Spring in My Grasp - Chapter 76

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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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(76) A Wife’s Dignity

Edel finished her meal in silence and sipped her mint tea. After a moment, she turned to me with something on her mind.
“Rowan, since you’ve already begun your social engagements, I should tell you this.”
Her voice carried a note of seriousness.
“There will be a grand party at Marquis Roxen’s Castle in the coming weeks.”
“Marquis Roxen….”
Who was that? I tilted my head thoughtfully.
“The Marchioness Roxen is exceptionally conservative and strict—difficult to befriend—but precisely because she values propriety so deeply, she’s acutely aware of how others perceive her.”
Edel continued.
“As a fellow Marchioness, I’ve maintained relations with her for years, and I’ve come to believe that your attendance at this particular party would be most beneficial.”
“Me? Really?”
I hesitated, uncertain.
“I’m not suggesting you become intimate friends. Right now, there isn’t a soul in society who isn’t curious about you—the wife of a Holy Knight, the Countess of Valerion, and the mother of a child blessed with holy power.”
Well, that was fair enough, I supposed.
“I understand it’s not an easy position. But you’re not alone anymore—we’re here for you.”
Edel regarded me with calm reassurance.
“The three of us will stand beside you, and I believe this is the perfect opportunity to make your presence known in High Society. It will also serve the Marchioness Roxen’s own dignity.”
“But….”
I spoke hesitantly.
“She hasn’t even invited me. Won’t it be terribly presumptuous to simply show up?”
“What are you saying? She’s been sending invitations all along, but you never sent a reply.”
“Ah….”
It must have been one of those invitations I’d carelessly discarded before.
“The Marchioness Roxen may not be particularly warm, but you need to make this appearance. If you—who have never attended any official gathering—make your debut at a Roxen family event, even she won’t be able to object.”
“….”
“Moreover, at this gathering…”
Edel paused briefly before continuing.
“The Countess Glister and someone named Maribel will be attending.”
“…!”
My eyes widened in surprise. As I fell silent in thought, Edel took my hand.
“You can’t avoid this forever. Besides, you’re not the one at fault here.”
“That’s right!”
“We’ll be with you!”
Florence and Laila called out in unison, their voices brimming with conviction. Lea and Eloze, listening nearby, brightened as well. If these three noblewomen were to attend the party as my champions, surely even that Maribel would find it difficult to confront me directly.
“In that case, I suppose I should attend as well.”
Just then, an unexpected voice suddenly spoke up.
“Alexis!”
I startled at the sudden intrusion, rising from my seat. Alexis stood at the entrance of the Glass Garden—I hadn’t even heard him arrive. Silhouetted against the slanted sunlight pouring through the greenhouse threshold, his presence seemed almost otherworldly, as though he’d stepped from an entirely different realm.
“Holy Knight…?”
Laila’s trembling voice escaped from behind her clasped hands. Alexis moved toward us with deliberate, measured grace. Sunlight filtered through the glass ceiling above, settling upon his head like a benediction. His silver-white hair caught the light, each strand gleaming softly as if woven from luminescence itself. Beneath that radiance, his exposed forehead and perfectly sculpted nose were flawlessly refined. And those eyes—mysterious, shimmering with an ethereal violet-blue.
As Alexis drew near, every woman in the room unconsciously held her breath. Yet none could look away. An indescribable, refined beauty. Words like “handsome” fell woefully short.
‘Are all Holy Knights this ethereal?’
The thought crossed Laila’s mind unbidden. And when he tilted his head, gazing down at me as he drew fully near, the faintest warmth graced his perfectly balanced features.
“Rowan.”
“What brings you here? You didn’t mention finishing early today.”
A gentle smile played at Alexis’s lips. At that inexplicable warmth, every woman’s expression simultaneously stiffened. So the rumors of his devotion to his wife were true—no exaggeration whatsoever.
“This is the first time you’ve invited guests.”
Alexis spoke with unhurried ease.
“It’s only proper that I pay my respects.”
Then he turned his gaze toward Edel, Florence, and Laila.
“Forgive my abrupt appearance. I hope it hasn’t startled you.”
His voice resonated with profound depth and gravitas.
“I am Alexis Valerion.”
Edel stepped forward first, offering a proper courtesy in return.
“I am Edel of House Matia. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Florence and Laila followed, exchanging greetings with Alexis in turn. I, having never anticipated his arrival, simply stared at him in bewilderment. Was this truly the same man who could be so gracious to others?
“I hear you’ve been treating my wife with great kindness.”
Alexis said.
“My wife is unaccustomed to High Society and knows few people. I am deeply grateful that you’ve chosen to maintain such a pleasant relationship with her.”
This time, Edel nearly lost her breath. He was in a position where he need bow to no one.
That was the nature of a Holy Knight. Though he held the rank of Baron, such titles meant nothing to Alexis. Registered with the Grand Cathedral, answerable only to the King and the High Priest, he need defer to no one. Rather, as one blessed with divine power to bestow the Kingdom’s blessings, what great noble would dare challenge such a sacred being? Even the King himself did not presume to treat a Holy Knight carelessly.
Yet what was this? This manner of greeting, as if entrusting me to their care, seemed almost like…
‘…as if he were asking them to look after his wife.’
Edel, lost in thought for a moment, suddenly collected herself and regarded Alexis anew.
“You’re too kind. I’m delighted to have befriended someone as wonderful as the Baroness Valerion. She possesses an untainted purity. I consider it an honor to know someone like her.”
At Edel’s words, Alexis’s eyes softened with unmistakable pleasure. Florence and Laila exchanged astonished glances. He seemed genuinely delighted by praise of his wife. They had imagined the Kingdom’s hero, the great Holy Knight wielding tremendous power—yet he was the complete opposite.
‘He’s utterly devoted to her.’
Florence thought to herself.
“Your words mean much to me. My wife is indeed pure-hearted, which is precisely why I worry she might be hurt by others in High Society or unforeseen circumstances. If you would be present in such moments, and if the Marchioness Matia would show her such consideration, I could ask for nothing more.”
This transcended mere devotion. To fret and entreat as though entrusting a child to their care—the Holy Knight’s formidable image crumbled entirely. Now Alexis appeared nothing but a devoted lover, anxiously fretting over me as though I were a small child placed at the water’s edge.
“I’m not a child. I can manage perfectly well on my own.”
Unable to bear it any longer, I spoke up, and Alexis turned to regard me. Those eyes brimmed with infinite affection and concern.
“We’ve all agreed to be friends with the Baroness,” Edel said.
“Please, do not worry so.”
“Please convey my regards to Marquis Matia.”
Alexis offered Edel a warm, familiar gaze.
“Whenever it suits you, I would be delighted to call upon you.”
“…!”
Every noblewoman in the room held her breath. To cultivate connections with the Grand Cathedral would be beyond their wildest dreams. The Grand Cathedral was notoriously arrogant. They did not bow even to the Royal Family, and they deliberately avoided mingling with the nobility.
The Grand Cathedral was already wealthy beyond measure with sacred relics and donations. Yet it was the nobility who desperately needed the Cathedral’s power. What more could one ask for than the opportunity to associate with those who wielded inexplicable divine strength!
And then a Holy Knight had emerged from the Glister Earl Family itself. With cautious hope, they had attempted to cultivate ties with Alexis, but he had severed all connections with his own house of Glister and turned his back entirely on the world of nobility. Yet now Alexis himself was extending his hand first.
“Of course, Count Morenne and Baron Boden feel the same.”
Alexis continued.
“If it would not be an inconvenience—”
“It would not be an inconvenience at all!”
“Not in the slightest!”
Before Alexis could even finish speaking, Laila and Florence cried out in succession.
“I understand.”

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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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