Spring in My Grasp - Chapter 17

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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(17) Two Uninvited Guests

He clicked his tongue inwardly at how boldly forward the woman was being. Not that he minded, particularly. Yet there was one thing that displeased him.
“That aside, Lea.”
“Anyway, Lea.”
At Alexis’s call, Lea started with a gasp. She quickly bent her body and hurried forward before him.
“Yes, Master.”
“Regardless of how comfortably Rowan treats you.”
His voice rang out with chilling coldness.
“I have never heard of a Maid sleeping while her master labors.”
“That is… well…”
Lea’s body trembled visibly.
“Did you work this way at the Main Residence?”
The chill in Alexis’s voice deepened with each word.
“Surely that was not the case?”
“No, no! Master, I…”
In that moment, Rowan bolted upright.
“Why are you being like this, truly!”
At Rowan’s flustered outcry, Alexis turned to regard her.
“We arranged to take turns resting between ourselves!”
Rowan, who had been docile mere moments before—or rather, drowsy—now cried out in defiance toward Alexis.
“We divided the work that way between us!”
Of course, I haven’t slept a wink because of you.
Rowan wailed inwardly.
‘I wanted to sleep too!’
Alexis deliberated for a moment, then tapped his fingertips against the Table with sharp, measured strikes.
“Regardless of that—”
“Ugh, enough! We decided it between ourselves, I’m telling you!”
And then she uttered words she should never have spoken.
“If you’re so concerned, why don’t you come help us with the work!”
In that instant, Alexis’s fingers, which had been tapping against the Table, froze as though turned to stone. Watching his suddenly hardened expression, Rowan felt sleep vanish from her in a heartbeat.
‘Oh gods, I’ve lost my mind.’
Did I really just ask the young master of a Prestigious Noble Family to help with labor in the Annex? Is he about to fly into a rage?
Rowan squeezed her eyes shut, feeling all her efforts to appease him crumble to dust.
‘I’m truly digging my own grave.’
When exhaustion runs this deep, nonsense spills from one’s lips. Should I apologize right now? Would begging and groveling earn his forgiveness? Rowan was caught in this dilemma when—
“My Lady! I have arrived!”
Suddenly, a knock sounded, and before anyone could respond, the door burst open. A booming voice accompanied by raucous laughter filled the Room.
“Do you know what I’ve brought today? You and Lea will be able to feast on a most exquisite dinner!”
A familiar man’s voice drew steadily closer.
“Of course, I shall join you as well—”
The man burst through the doorway with a broad smile plastered across his face, only to fall silent in that very instant. Rowan squeezed her eyes shut, and Lea turned rigid as stone.
“Y-Young Master….”
The contents of the wicker basket tumbled forth in a cascade. Fresh meat, spices, wine, and rare fruits scattered across the floor in a rolling tumble.
He turned his head slowly, regarding the intruder. His gaze held a silence far deeper than that of a frozen lake.
“So everyone sees it all here.”
A chill lay embedded in his low-pitched voice.
“Butler.”
***
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“I-It’s truly a misunderstanding!”
Faced with Alexis’s demeanor—one that seemed capable of freezing everyone around him—the Butler dropped to his knees without a moment’s hesitation.
“A grave misunderstanding, Young Master!”
“Is that so?”
One corner of Alexis’s mouth twisted upward in a crooked smile.
“What misunderstanding are you referring to?”
“It’s just… everything….”
The Butler’s tongue seemed paralyzed, his words refusing to flow properly. Yet sensing the chill emanating from Alexis’s gaze as it bore down upon me, he struggled desperately to open his mouth.
“It’s all a misunderstanding!”
“So then.”
Alexis’s voice resonated low.
“What exactly is being misunderstood?”
The Butler and Lea trembled like drenched dogs unable to bear their circumstances. In the midst of this, the Butler lifted his eyes slightly, gazing at Rowan in supplication. In truth, the current Alexis was difficult even for me to manage. And yet.
‘Sigh.’
I couldn’t simply leave those two cowering in such terror. Reluctantly, I stepped forward.
“What on earth are you thinking?”
In that moment, Alexis’s sharp violet eyes turned toward me.
‘Gasp!’
Did I make a mistake by stepping forward? I instinctively shrank back, but having committed myself, I couldn’t cowardly withdraw now.
“Let’s just have dinner.”
Now that I thought about it, this man seemed to eat quite well the simple dishes I’d prepared—or was it merely that he’d drunk broth to cure his hangover? I couldn’t be certain. But for now, I needed to appease him.
“You’ll stay for the meal, won’t you?”
“….”
Alexis said nothing.
“Stay and eat, Alexis.”
“…!”
At least the chill seemed to pause somewhat compared to before. Seizing the moment, Rowan quickly turned her attention to the trembling Lea and Butler.
“What are you doing, Lea? And Butler! Come help prepare the meal!”
They had to get them out of this situation quickly. The moment Rowan finished speaking, the Butler and Lea rushed off to the Kitchen—or rather, fled.
“Why don’t you relax with a cup of tea in the Living Room? We’ll have a delicious dinner ready for you in no time.”
Rowan coaxed him gently, leading him away from the Dining Table. Though Alexis rose without protest at her direction, he shot a glare toward the Butler before leaving the Kitchen.
“Please, make yourself comfortable on the sofa and rest for a moment.”
‘Stop it, both of you—just stop!’
Rowan swallowed her exasperation and smiled sweetly as she practically forced Alexis onto the Living Room sofa.
Perhaps it was her oddly familiar manner of treating him that made the difference. Surprisingly, Alexis obediently settled onto the sofa as she directed. What came after was almost unbearable.
Dinner was an ordeal from start to finish. Alexis ate in silence and finished quickly, while the Butler could barely eat at all, trembling visibly before fleeing like a frightened animal. Lea appeared on the verge of being sick, drinking only water.
‘My precious evening hours…’
Wasn’t one of Rowan’s greatest pleasures enjoying a hearty, delicious dinner and then drifting off to sleep with a satisfied belly? Yet even she couldn’t show her disappointment, merely hoping the uncomfortable meal would end quickly.
“Take care going in.”
After dinner, Rowan hurried to see Alexis off. He paused at the Annex entrance, gazing at her intently. Rowan tilted her head in confusion.
“Go rest properly now. You’ve only just recovered—you shouldn’t be pushing yourself like this.”
I know all too well how bedridden this man gets, Rowan thought to herself. Alexis stared at her silently for a moment, then abruptly turned away. His footsteps faded into the darkness. Only then did Rowan release a sigh of relief, yawning widely as she stepped back into the Annex.
‘I need to catch up on sleep.’
Besides, whenever she was around that man, Rowan found herself clutching her throbbing head.
Some intense, incomprehensible aura emanated from him, so overwhelming that her entire body ached. Hadn’t she even fainted at the wedding because of it? The energy radiating from his entire being seemed to ripple like something tangible, threatening to engulf her.
‘It must be because I’ve come to such a strange world.’
Rowan stretched and quickly entered her Room. Tonight, she felt certain she would sleep without dreams.
Meanwhile, Alexis, who had begun walking toward the Main Residence, suddenly stopped in his tracks. Then, just as abruptly, he turned around to look back.
The Annex appeared hazy in the darkness that had settled over everything. For some reason, Alexis could not bring himself to continue toward the Main Residence, instead lingering in the area.
Something felt strange. By rights, Rowan should be his proper wife, spending their newlywed life with him in the Main Residence. By rights, the Annex should hold only terrible and sorrowful memories for him. Yet now, why did he feel this way?
“….”
I’ve become strange.
Alexis thought bitterly. It was because of those Idinga Brothers. He wouldn’t be satisfied until he had taken his revenge on them. To have shown himself in such a pathetic, injured state…
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Peaceful, quiet days followed. For a time, Alexis did not visit the Annex, and Rowan, together with Lea, diligently tended the Garden and saved money as before.
A subtle broth aroma drifted through the Annex Kitchen. The floor gleamed spotlessly, and herbs that Rowan had grown herself lined the windowsill. As she gazed out the window while sipping warm tea, Rowan turned her head toward the Butler, who had knocked and entered cautiously.
“It’s been a while since you’ve visited, Butler.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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