The Ugly Wife of the Shady Duke

er curly, carroty hair was tangled messily.
Cold sweat dripped down, making her hair messy.

‘Maybe it’s because I haven’t taken the medicine.’

Grace opened the drawer where she had been collecting medicine without taking any until now.
She pulled out a stack of medicine envelopes.
Grace took one envelope out and fiddled with it.

The rustling sound of the medicine envelope could be heard.

“…”

She had always been suspicious of this medicine and Benjamin, but now she suddenly became suspicious of herself.

Was she too suspicious? Grace pressed her temples.

‘Why are my thoughts so jumbled?’

Knock-knock-knock. The sound of someone tapping on the window echoed.

Grace, almost involuntarily, looked up, thinking of someone.

“…Ah”

It was the sound of the wind blowing and branches hitting the window.
Grace realized who she had expected and awkwardly raised the corners of her mouth.

Outside the window was pitch black, and the wind blew gently, causing the leaves to sway.
Her mind heated up.

‘…It’s hot.’

Grace stared at the black window in front of her.
She hadn’t even closed the curtains, but the window, painted in the color of the night, seemed more solid than anything else.

With one hand still rustling the medicine envelope, Grace slowly approached the window with slow steps.

The latch was firm and cold.

‘It didn’t feel this sturdy last time.’

Grace’s body temperature rose, and everything became more sensitive.
With trembling fingertips, she barely managed to unlock the latch and open the window, and the chilly wind immediately messed up her curly hair.

It was hot just a moment ago, but as soon as the cold wind hit her, the cold sweat evaporated, and the chill set in.

But that coldness wasn’t entirely unpleasant.
On the contrary, now that she had opened the door, the air felt clearer, and she felt less depressed than before.

Grace looked up at the pitch-black sky where not a single star was visible.
It was so dark that she couldn’t gauge the height.

‘It’s refreshing, quiet, and…’

Being high up…

When Grace had reached this point in her thoughts and gently closed her eyes, Benjamin’s urgent voice came from below.

“My Lady!”

“…!”

Upon hearing Benjamin’s voice, Grace finally snapped back to reality.

‘Was I standing here asleep?’

Grace wondered if she had been so tired, feeling startled as she lowered her gaze to where Benjamin’s voice was coming from.

He was still dressed in his overalls as if he had just returned from outside.

Grace contemplated what she should say to Benjamin.