CH 41.1

“Yes, I agree with My Lady’s opinion. …But, the phrase ‘speaking of which’…”

“And also, the orphanage director is still around, right?”

Grace interrupted Benjamin’s words, knowing it was impolite to do so.

With furrowed eyebrows, Benjamin looked at Grace. However, he eventually nodded.

“Most likely. The fact that he has been using the orphanage to accumulate money indicates that he lacks the ability or credibility to earn money elsewhere. He won’t give up easily.”

“Hmm…”

“So, I contacted the local security forces and asked them to enhance security, and I also requested Cleta Dunn to describe the director’s appearance. I told her it’s enough to vaguely explain what she remember as if she spotted an intruder from a distance.”

“If the director hasn’t drastically changed his appearance while he was away, it shouldn’t be difficult to apprehend him.”

“Yes, he probably didn’t buy any magic tools to disguise. Besides, even if he did, he wouldn’t have the means to purchase expensive ones.”

As Benjamin explained, he glanced at Grace’s complexion. It seemed to have improved compared to before.

He took off his jacket and draped it over her.

“However, since anxious people can cause unexpected incidents, I have strongly advised the staff at the orphanage not to go anywhere alone. If My Lady plans to visit, please let me know in advance.”

“Thank you for caring.”

“I just did what was expected of me. It’s something I can do.”

“Just because it’s something you can do doesn’t mean everyone does it. That’s why I’m grateful.”

Upon hearing Grace’s words, Benjamin blinked and slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

“…Well then.”

His voice carried a subtle emotion. Grace couldn’t help but wonder why Benjamin reacted that way, but she couldn’t completely read his thoughts.

As Grace stared intently at Benjamin, he cleared his throat and averted his gaze elsewhere.

Benjamin hesitated for a moment as if contemplating something, before finally speaking up.

“Well, you see. I understand that it’s not exactly a situation to enjoy or anything.”

“Yes?”

“Considering recent events and the canceled dinner last time… If it’s alright with you, would you consider going out with me?”

“Are you not busy?”

Grace’s question popped out immediately in response to the unexpected proposition.

However, it seemed that Benjamin interpreted her question as a polite way of declining, as his demeanor deflated.

“Oh, no! It’s not a rejection. I thought you might have been busy.”

“I have some free time recently.”

‘Is it fine even if you have free time?’

As Benjamin realized that Grace’s question didn’t carry any intention of rejection, a relaxed smile appeared on his face.

‘Why is he trying to hold onto me like this?’

She was aware to some extent that Benjamin had some fondness towards Grace. However, it was difficult to guess in which direction that “fondness” was directed.

‘Even if we take a hundred…… no, a thousand steps back and assume that there is a human-to-human liking, then why was Grace treated like that in the original?’

Benjamin had hoped to go out with Grace on a regular basis, and that was the premise of his proposal. 

However, if that were the case, Benjamin should have shown signs of wanting to go out with original Grace as well. But she didn’t have any memories of that specifically.

Grace was lost in her thoughts and didn’t respond for a while, but Benjamin, who was standing nearby, patiently waited.

“Where are we going?”

Grace asked, almost as if accepting his proposal. In response, Benjamin smiled brightly.

“I thought we could explore the outskirts. It’s less crowded there, so it’s more comfortable.”

‘What’s happening in the outskirts?’

Grace rummaged through her mind, trying to recall any relevant information, but nothing came to mind.

In the original work that Grace remembered, there was no instance of Benjamin and Grace going out together.

‘Benjamin definitely suggested going to the festival together.’

Yet, in the original work, they never attended any festivals together, and Benjamin never mentioned it to Aria.

‘It doesn’t seem like Benjamin changed because I became Grace.’

From the moment she became Grace, Benjamin had been hovering around her.

Grace came to one conclusion.

It was highly likely that Benjamin continued to suggest going out even in the past, but Grace could not remember.

“….”

“My Lady?”

Anyway, until Tom Birkin was handed over to the judge and the director was arrested, there was nothing Grace had to do.

Grace wondered if Benjamin had brought up these words to cheer her up.

In the end, she nodded her head.

“Y-yes. Alright then. I’ll get ready to go.”

As Grace made her decision, Benjamin’s smile widened, and he extended his hand toward her.

“I will escort you to the annex.”

‘Escort?’ 

Grace thought as her gaze shifted towards the annex. It wasn’t a long distance for him to escort her.

However, she didn’t feel like refusing his offer.