Grace in Wonderland - Chapter 130

130. Epilogue I

Among the devout Ingrintians who attend church every Sunday, there are numerous whispered superstitions. One particularly well-known tale is that brides who marry in June will live happily ever after.

There are several reasons why June weddings are regarded as the best of all twelve months.

Firstly, June is the month of Juno, the ancient Romian goddess. Juno is the goddess of marriage, and it is said that weddings held under her blessing will remain unbroken until death separates the couple. Though there are some skeptical views on whether such enduring marriages are truly positive…

Secondly, marrying in June and conceiving a child would mean giving birth before the following year’s harvest. This would coincide with a season of plenty, ensuring the baby could grow plump and healthy.

Of course, there is also the extremely practical reason that mothers who give birth can immediately join the harvest workforce…

Thirdly, even in Ingrint’s gloomy climate, there are bright, sunny days, and June is precisely that time of year. Ingrint’s summer is a brief period when spy thrillers and crime dramas turn into romances. Even the stiff and reserved Ingrintians are powerless before the lush greenery and vibrant flowers. For the sun-drenched Gallians, their constant singing of love ballads makes perfect sense; the golden arrows of sunlight possess a power to melt hearts.

Finally, the backdrop of the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream and St. John’s Eve, which falls in June, contribute to its romantic allure. On the eve of the feast, strange and magical occurrences abound, with enchanted lovers falling deeply in love. This romantic notion makes June an ideal month for debutante balls as well.

Last year, on the eve of St. John’s Feast, Richard Spencer was drenched in a bucketful of violet water and bound tightly by its magic. This year, too, the groom’s gaze, as he looked at his June bride exuding a lavender scent, radiated a mix of satiated contentment and gentle madness.

The wedding of Richard Spencer, Young Earl of Spencer, and Grace Montague took place in the renowned Grentabridge Cathedral. Beneath its grand dome, they became husband and wife under the echoing peals of the church bells, receiving the blessings of God.

The news that the heir of the Spencer family was marrying Annabel Gurton’s daughter had already spread widely across Lydon. Members of high society had anticipated meeting Richard Spencer’s fiancée at last year’s masquerade ball hosted by the Duke of Devonshire. However, what they actually witnessed was a bloodied Spencer servant and the Young Earl hurriedly departing the Duke’s estate. This incident alone sparked numerous imaginative rumors.

As the social season ended that year, many curious individuals persistently sent invitations to the Montague mansion. Yet, Grace Montague humbly and politely declined all of them. Reports of the Montague family’s carriage frequently visiting Westminster, and Spencer’s carriage even more frequently heading to Chelsea, kept circulating for six months. High society’s curiosity about the Spencer family’s new lady only grew stronger.

Every early June, debutante balls are held to welcome young ladies into high society. This year’s ball received more attention than ever for two reasons.

The first was that Freya Spencer was making her debut in high society. This ball would determine whether the treasured daughter of the Spencer family—its goddess of beauty and everyone’s first love—could ascend to the throne of social queen. Bets were even placed on who her partner would be. The favored champion was Deimos Cavendish, though the dark horse Eurus’s name was also mentioned occasionally.

The second reason was the hope that the long-mysterious Grace Montague would attend the ball to congratulate Freya. As a result, people scrambled to purchase debutante ball tickets at exorbitant prices.

Freya Spencer ascended to the status of queen upon her debut. However, her face didn’t radiate joy. This was because she entered the hall not with her desired partner but holding the hand of her brother, Richard Spencer.

Many others were just as disappointed. Since Richard Spencer escorted his sister instead of his fiancée, Grace Montague remained an enigma.

Then yesterday, Grace Montague finally made her debut in high society. However, rather than forming a distinct impression of her, people were left with an even more vivid impression of how Richard Spencer, the Young Earl, regarded her.

As if she might break if held too tightly or fly away if blown upon, many were reminded of Mary Montague by the way the Young Earl cherished his bride.

“Young Master.”

Sebastian approached the Young Earl, who was sipping mead in broad daylight. He had come to report that the newlywed Young Earl and his bride had completed all preparations for their departure after spending their not-quite-first-night together.

Richard couldn’t take his eyes off Grace, who was beaming alongside Anthony Montague and Professor Charles Dodgson. The three of them were admiring a portrait of Richard and Grace that hung on the wall.

Edmund Beaufort had kept his promise. As an apology for abandoning Grace at the Duke’s estate, he commissioned Madame Le Brun to paint an enormous portrait of the couple. However, Beaufort also swiped the bird-shaped jade ornament Richard had purchased at an auction years ago.

Really, is it that precious?

Sebastian was both the only witness to Richard Spencer’s actual “first night” and a co-conspirator in the aftermath. He had gone to great lengths to prevent the servants from discovering the couple in their bedroom. The harrowing moment when he crossed paths with the housekeeper, wearing a knowing expression, while dragging tangled, stained sheets to the incinerator still sent chills down his spine. Suppressing the urge to shout, “It’s not mine!”, Sebastian had been consumed by profound self-loathing.

Since that night, Sebastian had kept a vigilant eye on the couple. For four months, he endured the increasing intensity of their affection, protecting Richard’s dignity and Grace’s reputation. Watching over them had become his duty.

Some compare marriage to a birdcage: the birds outside try desperately to get in, while those inside struggle to escape.[1] However, Sebastian found himself stuck in a birdcage before someone else’s wedding, waiting for a chance to break free.

At last, freedom.

Richard and Grace Spencer were leaving Lydon today for a destination Richard had secretly arranged. A small entourage of guards, one servant, and one maid would accompany them.

Sebastian hoped the newlyweds would enjoy a month—or even longer—of blissful sweetness. During their absence, he planned to stay behind in Westminster to handle Richard’s responsibilities.

For this reason, Sebastian had looked forward to the wedding almost as much as Richard had. He had even dreamt of liberation, fluttering through the sky like a lark freed from its cage. He had lost sleep over it.

“The carriage is ready. Please proceed.”

Richard set down his glass leisurely at Sebastian’s announcement.

“Do you think the Young Madam will truly enjoy this?”

As a seasoned attendant and self-proclaimed romance theorist, Sebastian had repeatedly cautioned Richard against planning their honeymoon in secret.

A honeymoon is meant for relaxation. It’s traditional for newlyweds to retreat to a place where they can unwind and spend time together.

But the Young Earl had gleefully ignored this fact, crafting a honeymoon plan that would make even an inexperienced bachelor shake his head. The journey to their destination would take ten full days, involving both carriage and boat travel. Would the bride truly be pleased?

“Of course.”

Richard’s confidence was unshaken. Sebastian opened his mouth to protest but decided against it.

Let’s not stop him.

After all, whether Grace Spencer ended up upset or angry had nothing to do with him. She wasn’t his wife, and he wouldn’t have to witness the newlyweds’ first quarrel firsthand.

Because Sebastian would be free!

“Also, Sebastian, I have good news for you.”

What’s this about? Is he planning to reward me generously for my hard work?

Sebastian tried to suppress the grin creeping up to his temples. He waited patiently for Richard’s next words.

“You’ll be coming with us on this trip.”

“…Excuse me?”

Richard Spencer’s sudden declaration was like a stone hurled at a soaring bird. Struck mid-flight, Sebastian’s wings faltered as he stammered.

“W-what do you mean?”

“You’ve worked so hard, and I think you deserve a break. I even asked Lancelot to cover for both of us while we’re away.”

“……”

“No need to thank me.”

Thank you…? Is he doing this on purpose?

Sebastian watched Richard walk off toward Grace, suppressing his anger. He had become another captive in the metaphorical birdcage of marriage—this time, permanently confined to someone else’s cage.

Author’s Footnote:

[1] Partially modified quotation from from Michel de Montaigne’s Essays, “On Marriage and Love”