Benjamin felt both delighted and fearful when Grace brought up the topic from the previous night. He was worried that Grace might retract her statement.
“I can’t do it right away. It’s probably because I’m not comfortable in enclosed spaces like temples, especially when there are many people around.”
“Of course, that makes sense…”
Benjamin didn’t seem disappointed, as if he had expected this response.
“Nevertheless, I’ll try my best. We have eight months, after all. We have a probationary period, and if it still doesn’t work out by then, we can proceed with the divorce.”
“…”
As Grace spoke, she lacked conviction. Could she endure the scrutiny of others if she went to crowded places and felt everyone’s gaze upon her?
After collapsing at the gate management office, Grace had suffered through a restless night, which made her even more unsure of herself. Even the image of Grace in her memory was afraid of facing people.
She especially feared meeting people’s eyes.
“Well, of course… It won’t happen overnight, right?”
Benjamin, who was watching Grace hesitate, smiled broadly.
“But I’m still happy.”
“Are you happy?”
“Yes, because My Lady from before wouldn’t even step outside. So, it seems like you’re gradually improving.”
Benjamin’s laughter didn’t have a hint of a lie, and Grace couldn’t detect any falsehood in it.
“So, does that mean you’re allowing me to go out alone?”
“Yes, although this incident was risky.”
It was only now that Grace realized why everyone had been so pleased with her outing. For Grace, going out was not just about having fun — it was a part of her progress.
“…But after that incident, I guess I can’t go out anymore.”
However, during her previous outing, Grace had gone to the gate control office and collapsed. If she hadn’t been accompanied by an escort, it could have been a dangerous situation.
“You can still go out. If you want, I won’t even attach an attendant to you. But could you make a few promises?”
“Promises?”
“Yes.”
Benjamin nodded, assuring Grace that it wouldn’t be too difficult, and he extended his fingers in front of the bewildered Grace.
“First, please don’t go too far. Since you won’t have an escort on the carriage, it could be dangerous if you go too far and get lost.”
It was a reasonable request.
Besides, Grace had never even considered going too far, so she obediently nodded her head.
“Secondly, after My Lady collapsed, I received a report on everywhere you’ve been so far. I would like to go and see for myself. Would it be alright if we go together next time?”
“Your Highness?”
After all, it was just the orphanage. Wasn’t it a place that Benjamin had already visited? Grace looked at him, wondering.
“I know that My Lady often goes to the orphanage. I just want to go one more time. And if you’re worried about my identity being revealed, don’t worry. I have one more artifact that can conceal my identity, despite its shabby and worn-out appearance. And thirdly…”
Benjamin hesitated, about to say the third promise. Grace looked at him with a puzzled expression, wondering why he hesitated.
“I need to ask about something before making that promise.”
“What is it?”
“…It’s about the medicine.”
Last night, he had discovered a pile of untouched pills in a drawer that she hadn’t closed properly.
“Why doesn’t My Lady take that medicine?”
“…Ah.”
Grace felt her blood run cold at Benjamin’s question. She couldn’t evade the question in a strange way, nor could she honestly answer, “Because she felt like it would ‘kill her.'”
In the end, Grace gave a vague and honest response.
“It’s because… it’s scary.”
“The medicine is scary?”
“Yes…”
“What is it about the medicine that scares you?”
Benjamin asked another question. He had hoped Grace would take the medicine, but he didn’t want to force her and create resistance.
Grace pondered on what to say in order to convince Benjamin.
“Um… Maybe it’s because the pills are too big?”
“…”
And she ended up giving a somewhat unconvincing reason.
Grace thought to herself,
‘Oh no, I messed up.’
However, Benjamin nodded as if he understood.
“I see.”
‘He, he understood?’
“Swallowing a pill and feeling it get stuck in your throat isn’t a pleasant sensation.”
“I, I suppose so.”
“So, from now on, I will ask others to bring you the pills already crushed.”
“…”
“That’s the third condition for going out.”
Grace made another resolution.
She needed to find out about the medicine as soon as possible.
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