I Became The Monster Duke’s Wife For The Second Time - Chapter 74

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At that moment, Sally said that the former Duke and Duchess Felix died at the same time.

Is it simply an unfortunate coincidence that the husband is killed by a shapeless arrow exactly at the same time when the wife dies giving birth to a child? Moreover, the behaviour and actions of her father, Duke Alberton, after investigating the two deaths.

It was difficult to rule out the possibility that ‘magic’ was involved in this work. Arthur refuses to consider the possibility at all, but she thinks differently.

Perhaps it’s time when she must tell Arthur about the contents of Duke Alberton’s notebook. With that thought in mind, Grace spoke to Sally first.

“I’m sorry I asked you again about what you already told me, Sally.”

“No, it’s all right. Do you have anything else to ask?”

“No. Thank you.”

“If you have any other questions or need anything else, please feel free to let me know.”

Upon hearing Grace’s thanks, Sally immediately understood the meaning of those words, bowed deeply and went out of the drawing-room.

The door closes, and now it’s just the two of them in the drawing-room. Arthur asked Grace, who had sent Sally out sooner than he thought.

“Did you ask Sally enough?”

“No, I still have a question, but…….”

“Then shall I call Sally back inside?”

“No. You don’t have to. What I’m going to talk about now is, Arthur, I just want only you and me to know, that’s why I sent her out on purpose.”

“Just me and you?”

To Arthur who asked with a puzzled face, Grace lightly nodded her head and said.

“Yes. Actually, just like you, I thought it was nothing like a fairy tale, and that it was ridiculous that there exists magic through which a man could bring someone’s life back by connecting his own life with that person’s life. But I can’t help thinking about it because of the insinuation my father, Duke Alberton, made about your parents’ death in his notebook that I stole from Alberton Castle.”

“……Did Duke Alberton mention magic directly? Did my father bring my mother back to life?”

Arthur asked, looking at Grace with astonished eyes.

Grace put her index finger to Arthur’s lips, who involuntarily raised his voice in surprise, and then quietly continued.

“I’m sorry, but please lower your voice. Or else there is no benefit in letting Sally go.”

“…… I’m sorry. But is that really true? Did Duke Alberton really write those words in his notebook?”

“He didn’t mention clearly that your father saved your mother by magic. However he found an ancient magical pattern that he couldn’t interpret on your mother’s, Duchess Eileen’s, body, he mentioned that it seemed to be some kind of a ‘curse’.”

“……..A curse, you say.”

“Yes. And exactly six months after that record, my father wrote that he had uncovered the truth about the magic. And he reported it to His Majesty the Emperor, who was pleased with it. In addition… … .”

“… … What else did he say?”

As Grace continued to talk with a dark face, Arthur, whose face grew serious at the same time, spoke as if timidly. And Grace replied to him with a complex look.

“… … My father rejoiced that he could use the magic to secure enormous power from the imperial family. That sentence was filled with endless joy and greed. It’s like he doesn’t even care about your father and mother’s misfortune.”

“…….”

“So I can’t shake my conviction that that nonsense must have happened. If your mother’s miraculous survival and their unfortunate deaths were not linked to any magical power, then what ancient magic did my father find in your mother’s body? And what did he find out about that power? Any suggestions that use that power to satisfy the emperor’s heart?”

Grace was anxious, recalling the completely unconvincing situations, the still unclear truth, the insidious plans of her father, Duke Alberton, behind it, and the possibility that it might bring her, Arthur, and Leon unforeseen misfortunes.

The truth is elusive, and clues continue to be endowed but unclear. She was walking on a cliff covered with fog and couldn’t see an inch ahead.

So when Grace unknowingly spoke in a furious voice, Arthur embraced her with a face of embarrassment and guilt.

“……Calm down. Yes? I was stupid. It was something that my wife had a hard time finding out, but my wife, who is wiser and knows more about magic than me, must have vaguely figured it all out. I’m sorry for making judgments and conclusions based on my short knowledge.”

“……No. Arthur, you don’t need to apologise. I, too, would never have imagined it if I hadn’t found my father’s notebook, and if I hadn’t listened to Sally.”

Also, she would never have been able to find out if it wasn’t for those ‘fantasies’ that suddenly took over her mind.

Grace also vowed to find out where those fantasies were coming from and whether it was the true nature of the reality of the ‘curse’ that had been placed on her.

Everything seems irrelevant at first glance, but they are intertwined in a close causal relationship* created by God. Grace leaned her head in Arthur’s arm, vaguely convinced that the ‘vision’ must also have something to do with the ‘ancient magic’ that was discovered on the body of the former Duchess of Felix.

[*T/N: If there is a causal relationship between two things, one thing is responsible for causing the other thing.]

Arthur said while hugging Grace, who was digging into his arms.

“No, my wife, you have to accept my apology. I was foolish to petty your words.”

“… … Arthur.”

“Maybe I was afraid. To face the fact that there is magic or curse involved in the deaths of my father and mother, and that behind them lies a conspiracy devised by a man on whom it’s hard to even dare to take my revenge with my strength.”

“It’s natural to feel that way. According to my father’s records, the imperial family and your cousin are involved in this. If anyone is betrayed by their blood relatives, they don’t want to believe it. Just like I did.”

As Grace replied in a bitter voice, recalling the first time she had died, Arthur gently took her off slightly from his arms. Then Arthur looked into her beautiful eyes and said affectionately.

“Right. With that said, I, a coward, tried to avoid the situation again. If I pretend I don’t know, then I’ll be just thinking that if I live quietly as a ‘cursed monster duke,’ everything will be fine.”

“… … Arthur, don’t say that. You are not a monster.”

“Yes. I will not avoid it anymore. Just as you have ventured to reach the truth for my parents, for me and Leon, I will also actively approach the secrets of the curse they have placed upon me and the truths entangled in my parents’ deaths.”

“… … Yes. That’s what we will do.”

Grace responded, gently stroking Arthur’s face as he looked down at her tenderly.

After that, Arthur smiled sweetly like honey. And he stared at Grace’s blue eyes, who were looking at him with eyes full of love just like him.

Eventually, the two slowly approached closer to each other’s faces and slowly closed their eyes as if they had made a promise. Little by little, the lips of the two who were closing the distance met.

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After a warm time in the drawing-room, Grace parted ways with Arthur, who was busy with the castle office, and had dinner together with Leon as promised.

Arthur, who had been busy with work and said he barely made time for lunch due to work, was unable to attend dinner. It was a pity, but Grace didn’t show it.

For Leon, who must have been quite surprised by what happened at lunch, she put down all noble etiquettes and formalities and enjoyed a dinner alone with Leon.

Grace and Leon laughed like crazy at each other’s jokes and jests, and the servants and maids who looked sideways also covered their mouths and laughed at the harmonious appearance of the two being together as a family.

In that way, at a long table where 30 people can sit comfortably, the two finished their meal by sharing sweet desserts while keeping their chairs close enough to each other’s shoulders.

“Today was so much fun!”

“Really? If Leon had fun, would we eat together like this from time to time?”

“Not often, but eat it every day!”

“Okay. As long as Leon isn’t busy, I’m always happy with it.”

After a period of not knowing whether it was a meal or a game, Grace and Leon left the banquet hall and chatted about the pleasant dinner.

Grace smiled affectionately, stroking Leon’s red cheeks, which were flushed with joy, and Leon was happy to enjoy the friendly touch.

“Madam, it’s time for Sir Leon to go to bed.”

At that moment, Leon’s nanny spoke cautiously to the two of them.

Grace frowned at those words and turned her eyes to check the time. As she said, it was time for Leon to go to bed. Grace said while stroking Leon’s hair who was holding onto the hem of her dress with a sullen face.

“Leon, good night and sleep well then, see you tomorrow, okay?”

“……Yes! Good night.”

Leon couldn’t finish his fun time with Grace properly like this, so he waved to Grace with a sad face.

[T/N: Awwww…. ヾ(•ω•`)o]