The Mansion Awaits Spring - Chapter 80

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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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Chapter 80
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News of April’s arrest spread through the Social Season like wildfire.
The news reached even her uncle, Jeff Merrow, and ultimately succeeded in drawing him out of his house.
As the doors of the Merrow Residence opened and Jeff paused on the steps, his wife, Eleonora Merrow, made no move to rush him. The mere fact that he had stepped outside was enough to move her heart.
For the first time in seven years, Jeff had cut his hair and shaved.
Only after he dressed properly to visit the Grand Duke’s Residence did Eleonora notice that his face hadn’t changed as much as she’d feared.
She had groused often enough that his hair had turned entirely white, as if he’d grown old all by himself.
Eleonora chided him as he made his way down the stairs unsteadily, leaning on his cane.
“What good is a shave when your body’s that of an old man?”
“Give me a month, and though I can’t restore my body entirely, I will recover my health.”
Jeff spoke with quiet determination as he gripped the bannister and descended.
Eleonora glanced at his face and, dissatisfied with what she saw, clicked her tongue.
It was said even in the Empire that the men of the Lunos Family were so beautiful.
Having actually attended a party at the Grand Duchy, Eleonora knew the rumors were no exaggeration. While others coveted the Family Head of the Lunos line, she had favored Jeff Lunos, the second son, from the very beginning.
His somewhat delicate temperament, which might be a weakness to others, had always struck her as charming.
Still, there had been no shortage of rivals. How she’d managed to win this man’s heart—and now he would make the journey to the Grand Duke’s Residence, no less. It irritated her.
She didn’t want to voice the real reason aloud: that there were plenty of women there.
Once they were in the carriage, as Eleonora sat with a darkened expression, Jeff kept stealing glances at her face before speaking.
“Eleonora, I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what, all of a sudden?”
“Just… for everything.”
Then, carefully, he took her hand.
Eleonora’s heart melted at his touch, but she kept her expression rigid, showing nothing.
Seven years he’d spent shut away in his study, bitter and silent. His lips had been sealed by his brother’s fate, and it was natural enough that when his niece came, his lips opened again. But Eleonora was hurt nonetheless.
When they first promised to marry, she’d even begun to suspect: Had she alone been drawn to him, and this good man only accepted her out of kindness?
As the carriage made its way toward the Grand Duke’s Residence, Jeff held her hand tightly and suddenly smiled brightly, pointing to the street they were passing.
“Eleonora, do you remember this place?”
As she looked out, Eleonora recognized the lane of flowering trees that any noble seeking a match had visited at least once.
Because the Grand Duchy occupied the warmest region of Right Island, by late spring the flowers that bloomed elsewhere in spring had already come into bloom here.
There were days when the blossoms on these trees reached their fullest glory. The spring of the Grand Duchy was brief, and all the more beautiful for it.
Jeff spoke.
“I’m telling you now, but… I was actually pretending to read.”
At his words, Eleonora’s head snapped toward him.
Seeing her reaction, Jeff smiled again before continuing.
“I was too shy to speak to the young lady I admired, so I would sit in a chair pretending to read a book.”
At the words “the young lady I admired,” Eleonora’s expression, which had been creasing, suddenly softened.
“But then suddenly the young lady I liked sat down beside me. Since I’d only been pretending to read, I didn’t understand a word of the book, and when she asked what I was reading, I was so flustered…”
“You hadn’t actually read that book?”
“No—it was a university text, and I couldn’t focus on a single word.”
Jeff brushed her hair back behind her ear as he continued.
“I’ve never thanked you for giving me that chance.”

“Thank you.”
Eleonora stared at him silently, then her eyes grew hot and she spoke.
“You should say things like that while you’re holding me!”
“Would that be all right?”
“That’s not even—!”
Jeff drew the angry Eleonora into his arms with one hand, and with the other he cradled her face. Then he buried his face in her neck and murmured.
“I’m sorry to you, but mostly… I’ve aged so much by myself that I was afraid you might hate me for it.”
At Jeff’s words, Eleonora let out an exasperated laugh.
“There won’t be a day, until I die, when I stop loving you.”
At Eleonora’s words, Jeff forgot his worries about his niece for a moment and smiled. But Eleonora’s expression darkened in turn.
Jeff held her hand in one hand and carried a sword in the other.
In an age when guns had replaced swords, a blade was less a weapon than a symbol. That he carried one was a statement of will: that at least he would protect his niece.
Eleonora disliked this gentle man hardening his resolve in such a way, but it was only from love that she felt this, and ultimately she stood behind her husband.
The Merrow line of Rasa, like the Lunos, belonged to ancient families. That duty outweighed love was a given.
Soon the carriage came to a halt at the Grand Duke’s Residence.
The noblewomen who hadn’t seen Eleonora in some time forgot all propriety and rushed toward her.
“Eleonora!”
Because Jeff had been shut away in his study, Eleonora had also drifted from the Social Season. Work had taken its toll as well.
After confirming that Eleonora had moved off with her friends to play bridge, Jeff turned toward the Rear Garden where the Grand Duke Miller Dieusz awaited.
Miller was conversing in the garden pavilion with his great-uncle and Chief of the Grand Duchy Police, Devin Mayer.
It seemed to be a private discussion, as the Royal Guard moved to block Jeff’s path.
“The Grand Duke commanded that no one be permitted to enter.”
“Step aside.”
The knight of the Royal Guard saw the sword Jeff carried at his side.
Jeff was prepared to fight if it came to it. Of course, there was no young man in the Royal Guard who could best a man of middle years who hadn’t moved from his chair in seven years. But even inflicting a wound on him would be a considerable problem.
Though the Lunos Family had fallen, they remained a noble house, and moreover, his wife was an Imperial aristocrat.
The Royal Guard, caught between two choices, hesitated. Finally, Miller gestured for Devin to leave first, then waved Jeff through.
Jeff, unaccustomed to walking after so long, made his way forward unsteadily, swaying side to side, and came to stand before Miller.
Miller smiled deliberately.
“Please, sit.”
“There’s no need. I won’t be staying long.”
“It’s been a long time.”
“Is that how you greet me?”
Jeff’s voice trembled with fury.
Miller had a servant bring a cup and poured tea into it, then offered it to Jeff. He knew Jeff would not drink it, but the act of pouring the tea was what mattered, not the outcome.
“I know you’ve come because of April. We’re looking into it, so please don’t worry.”
“How am I to believe that? The Family Head of the Lunos was dragged away and executed. My niece, who barely survived, has vanished without a trace. And you tell me to wait while you look into it?”
“You tried to kill me and my wife then. Isn’t that also a crime? And using vast quantities of gas without payment—is that not also a crime?”
“A crime? You’ve already buried what the Imperial Police investigated, covered it up, and now you call it a crime?”
“The police say it is. What can I do about it?”
“Have you no shame?”
Miller exhaled softly and lifted his head.
He met Jeff’s gaze—eyes burning with the fierce red fire of the Lunos Family—and spoke.
“No, I have none.”
“Your Grace!”
“Regarding April Lunos, I do not believe anything I’ve done was excessive.”
Miller’s eyes remained clear as he continued to regard Jeff.
“Did I ask for much? All I wanted was to be with the person I love. And when that was denied—who chose the path that led to my family’s ruin?”
At Miller’s words, Jeff stood rigid, too shocked to respond.
A moment later, he straightened his posture from where he’d been leaning against the table.
Miller was inwardly astonished that Jeff Merrow, who had lived in seclusion for so many years, could burn with such fury.
And then Jeff opened his mouth.
“There’s something I know.”

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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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