The Reincarnated Noble Lady is the Infamous Viscount's Heir - I've Accepted a Contract Marriage for Estate Management. - Chapter 1.36

It’s Catherine’s fault, isn’t it? She’s driven the Count mad!

How could he say something like that?

Even though he’s my fiancé… this is just too sudden…

I stared at the Count, and he sighed deeply.

“I’ve been trying so hard for you, Grace… even though that woman’s charm spell nearly split my head open.”

No matter how cute you try to sound, that’s not going to work on me!

“I need more of you, Grace… I feel awful.”

“Then, please just rest—”

Before I could finish my sentence, the Count wrapped his left arm around my waist and pulled me onto the bed with him.

“It’s fine, I won’t do anything, really. It’s just that it’s warmer under the blanket, don’t you think?”

He quickly adjusted the duvet, tucking us both in.

Well, it is true that the end of the social season brings colder mornings and evenings, but unlike my townhouse, this estate is perfectly climate-controlled. It’s definitely not cold.

“Are you cold?”

I couldn’t help but ask, concerned about his health after what had just happened. I watched him closely, trying to figure out if he was hiding any discomfort.

When I didn’t try to get up or leave the bed, the Count looked a little relieved.

“Yeah, a little. So, stay with me, Grace. I won’t do anything. Really, I just want us to sleep together.”

He says that, but… is it okay to let this slide?

“Ah, I’m so unlucky. Here I am, in bed with my fiancée, but I’m too sick to enjoy it.”

Excuse me?! If he weren’t feeling unwell, would this have been a… disaster? I want to believe he’s not the kind of man to skip over important steps in a relationship.

“There’s no point in doing anything if I’m not at full strength,” he muttered.

“F-Full strength?! What do you mean by that? What exactly are you planning to do?!”

The Count burst into laughter at my flustered reaction.

“If someone saw us like this, it would cause a huge scandal!”

“We’re engaged. It’s fine.”

Snuggled under the blanket like this, whispering to each other in hushed tones, it reminded me of the nights I spent as a child with Jessica and Patricia, my older sisters.

At first, my heart was racing from sharing a bed with the Count, but as I gazed into his amethyst-like eyes, I realized he meant it when he said he wouldn’t try anything inappropriate.

“Does your head still hurt?”

“With you here, I’m fine.”

“I waited for you… patiently…”

“Liar. You didn’t wait at all. You attended all those soirées, including that outrageous one hosted by the Marquis of MacFarlane. All those business-focused nobles were practically drooling as they crowded around you. I couldn’t even stand by your side. I wanted to be the one escorting you.”

“…Vincent…”

“But you looked stunning in that dress. You should wear something like that again.”

Ah, so the quintessential villainess aesthetic is his preference…

I’ve always thought that more feminine women, like Jessica or Lady Angelina, were much better role models for what a lady should be.

Well… I suppose my own style isn’t so bad, at least compared to my previous life.

Still, for him to have spotted me at that massive soirée hosted by the Marquis of MacFarlane, with so many guests… that’s impressive.

Even though I was preoccupied with gathering information, he found me.

“And let’s be honest, Grace—being here in this estate means you weren’t waiting for me quietly, were you?”

Oof… I can’t argue with that.

“You were taken under the Duke’s protection, weren’t you? What kind of mischief were you up to?”

Even though he had been acting childishly sweet moments ago, the way he asked that question made him seem every bit the older, more mature man.

“Well, it’s just… after Claude’s suspicious death, I couldn’t figure out how he was affording his extravagant lifestyle despite being broke. I cornered Baron Kimble, who had been seen hanging around with him, and… well, things got a bit messy…”

The Count furrowed his brow. Uh-oh…

I probably shouldn’t tell him I almost got kidnapped. He’d definitely be furious.

“I just got slapped in the face, that’s all. The Duke happened to witness it and brought me here.”

“That’s exactly why I didn’t want to take on this job… Grace, you’re so reckless when your curiosity is piqued.”

He clicked his tongue in frustration.

“I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t help it—I was worried…

Even though I know the Count is only approaching Catherine, Duke Brocklebang ‘s adopted daughter, as part of his job, it still leaves me feeling uneasy.

“After Claude’s death… I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you too…”

The Count cut me off.

“I wouldn’t let that happen.”

Wouldn’t let it happen?

“Why do you call me ‘Count’ but refer to your former fiancé by his first name? I’m your fiancé now, Grace.”

The way he sulked, his soft voice tinged with both sweetness and petulance, tugged at my heart. Vincent… he’s so unfair. He’s far too good at being endearing.

“I want you to call me by my name too.”

“…Vincent.”

“Drop the ‘sir.’”

“But you’re older than me…”

“And now you’re back to calling me ‘Count,’ Grace…”

Even when he pouts, he doesn’t say something childish like “Forget it.” He’s patient, mature in his own way.

“…Vincent.”

When I said his name again, he smiled.

“See? That makes me happy.”

It makes me happy too.

Even now, I still remember how I felt when you proposed to me—how delighted and flustered I was.

But every time I hear about you escorting Catherine, it leaves me feeling uneasy and worried.

“…Vincent.”

Even if your work brings you closer to Catherine… even if one day her charm magic ensnares you again… even if your feelings for me fade, and you declare our engagement broken, just like Claude did…

I will always—

“I love you.”

When I said those words, Vincent took my hand and kissed my fingers.

“Such a shame I’m not feeling well right now,” he muttered, sounding genuinely disappointed.

He said it with such heartfelt frustration that I couldn’t help but laugh.