Chapter 126.2
“So that means…”
Grace flicked a glance toward the hidden bookshelf.
“Could you help me with one thing, then?”
* * *
Benjamin finished clearing the backlog of work, a moderately sized box set beside him.
‘I hope she likes it.’
He checked the contents of the box and failed to hide his satisfaction. How much time had it taken to make this absolutely perfect?
Verifying this item had even been part of his last schedule. More than anything, Benjamin wanted to hand it to Grace personally, as soon as possible.
He was certain she would be happy and he wanted to be the first to see that expression.
‘It took longer than I expected.’
“What is my wife doing right now?”
Benjamin thought of Grace often. Even while working, his mind drifted to her now and then. But if he wanted to finish quickly, he had to focus. Only now did he finally bring her up aloud.
“She’s currently in the library.”
An artificer nearby answered promptly.
“The library?”
Up until that moment, Benjamin had been in quite a good mood, picturing Grace buried in books. He knew better than anyone that reading was one of her favorite pastimes.
Back when she had secluded herself in the annex and barely stepped outside, Benjamin had deliberately left her study furniture untouched. But worried she might grow bored if she ran out of books, he had regularly sent new ones in.
‘Even here, she’s looking for books. Well, she isn’t as interested in magic tools as I am.’
Still, most of the books here were about magic tools. Benjamin found himself wishing just a little, that if she came across something she didn’t understand, she would ask him.
‘Of course, she’s with an artificer, so he’ll explain everything anyway.’
That thought left him faintly disappointed. If he were the one explaining, they might find common ground, something to bridge the small but persistent distance she sometimes showed.
“Then I should go see her. I’m done here anyway.”
Without hesitation, Benjamin picked up the gift meant for Grace and stood. But the moment he stepped outside, his good mood wavered.
“Aren’t you the artificer who was guiding my wife?”
The man who had been with Grace and should still have been passed by Benjamin at the door.
Normally, if something came up, a replacement would have been assigned. And if that were the case, Benjamin would have been informed.
But he had received no such report.
Which meant Grace was being treated in a way Benjamin would not find pleasant.
“Is there another artificer currently accompanying my wife?”
“Th-that is—”
“Answer me.”
Benjamin’s voice was gentle, but the air around him was anything but.
Even if Grace herself said it was fine, leaving her alone was unacceptable.
Even with several Felton knights present, the Association’s library was a restricted area. By their own rules, the knights would be waiting outside the door.
Which meant Grace was inside alone. Benjamin grasped that fact instantly.
“…They’ve grown careless.”
Unaware that all of this was part of Grace’s plan to inspect the interior, Benjamin concluded it was simply the result of her overly considerate nature.
He found that kindness endearing. But she was far too gentle for someone of her status. He wished she would allow herself to be a little more selfish.
“We’ll discuss your conduct later, but for now—”
I need to get to my wife. The thought never made it out loud.
A massive explosion swallowed his words and his senses.
“Th-that direction—!”
“It’s the library!”
Benjamin stood frozen, his face drained of color, staring toward the library.
Grace was in the library.
He needed to run to her, to confirm her safety before anything else. His body should have moved before his thoughts did.
But instead, he stood there, staring at the source of the blast, as if bound by an invisible force.
His lips moved soundlessly. Only after several seconds did he finally start running toward the library.
Raw, naked fear—something he had never once shown before—was etched across Benjamin’s face.
“C-cough.”
“……”
Through the smoke billowing from the library doors, Grace emerged under the protection of the knights.
Aside from being a bit disheveled, she looked unharmed, not a single visible wound.
But at the sight of her, Benjamin’s eyes wavered.
Grace noticed him.
“Your Grace?”
“……”
Benjamin couldn’t speak, couldn’t move toward her.
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