Spring in My Grasp - Chapter 20

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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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(20) A Man with Only a Good Face

They say even a tiger comes when you speak of it.
Rowan stared intently at Alexis, who stood at the entrance of the Annex with a faint scent of alcohol clinging to him. He lingered awkwardly before the doorway, his expression betraying discomfort.
“Have you been drinking?”
At Rowan’s question, Alexis’s face stiffened visibly. And was that a flush creeping beneath his eyes?
“Not much….”
Alexis replied. Rowan nodded. True enough—while a faint alcohol scent did emanate from him, it wasn’t particularly strong. Moreover, Alexis showed no signs of intoxication whatsoever.
It seemed he had attended a party, yet she couldn’t fathom why he would visit the Annex at such an early hour. Fortunately, the Butler had just returned to the Main Residence; otherwise, they might have encountered each other again.
‘Thank heavens for small mercies.’
Rowan thought to herself. From that single meeting here, the Butler had apparently been harassed for quite some time. Had they crossed paths again today, he might have collapsed from overwork. After all, he was precious manpower who delivered her food and supplies—she couldn’t afford to lose him over such matters.
“Then what brings you….”
When Rowan asked, Alexis bit his lip. His expression seemed anxious, wounded in his pride. What on earth did he want? As Rowan’s confusion deepened, Alexis suddenly spoke.
“I’m hungry.”
“Pardon?”
Rowan doubted her own ears. I’ve been hearing strange things all day. Have my ears stopped working? She scratched at her ear.
“I said I’m hungry.”
But when Alexis confirmed it with those words, Rowan stared at him blankly, her expression utterly bewildered.
‘When did Count Glister’s Household finances deteriorate?’
Words of hunger from the mouth of Count Glister’s heir? Rowan’s eyes widened in shock, and Alexis’s expression at the doorway darkened considerably.
“What are you doing?”
His voice carried an oddly sharp edge.
“Are you planning to keep me standing here?”
“Ah….”
Only then did Rowan hastily usher him inside.
“Come in… please.”
I’d thought he wouldn’t show his face for a while. I’d thought we’d returned to our previous routine, yet suddenly Alexis appeared like this after so long.
Rowan guided him to the Living Room sofa, then approached Lea, who was tidying up in the Kitchen.
“Lea.”
Drawing close to Lea, who was organizing the Kitchen, Rowan whispered softly in her ear.
“He’s come again.”
“That person?”
Lea’s eyes widened in alarm before she caught her breath.
“Surely not….”
“Yes, Alexis.”
Lea’s face filled with utter astonishment. Rowan shook her head at her and spoke.
“You can finish tidying tomorrow. For now, go rest in your Room.”
“But then Rowan would have to…”
Lea’s eyes silently asked if she could manage him alone. Rowan nodded without a word. Either way, there was no need for Lea to shoulder this burden alongside her.
“I’ll just throw together something from the leftover soup and food to send him off with. You go on inside for now. I’ll handle him appropriately and send him on his way.”
“Then… I suppose…”
Lea no longer refused Rowan’s suggestion. Alexis’s presence loomed far too large and terrifying for her. Moreover, whenever those cold, blue-violet eyes turned toward her, her body would shrink away.
“I’ll take my leave then… Rowan, I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry for what? In exchange, I’m sleeping in tomorrow, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes, of course. Please rest well tomorrow.”
With a thoroughly miserable expression, Lea wiped her hands on her apron and hurried out of the Kitchen. Upon glimpsing Alexis sitting on the Living Room sofa, she bowed with such deference it bordered on servility, then fled up the stairs to the Second Floor as though escaping.
‘What a bustling Maid she is.’
Alexis, who harbored no particular thoughts about Lea, merely clicked his tongue inwardly.
Rowan hastily prepared dinner for Alexis. Of course, she was using the leftovers from her meal with Lea earlier, but she warmed everything thoroughly and transferred it to the dishes with meticulous care so that Alexis wouldn’t notice.
“You said you were hungry, so I prepared it quickly. Come eat right away, Alexis.”
Once her preparations were complete, Rowan called to Alexis. In truth, she hadn’t prepared it quickly so much as simply reheated the leftover food, but Rowan saw no reason to mention such unnecessary details. Unaware of this, Alexis silently followed her call to the Kitchen and took his seat at the Dining Table.
Before him lay several humble dishes. As he brought the spoon to his lips, a savory warmth seemed to fill his entire being.
‘There’s nothing particularly special about it.’
The Count’s Residence typically served magnificent banquets, and whenever Alexis ventured out, he dined only at the finest restaurants. He had never tasted commoner’s food, nor had he ever had the opportunity to do so.
Yet why did this simple meal that Rowan had prepared for him stir something within him? Was it because she hadn’t had the Maids prepare it, but had arranged it herself? Or perhaps…
“How is it? Does it suit your palate?”
When he lifted his eyes, Rowan sat across from him with a gentle smile. Alexis lowered his gaze once more and devoted himself silently to his meal. In truth, the reason Rowan was treating Alexis with such attentiveness and catering to his preferences had another cause—information the Butler had shared with her today.
“But do you know, madam?”
The Butler had whispered discreetly.
“Why the budget allocation for this Annex suddenly increased so dramatically?”
And he had continued, explaining how Alexis, after visiting the Annex once, had confronted the Countess and declared that if she didn’t provide generous support to this East Annex, he wouldn’t let the matter rest. Upon hearing this, Rowan had been utterly astonished.
“Is that truly so?”
“Why would I lie about such a thing?”
The Butler had added that his feelings toward the young master weren’t particularly favorable either.
“But the truth remains the truth.”
Thanks to that, I’ve been able to procure supplies for this place without hesitation, he had said. Rowan had been genuinely moved.
‘So he’s capable of such thoughtful deeds.’
Yes, when she thought of it that way, what was a simple dinner compared to that? Rowan’s heart suddenly became far more generous. After all, it was just reheating some leftover food.
Of course, this was something Alexis must never know.
“…That was delicious.”
Alexis had eaten every last bite of the meal Rowan had prepared. As she cleared away the empty dishes, Rowan reflected.
‘He must have been truly hungry.’
Since she had provided him with a meal today, perhaps next time someone caused trouble for this Annex, he would help. With a satisfied heart, Rowan prepared a warm tea and brought it to Alexis in the Living Room.
“It’s a tea that aids digestion, so please have at least a little.”
“…”
Alexis accepted the teacup Rowan offered as obediently as a well-behaved child.
‘He does seem to have become a bit kinder lately, come to think of it.’
Rowan nodded inwardly as she watched Alexis.
‘That’s right, he must be a good person at heart. After all, his face is kind.’
There was no way such a handsome face could be so twisted in nature.
Satisfied with her own logic, Rowan watched him sip his tea with a gentle smile. When Alexis noticed her gazing at him with laughing eyes, an unfamiliar sense of embarrassment washed over him—so unlike himself—and he averted his gaze.
Then suddenly, his eyes caught on a letter resting atop the side table before the sofa. He saw the name written on the envelope.
“It seems a letter has arrived from the Hartwood Marquis Family?”
He set down his teacup and posed the question casually, but in that instant, Rowan’s face drained of all color. Pale and flustered, she suddenly stammered and forced an awkward smile. The natural, gentle smile from moments before vanished without a trace.
“Oh, ah, well, that is… my parents worry so much…”
So she hadn’t put it away. She’d forgotten! Rowan laughed while waving her hand dismissively, but it only made her appear more suspicious. She hadn’t expected Alexis to visit so suddenly.
“What’s the matter?”
At Rowan’s abrupt change, Alexis’s eyes sharpened.
“It’s nothing serious, just… haha. My family checks in on me from time to time, that’s all.”
But caught so unprepared, Rowan’s demeanor grew increasingly strange. After studying her for a moment, Alexis suddenly reached for the letter.
“What? Wait! No, hold on!”
Flustered, Rowan stretched out her hand to stop him. But it was futile. Alexis had already opened the envelope and withdrawn the letter.
“No, that’s! It’s a personal matter from home! Wait, please! That’s my private business!”
“…”
“Um, no, that is… Alexis!”

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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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