Subliminal Wayfarer

“You wouldn’t believe how much I envied you two all day while I was stuck looking at boring documents.”

Lucas descended the stairs, approaching the pair.

Having already showered, he was dressed in a comfortable knit, his hair slightly damp and naturally falling.

His blue gaze was entirely fixed on Grace.

He approached her effortlessly, extending his hand to her.

“Did you have a good time with my mother? She can be quite mischievous, and I hope you haven’t been scared off, Grace. Be careful. If you let your guard down, she might just make you cry.”

“Son, I am right here. Right beside you.”

“Ah, I didn’t realize.”

“Oh, really? I didn’t realize my presence was so faint. Suddenly I remember the times when our Lucas, crying, would cling to the hem of his mother’s skirt and throw a tantrum for a hug.”

“Me? A tantrum? I’m afraid I don’t remember.”

“There’s nothing like shock therapy to bring back those lost memories… Perhaps this mother should concoct something shocking enough for you?”

After a back-and-forth with Selena, Lucas finally raised his hands.

“Please, no frightening talk, Mother. Why not boast about what you bought shopping today instead? Grace, what wonderful thing did you buy?”

He smoothly shifted the conversation.

Selena reluctantly changed the subject.

“I was just itching to tell you how amazing and wonderful the things we bought are. How about we change and meet in the dining room? These clothes are too warm for now.”

‘Oh?’

All too smoothly, they changed venues and went into the dining hall.

As soon as Grace saw the table setting that Cote had meticulously prepared, she noticed it.

“This is…”

Grace fiddled with the wooden tableware placed on the table. The wood, smoothly oiled, felt soft to the touch.

Lucas shrugged as if it were nothing.

“Wooden items are in fashion in the capital these days.”

A clear lie.

Wooden forks and spoons were things used by commoners.

Nobles typically used silverware. The sharper and more lustrous, the better.

Yet, there was nothing sharp or shimmering in the dining room now.

“From now on, Cote will cut the meat and bring it to us. It’s only natural since Cote’s cuts bring out a different juiciness to the meat.”

He spoke as if it were trivial, but he knew such actions were not easy.

“If there’s anything that makes you uncomfortable, feel free to tell me. You can tell me directly, or pass the message through Gabriel or Jaime.”

Grace felt strange looking at him.

Surrounding objects seemed blurry while his face appeared distinctly clear.

Her heart wasn’t racing, but a heavy vibration resonated all the way to her head.

“Hm? What’s all this? Wooden tableware?”

Just then, Selena entered the dining room and looked at the tableware on the table with surprise.

“I had them specially brought in. They’re items from the Eastern Continent, beyond the Cain Sea. I’ve heard that this wood reduces the toxicity of food.”

“Oh, is that so? It’s unique, I like it.”

Despite the potential for aversion to unfamiliar things, Selena too easily accepted the wooden fork and spoon.

The people of this house were truly strange.

Oh so naturally, they warmed Grace’s heart.

Grace bit her trembling lower lip and sat down.

Soon, Cote’s special chicken soup was placed right in front of them.

A savory smell wafted in the air.

 

* * *

 

“This belongs to you, Grace.”

“What? But you’re the one who purchased this, Madam.”

“It didn’t rightfully come into my possession. It’s not truly mine. I couldn’t be so shameless as to claim it in the presence of its real owner.”

 

Selena had struggled to acquire the incense censer and now she returned it to Grace, stating that it could not truly belong to her knowing the real owner existed.

Grace was surprised not only that Selena had given it back but also that she had believed her word.

There was no proper way to prove that the object was a keepsake from her mother.

Although she had the key to the incense censer, it was at her family home, and she could not bring it immediately.

Yet, Selena looked at Grace intently and simply handed over the incense censer.

 

“I can find another one. Fortunately, this incense censer isn’t the only one of its kind. I found one, why can’t I find another?”

 

It was said to be called the ‘Dream Incense Censer’.

Selena explained that it was nicknamed because lighting it before sleep would allow one to dream whatever they wished.

“It’s said to show the past or future, or even any fantasy you desire. Not every time, but if you deeply wish, you can see it.”

Grace had only known this item as her mother’s belonging and hadn’t realized it was such a marvelous thing.

Well, it must have some utility since it was traded at a high price at the auction.

That’s why her father had taken the item from Grace.

Despite having the incense censer for over ten years, Grace was unaware of this feature.

This was not an item commonly used in the marketplace.

To use the censer, one needed a long stick, which many people did not even know the name of.

Grace inserted the long stick, which came with the incense censer, into it.

Selena called this a ‘joss stick’. When burned, it produced a unique fragrance from the white smoke that helped with deep sleep.

“…A dream that you choose.”

She now wanted to see even a blurred image of her mother.

“I must repay the Madam somehow.”

It seemed she had only been on the receiving end since she came to this mansion.

Grace’s surroundings, once dry, were now filled with warmth and a pleasant fragrance.

What should she call this? Care? Affection?

Merely receiving felt awkward and strange. She was grateful… and fearful.

Afraid that the tide of their affection might recede suddenly, and she would feel a sense of loss.

Grace chuckled softly to herself.

“…Is this what they mean by not being able to eat even when served?”

She felt foolish worrying about losing something before fully grasping it.

She resolved to return as much as she had received. No, she wanted to give back more than she had received.

She wanted to repay Selena and Lucas for making her feel this comfort and kindness, more than what she had received.

‘I need to find something I can do. First, to His Excellency…’

But what could he possibly need?

Does he really lack anything?

As these thoughts frightened her, someone knocked on her door.

“Grace, may I come in?”

It was Lucas.

Grace thought it fortunate and quickly responded.

“Yes, Your Excellency. Please come in.”

She could simply ask him directly.

 

* * *

 

“The Marquisate keeps sending messages asking for you. We’ve been making excuses and sending them away, but I thought I should let you know.”

It was something she already knew.

Her father had even sent an attendant to deliver a note to her.

“I see. Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency.”

Grace expressed her gratitude calmly, contemplating the day she would return home.

Selena had given the incense censer at Grace’s request, so she couldn’t leave immediately.

It seemed best to wait at least two or three days.

‘This is good. There are things I need to find out anyway… I can’t avoid them forever. It’s time to face them.’

Grace steeled herself quietly, meeting Lucas’s penetrating blue eyes.

It began all with fear.

Then came surprise.

And now…

She trusts him.

She was no longer afraid of this man.

Instead, facing him now, she could feel her heart inexplicably rising in temperature.

“If you don’t want to go back, I can make any excuse for you. You can stay here until the marriage is arranged, Grace.”

Marriage.

Lucas Blacke spoke of marrying her without a hint of hesitation.

As if he intended to protect her from the very start.

Grace smiled and shook her head.

“No, I must go back. I appreciate the sentiment, but this is something I need to confront myself. And, quite honestly, it’s time I faced these issues.”

But this was not a matter to be resolved with someone else’s protection or strength.

It was something Grace had to confront and resolve on her own.

“However, Grace, as you know, this country still has many institutional disadvantages for women. And many people still see that as the norm.”

“Yes, I know. In fact, I might say I know it better than anyone.”

Grace responded with a calm smile, causing Lucas Blacke’s brows to furrow slightly.

He sighed softly, rubbing his forehead with his fist.

“If they…”

Lucas trailed off.

His masculine jawline tightened then relaxed, muscles in his thick neck tensed and then eased.

“If they hurt you… whether by words or violence or anything. If they somehow manage to hurt you.”

He finally licked his dry lips nervously, and slowly forced out his inner thoughts.

“I think I would be very angry, Grace.”

He exhaled a breath of self-doubt and managed a slight grimace of a smile.

A complex expression.

“Your Excellency.”

“Grace, you might not believe it, but I’m not usually someone who gets angry easily.”

“……”

“But whenever it comes to you, strangely, that doesn’t hold.”

Lucas’s hand touched Grace’s fair cheek.

His large hand completely encompassed her small face. His skin burned like fire against her cheek.

Grace swallowed her trembling breath and asked,

“What is it… that doesn’t hold?”

Lucas smiled briefly as he replied.

“…Restraint.”

Lucas’s face drew closer. His breath was right in front of her.

Purple and azure eyes fiercely intertwined in the air.

There was undeniable heat in that gaze. Grace felt every part his eyes touched heating up.

Eyelids, the bridge of her nose, and the inside of her lips…

“That’s what doesn’t hold.”

His whispering breath tickled her lips.