Grace in Wonderland - Chapter 134

134. Side Story III

“Sebastian.”

So, it has come to this.

Sebastian knew the moment Richard Spencer called him in a grim voice. He had been caught in a trap from which there was no easy escape.

“Yes, Young Master.”

He could easily guess why Richard was being so serious. Rumors originating in the laundry room, combined with testimonies from the maids attending Grace, had heightened the staff’s awareness of the inexplicable cold war between the Young Earl and Countess.

Moreover, after hearing Grace Spencer’s almost-declaration of separate bedrooms today, Sebastian had the distinct feeling that the misplaced muzzle might soon be aimed at him. Thus, he had prepared thoroughly for this situation.

Even if you’re dragged into a lion’s den, all you need to do is stay sharp.

“Has something been troubling Grace lately?”

“…No specific reports have been made. However—”

“However?”

“There are rumors that the Young Madam’s appetite has decreased.”

“Why are you only telling me this now?”

Richard’s eyes widened.

I knew this would happen. As a seasoned attendant, Sebastian had already prepared a smooth response to this question.

“Her appetite may have lessened, but she has been asking for other types of food instead. I didn’t find it concerning.”

“Asking for other types of food?”

“Yes. She has been ordering unusual dishes more frequently.”

“Unusual dishes? What has she been requesting?”

Richard tilted his head as he asked. To his knowledge, Grace was not a woman with a particular appetite. She would make an effort to finish the food placed before her, but that was it. He had never seen her crave something specific or request a particular preparation.

Thanks to the Young Countess’s modest palate, the head chef of the Spencer mansion had been living comfortably these days. Since joining the Spencer family’s kitchen, this was the first time the chef had encountered a mistress who didn’t criticize his dishes.

When Elaine Spencer, the former Countess, was around, she demanded the finest delicacies be procured and prepared, only to send most of the food back after a few bites. For twenty years, the chef had lived as though walking on thin ice.

Yet recently, even the unassuming tastes of the Young Countess had changed. The chef had been alarmed, fearing she might follow in the footsteps of the former Countess. Grace’s requests were so unpredictable.

One day, she asked for an Aire-style coddle. The chef sourced fresh potatoes from Aire, bacon made from a prize-winning Landrace pig from last year’s breed exhibition, Mediterranean-grown purple onions, and black pepper imported from the Indus, simmering everything to perfection before presenting it on the table.

However, the Young Countess only took a few spoonfuls, thanked him, and left the dining room. At least she expressed her gratitude, the chef thought, though he couldn’t hide his despondent expression.

Similar situations repeated afterward. Grace, with an endlessly apologetic face, requested Christmas pudding, soda bread, jacket potatoes, haggis, and other renowned dishes from various regions of Brighton Island. Indus specialties like samosas were also on the list.

Each time, the chef spared no expense, using the finest ingredients and his utmost sincerity to prepare the meals. Yet Grace would eat only a little, grimace, and express both gratitude and regret before retreating to her bedroom.

The other staff in the Spencer mansion, long accustomed to the whims of the former Countess, didn’t pay much attention to these developments. Compared to Elaine Spencer, Grace Spencer’s requests were considered quite endearing.

“She’s been searching for various dishes, but none seem to satisfy her taste.”

“Is that so?”

Should I replace the chef? Richard began to seriously contemplate the idea.

“Don’t even think about replacing the chef, Young Master,” Sebastian quickly interjected. He had good reason to say so.

The head chef of the Spencer mansion had survived twenty years under Elaine Spencer, the most demanding lady in Lydon. He was also the only person Elaine Spencer had not fired during her tenure.

Hiring another chef with the same perseverance and skills would be as difficult as plucking stars from the sky. As the future butlet of the Spencer mansion, Sebastian knew they had to keep the chef until he could no longer hold a knife due to old age.

“A chef who cannot even satisfy Grace’s palate…”

Richard Spencer clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction but did not press the matter further. However, he resolved not to let it go if Grace showed even the slightest complaint in the future. By any means necessary, he would scour Gallia and Italine to find the finest chef capable of satisfying her taste.

Grace’s well-being was of utmost importance! Only then could she avoid illnesses like consumption and live healthily for a long time, spending those years with Richard Spencer!

“Then, could Grace be troubled by something these days?”

According to Sebastian, apart from her meals, Grace seemed to have no significant issues. Yet, it was possible that some internal anguish, sorrow, or loneliness—not outwardly visible—could be troubling her.

But why? Grace had captured Richard Spencer, Ingrint’s most eligible bachelor and the darling of high society, and they were now living as an “affectionate couple.” Plans for their silver and golden wedding anniversaries were already in place…

“That might be the case. It seems she does have some concerns. Actually, I’m certain she does.”

Sebastian’s reply poured fuel on the fire of Richard’s worries.

“What did you say?”

Richard nearly stumbled forward at Sebastian’s confident assertion, clutching a bush that had grown to waist height to steady himself. His cultivated elegance as a grand nobleman…

“It’s like this,” Sebastian began, lowering his voice as if divulging a significant secret and glancing around.

“I’ve heard from the head maid that whenever you’re out or in the office, the Young Madam spends all her time sleeping.”

“But Grace has always been a late riser in the mornings, hasn’t she?”

Richard knew that Grace didn’t get out of bed until around 10 or 11 a.m. Even after spending the night rolling around on the sheets together, their mornings were entirely different.

After an intense “match” the previous night, Richard Spencer would glow with radiance the next day. His light green eyes sparkled with vitality, and his lips carried an air of exhilaration.

If it were possible to depict emotions as text, Richard’s smooth forehead would bear words like “satisfaction,” “contentment,” “delight,” “pride,” “happiness,” and “regrets.” In truth, no such technique was necessary; everyone who encountered him upon waking could sense his emotions.

On the other hand, Grace Spencer, after facing her “obstinate” opponent, always needed time to recuperate her body.

Richard, oblivious to his own overwhelming stamina, treated Grace as though she were a fragile glass doll, ensuring she could sleep in until late. He was the very picture of a considerate husband with an angelic face.

But at night, he transformed into a beast crawling up from hell, driving the glass doll as though he might shatter her. This was the essence of the Janus-like man, whose demeanor differed drastically between day and night.

By conventional standards, a lady remaining in bed when the head of the family left was unacceptable. For a grand noblewoman, even more so. Even Elaine Spencer, who despised her husband, would always see him off at the front entrance when he visited Lydon once a year to attend Parliament.

Given this context, Grace’s behavior was difficult to view positively. However, the staff empathized with her, thanks to the maids’ detailed descriptions of the Young Countess’s physical condition.

Only one person, Freya Spencer, was outraged. She fumed that Grace’s laziness was an insult to the Spencer family.

Richard Spencer was one of those foolish men who believed his beloved wife and dear younger sister could get along harmoniously as friends and family. However, after witnessing Freya’s venomous glares at Grace several times, he abandoned that naive expectation.

“That’s true. But lately, it seems she’s been sleeping even more.”

“…I see.”

“So, based on a scientific analysis, I’ve reached a conclusion…”

“……”

“I can’t help but think that the Young Madam’s health might not be in perfect condition.”