Spring in My Grasp - Chapter 51

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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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(51) The Childhood Friend’s Return

Spending time with someone I barely knew, forced to endure their company—was it always this exhausting? I would have preferred tending to the garden, working the fields with my own hands.
While Rowan’s mind drifted elsewhere, Layla’s face had grown completely ashen during the midnight carriage ride back to Baron’s Estate. She had seen Alexis only twice before. The first time was during the marriage negotiations, when she’d been too flustered to see his face clearly, but the second was at Rowan’s wedding.
Yet all that remained was the afterimage of how devastatingly handsome he was—though it hadn’t erased the intense impression from that first encounter. But then….
—Baroness Bedrick.
A voice, low and resonant.
—You’ve traveled such a distance.
Seeing him up close, so very close, Layla covered her face with both hands. At the wedding, she hadn’t been able to observe him in such detail. But Alexis, viewed from proximity, was shockingly beautiful.
—Aren’t you tired?
During dinner, the way his eyes frequently checked on his wife. It could never have been mere pretense. That violet gaze brimmed with genuine concern and affection. Had she ever received such a look from Cedric?
No—not from Cedric, nor from any man had she ever encountered such a gaze that revered and cherished his wife with such devotion.
Yet what of Rowan? She wore that gaze, that love, as though it were natural and expected, her face utterly composed.
‘How comfortable must her life be for her to have gained so much weight?’
Layla clenched her teeth.
‘After spending her whole life eating scraps of others’ pity.’
Her sister, who had nearly drowned and survived, had certainly changed from before. More repulsive than ever. Brought back from death’s door, yet seeming more alive than before. She’d been relieved when Rowan was cast out and married away, disappearing from sight. But then!
“Aaahhh!”
Unable to contain herself any longer, Layla seized her hair and screamed. For a time, the dark carriage was filled with her cries. Only when her voice grew hoarse did Layla breathe in ragged gasps. Facing Alexis and returning to Cedric—it was like riding a carriage straight to hell.
‘I won’t let this stand.’
The way the Butler and Maid attended to Rowan was so excessive it was unbearable to watch. Rowan’s comfortable, cherished face pushed Layla deeper into the fires of damnation. In the speeding carriage, Layla’s eyes gleamed with sinister intent.
‘Let’s see how long that love lasts.’
***
As expected, Rowan’s reply from Alexis indicated that he was far too occupied with urgent matters to meet Cedric on short notice. Layla made no effort to hide her disappointment, expressing her desire to visit again soon.
Rowan was taken aback and replied that it would be difficult for the time being, but Layla persisted, asking when would be convenient. When she insisted it was truly important and begged for just one meeting, Rowan found herself deliberating for a long time.
Though her belly grew rounder by the day, Layla remained unaware of Rowan’s pregnancy. Fearing that if Layla settled in at the castle as she had before, it would prove troublesome, Rowan adopted an ambiguous stance. Layla then suggested they meet at the City Cafe for even a brief moment.
Just enough time for a cup of tea. That should suffice to hear what she has to say.
Rowan reluctantly agreed. She intended to draw a clear line with Layla at that meeting. They were not such close sisters that this sort of behavior was acceptable, and she meant to tell her as much.
“This is truly the last time. Since you keep pushing like this unilaterally, I need to speak my mind.”
“I should accompany you, my lady.”
Lea, who had caught a cold, had been keeping her distance from Rowan as much as possible these days. With her nose and mouth covered by cloth, Lea fidgeted restlessly.
“No. The Head Maid said she’d arrange for someone else to go with me. You should take your cold medicine and rest.”
“If it weren’t for this cold, I would have followed you no matter what you said, my lady.”
However, the carriage was an enclosed space, and Lea could not insist, fearing her cold might spread to Rowan.
“Layla said she’s coming alone too. It would be awkward if others found out, so I’ll have a word with Lea and be on my way. That’s easier.”
With that, Rowan departed in the escort carriage. Lea sighed as she watched the carriage disappear from view. She murmured softly to herself.
“That’s strange. Why do I feel so uneasy?”
Inside the carriage were only a young Maid and Rowan. Gazing out the window, Rowan savored the breeze.
‘I’ve been cooped up at home far too long.’
After having tea with Layla, she thought she might do some shopping. Selecting baby items with her own hands seemed like it would be enjoyable.
‘I suppose I should start telling people soon.’
Rowan smiled softly as she ran her hand over her belly, which had grown firm though not yet visibly prominent.
‘I’ll choose the prettiest things for you, little one.’
Once her belly grew larger, moving about the castle would become difficult, so she thought it might be pleasant to learn embroidery in the meantime. Time would pass quickly if she could embroider pretty designs onto the fabrics for the baby to wear.
Refreshed by the cool breeze, Rowan soon arrived at the City Cafe.
“You wait here. I have something important to discuss with my sister.”
Rowan said this to the young Maid who had tried to follow her inside.
“It won’t take long.”
With that assurance, Rowan entered the cafe where she had arranged to meet Layla.
Whether it catered only to wealthy patrons, the interior was decorated with considerable elegance. It was not spacious, but instead, everything was arranged generously. Thin lace curtains hung at the window. Rather than allowing sunlight to pour directly in, only soft, filtered light filled the interior.
Beneath that light, silver cups and teacups gleamed subtly. The chairs and tables were all crafted from well-finished dark wood. There were no gaudy ornaments, but the soft wear on every surface one’s hand might touch revealed the quiet luxury of age.
‘I should bring Lea here sometime.’
Rowan thought to herself. She and Lea occasionally ventured into the city together, and it turned out that Lea’s only true solace was visiting beautiful cafes like this one to enjoy tea and desserts. Whenever the two of them came to such a lovely cafe, they would become animated and chatter happily for hours.
‘But today—’
Rowan swallowed a sigh inwardly.
‘I’ll just have to leave as soon as I finish my tea.’
As she sat with that thought, a small bell above the door chimed. Looking up, she saw Layla entering. Layla spotted Rowan immediately and walked briskly toward her. Behind her, an Unknown Man was following.
‘Is he a male attendant?’
Rowan tilted her head in puzzlement.
“Hello, sister. I’m not late, am I?”
Layla’s voice rang out without hesitation. It sounded as though she was both excited and angry.
‘What is this?’
Rowan shook her head with a troubled expression.
“No, I just arrived myself.”
As I said this to Layla, I felt an intensely burning gaze pierce my face. What is this? I turned my head, and the man standing behind Layla was staring at me with an unwavering intensity.
‘What on earth is this about? Who is this person?’
I turned my eyes back toward Layla, bewildered.
“Who is that person…?”
Then, a thought suddenly occurred to me, and the words spilled out before I could stop them.
“Could you be my brother-in-law?”
At that, Layla’s face twisted in a strange way.
“Cedric? Sister, what do you—”
“Rowan!”
Before Layla could finish speaking, the man cried out.
“I was truly sorry back then, Rowan!”
My eyes widened in shock.
“I’m sorry? But who are you?”
“Rowan!”
Layla interjected between the two of us.
“Sister, you’re quite the actress! Does pretending not to know make what you did disappear?”
Genuinely confused, I raised both hands in exasperation.
“I truly have no idea who this person is. Why are you treating me this way?”
“Why are you like this, really?”
Layla’s voice rose to a piercing pitch. The man gazed at me with pleading eyes, while Layla glared at me with burning intensity. Unable to comprehend the situation, I stood up from my seat.
“You said you had something important to tell me, so I came. But this is just strange nonsense. I’m leaving.”
“Why? Are you afraid I’ll tell your husband?”
Layla let out a scornful laugh, giggling.
“You agreed to run away together because you hated the marriage so much, and now you pretend not to know the man you fled with?”
What? My movements froze. My blue eyes fixed upon the man.
‘Could it be… could it really be…?’
A look of dawning horror spread across my face.
“You’re the one who agreed to run away with me, then stole Mother’s jewelry and disappeared?!”
Ah, I suppose I spoke of it as if it were someone else’s affair.

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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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