Will Grace Forgive Me

"But—" Before she could finish, the door creaked open and Colin Gu just walked right in!

This is a guest room for sleeping, and he just barged in like that?

Grace suddenly sat up and asked, "Emperor Henry? Why did you come in?"

Colin Gu walked straight to the bedside and sat down on the opposite side of the small table.

"Emperor Henry?" Grace frowned, "This is a bedroom, it's not proper for a man and a woman to be alone in here. If you have something to say, let's talk outside!"

Emperor Henry smiled faintly and said, "I thought you'd actually want to be alone with me in here."

Damn...

Grace felt awkward and said, "Emperor Henry, I know I was immature before—"

"Sit down!" Colin Gu interrupted her. "I just want to talk to you for a bit."

Grace took a deep breath and went over to sit down.

On the small table by the bed sat a set of exquisite celadon teaware.

Colin Gu picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and offered it to her. "Grace, I know you've always blamed me. Consider this tea my apology to you."

"Why would Emperor Henry say that? You're the ruler, I'm just a subject. How could I dare blame you?"

"Don’t say such things." Emperor Henry handed her the cup, looking both charming and relaxed, smiling as he said, "About you and Sam Yuan, I blamed you wrongly. Let me offer you tea as an apology—can you forgive me, Miss Grace?"

Grace looked at his hand holding the teacup—long fingers, clean nails, snowy white sleeves—and couldn’t help feeling a little sentimental.

If only he had treated her like this in her previous life, how happy she would have been!

But now...

She stood up and bowed to Emperor Henry. "Emperor Henry, you flatter me! I wouldn’t dare accept."

"Then let me put it this way!" Emperor Henry said. "I want you to come to the palace and be my Imperial Noble Consort. Would you, Miss Grace?"

Grace was silent for a moment, then looked him straight in the eye. "Emperor Henry, I do not wish to enter the palace. I hope you’ll let me go."

Colin Gu’s charming smile faded. After a moment of silence, he said, "Reason."

"I'm not worthy of Emperor Henry."

"But when you used to say you liked me, you never thought you weren't worthy, did you?" Emperor Henry pressed.

"I was young and naive then. Now that I’m older, I understand the gap between us," Grace replied. "I'm just a failure without a Spirit Root. The royal family has never let a waste like me into the palace."

Emperor Henry set down the tea and took Grace’s hand. "Grace, the reason I want you in the palace is because I like you."

Like... her?

Since when?

She’d chased him for years and never had a clue!

Grace gritted her teeth and pulled her hand away. "I can’t accept Emperor Henry’s affection!"

Today, Grace wore a dress of blue lotus silk, looking like a rare and ethereal lotus—absolutely breathtaking.

Emperor Henry narrowed his eyes at her, then suddenly lifted her chin, studying her stunning face. "If I say you’re worthy, then you are."

Grace was forced to meet Colin Gu’s gaze.

What she saw were eyes... filled with desire.

Grace suddenly stood up and stepped back. "Emperor Henry, barging into my room like this is really inappropriate. I’ll take my leave before anyone misunderstands."

With that, she turned to leave.

But a strong hand grabbed her arm. Grace, hiding her true strength, let herself be pulled right into his arms!

"Ah! Emperor Henry, what are you doing?" Grace exclaimed, shocked.

Colin Gu said nothing, holding her tight as he leaned down and kissed her.