Spring in My Grasp - Chapter 77

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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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(77) Toward the Battle Arena

Alexis offered the gathered women a gentle smile before turning his gaze back to Rowan. She watched him with curiosity, wondering what wind had blown him in this direction.
“Well, since I’ve shown my face, I should be on my way. I haven’t finished all my duties at the Temple yet.”
If he was that busy, he should simply work, Rowan thought—yet she found him rather admirable for taking the time. Seeing her newly made friends react with such delight warmed her heart considerably.
“Understood. Do go ahead.”
The moment Rowan finished speaking, Alexis turned toward Edel and offered a light bow. Then he walked out of the Glass Garden with an easy stride. The instant he vanished completely, Laila collapsed into her chair as though her legs had given way.
“I think I’m about to hyperventilate.”
She drained the now-cold mint tea before her in one gulp, as if to steady her nerves.
“I was so startled and tense….”
The others felt the same. Even the perpetually composed Edel took a moment to catch her breath before sitting down. Laila finally buried her face in her hands.
“That’s… unfair.”
“Absolutely unfair.”
Florence agreed emphatically.
“With a husband like that… one wouldn’t even need to appear in High Society.”
At her words, Laila lifted her head.
“No, it would actually be better not to appear.”
She spoke with absolute conviction.
“If someone who looks like that started making the rounds in High Society… it would cause absolute chaos, truly.”
“It already did cause chaos before, apparently.”
Florence let the comment slip before catching herself and glancing at Rowan. Despite his notorious reputation in the past, countless women had thrown themselves at Alexis. Even young ladies from prominent families, with whom he’d had no actual connection, had pined for him hopelessly. Influential aristocratic houses had avoided him merely because of his status as the second son of the disreputable Count Glister’s Household, yet among the women themselves, his popularity had been extraordinary.
“Just look at us right now.”
At Laila’s remark, all three burst into laughter.
“Rowan.”
All three pairs of eyes turned toward her simultaneously.
“Ah… yes?”
Rowan’s ears had already flushed crimson.
“That… is….”
She fidgeted with her teacup, avoiding their gaze.
“No, why is he acting like that today? He’s not usually like this….”
“Oh, come now.”
Laila cut in decisively.
“He seems exactly like that sort of person.”
“That’s right.”
Florence nodded in agreement.
“That’s not something one can hide.”
“Besides….”
Three pairs of eyes turned toward Rowan.
“I can hardly imagine someone like that throwing a tantrum.”
“Well, that’s….”
Moreover, Rowan had said earlier that he was adorable. The three women’s minds suddenly grew complicated. They were all thinking the same thing—perhaps the Countess of Valerion was far more remarkable than they’d given her credit for.
***
When I sent word accepting the invitation to the Marquis Roxen Estate’s party, a letter of gratitude arrived promptly in return. Days later, I ventured into the Capital with Edel, Florence, Laila, Lea, and Eloze.
We first visited a high-class establishment for clothing. Among silks that caught the light and intricate lace, we took measurements and selected fabrics to examine.
I decided merely to browse, planning instead to have a gown made from the fine fabric the King had bestowed upon me—I wanted to prepare properly. At the next shop, we selected fragrances and jewelry. As I inhaled the subtle scents and tilted my head thoughtfully several times, I felt momentarily awkward with these unfamiliar items, but surrounded by the explanations and laughter of my companions, I gradually grew more at ease.
We became quite close in a short time. We all visited a small seed shop together. We lingered there the longest. Edel examined each seed in the tiny envelopes one by one, asking questions and even selecting some herself. We spent time at a charming dessert cafe, savoring delicious cakes and tea. Time passed swiftly, and soon the day of the party arrived.
The maids were arranging my hair ornaments and adjusting my gown. Watching me from the side, Lea murmured with regret.
“Of all times, an urgent deployment now….”
Alexis, who was to attend with me, had been summoned urgently days ago. An anomaly had occurred in the village he’d once liberated from the Rebel Forces and healed. He’d said he’d return quickly, but since then, there had been no word from him. As I fastened my earrings, I spoke.
“It can’t be helped. It’s a matter of life and death. What does a party matter in comparison?”
“But….”
Lea murmured.
“It’s such a shame. If you both attended, we could really bring down that woman Maribel’s arrogance.”
“Enough. It’s fine.”
I said.
“It’s just a party either way. Whether I’m discouraged or she is—what does it matter? After a good night’s sleep, it will be as though nothing happened.”
“But thinking of Young Master Leonius….”
Leonius. My eyes grew distant at the thought of my son. I suddenly recalled the commotion that had erupted when Edel, Laila, and Florence first saw Leonius.
-That’s cheating! That’s absolutely cheating!
Laila had cried out the same words as when she’d first encountered Alexis. Edel stood speechless, one hand covering her mouth.
In one corner of the Glass Garden, where soft sunlight poured down, Leonius sat quietly. He held a single petal in his small hand, gazing at it intently. Since I had so often cultivated plants and shown them to him, Leonius had developed a keen interest in them as well.
His hair, a soft silver-gray that resembled his father Alexis’s, possessed the delicate texture of childhood, yet its color was excessively radiant. Beneath it, his exposed forehead and round face were still soft with youth, but his violet-blue eyes sparkled with an enigmatic luminescence.
The same color as his father’s, yet clearer and more transparent. Eyes that seemed to hold nothing yet. Leonius was growing into an extraordinarily beautiful child as time passed. The High Priest’s fuss had not been without reason.
-This is….
Edel’s shoulders trembled slightly.
-Dangerous.
-Isn’t the Marchioness dangerous too?!
Laila cried out almost in anguish.
-My heart feels strange!
Meanwhile, Leonius, oblivious to it all, grasped my skirt and tilted his head. His violet-blue eyes sparkled with innocent wonder.
-May I be held?
Edel asked carefully. Her voice was completely different from moments before. Was a second High Priest about to emerge? I let out a soft laugh.
-Go ahead.
At those words, all three moved simultaneously.
-Wait!
Florence cried out.
-Let’s decide the order!
—Why?! Whoever grabs him first gets him!
Laila protested.
—That’s too much!
—Be quiet.
Edel spoke in a low voice.
—I go first.
Then she added,
—Because I’m the eldest.
At those words, the two fell silent. Good heavens, such an old-fashioned thing to say. They both groaned inwardly.
Paying no mind to their protests, Edel carefully lifted Leonius into her arms. His small, warm body settled against her chest. Leonius offered no resistance whatsoever. After enduring so much from the High Priest, he had grown quite accustomed to being held and cherished by others.
And immediately after, Florence and Laila clamored to hold the child as well. It was for this reason that Laila had urged Rowan so insistently on several occasions.
—Bring Leonius to the party too!
Her argument was that if Rowan brought Leonius—the legitimate bloodline and heir of the Holy Knight Order—to match whatever Maribel was doing with Lionel, then no one would dare regard Maribel’s child as anything of consequence. But Rowan was reluctant. Bringing Leonius along to such an occasion to gain advantage for herself felt like her intentions would be misconstrued.
“Leonius.”
Just then, Eloze entered, holding Leonius’s hand. Rowan smiled warmly and opened her arms wide. Leonius naturally nestled into her embrace.
“Mother will do well. You must be good.”
After exchanging farewells with Leonius, Rowan rose from her seat.
“Lea!”
And she turned to Lea, her first true friend in this world. Lea smiled with her lips pressed together, her eyes glistening slightly with emotion.
“Let’s go!”
To the Battle Arena.
***
Rowan’s carriage arrived at the Roxen Marquis Residence. Waiting there were Edel, Florence, and Laila, who had arrived earlier. The three wore dresses of different colors, yet their very presence commanded attention. However, as Rowan stood among them, she emanated an aura that harmonized with theirs while possessing a distinctly different essence.

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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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