The Duke’s Imposter Sister - Chapter 63
Chapter 63 – The Grand Duke’s Turbulent Emotions (2)
It was surprising that Stephan spoke so naturally like he had suddenly thought of the topic. Now that she thought about it, this marriage was only needed so that she could have the audacity to live even though others would be hurt. Gris stealthily ground her teeth while the grandmother nodded.
“Yes, though it’s already a bit late for her debut.”
Noble women customarily debuted in society at the age of fifteen, so for Gris she was already several years past her debut age. When Gris saw Stephen smile strangely, she knew he would force her debut in society to occur soon regardless.
“When do you want to set the date?” he persisted.
“It’s better to prepare properly. Set the date for about a month later.”
“Then I will prepare the invitation, mother.”
Gris listened and stayed silent during the conversation. Paola positively appraised the younger girl’s appearance and looked at the eyes of the Grand Duke this time. She was trying to ask his opinion about the state of Byrenhag.
However, the Grand Duke did not respond to any of the great events that he should have been interested in. All of the attention was cast on him, who was lost in thought without so much as a blink of an eye.
“You don’t look well. Is something wrong?”
Only then did the duke come back to his senses.
“It’s nothing,” he replied bluntly, looking only at the lime at the bottom of his tea cup.
Paola smiled as if she was used to his reserved answers.
“Your sister is about to get married, so it’s understandable you feel restless.”
“No.”
“Really? Ever since you were a child, the more you were beaten, the more you strongly denied it.”
If he denied her further, the more he would be misunderstood, so he chose to remain silent. Paola eventually changed the topic when she observed his eyes become darker and sharper than usual. The conversation continued for a while about daily life occurrences and routine happenings amongst the nobility. After the tea time concluded, they retired to their respective chambers.
Gris held the handkerchief she received from Paola as she lay upon her bed. She was thinking of taking a break before going to her classes, but the grandmother’s words kept reverberating in her head.
“Really? Ever since you were a child, the more you were beaten, the more you strongly denied it.”
The more you were beaten, the more you strongly denied it…
It was amazing that there was such a person in the world. Was Paola so fond of only teasing her more taciturn grandchild?
Gris let out a long sigh when Bellin abruptly entered the room wiping her forehead with an apron.
“After arranging the luggage, the mansion has now grown quiet,” Bellin announced, as if it were obligatory to report all the happenings around the mansion to her mistress, “Her Excellency is taking a nap, and His Excellency has gone to his office.”
“Okay. Thanks for informing me, Bellin. ”
Bellin smiled nicely as if it were only natural for her to report such things.
“His Highness seemed to be planning to paint soon. I saw the butler mixing some paint. ”
“Painting?”
While she wanted to ask what and where he would be painting, Gris kept her lips sealed. She didn’t even know why she was so curious about him.
She realized too late that she should have explained to Bellin that she was only collecting information, but it would have been nothing more than a plausible excuse. The fact is… that she had an interest in him. Perhaps she had been swayed too much of Stephan’s machinations that she’s being calculated with the Grand Duke’s moves.
Her interests were something borne out of a survival instinct – it should be nothing more. While Gris sighed in relief, Bellin looked out the window.
“It’s now time for the horseback riding class.”
“Yes, I have to go.”
Horseback riding wasn’t difficult because her body was already accustomed to it. She arrived in front of the stables with a lightness in her steps. The azure sky and viridian grass certainly befit the nickname of Byrenhag, which meant heaven on earth. Her anxious and distraught mind was cleansed by the sight.
Her lessons were predominately about how to properly mount a horse and trot around the complex, but Gris took them more seriously than ever. One day in the future, she might need to ride a horse out of the estate in case of an emergency pertaining to her precarious situation. She also had to check on the guards that were stationed at the front and rear gates of the mansion.
Unfortunately, the entrance to the mansion was to be closed at all times, and the security personnel strictly checked each incoming or outgoing person and his or her belongings. So rigid was the inspection that it was impossible to even try hiding beneath a mound of straw. If she attempted to leave under any guise that wasn’t Yuliana Byrenhag, then it was absolutely certain that she would immediately be caught.
There was no way to secretly obtain a pass to depart the premises. She wasn’t even sure if the head of security had been instructed to report to Vianut or Stephan every time Yuliana comes and goes…
Gris turned her reins while she stared at the main gate like it was an impregnable fortress. Fortunately, she felt a bit calmer because the weather was so pleasant. The air was clear and the view was bright.
Well, no matter what the weather is like, she should enjoy herself regardless. If she had more time, she would have liked to draw a nice landscape.
She stopped by the open lakeside, the wildflower-covered hills, and a little cypress forest; however, she didn’t find the Grand Duke painting at any of these locations. She felt curious. What would he be drawing in this beautiful weather if not the scenery? Unless he was painting a stuffed beast in the collection room, he should have been out here.
When she returned from her ride misty with sweat, Teer had gone missing again. Gris wiped her brow with the handkerchief she received from Paola. She thoroughly searched through every hall for the pup.
Then, the Grand Duke came down the stairs of the lobby. He was holding a white puppy in one hand.
