I didn’t get the chance to greet you properly back then. It’s an honor to do so now.”
“Likewise.”
Grace smiled.
Even her closing words were well-delivered.
Though she still stammered a bit, it only came off as slight nervousness.
She didn’t seem foolish or slow anymore.
…
It was something to be relieved about.
If the duchess were truly lacking, her behavior might tarnish Frederick’s honor.
So Grace improving was a good thing for Frederick—and yet, Lisetta couldn’t help but feel a dull ache in her chest.
Meanwhile, Grace also felt something odd when she looked at Lisetta.
Even though she was being polite and respectful, something about her felt cold.
“I hope we can get along… from now on.”
“Yes, my lady. I’ll do my utmost to serve you.”
“Shall we go?”
Frederick and Grace moved on to meet the rest of the key knights.
Lisetta stood silently, watching them walk away, then slowly turned her gaze.
