Grace in Wonderland - Chapter 8

8. Annoyances

Following the recent altercation between the teams, Christ Church College’s rugby club was barred from participating in the rugby league. Additionally, the term had officially ended after the final exams. This meant that, at this point, Richard Spencer had no reason to remain at Grentabridge, especially with graduation approaching.

Normally, Richard would have stayed until graduation day, spending his time training or catching up on his reading while delaying his return to Lydon as long as possible. He had no particular desire to visit the Earl’s estate in Lydon.

However, he now held a letter from Lady Mary Montague in his hand. He couldn’t entirely ignore the request of his aunt, who had recently returned to Ingrint after a long absence.

“Young Master, it’s me.”

Sebastian’s voice came through a light knock on the door. Richard, seated at his desk with the letter in hand, straightened up and replied.

“Come in, Sebastian.”

Sebastian entered, carrying a silver tray with a teapot and cups, which he placed on a nearby table with impeccable precision, making not a single clink.

Richard rose from his chair and took a seat at the tea table. Glancing at Sebastian hovering nearby, he invited him to join.

“Sit with me.”

“Well, if you insist.”

Sebastian, who had brought an extra cup just in case, quickly took the seat across from Richard.

“Is something bothering you, Young Master?”

“……”

Sebastian asked cautiously as he removed the tea strainer from the pot.

Richard Spencer rarely revealed his inner thoughts, but when it came to everyday matters, he was surprisingly open with Sebastian. The attendant’s constant presence and involvement in his life made such sharing unavoidable.

Recently, however, Richard had grown unusually quiet, particularly after the rugby match where he had refused treatment for his injuries and gone straight to Cherry Hinton to stare endlessly at the stream.

The typically quiet house on the outskirts of Grentabridge, shared with a maid and Sebastian, had become hauntingly silent. Sebastian had been biding his time, but he now felt compelled to intervene.

“Are you upset about not being able to play?”

The rugby match on the last day of exams had ended in a brawl between Richard and the opposing club’s captain. The bruises on Richard’s face were still visible, evidence of the beating he’d taken during the scuffle.

Sebastian had been beside himself with rage as he watched from a distance. Seeing Richard, the heir to the Spencer family, get struck by Wilford was infuriating.

Of course, Richard had given as good as he got, but all Sebastian could remember was the slow-motion image of Richard taking the hit. A parent—or in this case, an attendant—can’t help but feel devastated seeing their “child” come home bruised.

“Fighting on the pitch wasn’t the right thing to do.”

Richard spoke calmly after taking a sip of steaming tea.

At the end of every match, the referee’s whistle would blow, and “No Side” would be declared, signaling that no sides should exist after the game. It was a reminder of rugby’s gentlemanly code, which frowned upon brawling.

Sebastian nodded in agreement. That was the essence of rugby: an aristocratic sport that upheld courtesy and manners. As the saying goes, “Manners maketh man.”

Richard placed his teacup down and continued, “Still, that bastard deserved a beating.”

Well… so much for humility… Sebastian froze mid-nod. Richard Spencer doesn’t hold back.

“The rumors in society say you’re acting out because you’re worried about being overshadowed by your younger sibling.”

Sebastian understood why Richard had reacted as he did. Whether Theresius Wilford had intended it or not, he had struck Richard where it hurt most—the Spencer family’s most vulnerable point.

Richard was utterly indifferent to being called a narcissist or any other insult. But bring up his family, and his temper flared instantly. It was this vulnerability that made him impossible to hate, especially for Sebastian.

Sebastian wasn’t alone in feeling this way. Lady Mary Montague was one of the few others who cared deeply for Richard. Both had witnessed Richard Spencer’s childhood up close, understanding the struggles that shaped him.

Richard’s mother, the Countess of Spencer, doted on Lancelot exclusively, a fact that was glaringly obvious to anyone with ears and eyes. She even made periodic, absurd claims that Lancelot Spencer should be the heir.

In typical noble families, the eldest son was prioritized in every aspect. The heir not only inherited titles and wealth but also received the most love, attention, and care. It was their privilege.

But Richard Spencer was merely a child who would inherit a title and wealth—nothing more. His father had been absent from the estate since his youth, and his mother openly disliked him.

In such an environment, the person who helped Richard maintain a semblance of normalcy was Lady Mary Montague. Without her outstretched hand, Richard Spencer might have become a complete wreck.

Sebastian, too, had played a significant role in Richard’s development. As his loyal attendant, he took pride in the part he had played in molding Richard into who he was. The weight on his shoulders felt heavier than ever.

“Well, just standing by and taking it wouldn’t have been right either. After all, you’re going to be the Earl of Spencer. If you don’t put people like that in their place, they’ll overstep their bounds for sure.”

In any case, it had been right for Richard not to tolerate the insult. Had he let it slide, the situation might have worsened, putting Richard Spencer at a disadvantage.

Sebastian silently applauded Richard’s decisiveness, even if it meant bluntly rejecting the bait Theresius Wilford had dangled. After all, his loyalty lay with Richard Spencer, not Theresius Wilford.

“Is there something else on your mind?”

Sebastian’s gaze flicked to the letter on the desk as he asked.

His decision to linger in Richard’s room was driven by a specific goal—to address this very matter. He was tired of living in this mansion, akin to a haunted house, constantly on edge.

“…My aunt sent me a letter. She’s asking me to visit her in Lydon soon.”

Richard finally spoke, his tone tinged with displeasure.

“Lady Montague? She’s already returned?”

This was an unexpected revelation for Sebastian. Letters addressed to Richard Spencer were few and far between, and they almost always came from the Earl’s estate in Lydon.

Considering the timing, Sebastian had assumed the letter contained nothing more than an impatient summons from the Earl, demanding Richard pack up and return to Lydon immediately.

“Yes, she returned earlier than planned.”

“That’s certainly good news, but…”

Sebastian’s words trailed off.

What could be so troubling about this? Whenever Richard received one of the rare letters bearing a foreign postmark, his face would light up as if basking in the glow of a warm winter hearth. Yet now, he was visibly displeased.

“Don’t tell me you’re reluctant to visit Lydon? If you don’t want to go to the Earl’s estate, you could just meet with Lady Montague privately. Graduation is still a little way off, so you could even use that as an excuse to stay here longer.”

“That’s not the issue.”

Could it be that Lady Montague’s health had taken a turn for the worse? She had always been frail, so if that were the case, Richard’s reaction would be understandable. Sebastian pressed him further, almost urging action.

“Is her health failing? If that’s the case, why are you hesitating? You should head to Lydon immediately!”

“……”

Richard hesitated, prompting Sebastian to debate whether he should summon the coachman right away to prepare for their departure.

“Lady Montague plans to adopt a daughter.”

“…What?”

Sebastian, startled, hastily set down the teacup he was holding. The cup clattered against the saucer, producing a loud sound unbecoming of a seasoned attendant. However, neither man paid it any mind.

“Young Master, please explain. An adopted daughter?”

“Exactly what I said. It seems she’s made the decision quite suddenly.”

“And?”

“I suspect she wants to discuss it with me during this visit.”

Lady Montague had no children of her own, which was why she had been able to embrace Richard Spencer like her own child. However, this also meant that Richard, as her nephew, could never truly be her child.

Whatever decisions she made, Richard had no choice but to accept them. No matter how deeply they relied on each other emotionally, an aunt and nephew were not parent and child.

Thus, Richard’s opinion on her adoption plans would likely make no difference. Whether he approved or disapproved, it wouldn’t change a thing.

The issue lay in the implications of “adopting a daughter.” Behind even the most trivial rumors lurked hidden truths. How much more significant would the meanings behind such a sudden and grand announcement be?

Sebastian, struggling to compose his scattered thoughts, fixed his gaze on Richard and asked with resolve, “So, what will you do?”