The Ugly Wife of the Shady Duke - Chapter 72.2
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The Linden estate was not expansive, and its garden reflected that. The mansion was of a size where one could comfortably walk through, rather than ride in a carriage.
In fact, the main mansion of the estate was notably smaller than the side villas of other nobles.
“…”
Grace’s gaze landed on an old glass greenhouse behind the mansion. Overgrown with unkempt, unidentified plants, the small, dirty structure looked as if it hadn’t been attended to in ages. She pulled her gaze away.
“Um, Mother… Since me and His Excellency had snacks at the marketplace, we might eat dinner a bit late. Would that be okay?”
“Oh dear, is that so? We’ll push back the dinner time a little then.”
The Lady of Linden smiled, suggesting she’d use the extra time to prepare an even more splendid meal.
“Let me show you to your room. The interior hasn’t changed much, so feel free to explore before dinner.”
“Is that okay?”
“Of course, you and His Excellency are family after all.”
‘Family…’
Grace mulled over the word ‘family’. It felt oddly prickly in her mouth.
Upon entering the house, a large portrait atop the central staircase caught her eye. It depicted the entire Linden family, including the daughters who had married off. It appeared to be painted before Benjamin had sent a marriage proposal to Grace.
‘They didn’t commission a new one.’
Seeing her own figure, standing like an ugly duckling beside her beautiful, perfect siblings, gave her mixed feelings.
In the painting, her father had an arm around her shoulders, and she held her sister’s hand, but she somehow felt awkward.
‘Must be an inferiority complex.’
In the end, Grace averted her eyes and looked at the back of her advancing mother. As she followed beside Benjamin, something seemed off.
‘Huh?’
Right now, Grace was walking alongside Benjamin.
That should’ve been pretty obvious.
‘Hold on a sec.’
Typically, when a married couple visits as a guest, they are given just one room.
“Compared to the duke’s house, ours might seem humble, but please make yourself at home.”
“…Not at all. It looks really nice, er, I mean, inviting.”
“…Hmm.”
Naturally, there was only one bed.
Grace stealthily glanced over to look at Benjamin’s face, who was standing next to her.
His face seemed ready to turn a shade of beet red any moment.
“…”
Somehow, Grace also felt her face growing inexplicably hot.
Lady Linden, seemingly oblivious to the peculiar tension between the two, left the room with a pleased smile, leaving behind an awkward silence.
“…”
“…”
Grace’s heart raced erratically. The awkwardness felt suffocating, and she desperately wanted to break the silence.
Benjamin was the first to speak up.
“Should I… ask the Viscount and Viscountess or the butler for another room?”
“…No.”
Grace replied softly. It wasn’t that she desired to share a room, or a bed, with Benjamin.
“There might not be enough rooms.”
“…um.”
The count’s mansion didn’t have a surplus of rooms.
Given the staff they had brought from the Duke Felton’s estate, and considering the current situation and all the guests, they were likely to be short on rooms.
Pondering the size of the estate, Benjamin slowly nodded in agreement.
“Then I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
“The sofa seems too short and narrow for Your Excellency to sleep comfortably.”
“I won’t know unless I try, right?”
“Would you like to give it a try?”
Benjamin strode over and lay down on the sofa. However, it was slightly short, forcing him to curl up a bit to fit.
Its width also appeared somewhat narrow, looking rather uncomfortable for turning or adjusting during sleep.
Leaning against the back of the sofa, Grace watched as Benjamin tried to get comfortable, his position slightly awkward. She couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.
“I told you, didn’t I? Just look at you.”
“You’re right. My Lady always knows best.”
With a hint of embarrassment coloring his face, Benjamin sat up.
Grace remarked casually, “Should I try lying on the sofa then?”
“No! You can’t! You might hurt yourself!”
“But you were just about to lie down on it.”
“… Well, that’s different.”
What was so different? Benjamin continued to mumble, his face still flustered, insisting it was different.
In the novel, Benjamin was always portrayed as mature and affectionate. Grace had always loved that side of him.
But seeing him in this flustered state and being silly wasn’t bad either.
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