Spring in My Grasp - Chapter 78

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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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(78) Sprout of Silver Light

The dress she wore was not the sort to catch the eye at first glance. There were no elaborate embellishments, no excessively voluminous silhouette. Yet the moment light touched it, its true nature revealed itself.
Fabric bestowed by the King himself. The cloth, bearing a subtle ivory hue, was far more than a simple color. As light shifted, the weave came alive with delicate texture, as though soft gold were seeping gently through its threads. With each movement, the color seemed to transform with glacial slowness—a change so subtle it escaped notice, yet captured the eye nonetheless. The dress’s lines were restrained, its very simplicity lending her an almost sacred presence.
Her hair was arranged with gentle care, unadorned by excess, with a few strands falling naturally to frame her face.
“It suits you beautifully.”
Edel spoke quietly.
“Truly?”
“Yes. It suits Rowan wonderfully.”
At those words, Rowan drew a short breath and nodded. The Marquis Roxen’s Mansion was already in full motion—the party had begun, and everyone moved with purposeful energy. Guests continued to arrive in steady streams.
“Let’s be brave.”
Laila clenched her fist with determination. Florence nodded in agreement. The three women stood facing one another for a moment, exchanged glances, and then strode into the mansion with the confidence of triumphant generals.
The entrance opened into a vast hall. Lamplight and decorations adorned the space, and from far within came the laughter of elegantly dressed nobles enjoying their drinks. A fragrant aroma drifted even to this threshold.
“The Countess of Valerion has arrived!”
At the attendant’s announcement, conversation ceased. As though time itself had stopped, everyone froze momentarily.
‘Surely they don’t need to stare quite so intently?’
It was genuinely overwhelming.
“Even I’m trembling.”
Laila whispered softly. Though she was thoroughly accustomed to such gatherings, the weight of the gazes and atmosphere directed at Rowan now seemed to crush her as well.
“It’s all right.”
Florence added her reassurance. She too appeared deeply nervous. Edel said nothing, simply taking her place at Rowan’s side. That alone was support enough. Rowan drew a single, measured breath.
‘The die is already cast.’
There was nowhere to run now. Having come this far, I stepped slowly into the hall. As I appeared, Marquis Roxen, the party’s host, could be seen approaching from across the room.
The moment I entered the hall, the flow of conversation wavered subtly. An unfamiliar face to them all. Yet everyone knew her name. She was the Countess of Valerion. I did not shy from their gazes. When Marquis Roxen and his wife approached, I stopped walking.
“Thank you for the invitation, Marquis Roxen. Marchioness.”
Marquis Roxen’s gaze swept slowly over me.
“For the Countess of Valerion to grace us with her presence—surely no greater honor exists.”
He replied with equal formality. The Marchioness likewise observed me with proper courtesy, her sharp eyes studying me carefully. Her gaze held unmistakable curiosity.
Then I raised my hand. Lea, who had been following behind, stepped forward quietly. In her hands was a small box—exquisitely crafted, yet not ostentatiously ornate. I accepted it and slowly extended it toward Marquis Roxen.
“As a token of gratitude for the invitation, I have prepared a small gift. I hope it pleases you.”
At my words, Marquis Roxen appeared momentarily flustered, but quickly cleared his throat and accepted the box I offered.
“Your acceptance of the invitation alone is more than generous, yet you have prepared a gift as well—I am truly at a loss for words.”
With that, the Marquis opened the box. Upon seeing what lay within, he stilled.
“This is…”
Marquis Roxen’s voice dropped to the faintest whisper. The Marchioness, peering into the box alongside him, gasped—her eyes widening to their fullest extent. Within the box lay a small brooch, suffused with a soft, luminous glow. It was not particularly ornate, yet the aura emanating from the pendant was unmistakably…
“A sprout of silver light.”
I said.
“If you carry it with you, there shouldn’t be any major trouble.”
Rowan spoke with a gentle smile.
Silver sprout! Every nobleman in the room gasped in shock. No major trouble? The brooch she had just presented was far beyond that level.
“A sacred relic…?”
Someone murmured in a hushed voice.
“That can’t be right…”
Whispers rippled through the gathering like waves.
A sacred relic. An artifact handled by the Temple. The silver sprout was a sacred relic. No matter how small, it was not the kind of thing that could be converted into money. And to give it as a gift?
“This is far too…”
An excessive gift. Marquis Roxen couldn’t find the words to continue. His gaze remained fixed on the brooch. The Marchioness Roxen couldn’t close her mouth. Yet Rowan remained unbothered. Because…
-Just take this and give it to them.
Alexis had told her.
-Then they won’t dare say anything to you.
-Huh? Isn’t this a sacred relic?
Sacred relics bestowed by the Grand Cathedral. When Rowan asked, Alexis smiled.
-So what.
As if he were simply clearing away one of the items scattered around the house, he told her to pick whatever she wanted. In fact, their household truly had a dedicated room for storing sacred relics, and the quantity was quite substantial. Giving one away wouldn’t even be noticeable. So I selected the most reasonable one among them and brought it here…
“Do you like it?”
She spoke with a light laugh.
“I’m grateful for the invitation, but I felt awkward coming empty-handed.”
The corners of Marquis Roxen’s mouth trembled subtly. Everyone in the room was watching them and Rowan.
“This is far too…”
The Marchioness Roxen’s mouth opened.
“Thank you.”
The face of the Marchioness Roxen, known for her rigid and stern demeanor, had completely softened.
“To receive such a precious gift.”
“I hope you’ll enjoy the party to the fullest.”
The Marchioness’s voice had grown noticeably lower than before. It was a response that carried distinct weight, far beyond mere courtesy.
“I shall treasure it.”
Treasure it indeed. She had received an item that could become a family heirloom. With those words, the box was closed. Marquis Roxen couldn’t even entrust it to his attendants. He left the party venue briefly to store it himself.
And from that moment on, people’s gazes changed entirely. No longer the curious glances from moments before, but now there were those who regarded Rowan with reverence.
“My goodness…… a sacred relic……”
Someone murmured very softly.
“What fortune the Roxen Marquis Estate must have.”
“How envious.”
Such murmurs only served to elevate the Marchioness Roxen’s standing. Unlike her usual demeanor, the Marchioness Roxen faced Rowan with a softened expression.
“It is an honor that you came at all, yet to receive something so precious. I sincerely hope you enjoy nothing but happiness at this party.”
“Thank you, Marchioness Roxen.”
Rowan bowed. With her youthful, innocent-looking face, people had underestimated her when she first appeared, but what came from her hands was nothing less than a sacred relic.
And she had presented it as casually as if it were a box of chocolates. One must not forget: she was the wife of a Holy Knight, under the protection of the Grand Cathedral, and had even borne a son with formidable holy power. She was no mere noblewoman.
“Did I make any mistakes?”
After greeting the Marchioness, Rowan turned to Edel with the question, and Edel shook her head.
“You performed beautifully.”
The moment Edel finished speaking, as if to prove her words correct, people began to move. The nobles who had been observing from a distance moments before gradually made their way toward Rowan, one by one.
“Might I have the honor of greeting the Countess of Valerion?”
The first to approach was a Middle-aged Baron. He bowed respectfully as he spoke, but his eyes were already fixed on the box Rowan held.
“Of course.”
Rowan answered naturally with a smile. As she graciously accepted the unfamiliar Baron’s greeting, the other nobles began to stir and murmur among themselves.
“If you wouldn’t mind, I would also like a moment….”
“Countess, I have just one question for you.”
Questions and greetings followed in succession. The people were cautious, yet equally eager. And the intent behind it all was unmistakable. Rowan faced every gaze head-on. What they were most curious about became clear: Alexis’s presence and the Temple’s connection to her.

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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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