Grace in Wonderland - Chapter 14

14. Flaws

“Take a seat for a moment.”

Richard stopped at a secluded lakeside spot that he had often visited before leaving for Grentabridge. Sebastian, as if expecting this, spread out a clean cloth near the water’s edge.

“How does it feel to be back in Lydon after so long?”

“……”

“Nothing has changed here. Maybe it’s because no one takes care of it.”

Sebastian plopped down on the white cloth, glancing around like an old man reminiscing about his lost youth. His gaze fell on Richard Spencer, sitting like a picture by the lakeside, and he spoke.

Unripe cherries from a tree fell around Richard’s head with soft plops. The thick branches swayed gently in the wind, casting net-like shadows that shifted as sunlight filtered through.

The scenery was reminiscent of Cherry Hinton at Grentabridge: water, cherry trees, a narcissist, and…

“It’s better that no one maintains this place. It’s more peaceful without any disruptions.”

“Young Master, your taste truly is unique.”

Sebastian genuinely meant it. Who would have thought that Richard Spencer, who scrutinized even the tiniest wrinkle in his clothes, the color of his undergarments, and every strand of hair, secretly enjoyed cheap, dry scones and a wild, overgrown lakeshore?

“By the way, Young Master…”

Sebastian, chewing on a large chunk of scone, brought up a question as though it had just occurred to him. His poorly feigned spontaneity was obvious.

“That woman, the one who’s supposed to become Lady Montague’s adopted daughter. What was your impression of her in person?”

“……”

“Hm? What did you think?”

“……”

Richard raised his right eyebrow slightly, pausing before responding. Seeing Sebastian with a face full of curiosity annoyed him, and he felt no urgency to answer immediately. It was a small punishment for disrupting the refined contemplation of the Young Earl.

“Did she seem cunning and sly?”

“Sly…”

Repeating Sebastian’s words, Richard recalled Grace Gurton’s voice, slow and hesitant like water droplets falling one by one.

The first impression she left was her stammer.

“T-to think I’d have the chance to meet you like this, it’s truly like a d-dream come true.”

“I-I often went to watch rugby matches at Grentabridge… to see you, Young Earl.”

“Yes. A-actually, I was one of them… I, I really admired you.”

Because of this, other traits of hers—her mysterious mismatched eyes, her delicate and defined features, her glossy auburn hair, her petite frame, and her fresh, rosy complexion—lost their luster instantly.

That’s what flaws are.

No matter how many strengths one possesses, a single, decisive flaw can overshadow them all.

Even if a rose has dozens of perfect petals, people will notice the one petal marred by insects first. They’ll label it a defective flower and move on without hesitation.

Unfortunately, this was reality. Thus, it was wise to conceal one’s flaws as much as possible. This had long been Richard Spencer’s creed.

Grace’s flaws were twofold: her status and her speech.

A lady is carefully cultivated. Born into a good family, she receives proper education and engages in wholesome social activities with those of similar standing. Only then does she become a true lady.

Grace Gurton, the daughter of Annabel Gurton—a well-known figure in Lydon’s social circles—and raised under the care of Grentabridge’s eccentric Charles Dodgson, could not possibly understand the harsh truths of the world. That’s why she spoke recklessly, without filtering her thoughts.

Status is decisive. It shapes one’s environment, which in turn shapes the person. If Grace Gurton had been born into a renowned family, she wouldn’t have behaved so rashly.

Status also masks many flaws. If Mary Montague hadn’t been born into the Spencer family, her free-spirited and peculiar personality would never have been accepted.

Similarly, if Grace Gurton had come from an excellent family, people might have described her reckless behavior as lively and spirited. Some might find it unfair, but this is the limit and power of social status.

Judging by status alone, Grace Gurton could be considered lower than most commoners. The issue wasn’t her status itself, but the overwhelming destructiveness associated with the name ‘Annabel Gurton.’

And then there was Grace’s halting, awkward speech. This might be an even more severe flaw. While becoming Lady Montague’s adopted daughter could resolve her status issue, fixing her speech habits would be far more difficult.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? I’m so curious!”

Sebastian began pestering Richard with childlike impatience.

“Sebastian, do you know who that woman’s mother is?”

“Huh? How would I know that?”

“It’s Annabel Gurton.”

“Who’s that?”

“Her maiden name was Annabel Lovelace.”

Annabel Lovelace. Annabel Lovelace. Sebastian repeated the name a few times before his eyes widened in shock.

“Annabel Lovelace, that young lady?”

Shock and horror. That summed up Sebastian’s current emotions perfectly.

“Yes.”

Richard replied while rubbing his left temple. He didn’t blame Sebastian for his dramatic reaction.

“Why is her daughter here? From what I know, she left Ingrint a long time ago and never returned.”

“She’s dead.”

“And the man… who left with her?”

“He’s dead too.”

Sebastian gasped and fell silent. If this were true, then as soon as that woman became Lady Montague’s adopted daughter, Lydon’s social circles would be thrown into utter chaos. What a scandalous turn of events—how thrilling!

“And? What else? Tell me more!”

Sebastian eagerly pressed for more details, his eyes practically setting nearby trees on fire with their intensity.

Sebastian was naturally curious about the world and always had an appetite for gossip. To him, preemptively investigating the subject of rumors destined to sweep through society was endlessly entertaining.

“It seems she has some difficulty speaking.”

“Huh? What do you mean…? A nineteen-year-old woman who can’t speak?”

“She stammers.”

“……”

Sebastian inhaled sharply, unable to hide his excitement. Today seemed full of surprises, each more entertaining than the last. What could be more delightful than talking about others?

“…Then does she seem awkward, um, lacking, or perhaps pathetic and miserable…?”

Sebastian’s question encapsulated society’s typical biases. Parents with tragic stories, an orphan, and a stammerer—the world often forced stereotypical images onto such individuals. Sebastian was no exception.

“Pathetic, miserable…”

Richard repeated the words, letting out a dry laugh. If she had been pathetic or miserable, he wouldn’t have found her so perplexing or irritating.

“Is that not the case?”

“It’s not.”

“Then what is it?”

Come on, just say it already! Sebastian wanted to grab his master by the collar if only he weren’t the Young Earl.

“She seemed very bright.”

“Bright?”

Why was he suddenly praising her? Sebastian scrutinized Richard’s expression, suspicious.

“Which makes her even more suspicious.”

There it was. Richard Spencer would never genuinely praise someone else. Sebastian nodded in agreement.

She was Annabel Gurton’s daughter, she stammered, and she seemed bright. Combine those three facts, and you get a bizarre, suspicious combination akin to a “flying, horned horse.” Naturally, Richard had every reason to doubt her.

“So, when will Lady Montague officially announce her adoption?”

“The official announcement is on hold. Apparently, she said she needs time to think about it.”

“What? She didn’t jump at the chance?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“How should I know? Maybe she wanted to play hard to get.”

Sebastian tilted his head, puzzled. Now the “flying, horned horse” had “four elephant legs” added to it. This strange, suspicious, and utterly incomprehensible woman continued to baffle him.

“One thing’s certain—she’s no ordinary person.”

“……”

Ignoring Sebastian’s excitable chatter, Richard glanced down at the lake at his feet. His reflection wavered on the rippling surface of the water.