Spring in My Grasp - Chapter 43

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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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(43) Cookie’s Intent

The newly appointed Holy Knight’s wife had withdrawn from society with conspicuous deliberation. Her mansion received no visitors whatsoever.
Of course, this didn’t mean I had truly secluded myself. I ventured out in modest attire from time to time with Lea, browsing the town for refreshments and shopping.
Yet because my appearance remained largely unseen, few recognized me. As a result, I had become an enigma to high society, which scrutinized my every move with keen interest.
Moreover, Alexis’s protection was formidable. He shielded those curious about my existence with an iron wall. Consequently, new rumors began to flourish—that he treasured his wife so dearly he kept her safe and comfortable within the castle walls.
Once whispers of the Holy Knight’s extreme devotion spread through high society, those who envied me began to emerge. Alexis had attracted no shortage of admirers since becoming a Holy Knight.
Whereas women had once clung to him for his beautiful appearance, now noble families of all kinds pursued him with stubborn persistence. Despite being married, Alexis remained a coveted prize in the marriage market. Contrary to his former reputation for dissolution when unmarried, Alexis embodied a Holy Knight of unwavering loyalty and integrity.
People now believed his previous reputation had been mistaken.
“Sigh.”
Yet as light brightens, shadow deepens in equal measure. I unwrapped an ornately packaged cookie box and exhaled heavily. Colorful, sweet-scented cookies lay nestled in a beautiful silver-trimmed box.
“Lady Rowan, would you mind examining this ledger for a moment? Oh—what are you doing?”
Just then, Lea entered carrying the ledger and cried out in surprise.
“Why are you destroying perfectly good cookies? Just give them to me.”
Lea approached me and watched as I crumbled the cookies into fine pieces and discarded them in the waste bin. Seeing her confusion, I shook my head.
“Don’t worry. My brother sent them.”
“What? You mean Audrey?”
Lea’s eyes widened. Since becoming a Holy Knight’s wife, I had received gifts from various families frequently. The Glister Family had recently sent gifts as well, so I assumed it was merely a courtesy call for the family’s reputation.
“I noticed gifts arriving from House Glister occasionally, but… was it really from Audrey?”
And cookies, no less. It was peculiar.
“Only my brother would do something so endearing.”
It was unimaginable that the Countess Glister would send me cookie gifts. Lea nodded with a troubled expression, then turned her gaze to my impassive face as I methodically crushed each cookie into fragments and disposed of them.
“But why exactly…?”
“These cannot be eaten.”
I replied.
“At first, I didn’t understand either and ate them several times.”
Lea leaned in close, listening intently.
“No matter how I think about it, something feels wrong.”
I spoke in hushed tones, as though divulging a secret.
“Count Glister or the Countess would never send such things. Francis wouldn’t either. It must be from my brother Audrey, but why cookies of all things?”
Lea shrugged, equally bewildered.
“That’s true.”
“There are so many maids and servants here. I’m certain the Glister Family has planted eyes and ears to monitor my conduct, so I accept all their gifts. But every single gift from House Glister has been food.”
The two women huddled close together, whispering conspiratorially.
“And every time, the gifts from House Glister are all edible items.”
“What?”
Lea covered her mouth with her hand.
“That’s a bit strange, isn’t it?”
“Isn’t it?”
Rowan nodded as though she’d expected this reaction.
“So actually, when I went into town with you, I made inquiries around to see if anyone had information about these cookies.”
“You… you didn’t.”
Lea’s hands trembled as she listened.
“I was ninety-nine percent certain something fishy was going on with them.”
“So there really was something?”
Hmm, Rowan spread her hands open.
“My suspicions were correct.”
….
“They were laced with infertility medication.”
Lea gasped sharply. Rowan let out a hollow laugh.
“It’s the kind of thing that circulates quietly in the Entertainment District. Prostitutes buy it secretly, apparently.”
In the Kingdom, infertility and contraceptive medications were strictly prohibited.
Childbirth was considered a sacred act, and consuming such medications was deemed an affront to God.
Because of this, prostitutes couldn’t obtain proper medications through legitimate channels, so they resorted to consuming them mixed into cookie dough instead.
The Innkeeper who confirmed this for Rowan had immediately panicked, urging her to hide it—if discovered, she could be accused of blasphemy. All that effort searching through town had finally paid off.
“Are they insane?”
Lea raised her voice in shock.
“Why did you keep this secret from me? If I’d known, I would have made sure such a gift never entered the castle!”
“I didn’t want to make a big fuss out of it.”
Rowan answered curtly.
“On the surface, I need to appear as though I haven’t made an enemy of the Glister Family. I also don’t want unnecessary attention around Alexis, who just became a Holy Knight and is still establishing himself. And I certainly don’t want strange rumors spreading about me. Honestly, it’s all just too bothersome.”
“But still, this is—”
“I’m destroying them like this so no one accidentally eats them if they happen to find them. It’s easier to just let my brother think I’ve been unknowingly eating cookies laced with infertility medication.”
“But… but still….”
“Someone like that will just find another method if I block this one, or cause an even bigger commotion. For now, I need you to pretend you don’t know anything either. I haven’t come up with a better solution yet, so I’m still thinking it through.”
“Lady Rowan….”
Lea sighed and took Rowan’s hand.
“How kind and good you are… to suffer such harassment even after coming to the castle… Don’t worry! I’ll protect you!”
“Huh? I’m actually doing great right now.”
Rowan rolled her eyes at Lea’s passionate declaration, as if she didn’t understand the concern.
“I just throw things like this away and move on. These days I’m doing everything I want and living comfortably, so I’m even gaining weight—which is nice. Even if people gossip behind my back, it doesn’t matter if I don’t hear it.”
Lea pondered for a moment, then nodded. Now that she thought about it, Rowan really was pursuing all the things she’d wanted to do lately.
She’d taken lessons in painting because she wanted to try it, was practicing horseback riding behind the castle, and since she no longer needed to do household chores, she was gradually tackling all the studies she’d been curious about. Things she’d never had the chance to learn in her previous life because she’d always been preoccupied with earning money.
“Is there anything you’ve wanted to do, Lea? We could do it together.”
Lea tilted her head at Rowan’s suggestion.
“Well, now that I think about it… I’m already doing what I want to do anyway.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Since I’m Lady Rowan’s closest confidant, both the Head Maid and those at the Castle allow me to do as I please.”
That was true enough. Recently, Lea had been devoting herself to tending the Garden, and the Castle’s grounds grew more beautiful with each passing day.
“Thanks to that, I get to handle all sorts of rare flowers. I’m truly happy right now.”
Seeing Lea’s radiant smile, Rowan smiled back warmly.
“Yes, well. I’m growing accustomed to this place myself.”
At first, the Castle had seemed so immense and imposing that it threatened to overwhelm me. But as I let my guard down and settled in, I came to realize that a place is ultimately just a place. Where one feels at peace depends entirely on the heart of those who dwell there.
“Then… we won’t need to leave or anything, right?”
Lea asked carefully, watching Rowan’s expression. The money we had saved together still lay safely hidden beneath Lea’s bed.
“One can never know what life will bring.”
But Lea jumped at my next words.
“What do you mean!”
“Such things happen.”
“But you’re doing well right now!”
“You needn’t concern yourself with that!”
“That’s so unfair, Lady Rowan!”
Leaving Lea’s protests behind, I stepped out of the Room. My beautiful husband, our comfortable life—everything satisfied me, yet one thing weighed heavily on my mind.
‘What if he discovers I’m not truly Rowan…’
That anxiety prevented me from resting peacefully in Alexis’s arms.
If that day came, I would truly have to flee.
‘Until then, let me savor this peace.’
I had come to enjoy painting these days. And I had grown quite fond of my beautiful husband, who leaves work as punctually as a sword strikes and holds me in his embrace before sunset.

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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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