Imprinted with the Obsessive Male Lead - Chapter 27

As a result, mana began to accumulate in the north, and land contamination occurred frequently. Naturally, the resentment of the northern people had turned toward Grace.

So under normal circumstances, no matter how strong Nita Grace’s purification ability was, she would have been met with unfavorable gazes.

However, the truth spread that she had suffered prolonged abuse due to the misunderstanding that her ability had not manifested within the Grace family. As testimonies from maids who had personally witnessed the marks of abuse followed, sympathy for her pitiful situation was added to people’s perception.

In the end, with various factors overlapping, the people of the north had come to quite like Nita Grace.

With the exception of one person.
Grand Duke Chase.

“If you must, absolutely must, replace Lady Nita Grace with someone else, I’ve thought of a substitute.”

“Who?”

“Miss Vivian Grace, who will be attending tomorrow’s party.”

“You mean Nita Grace’s older sister, the one who usually stays at the Mage Tower?”

“Yes. There are many rumors about her possessing outstanding purification abilities. If you’re going to bring in another mage anyway, it can’t be someone mediocre. How about taking this opportunity to formally request Miss Vivian from His Majesty the Emperor? Of course, the Mage Tower and the Grace family probably won’t hand her over willingly.”

“Vivian Grace…”

Chase slowly removed the book that had been covering his face with his large hand. His jet-black hair, smooth like fine silk, shifted, revealing blue eyes beneath it. Then his sharp nose and lips followed.

With an indifferent expression, Chase slowly opened and closed his eyes before sitting up and draping one arm over the back of the sofa. Tilting his head slightly with a faint smile, the sunset light seeped into his blue eyes, giving them a strange glow.

“It’s not a matter of whether they hand her over willingly or not. If necessary, we’ll take her by force. Right?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

Though he answered quickly, a chill ran down Anthony’s spine. At times, his master would exude an atmosphere cold enough to freeze the air. Still in his mid-twenties, yet the reason no one dared to treat him lightly despite his young age as Grand Duke.

“What about Nita Grace’s condition?”

“She’s recovering smoothly.”

“How much?”

As Chase flipped through the book in his hand, he asked without showing any particular interest in Nita. Aside from his voice being slightly lower than usual, it sounded like a question no more meaningful than asking whether she had eaten or if the sun had risen.

“To the point that she’s noticeably become prettier.”

At the answer, which carried a slightly different intention than the question, Chase turned his head as if he had misheard.

“She’s become very beautiful.”

He hadn’t misheard. Anthony finished his words with a bright smile. Chase let out a short laugh at his subordinate’s unusual response. Then he noticed the white box Anthony had been holding behind his back.

“What’s that?”

As if he had momentarily forgotten, Anthony set the box down on the table.

“Ah. It’s a cake. A resident of the Red Village gave it. They said they baked it themselves and asked me to pass it on to the mage.”

“A cake?”

“Yes. A cake.”

“…Why?”

“Ladies tend to like cake. Perhaps they thought it was an appropriate way to show their gratitude.”

Having finished his business, Anthony gave a short bow and left the study.

“Become prettier…”

Muttering to himself as he looked at the cake box, Chase trailed off.

‘As if. At best, she’s still just a twig.’

Leaning his head back against the sofa, Chase stretched his body fully, his gaze drifting into the air.

Suddenly, that day came to mind. The moment he saw Nita, right behind this sofa, slowly lowering the hands that had been covering her head.

Her neatly trimmed bangs falling just below her brows, straight eyebrows, large eyes with lashes that moved like a doll’s every time she blinked. Pale white skin. Slightly parted lips, as if startled and frightened. The faint tremble in her shoulders, transmitted through the hand he had grabbed.

He couldn’t deny Logan’s words that he might not recognize her. After receiving some care, she had changed a lot. And for that brief moment, he truly hadn’t recognized her.

Up to that point, fine.

But…

Chase’s brows furrowed as he closed his eyes.

When they had gone to the open field, there had been a breeze, and the weather was good. Compared to the harsh, biting winds that blew unpredictably in the north, it could even be called a gentle breeze.