Duke's wife

Chapter 23

Grace looked at Arthur, who had the same expression as her, with a tearful look on her face.

"Duke, do you see me as such a cold and unkind person? Wherever I go, I can feel the duke's gaze reaching me, even if I don't see the duke's face, I am able to feel it. So you want me to just pretend I don't know? I can't do that!"

"......What am I supposed to do? Are you telling me to give up even looking at you from afar?

Then, with a voice filled with grief and despair, Grace answered, shaking her head firmly.

"No, please keep looking at me. Just like this, standing within a close reach of each other."

"......"

"And don't go away from me, don't go, you may have a hard time from now on, but don't leave me. Just say something like that....Then I won't go."

".....My lady."

"Don't you understand if I am saying so? I like you, too! So I want you to hold on to me! Had it not been for this feeling, would I have deliberately done the troublesome job of passing by the garden overlooking the duke's office?"

Arthur let go of her hand in disbelief at Grace's loud cry. Then he stretched out his trembling hand and stammered, hugging her.

"...... Are you sure? You really, me?"

[T/N: It's not a typo, he is stammering in disbelief, so he is talking in broken language hehe.]

"Yes, I do."

"....Really, can I hold onto you?"

"Yes, please. I hope you do."

" ......If you get closer to me, the curse will get even stronger, is that ok?"

Grace, who was still in Arthur's arms, gently pushed him away when he asked in a trembling voice. Then she answered, gazing at him, who had a mournful look in his eyes.

"To be honest, I'm actually scared. My hands still tremble with fear at the thought of the party."

"....To be more honest, I'm afraid of the curse as much as I like you. About half and half?

Arthur also smiled at Grace's playful smile as if to lighten up the mood. Grace gently reached out to his face. Arthur was surprised at the touch on his cheek, Grace continued, looking at Arthur gently placing his hands over hers.

"That's why I made a bet with myself."

"......A bet?"

"Will the Duke come to hold onto me or not? Yes, if the Duke comes to hold onto me and asks me to stay with him, I'll try to pluck up my courage even if I am afraid."

".....My lady."

"So promise me you'll always love me as you do now. Tell them we'll find a way to solve the curse together somehow... and promise me that. Promise me that, and I won't leave."

Then Grace smiled broadly at Arthur. Arthur clasped her hand under his hand, looking at her heartily and overwhelmingly.

"......That's all I need to promise?"

"Yes, with that promise, I think I'll be able to stand even if I'm scared."

"....Okay. I promise with my life."

Arthur took a step closer to her, making a promise with a firm look. Then he pulled her back into his arms with one hand and she made one more vow in her heart, such that he wouldn't hear it.

If she couldn't find a way to solve the curse, she would kill herself with this hand to prevent it.

Then Arthur stroked her head in his arms. Grace smiled softly, raised her head out from his arms, reached out to Arthur, and said, touching his mask.