Spring in My Grasp - Chapter 64

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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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(64) The King’s Special Treatment

“Not at all.”
Alexis replied.
“He’s far more formidable than he appears. He ascended to the throne by overwhelming his brother both politically and physically in their struggle for power.”
“I see.”
Yet he had smiled so warmly at me. Lost in thought, I soon let out a wry chuckle.
‘Besides, there’s no reason for him to treat me poorly. I haven’t done anything wrong.’
With that thought, I brushed my hair back lightly.
***
But the King’s demeanor toward me seemed distinctly different from how he treated others.
That evening, upon returning from the Royal Palace, I changed into fresh clothes and made my way toward the Glass Garden. The sunlight had already begun to soften and fade, and the air had grown tranquil.
“Sigh… I’m rather exhausted.”
As I stretched and murmured softly, I spotted someone at the garden entrance. It was Eloze. She stood as rigidly as always, yet her expression seemed somehow peculiar.
“Miss Rowan…”
Eloze approached me. Her voice was lower than usual.
“You met with The King today, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
I nodded casually.
“He seemed like quite a decent person, actually.”
Eloze’s eyes widened noticeably.
“Miss Rowan, the truth is, The King…”
“What is it?”
I blinked.
“He treated me very comfortably.”
At those words, Eloze fell silent. She closed her mouth for a moment, then drew a deep breath.
“Miss Rowan.”
She opened her mouth with great care.
“I nearly fainted when I saw The King speak to you today and even make jokes with you.”
And she clutched her chest with both hands.
“Goodness… I was so shocked.”
A profound sigh escaped her lips.
“It seems he was in good spirits today.”
I spoke with a smile, but Eloze shook her head.
“This is… truly…”
“What do you mean?”
When I asked in bewilderment, Eloze looked directly at me.
“Rowan.”
Her voice had grown considerably lower and more resolute than before.
“It is rare for His Majesty to display such an attitude.”
“Pardon?”
“Rare?”
Eloze corrected herself.
“You may consider it nonexistent.”
Rowan’s eyes widened.
“Truly?”
“Yes.”
Eloze nodded with unwavering conviction.
“His Majesty is not one to treat people with ease.”
Her gaze darkened for the briefest moment.
“He smiles when necessary, and occasionally displays kindness when it suits him—but that is all there is to it.”
“….”
“He has never shown such behavior even to The Queen herself.”
Eloze exhaled deeply.
“To display such direct interest as he did today, to engage in lengthy conversation, and even to laugh—”
Eloze paused. Then she spoke with deliberate slowness.
“That is special treatment.”
Silence fell. The Glass Garden grew quiet.
“Hmm?”
Rowan tilted her head in confusion.
“Is that so?”
The response came far too lightly. Eloze’s brow twitched.
“Rowan.”
“Yes?”
“Do you truly understand who His Majesty is?”
“Well….”
Rowan paused to consider, then spoke.
“Simply… someone who smiles often and listens well?”
Eloze’s mouth fell silent.
“Someone better than I expected?”
This time, she was utterly lost for words. After a moment, Eloze covered her face with both hands.
“Ah….”
It was a sigh of utter exasperation.
“Rowan.”
She lifted her head once more.
“He is a King.”
“Yes, I know.”
Rowan answered promptly.
“He is someone who can save a life or topple an entire family overnight.”
“Hmm….”
“And.”
Eloze’s gaze deepened, if only for a moment.
“He can kill a person while smiling.”
The words fell quietly. Rowan’s eyes widened slightly.
“Ah….”
Rowan tilted her head, her expression thoughtful for just a brief moment.
“Well, he is the King, after all, so that makes sense, doesn’t it?”
Eloze found herself at a loss for words. Rowan continued.
“But I haven’t done anything wrong, and I have no intention of doing so.”
“….”
“Surely he wouldn’t kill me just for tending a vegetable garden?”
With that, she let out a soft laugh.
“If he killed someone for that reason, it would truly be absurd. Wouldn’t it?”
Eloze watched Rowan laughing and slowly closed and opened her eyes. Then she reached a conclusion.
‘There’s no point explaining this.’
Eloze spoke quietly.
“You do realize that The King has given you special treatment, don’t you?”
Eloze spoke quietly. Upon hearing this, Rowan pondered for a moment before breaking into a grin.
“So receiving special treatment from the King is a good thing.”
Eloze released another deep sigh.
“Perhaps what’s truly frightening is someone like this.”
“What? Why would I be frightening?”
“It’s nothing….”
Eloze murmured softly to herself. Drawing the King’s attention was, in some ways, both a blessing and a curse. But given Rowan’s nature as Eloze had observed it, standing out in either direction would bring no good. Especially when Rowan was already the subject of constant discussion due to her husband and son, if she were to draw the King’s gaze as well…
‘And this woman is quite the pacifist, at that.’
From what Eloze had observed, Rowan was someone who desired nothing but a peaceful, uneventful life.
Just then, Alexis stood before the Glass Garden’s entrance. He remained motionless, making no sound. His gaze pierced through the door as if seeing beyond it. He harbored the same concerns as Eloze.
Though there had been a time when he lived as a wayward nobleman’s son, he was born and raised within an aristocratic family. And through the time spent at the King’s side, he had come to understand much. Remaining near the King, drawing his gaze—such things carried their own dangers, whatever form they might take.
And in that moment of contemplation, laughter spilled from within the Glass Garden. Rowan’s laughter. Bright and utterly without suspicion. At that sound, Alexis’s eyes softened. He slowly opened the door.
“There you are.”
His voice was as if he had heard nothing at all. Rowan’s head snapped around.
“Alexis!”
A face welcoming him. Meeting those blue eyes smiling with happiness, Alexis’s pupils trembled ever so slightly. He approached Rowan as he always did.
“What were you doing?”
“I was talking with Madame Elrose.”
Rowan said with a smile.
“We were talking about The King.”
The moment Alexis heard those innocent words, his hand stilled for just a breath.
“Is that so?”
He asked casually.
“They said The King gave me special treatment.”
Rowan giggled.
“I was terrified when I first entered the Palace, but hearing I received special treatment makes me happy. I must have made you look good too, didn’t I?”
Alexis laughed at her words.
“What good does looking good do me?”
“What do you mean?”
Rowan said.
“If you look good to The King, wouldn’t things become easier for you?”
Without answering, Alexis reached out his hand to Rowan.
“You don’t need to worry about such things.”
Then, quite naturally, he brushed her hair back.
“Aren’t you tired?”
“A little.”
“Then let’s go rest.”
Rowan nodded without suspicion. As he walked with his arm around her back, Alexis’s gaze flickered briefly behind them—toward Eloze. He said nothing, but that single look was enough.
‘Don’t say anything unnecessary.’
Eloze bowed her head.
“”
She already understood the meaning in his eyes. That night, Alexis was quieter than usual. And he held Rowan closer than he ever had.
That night, Rowan’s throat grew dry and she opened her eyes briefly. In the darkness, Alexis sat near the Bed, his back to her.
“Why aren’t you sleeping?”
Rowan rubbed her eyes and placed her hand on Alexis’s back.
“You’re awake?”
Alexis’s voice resonated low.
“I have to leave early tomorrow anyway. If sleep won’t come, just lie down and try to rest.”
Rowan rolled over and wrapped her arms around Alexis’s waist. He naturally grasped her hands as she embraced him from behind.
“Why am I so afraid?”
Alexis said.
“I’m always terrified you’ll leave, that you’ll disappear.”
“”
At his words, Rowan said nothing but raised herself halfway and held him tighter from behind.
“Even though I have power now, I grow more afraid with each passing day.”
“Why must my husband be so afraid?”
Rowan smiled softly and buried her cheek against his back.
“I’m right here.”
“It feels like you’ll vanish.”
Rowan’s heart ached at the low, somber tone of Alexis’s voice. She understood it well—her husband, having finally grasped this happiness, now feared far more than he ever had before.
That was why Rowan reacted with extreme sensitivity to anything concerning her own affairs and responded with harsh measures. By now, she could roughly understand why Layla hadn’t sent any letters, and why Lucien had appeared only once before vanishing without a trace.

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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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