Spring in My Grasp - Chapter 21

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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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(21) Shattered Pride

Rowan could hardly engage in a physical struggle with Alexis, regardless of her protests. Despite her attempts to stop him, he continued reading the letter’s contents slowly and deliberately. The envelope bore the name of Marquis Hartwood.
「Rowan.
I hear you’ve been banished to the Annex.
If you are to become the mistress of an aristocratic household, conduct yourself accordingly. How could you possibly have ended up confined to the Annex immediately after your marriage? What manner of behavior led to such disgrace?
Do you believe marrying the second son of Count Glister’s household absolves you of responsibility? Your inability to establish yourself in the Main Residence is ultimately your own fault.
If you had borne a child, things would be different. You must create leverage to change your position. To win your husband’s affection, you must offer your body without hesitation.
This is not a request—it is a warning. Do not waste any more time empty-handed. Have you forgotten why I sent you away? For the Hartwood Family to establish a connection with Count Glister’s household, you must be ‘useful’—that is the only meaning your presence holds. This is the duty of an eldest daughter for your siblings Layla and Raikey. If you continue to fail in finding a solution, I shall take matters into my own hands.
Do as I command. Do not humiliate me further.」
When Alexis finished reading the entire letter, his face hardened like stone. Rowan, suddenly mortified, felt heat rise to her cheeks as she quietly snatched the letter from his hands.
“As you can see, well… my father is rather… he cares for me deeply….”
Of all times to be caught with a letter demanding grandchildren. Rowan, embarrassed to face Alexis, scratched the back of her head and offered a feeble excuse.
“Marquis Hartwood is quite something.”
Alexis spoke in a flat tone, his expression settling into quiet contemplation.
“Come now, why the sudden seriousness?”
As the atmosphere grew heavy, Rowan laughed awkwardly to lighten the mood.
“My father is simply patriarchal and worries excessively.”
At her words, Alexis lifted his eyes to regard Rowan. Her bright smile did not seem to carry deception. Yet… after a moment of reflection, Alexis spoke.
“It seems he shows particular favor toward your siblings.”
Rowan’s expression stiffened momentarily at his words. But she did not reveal it. Still, the Hartwood Family Estate remained her true home here. She could not know how deeply the original Rowan had bonded with them, but if she misspoke now, she risked exposing that she was not truly their family. Rowan shrugged and replied.
“Well, one naturally tends to younger children. I’m grown now.”
Was it sincere? Did she truly harbor no resentment? Alexis found himself curious about Rowan. What thoughts occupied her mind? What feelings did she harbor in her heart? Yet the face before him, shrugging with such composure and smiling, bore not a shadow of darkness.
Suddenly, Alexis felt a wave of contempt wash over him, and he bit his lip. His wife, younger and seemingly more fragile than himself, moved through her family’s household with unwavering resilience and brightness. Yet here he stood—a man, a member of the family—wavering and lost beneath their scorn. The shame of it struck him suddenly.
“….”
He found the woman before him utterly fascinating. Though she appeared outwardly delicate, when he truly considered it, she was always smiling. She managed the Annex’s affairs with the Maid, steadfast and undaunted by her family’s treatment.
Even when cast out to this Annex, she had not despaired. Despite his coldness toward her, whenever he returned, she prepared meals for him without hesitation or complaint.
‘I’m curious.’
Alexis glanced at Rowan without her noticing.
‘Just who are you, really?’
A ripple seemed to stir within his chest.
***
Something is amiss.
Rowan stood in contemplation for a long while, her expression grave.
‘Something is truly amiss.’
Lately, Alexis had been frequenting the Annex so often that the threshold was wearing thin. And it seemed he no longer ventured outside to drink or socialize with others.
-Young Master has finally come to his senses!
The Butler exclaimed with unbridled emotion.
-Now that he’s married, he’s truly becoming a respectable member of Count Glister’s Household!
Is this what marriage is supposed to be? Rowan felt exasperated beyond words, yet she betrayed nothing. But what truly astounded her was Alexis taking it even further.
“I suppose I ought to find myself some employment.”
It was one evening. By now, Lea and the Butler took their meals separately from us. Sharing every meal with Alexis, who visited daily, had become far too burdensome. Consequently, Rowan now dined each evening with Alexis rather than Lea. Since he was hardly a comfortable companion, the discomfort weighed solely upon her.
“You must agree it’s rather unseemly for me to lack an occupation.”
Whether you have one or not—what does it matter to me? What is he even saying?
Rowan’s eyes widened in bewilderment. Yet seeing Alexis across from her, pouring wine with apparent seriousness and contemplation, she could not bring herself to ask.
“I… suppose so. After all, labor is noble.”
It was all she could manage to say. At that, Alexis’s eyes narrowed sharply for a moment.
“Don’t mock me. Do you think I’d take just any position?”
“No, I wasn’t mocking—”
“Don’t worry. While I may not match my brother, I won’t do anything that would embarrass you.”
Excuse me. Whether you become a thief or a crime lord, how does that embarrass me? Rowan’s jaw dropped in utter disbelief.
In truth, this marriage in name only had never felt particularly real to her. But lately, there was something distinctly peculiar in Alexis’s words. Unable to respond for a moment, Rowan simply reached for the cold water before her and drank it down in long gulps. Now that she thought of it, there was something she needed to tell him.
“By the way, Alexis.”
Rowan spoke up.
“I apologize for not mentioning this to you sooner—”
At that, Alexis lifted his gaze from his wine glass to look at her.
“A woman named Evelyn came by the other day.”
Rowan continued.
“It seems you two were quite close, and she appears to feel neglected lately… as if her feelings have been hurt. She wasn’t particularly harsh toward me, but for her to come all this way, she must be quite upset. It’s clear she cares for you deeply. Perhaps when you have the chance, you could visit her and mend things—”
That was when it happened. In that instant, the dining table rang out with a sharp crack. Rowan flinched in alarm, her eyes snapping to Alexis. His fist had come down upon the table.
“….”
A desolate, piercing gleam emanated from his violet-blue eyes.
‘This aura again….’
That strange, discordant presence she had felt intermittently since their wedding ceremony. Rowan barely suppressed her vertigo as she met his gaze.
“Why… why are you doing this?”
“….”
“You’re frightening me.”
No matter how handsome a man might be, if he stares at you as though he means to kill you, fear is inevitable. As Rowan shrank back, watching him, one corner of his mouth twisted upward in a cruel smile.
“Of course.”
After a long silence, Alexis uttered only those words before rising abruptly and striding out without a backward glance. Moments later, the front door of the Annex slammed shut with force.
Once Rowan confirmed that Alexis had fully departed, she pressed a hand to her chest and released a shaky breath of relief.
‘Why on earth is his temperament so vile?’
I thought he might improve, but apparently not.
Rowan shook her head with a wry smile. Handsome men truly do live up to their appearance.
***
Leaving the Annex behind, Alexis turned toward the Night Street, emotions churning as though ready to explode. Never had that warm yet indifferent face felt so cruel to him.
‘Why does this bother me so much?’
Alexis bit his lip hard.
‘Why on earth?’
That casual suggestion to seek out another woman haunted him. Lately, whenever he visited her Annex, his heart would race inexplicably. Before, he would tire of friends and women if he saw them too often, but Rowan was different. The more he saw her, the more at ease he felt; when he didn’t see her, a hollow ache would creep in.
At first, Alexis was bewildered by this intense emotional state, but he soon made peace with it. After all, she was currently his wife, was she not? He could see her whenever he wished, meet her whenever he desired. Whenever he sought her out, she always welcomed him warmly.
So he had reassured himself. Eventually, when he wished it, she would become his wife in truth. And now, was there truly such a great difference?
Yet perhaps that was his arrogance.

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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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