The name of the Duke of Merdellia always enveloped the office in a heavy silence. The power that came from mastering the way of the sword, along with the authority that accompanied it. People both revered and feared it.
In that quiet office, where the only sound was the rustling of paper, Viviana set down her pen with a smile.
‘Who would have thought I would smile so often?’
Originally, she was someone far removed from laughter. Even the smiles she wore in high society were merely a facade, and her memories of genuine laughter were faint. The only instance she felt intense emotions was perhaps the moment she took down a foe in battle?
But everything changed after meeting Tina. As the night deepened, thoughts of her would often bring a smile to her face, and the emptiness she frequently felt had seemed to vanish. Just the fact that Tina was by her side filled the void in her heart.
Yes, just as she had expected.
Tina was indeed a being that brought happiness to those around her.
“I’m in pain too. So please, just collapse and let it all go.”
She resolved to shatter Tina’s hardened facade and reveal her true self hidden deep within. Only then could she wholeheartedly help restore Tina’s self-esteem.
The ultimate reason for her determination was simple. She would make Tina realize that she didn’t need to wear a mask, and that she could live in her true, lovable form.
If she continually elevated Tina’s self-esteem, surely one day Tina would interact with others not through pretenses, but as her genuine self.
Then she would return to her mother. After transforming the lazy and carefree Tina into a diligent and responsible person, she would show her changed daughter’s hardworking demeanor and surely win her mother’s favor.
That would be the chance to persuade her mother. To suggest that Tina continue residing in the Duke of Merdellia’s household.
Few places had a reputation as lofty as the Duke’s, perhaps just the imperial family. Even numerous haughty nobles were eager to establish connections with the Ducal family. Staying here alone could yield substantial benefits. Thus, if she could gain her mother’s trust, she was confident she could keep Tina here.
While Tina believed she could leave within a month… unfortunately, Viviana had no intention of letting her go so easily.
As she revealed Tina’s true nature to the world, it was also her responsibility to thoroughly manage this addictive charm, so that other women wouldn’t cling to her.
“When are you going to cry, Tina?”
It felt like they were getting close.
Viviana thought to herself, hiding a sinister smile.
Imagining Tina shedding beautiful tears from the corners of her eyes.
For some reason, her body began to feel heated at the thought of that wicked scene.
‘What do I need to do to make you cry heartbreakingly?’
When would it be until you could shatter—
“Princess!!!”
With a loud noise, the door swung open. And there stood Alphonse, the butler of the Duke of Merdellia, his age showing in his dignified demeanor.
Viviana raised an eyebrow at his commotion but crossed her arms and waited for him to speak. It was clear that something urgent was troubling him.
After catching his breath for a moment, Alphonse regarded Viviana with pale, sunken eyes. His unusual demeanor set her on edge.
“Princess… Lady Blanc…”
“What?”
Viviana’s eyes widened in shock, and she jumped to her feet at the unexpected mention.
Why was Tina’s name coming up all of a sudden?
Could something have happened to her?
‘…Could she have been kidnapped?’
No way.
Iris was surely guarding her. Though her personality was cold, she had the prowess to be called a monster in her field. It wouldn’t be easy to defeat someone as strong as her. Who could possibly incapacitate Iris and put Tina in danger?
A cold sweat broke out on her forehead.
Was it instinct, intuition, or perhaps premonition?
She sensed something was wrong.
“The Lady Blanc… in the bathroom…”
“Her hand…—”
With that, Alphonse’s words severed her rationality.
All she remembered was the pounding of her heart and her desperate body racing towards where Tina was.
“Her life is secure.”
With the doctor’s words, Viviana collapsed to the floor.
It was absurd that she, who had stood like a mountain amidst the enemy’s ranks, was brought down by a simple diagnosis. The doctor couldn’t help but be astonished by the unexpected sight.
Yet, Viviana didn’t even register that her knees had touched the ground. She could only wipe the cold sweat from her brow, trying to calm her trembling body.
“Ah… Thank goodness…”
The sense of fear lingered vividly in her mind.
Had she ever been so terrified of an enemy in her life? If the doctor had said something wrong, she didn’t know what would happen to her.
Simply grateful that Tina wasn’t dead, she wanted to pray to the untrustworthy gods while clutching her trembling hands as she gazed at Tina, who lay peacefully on the bed.
Even in her sleep, Tina exuded an overwhelming beauty, but there was no time to ponder such things now.
‘…When did her face become so pale?’
Tina’s condition was far from good.
Her lips looked incredibly blue, and she appeared to have lost significant weight.
If only she had paid more attention.
Deep regret cycled through her mind, torturing her. But now that irreversible mistakes had been made, Viviana squeezed her eyes shut and turned her gaze back to the doctor.
“Is her life in danger?”
“Fortune has it that the wound didn’t delve into the arteries. However, she lost a lot of blood due to a vein injury.”
At the doctor’s words, Viviana’s mind went white. She hadn’t allowed a single drop of blood to spill from Tina’s fingertips, so she desperately didn’t want to accept this situation.
“…What is her condition?”
“Emergency first aid has been given, but due to the delayed blood transfusion, we don’t know when she’ll regain consciousness.”
“She won’t… die, right?”
“Yes.”
The doctor’s reassurance allowed Viviana to calm her heart, if only slightly. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that only the vein had been hurt; she had barely avoided the worst-case scenario.
“Besides that… there’s one more thing.”
The doctor spoke cautiously, and Viviana glared at him with wide eyes.
“Spit it out.”
“Even without the wrist injury, the patient’s condition was not good from the start. It seems she hadn’t been eating properly.”
“….”
“When I just heard the casual details, I was told she was fed plentifully. If that’s the case, I believe there are mental issues at play.”
Viviana bit her lip. The metallic taste of blood spread through her mouth, but far worse was the suffocating pain gripping her heart.
The once well-fed child had been skipping meals to a detrimental extent solely because of her own influence.
She had caused it.
“…I see. Anything else?”
“There’s nothing more. For the time being, the best course of action is to continuously administer fluids and wait for her to wake up.”
The doctor’s daily visits concluded the diagnosis.
In the chaos, the doctor left, and the room was left with only Viviana, Iris, and the peacefully sleeping Tina.
“…Iris.”
Viviana’s calm voice resonated in the room. Iris, resigned to the inevitable, lowered her head and closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
“I clearly told you to ensure Tina didn’t injure even a fingertip.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Her mental state had to have been taken into consideration, but Iris had no excuse to deny the blame. Unfortunately, she too had no intention of submitting to a mere apology.
“…But Princess, isn’t this also your fault?”
“…What?”
“Doesn’t the Master know about this too?”
“…You.”
Loyal subjects must be able to speak frankly to their masters. Despite the deadly aura swirling around Viviana, Iris boldly pressed on.
“This wouldn’t have happened if the Master hadn’t been so overbearing towards the Lady. I have committed sins, but so has the Master—”
In a flash, Viviana rushed at Iris and grabbed her by the collar. The choking sensation made Iris squint her eyes.
“Ugh.”
“…”
Viviana glared at Iris with raging eyes. Her grip trembled as if it would crush Iris’s neck at any moment, but ultimately she shut her eyes tight and released her.
“You’ll pay for the sin of failing to protect Tina later.”
“…Understand.”
While she felt no small hint of injustice, far greater guilt was weighing heavily on Iris. The stinging words she had thrown at Tina previously echoed in her mind, repeatedly stabbing at her.
Every time she recalled Tina’s face, which had looked so hurt, she felt as if a sharp dagger was excising her heart.
In the stillness of the bedroom, while Viviana and Iris were clenched in deep regret and despair, a soft knock resounded.
Knock knock—
Alphonse appeared, cautiously assessing the atmosphere with careful eyes.
“Master… A guest has arrived.”
“…Do I look like I’m in a state to receive guests right now?”
“However—”
Alphonse trailed off. Someone forcefully pushed past him and rushed into the room.
In an instant, Iris instinctively drew a dagger, blocking Viviana.
However, upon seeing who was rushing in, Viviana forcibly shoved Iris aside.
Iris, who found herself on the floor in a moment, looked up at the intruder with bewildered eyes.
A woman with skin as pale as the unconscious Tina.
Beneath her swollen, red eyes lay dark shadows, and her once bright blue eyes had lost their sparkle, trembling with worry and anxiety.
Yet, she was still a beautiful woman.
The woman rushed towards Viviana and slapped her cheek with all her might.
Slap—!
With a sharp sound, Viviana’s head turned. Alphonse stood gaping in shock, and Iris displayed equal astonishment.
“Y-you… you b*tch!!!!”
The woman, with a voice so haggard it was almost despairing, was the spitting image of the sleeping Tina.
