The Ugly Wife of the Shady Duke

There were few people who could throw a pebble into Grace’s bedroom, so she cautiously approached the window without opening it and just peered out.

“….!”

Despite the darkness, Benjamin grinned widely and waved his hand, somehow managing to find her.

‘What should I do?’

Grace was already looking at him, but it was strange that she didn’t open the window. She decided to open it since Benjamin was going to such lengths to make his presence known to her, thinking that he must have something to tell her.

Grace unlocked the latch on the window. Benjamin realized that Grace was willing to talk to him and quickly adjusted his bangs.

“My Lady, you’re not sleeping.”

“Then did Your Highness has a habit of taping on the window of a sleeping person?”

Grace asked pointedly. Both Benjamin and Grace were taken aback.

“Oh no, it was just a tiny pebble. If you were awake, you would have heard it, but if not, you would have continued sleeping…”

“….”

As Benjamin made excuses, he suddenly groaned and bowed his head, rubbing his neck.

“No, it’s my fault.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I was getting a little anxious because My Lady hasn’t been going for walks lately.”

“…I think I was rude in my response too. I’m sorry.”

As Grace apologized, Benjamin’s expression brightened.

Curiously looking down at his face, Grace asked, “But couldn’t you just call me through the butler or come in through the annex?”

“I can’t enter the annex.”

“…?”

As Grace looked at him with a puzzled expression, Benjamin was about to say something obvious, but then added, “Ah.”

“The annex is off-limits to outsiders. If Madam doesn’t allow it, I can’t enter.”

“Then…”

Grace thought for a moment. In the first place, the estate belongs to… Duke Felton, that is Benjamin, so how could he be considered an outsider? Then she realized she had missed a point.

“Huh?”

“Have I ever forbidden Your Highness from entering?”

“That’s right.”

She must be crazy.

That was Grace’s first thought upon hearing Benjamin’s answer. 

Just a few hours ago, she had been thinking about the previous Grace, who had been rejected by Benjamin and was still nursing her wounds. And yet, Grace, who had a crush on him had even forbidden him from entering the annex.

‘Well, I don’t want to give him permission to enter now, but…’

Grace couldn’t say anything, her face turning pale. 

What the hell had this Grace done in all these hazy memories?

As Grace stumbled over her words, Benjamin hurriedly defended her past behavior, or rather, her behavior before she was reincarnated.

“I’ve done something wrong to My Lady, it’s only natural that you would act that way.”

“I see…”

Grace didn’t have the courage to ask Benjamin what the hell he had done wrong. 

Her memory was also fuzzy at the moment.

So, she decided to ask why he had called her through the window.

“So, why did Your Highness call me here?”

“Ah.”

Benjamin chuckled at Grace’s question.

“I was so happy that My Lady answered my call that I forgot to ask.”

“…”

“There’s going to be a festival soon. If it’s okay with you, would you like to come with me?”

“Mask festival.”

Grace stood still at Benjamin’s suggestion.

“My Lady?”

Her face first turned pale, then purple, then blue.

Even in the dark of night, Benjamin could tell that Grace’s complexion was not good.

“Doctor…!!”

“No!!”

Grace urgently interrupted Benjamin’s words.

Benjamin and Grace never raised their voices normally. So, late at night, when suddenly Benjamin and Grace’s loud voices were heard, the lights in the servants’ quarters turned on simultaneously.

Grace thought that if she stayed a little longer, there would be a commotion. She felt the need to finish quickly.

“Let’s go!”

“…Yes?”

Benjamin looked at Grace with a foolish expression, not knowing that she would readily agree to go.

Grace thought that Benjamin didn’t hear her answer, so she shouted in a loud voice.

“Let’s go! Mask festival!! The mask festival!!”

Then she quickly locked the window latch and pulled the curtains shut.

Even though Grace was no longer visible, Benjamin still looked in her direction and laughed foolishly.

“…Your Highness?”

The aide who had been watching the whole scene from afar finally approached.

Benjamin regained his composure and demeanor, which he had lost while laughing foolishly.

“Let’s go.”

“….”

“Since my wife has given me her time, I must dedicate the next 24 hours solely to her.”

“The festival doesn’t last 24 hours.”

“What if My Lady suddenly calls me?”

The aide thought to himself.

There was no way that the Duchess would ever call Benjamin in the middle of the night.