Spring in My Grasp - Chapter 62

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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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(62) Entering the Royal Palace

“Well, I suppose so.”
Rowan tilted her head in bewilderment, then nodded as if acknowledging that Lea was right.
“True enough. If word came, it would only be more troublesome.”
“Exactly. Please don’t worry about it.”
With that, Lea swiftly changed the subject. This matter was meant to remain secret from Rowan.
Alexis received reports on the state of the Hartwood House and Layla’s situation, yet ensured none of it reached Rowan’s ears. It wasn’t even good news—he simply didn’t want her to fret over it.
Of course, to Lea’s eye, it seemed Alexis was doing this because he feared Rowan might think of Lucien.
“I just want to live like this, raising Leonius.”
Rowan spoke.
“Alexis came by last night and said we’ll all need to have an audience with His Majesty soon.”
“Oh, could it be—”
Lea’s eyes widened.
“You as well, Lady Rowan?”
At those words, Rowan sighed.
“Leonius too, all together.”
For Rowan, who went to great lengths to avoid High Society, this royal summons was hardly welcome news.
“Well, one can hardly blame His Majesty.”
Eloze, who had spent considerable time in the Royal Court, spoke.
“It was already momentous news when Lord Alexis manifested as a Holy Knight, and now his child has emerged from infancy bearing such magnificent divine power. His Majesty must be quite curious.”
“And the High Priest keeps visiting constantly—it’s utterly vexing.”
Rowan clicked her tongue in annoyance. Indeed, since that day, the High Priest had been frequenting Valerian Castle without fail. Rowan had initially been deeply hostile toward him, fearing he might take the child away, but it turned out he was simply a devout enthusiast of the divine.
Never had there been such a devoted fanatic. How profoundly this mysterious child’s divine power must have moved him. Watching the High Priest gaze upon Leonius with such fervent admiration before departing, Rowan found herself unable to regard him with any sense of reverence whatsoever.
“Honestly, I’m absolutely fed up with all of this!”
Rowan exclaimed in exasperation, cradling Leonius in her arms.
***
Marquis Hartwood’s Estate.
The room was cold and barren. In times past, the maids would have entered at this hour bearing dresses, and perfumes and jewels would have been arranged neatly before the mirror. But now there was nothing.
“….”
Layla sat motionless, then lowered her gaze to her own hands. They had grown rough. The tips of her nails were cracked, and her skin was desiccated and dull.
“Ha….”
A hollow laugh escaped her lips. Suddenly, the mirror caught her eye. Layla rose slowly from her seat and approached it.
“What is this….”
A pallid face stared back. Her eyes were sunken, her lips long since drained of color. Not a trace of her former radiance remained. She lifted her hand and touched her cheek tentatively.
‘Is this… me?’
An unbearable emotion tightened her throat. She pulled the bell cord, hoping for a glass of water.
But the maid who entered her room responded with cold indifference. A servant who once would not have dared raise her eyes now leaned against the threshold, regarding her with obvious disdain.
“If you need water, fetch it yourself. I’m busy.”
“What did you say?”
Layla opened her mouth to retort, but the maid turned away without waiting to hear it. The sound of the closing door seemed unnaturally loud.
“How dare you….”
Her lips trembled.
“How dare you…to me….”
But the words never reached their end. No one feared her anymore.
“I wish to see my father.”
Once, Layla had gathered her courage and sought out the Baron. But his response was brief.
“He is occupied.”
The door never opened. The butler looked down upon her with mockery. When hunger came, she had to find food herself. This treatment was worse than that afforded to the lowest servant. When she descended to the kitchen, she heard the maids whispering.
“Is she still here?”
“I heard she’s on the verge of being cast out.”
“They say one misstep and she’ll be thrown out immediately.”
How many times had she turned back upon hearing such words.
“….”
Layla slowly drew her knees to her chest. Her breathing became shallow. Her chest tightened painfully.
“Why….”
The voice that escaped her lips was fractured.
“Why has it come to this….”
Her vision blurred.
“It was all supposed to be mine….”
That castle. That position. That man. And that life.
“It was supposed to be mine….”
And then came word that Rowan had borne a son, and that his divine power was so magnificent that the King and the Temple rejoiced greatly.
At this, everyone in the Baron’s household despised Layla all the more. Had it not been for her misdeeds, she could have secured her place in High Society as the relative of such a Holy Knight. But now she had instead brought his enemy into the household.
Layla’s hands trembled. She clenched her teeth. But the tears would not stop.
“Sister….”
She whispered the words like a murmur.
“My sister took it from me….”
Layla’s eyes slowly twisted with anguish.
***
Meanwhile, in the Hartwood Marquis Family, which turned a blind eye to Layla’s plight, daily battles raged like warfare. The Marquis of Hartwood disparaged and blamed his wife every single day, and the strong-willed Marchioness Hartwood fought back in kind, leaving the mansion in constant turmoil.
News that the Valerian Family had severed ties with the Glister Earl Family and even the Hartwood Marquis Family spread rapidly through High Society. At first, various rumors circulated among the people, but when word came that the King himself had summoned the Countess of Valerion and her son to the Royal Palace, the whispers ceased at once.
Now even families without social grace began quietly cutting off their connections with the Glister Earl Family and the Hartwood Marquis Family. Raikey, in the prime of his youth, was a stepson of the Hartwood Marquis Family, making his situation all the worse. The only company suitable for him now was the Street Thugs on the streets.
As circumstances deteriorated, the fortunes of both the Glister Earl Family and the Hartwood Marquis Family declined rapidly.
While people whispered among themselves, Rowan entered the Royal Palace alongside Alexis, cradling the baby Leonius in her arms. Considering Rowan’s nature of avoiding the spotlight in High Society, the King had specially arranged a private setting for them.
The moment they crossed the threshold of the Royal Palace, the very air seemed to change. Our footsteps echoed softly across the polished marble floor beneath the soaring ceilings and the long corridors stretching endlessly before us. I held Leonius close, walking with bated breath. The warmth of the child’s breath touched my arms gently.
“Are you alright?”
Alexis asked softly from beside me.
“Yes, it’s just….”
I nodded slightly.
“It’s just… a bit unfamiliar.”
Alexis’s gaze lingered on me for a moment before turning forward again.
“It will be over soon.”
It was a brief statement, but it carried a clear intention—that nothing untoward would happen.
They were led not to the Throne Hall, but to the Private Reception Hall that the King had specially prepared.
The room was not ornate. Yet it was all the more refined for it. There were no unnecessary decorations, and everything was arranged with perfect order. At its center sat the King.
“Alexis.”
A low, leisurely voice resonated through the room.
“And Countess of Valerion.”
Alexis stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
“Your Majesty, I am honored to be received.”
Rowan quickly followed suit, lowering her head.
“Your Majesty, I am honored to be received.”
Behind the couple, Eloze stood holding the child. The King’s gaze turned in that direction.
“I wish to see the child.”
The King leaned forward slowly. Eloze caught Rowan’s eye and approached the King with Leonius in her arms. The room fell silent. The King said nothing for a long while.
He simply gazed at the child. His eyes held a look of profound fascination. Soon they took their seats and began refreshments. The King settled into a languid posture and lifted his teacup.
“To be honest, I summoned you not only to see Leonius, but also out of curiosity about the Countess herself.”
A smile graced the King’s lips.
“So many speculations have been circulating, after all.”
Rowan, feeling awkward, scratched her cheek and laughed uncomfortably.
“I’m really nothing special….”
A low chuckle escaped the King’s lips at those words.
“How could you be nothing special when my Holy Knight cares for you so dearly?”
At those words, a faint blush crept beneath Alexis’s eyes. He suddenly wondered if he had been so conspicuous in his affection that even the King had noticed.
“Countess.”
The King’s voice was unhurried.
“Are you adapting well to the Castle?”
Rowan blinked at the sudden question.
“Yes, well enough… I’m managing quite well, Your Majesty.”
It was a formal yet unpretentious answer. But the King did not stop there.
“I hear you don’t frequent High Society much.”

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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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