Spring in My Grasp - Chapter 38

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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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(38) All Day Long, I Love It!

“Fortune has smiled upon us, truly it has.”
Unaware of her inner turmoil, the Marquis filled his glass with unbridled joy. The Marchioness Hartwood forced a smile and spoke.
“Indeed, my dear. What an… unexpected turn of events.”
“You’re right, dear. It’s truly… quite unexpected.”
Yet her eyes had grown subtly dim.
‘How on earth could this have happened…’
Questions spiraled endlessly through her mind. A worthless creature who possessed nothing had suddenly ascended in station.
In truth, the Marchioness Hartwood had secretly investigated Rowan’s circumstances and knew them well. Alexis, too, was a thorn in the Glister Family’s side. He would never establish himself within the family, and Rowan had been cast into the Annex shortly after their marriage.
When she heard that news, she had exulted at the thought of switching Rowan’s marriage prospects with her own daughter. Even if Rowan and her husband maintained a cordial relationship, they could never assume any meaningful role within the Glister Family.
The rumor circulated through High Society that Count Glister had brought a son born of his mistress, and that the Countess treated her second son with such coldness.
‘No, it cannot be.’
The Marchioness Hartwood’s hands clenched her dress tightly.
“Unless he is a fool, he will eventually seek another match. She will be discarded soon enough.”
The Marchioness Hartwood steadied her breathing and forced her heart to settle. She swallowed her suppressed jealousy and maintained a gentle expression.
Yet deep within, a terrible anxiety bloomed like wildfire—what if that child truly was favored? What if that marriage truly became secure?
That anxiety pierced the Marchioness Hartwood’s chest quietly, yet with a sharp edge. Still, she could not afford to miss this opportunity. The Marquis Hartwood was receiving letters from influential figures in High Society, and so was the Marchioness. Suppressing the jealousy that burned in her heart, she began sending correspondence far and wide.
The servants of the Hartwood Marquis Family were exhausted from rushing about all day, preparing to receive guests.
In the midst of this chaos, Layla was venting her fury in her room.
“This is insane!”
Her voice tore through the air sharply.
“How, how could she become the wife of a Holy Knight!”
She hurled her hand mirror, and a perfume bottle on the vanity shattered with a crash. Maids rushed in to carefully sweep up the fragments. Yet her hysteria did not cease.
“How did that reckless fool suddenly become a Holy Knight!”
Her younger brother Raikey, who had been watching the scene, opened his mouth.
“Calm yourself, sister.”
He then approached Layla and whispered.
“Will that man who became a Holy Knight continue to keep your sister Rowan? Once he gains dazzling beauties and power, his heart will inevitably change.”
At those words, Layla, who had been breathing heavily, fell silent for a moment. Then she turned to Raikey with sharp eyes.
“But he took her directly into the Royal Castle himself.”
Layla ground her teeth.
“Formally.”
Raikey tilted his head, seeming puzzled.
“Hmm. Well, that’s true, but…”
He shrugged.
“Think about it. Has that sister of ours ever set foot in High Society? Can she truly fulfill the role of a Holy Knight’s wife?”
“Absolutely not. It’s impossible.”
Layla spoke with a growl in her voice.
“That’s exactly it.”
Raikey continued.
“There’s no child between the two of them yet, so how much longer do you think that sister-in-law can hold out?”
The siblings huddled their heads together and whispered conspiratorially.
“Don’t worry about it. Even if he became a Holy Knight, he’s still a ruffian who lived like a scoundrel. Can you teach an old dog new tricks? You just focus on preparing for your wedding.”
At Raikey’s words, Layla thought of her fiancé—the man who had originally been betrothed to Rowan.
“Cedric….”
His name escaped her lips as though enchanted. The sole heir and successor of House of Belmont.
‘Yes, let me calm down.’
Layla steadied herself, drawing in a deep breath.
‘No matter how you look at it, he’s the better choice.’
While not conventionally handsome, he possessed the refined appearance befitting a nobleman. The impeccable manners and courteous demeanor he displayed at their first meeting were incomparable to Alexis, who had appeared covered in blood at that initial gathering.
Alexis had been breathtakingly beautiful when he appeared at Rowan’s wedding, yet Layla was content with her own fiancé. What good was a beautiful face if it belonged to a ruffian like Alexis, who could claim no position in his family? Cedric was infinitely superior.
At least Cedric was the sole heir of House of Belmont and possessed considerable wealth. By marrying him, she would be called the future Marquis’s wife and could walk through High Society with pride—unlike Rowan, who had been cast out to the Annex.
Layla sat before her mirror, painstakingly applying cosmetics to her pallid complexion as she murmured to herself.
“What good is gaining holy power all of a sudden? Becoming a Holy Knight won’t change who he is at his core.”
With that thought, her spirits lifted slightly.
‘My man is far superior. A ruffian who does nothing but brawl….’
Layla’s lips trembled. Raikey, observing this, waved his hand.
“Well then, I’ll be off. I have an appointment.”
“Another drinking session with your friends?”
As Layla shot back at him, Raikey chuckled.
“Why are you like this? Ever since my brother-in-law became a Holy Knight, I’ve been getting all sorts of contact from people. Those same fellows who wouldn’t even acknowledge me before. I can’t let an opportunity like this slip away.”
With that, Raikey added.
“Isn’t the same true for you, sister?”
He was right. Layla’s gaze shifted toward the letters piled high on the side table.
Layla certainly had noble ladies of appropriate standing, but they all came from minor houses. Yet suddenly, these proud daughters of prestigious families—whom she rarely had the chance to encounter—were sending her invitations to tea parties.
“Why don’t you enjoy this opportunity too?”
Though Raikey said this, Layla found it impossible. It was all too transparent. The purpose of their invitations was clear: they would interrogate her about Rowan and seek connections through her. She could never bring herself to sit in those gatherings and lavish praise upon Rowan or express envy of her. Because of this, Layla had never accepted a single invitation, and these women, unaware of her true feelings, continued sending letters in desperation.
‘Hmph, as if….’
Layla turned her gaze away once more. If Rowan ultimately failed to win Alexis’s favor, any connection would be worthless. Layla desired friendships befitting her status as a future Marquis’s wife. She applied more beauty cream, studying her reflection in the mirror.
***
***
While High Society and all the noble families buzzed with excitement, the two people within the castle remained blissfully unaware of the commotion.
“Are you really sure we don’t need to go out?”
Rowan turned to Alexis with sudden concern.
“Yes.”
Alexis pulled Rowan close from behind as she sat on the bed.
“I arranged to rest until the end of this week. The High Priest has already given his permission.”
Rowan blinked.
“How long has it been since you started at the Grand Cathedral?”
As Rowan grumbled, Alexis buried his face deeper into her shoulder.
“What does it matter?”
he said.
“Even Holy Knights deserve rest during their honeymoon.”
Honeymoon… Rowan let out a hollow laugh. So much time had passed since that period, yet now he called it a honeymoon. But he was right. This was the first time they were truly experiencing a proper honeymoon together.
“Anyway, we should get up now.”
Rowan sat up.
“I’m hungry.”
At that, Alexis pulled the golden cord. Following his instructions, the servants would leave their meal on a trolley outside the door. Their disheveled appearance made it impossible to bring it inside the bedroom.
Alexis didn’t mind, but Rowan found it unbearably embarrassing. Moreover, since arriving at the castle, she had spent the past several days confined to the bedroom with Alexis, and she dreaded facing anyone afterward.
‘How am I supposed to face the Butler and Lea?’
As Rowan wrestled with these thoughts, Alexis’s arm tightened around her waist.
“Let’s stay like this a little longer.”
Rowan nestled back into his embrace, letting out a soft sigh as she wrapped her arms around his waist in return.
“You’re quite lazy, aren’t you?”
Rowan said.
“Doesn’t it feel suffocating being in this room all day?”
“No.”
Alexis replied.
“I like spending all day like this with you.”
“….”
“Even if we do nothing.”

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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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