Grace in Wonderland - Chapter 75

75. What Eight Minutes Define

The hall was in an uproar. With the absence of the lioness who had fiercely protected and defended Richard Spencer, the hyenas, who had been circling and waiting for an opportunity, pounced on the Young Earl without mercy.

“The Young Earl has practically neglected the family for the past three years. While he leisurely spent his time at Grentabridge, Lancelot Spencer remained in Lydon managing affairs. Doesn’t this alone sufficiently demonstrate Lancelot Spencer’s capabilities?”

The Countess Spencer raised her voice.

Among those gathered, there wasn’t a single person who didn’t know that the “management of affairs” she referenced wasn’t actually conducted by Lancelot Spencer. It was common knowledge that the Countess herself had gradually seized control of the family, filling the vacuum left by the irresponsible James Spencer.

Most of the attendees in the meeting were closely aligned with her. The Countess, as a sister to the Queen, wielded influence over both the royal family and the Spencers. No one saw any reason to make an enemy of her.

“The engagement to Eleanor d’Estrée has been called off, and the resulting damages are enormous. The Duke of Charlotte has indicated that if the marriage with the Young Earl doesn’t take place, he will void the land lease agreement.”

The Countess locked eyes with the Duke of Charlotte before continuing her fervent speech.

“If Lancelot Spencer becomes the Young Earl and marries Eleanor, everything will return to its rightful place. It would resolve the situation in the simplest and most efficient way.”

She was a woman who declared that she would never forgive Lancelot for falling in love with his brother’s betrothed and betraying her. This was despite the fact that he had been her precious son, whom she had doted on every single day.

However, she was cunning enough to turn that scandal into an opportunity to steer the future in her desired direction. While staying in Bath, she had sent a letter to Gallia before Richard could act.

The Duke of Charlotte, facing the possibility of losing everything, eagerly accepted the Countess’s proposal. Though Lancelot Spencer appeared timid and lacking in vigor compared to the Young Earl, the Duke decided to remain optimistic.

If everything went smoothly and Lancelot Spencer became the Young Earl, the Duke believed he could pressure his mild-mannered son-in-law to strengthen his influence over Ingrint. Moreover, he saw potential in using Eleanor, whom he knew Lancelot deeply adored, as a leverage point in the future.

Richard Spencer’s apathy toward Eleanor and his defiance of the Duke’s overtures made any hopes of exploiting him futile. Hence, from the Duke’s perspective, his partnership with the Countess offered a new opportunity for the d’Estrée family.

“Shouldn’t we hear the opinion of Richard Spencer, the Young Earl?”

One attendee, known for his close friendship with Lady Mary Montague, cautiously suggested. The sharp gaze of the Countess momentarily lingered on him before turning to Richard.

“An excellent point. Young Earl, share your thoughts.”

All eyes turned to Richard Spencer. Until now, he had neither spoken nor shown any expression. At last, the Young Earl calmly opened his mouth.

“I will abide by the results of the meeting.”

The Countess and several others nodded in satisfaction at his response. The Duke of Charlotte’s lips curled upward as he continued jotting down notes on a sheet of paper.

“Then let’s put the motion to a vote.”

With that, attendants carrying trays of ballots distributed them to the participants.

Throughout the process, Richard Spencer remained silent. The debaters, following the direction of the presiding figure, moved like a flock chasing after a ball. Therefore, even before the ballots were opened, the outcome was predetermined.

***

The motion discussed during the Spencer family meeting—“The Revocation of Richard Spencer’s Status as Young Earl”—was passed. As a result, Richard Spencer was no longer the heir but the elder brother of the new heir.

“This officially makes Lancelot Spencer the next Young Earl of Spencer,” Elaine Spencer announced, her voice full of emotion.

Standing in a corner of the hall, Sebastian felt the absence of Lady Mary Montague keenly as tears welled in his eyes. He had often complained about Richard Spencer, but the man had been his master, his pupil of over a decade, and, in a way, his friend and brother.

Perhaps it was time to truly return home. Get married. Have three or four children…

Sebastian rubbed his nose with a sigh.

The joy of watching the Young Earl fall to the depths for the sake of a woman had been a delightful pastime. Now that he seemed to be living somewhat like a proper human, Sebastian had felt reassured.

He should have stopped him.

He should have persuaded Richard to get engaged to the young lady of Devonshire quickly. Even if Lady Mary Montague drove him out, he should have insisted Richard stay at the front door, begging for her forgiveness. And he should have relentlessly pushed forward with Lady Montague’s advice about securing a marriage with the Cavendish family.

An experienced servant should never show their emotions in public. However, Sebastian’s face was thoroughly twisted with frustration.

Even amidst all this, it was impressive how composed Richard looked, sitting there calmly. Sebastian shook his head in disbelief. Richard Spencer, the embodiment of sophistication and poise, remained elegant and composed even at the very moment his position as Young Earl was stripped away.

What an unbelievable man.

Sebastian couldn’t bring himself to leave Richard Spencer to face this alone. Outwardly, he appeared unbothered, but inwardly, who knew? He might be shedding tears of blood—just like the day he had first seen his scarred face reflected in the mirror as a child.

Meanwhile, unaware of Sebastian’s sorrowful gaze, Richard Spencer seemed completely indifferent. On the contrary, he felt rather unburdened. It was a feeling reminiscent of the moment he had caught Eleanor d’Estrée and Lancelot Spencer’s secret rendezvous.

Come to think of it, even as Lancelot had taken things from him, he hadn’t felt disgusted. It hadn’t always been like this in the past.

Perhaps it was because he felt certain he was nearing the end of the rainbow.

As the Countess’s teary voice faded into the background, Richard adjusted his posture. Before he reached the end of the rainbow, he intended to bid farewell one last time.

Goodbye, everyone. I cast aside all the shackles and burdens of being the Young Earl and now embark on my journey to find the end of the rainbow.

It was a truly flawless line. Just as he was about to smirk and part his lips to deliver it…

“I have something to say.”

Lancelot Spencer, who had been as good as invisible throughout the meeting, suddenly rose from his seat.

“Go ahead, Lancelot. Greet the esteemed guests here,” the Countess Spencer said, her face lighting up as she moved to stand beside him. She exuded an air reminiscent of Queen Catherine of Gallia, about to assume the regency.

“First of all, I’m deeply grateful. I humbly accept the results of the vote.”

Following his mother’s lead, Lancelot began with words of gratitude.

“Thanks to this, I have become the heir. I am also acting as the proxy for my father, Earl James Spencer.”

He continued speaking in an even tone, “Under the authority delegated to me by the Earl of Wormleighton, I hereby excommunicate Lancelot Spencer from the Spencer family.”

For a moment, the entire building fell into a deathly silence. Like smoke rising from the site of a powerful explosion, murmurs gradually began to spread among the people.

“…Lancelot?”

Elaine Spencer spun around, clutching Lancelot’s wrist tightly as she trembled.

“You’ve lost your mind. What kind of absurd prank is this in front of such distinguished guests?”

The only one in the room who remained composed was Lancelot Spencer. The crowd seemed to be collectively hypnotized, staring only at Lancelot’s lips.

“He engaged in an inappropriate relationship with his brother’s betrothed, thereby harming the family’s interests and tarnishing its honor. Thus, he is rightfully excommunicated. From this moment forward, Lancelot is no longer a member of the Spencer family.”

“Lancelot!”

The Countess’s eyes rolled back as she fainted. As someone who carried every conceivable type of pain—headaches, abdominal pain, menstrual cramps, joint pain, toothaches, shoulder pain, and more—she collapsed from the shock, falling toward Lancelot.

Lancelot was accustomed to such occurrences. Calmly, he supported the Countess’s body before summoning attendants to escort her to her room. He then turned toward the Duke of Charlotte.

“Since Lancelot is no longer a Spencer, the breaking of Richard Spencer and Eleanor d’Estrée’s engagement can now be entirely attributed to the Duke of Charlotte’s family.”

“What nonsense is this!”

Finally grasping the situation, the Duke slammed the table and shouted. As always, Lancelot gave him a sweet smile.

“You’ll owe significant compensation. I recommend appealing to the generosity of Richard Spencer, who is set to reclaim his position as the next Young Earl.”

“This…”

Having said his piece, Lancelot looked toward Richard. His expression was one of satisfaction, as though he had just atoned for all the apologies he hadn’t made over the past ten years.