Spring in My Grasp - Chapter 8

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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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(8) If It Cannot Be Done, Make It Possible

“It’s best to minimize work whenever possible. And please, do try the soup. It’s truly delicious.”
Yet Alexis found himself unable to move his spoon with ease. Rowan, unbothered, finished the remainder of her meal. A bowl with only a few pieces of bread and pork soup—was this truly her breakfast? Alexis could not conceal his shock.
“That maid prepared such a meager meal? I find it utterly unbelievable.”
With a grimace, Rowan finally set down her spoon.
“Listen, Alexis.”
At her summons, his eyes gleamed with sharp intensity—those frozen, icy blue irises. In that moment, Rowan flinched slightly.
‘Even his anger is handsome….’
No, no—such frivolous thoughts! Rowan hastily shook her head to dispel them, then pressed forward with her point.
“You speak of appetizers, main courses, desserts all arranged in abundance. I need none of that. It only creates more dishes to wash.”
“That too—”
“Yes, it’s Lea’s burden.”
Rowan cut off his words.
“Even when the dining table is laden with elaborate dishes, the Countess and your Sister-in-law merely peck at their food like birds, their waists cinched so tightly by their corsets. A single bowl of soup sustains me far better than it does them, so please, do not worry.”
Alexis’s jaw fell open in astonishment. What on earth was this woman saying?
“You sent me to the East Annex because the sight of me displeases you, regardless of how I live. You showed no interest then. So do not concern yourself with how I fare now. I shall live as I see fit.”
“….”
“…Finish your meal.”
Realizing her retort had been far sharper than intended, Rowan felt a flush of embarrassment and hastily excused herself from the room.
Left alone, Alexis stared at the bowl of soup before him in the silence. The clear broth, rich with pork and herbs, was a dish he had never encountered before. Reluctantly, he lifted his spoon and tasted it. It was not unpleasant.
***
“Ugh, I really did lose my temper for nothing.”
Feeling unsettled, I muttered to myself while tending the Vegetable Garden. Lea approached, carrying a basket of freshly harvested fruit, and tilted her head curiously.
“Did you lose your temper with Alexis?”
“Huh? No… yes.”
I gave an ambiguous reply. Lea nodded and moved toward the water basin to rinse the fruit.
“When he came to this Annex, I thought it made sense.”
“Why?”
I asked, curious.
“I heard that he was quite close to Count Glister’s younger sister—Alexis’s aunt—who last lived in this Annex.”
“With that woman?”
Wasn’t this East Annex where the family sent people they’d abandoned? He was close with an aunt who’d been exiled here?
I felt bewildered.
“Yes, Ureia, Count Glister’s younger sister, was born sickly and didn’t display the abilities the Glister Family desired, so she was sent here. And as you know, Alexis himself was also…”
Lea trailed off mid-sentence, falling silent as she continued rinsing the fruit. Curiosity piqued, I stopped working the soil and moved closer to her side.
“Was also what by the family?”
“Well… it’s rather difficult to discuss.”
Lea hesitated with an uncomfortable expression.
“Is Countess Glister not his biological mother?”
I asked, recalling the dinner at the Glister Estate from before. Lea jumped at this.
“No, what a terrible thing to suggest! Alexis is a legitimate bloodline of the Glister Family! Count Glister has never caused any scandal with women!”
“Ah, I see.”
My assumption had been wrong, and I felt embarrassed, clicking my tongue. So it wasn’t some melodramatic family scandal after all.
“It seems he simply wasn’t favored by the family from a young age.”
“Why? You said both sons are children of the Countess. They’re both legitimate children, so why?”
Could it be… My eyes narrowed.
“That’s it! He must have been a troublemaker from childhood!”
If he was now a wastrel drowning in alcohol and indulgence, anything was possible.
“No, I heard he was quite angelic as a child.”
Oh no. Another wrong guess. My shoulders sagged in disappointment.
“Then what on earth is the reason? I don’t understand.”
And with such striking beauty too. I swallowed the rest of my words. What could possibly be the problem?
“The Countess seems to favor the eldest son over the second son quite severely… even we don’t understand it.”
Favoritism between children ruins brotherly bonds and invites tragedy upon a household, after all. I sighed and began tending the Vegetable Garden again. If I had such a handsome, accomplished son, I’d treat him well—why would she do such a thing?
Soon after, I was sweating earnestly, hoeing away without a care in the world.
Meanwhile, Alexis, having tasted the pork soup, watched from a distance as Rowan and Lea tended the Vegetable Garden.
‘What is she doing?’
The legitimate eldest daughter of the Hartwood Marquis Estate was now rolling up her dress sleeves and hoeing the soil. Moreover, those practiced hand movements—she worked like a seasoned farmer.
“Haha, this is ridiculous!”
That distant laughter sounded so unfamiliar. Rowan was tilting her head back, giggling at whatever they were discussing. Lea, who should have been attending to her, seemed to be joking with her like a friend.
‘What a strange woman.’
Alexis watched for a moment, then took a hesitant step backward. He turned on his heel and fled the place with haste. The unfamiliar world, the strange transformation before him—it made his skin crawl. He chose to retreat from the altered Annex, a place that held memories of himself and his aunt.
***
It was around lunchtime when I learned that Alexis had left without so much as a farewell.
“He cleaned his bowl completely, though.”
I murmured, observing Alexis’s empty soup bowl.
“It’s surprising that such a fastidious young master would even taste it, miss.”
Lea said as she cleared the Dining Table. I let out a scoff.
“There’s no remedy for a hangover. The hardest part is taking that first bite—once you do, you have to keep eating to settle your stomach. That’s why your pork soup was absolutely exquisite.”
At my praise, Lea’s face flushed and she curved her lips upward with a soft hum.
“So, give me that recipe—”
“Rowan!”
Lea shuddered with exaggerated disgust.
“Are you planning to open a restaurant somewhere? Why do you covet my special recipe so desperately?”
“Oh!”
I covered my mouth with one hand.
“H-how did you figure that out?”
“Don’t even think such ridiculous thoughts. You are a proper noblewoman of the Glister Family!”
“Do you really believe that, Lea?”
“I… suppose so.”
Whenever I broached the subject of independence, Lea would panic and try to dissuade me. But when I pressed her, she stammered and hastily turned away to wash the dishes.
“My husband is nothing but a drunkard who stumbles in and out in silence. The people of Count Glister’s Household won’t even acknowledge me. How long can I possibly live on money from that household? I have to fend for myself.”
“But thanks to you, Rowan, we’re self-sufficient with vegetables and have saved quite a bit of emergency funds.”
“That won’t last forever.”
I sat at the Dining Table and rested my chin in my palm. It was an unladylike posture, hardly befitting a noblewoman, but Lea didn’t dislike me for it. If anything…
“I know the cuisine of a country you’ve never heard of. And your soup is truly exquisite, Lea. If I ever have to live alone, I’ll need to be prepared for anything. So there’s no harm in getting ready in advance.”
My eyes grew distant as I gazed out the window, chin still resting in my hand. Lea, who had been washing dishes, glanced at me sideways. I remained absorbed in thought, still looking out at the landscape beyond the glass.
I sometimes had that look in my eyes—as though I might depart for somewhere far away. It was hardly the appearance of a young lady raised in privilege at the Hartwood Marquis Estate.
Lea seemed about to say something, but held her tongue and turned back to the dishes. She wanted to tell me that wherever I went, she would follow and serve me. She wanted to be by my side—by the side of someone who harbored no regrets, who remained untouched by any wound.
***
It was one such day. I roughly pushed away a woman clinging to me. The companions around me snickered. Everyone present had been cast out by their families. I drew a cigarette to my lips and inhaled deeply.
Alcohol, tobacco, gambling, women—there wasn’t a single debauchery I hadn’t indulged in, yet nowhere felt like home. Still, these things did temporarily clear my mind, though their effects grew shorter with each passing day.
“I’m leaving.”
“Why? Where are you going? Some decent girls are supposed to show up later.”
“Not interested.”
A drunken man swayed and clung to me.
“Amazing women are coming, you sure you’re really leaving?”

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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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