Chapter 57

The Merdelia Ducal Family, the weight of that name always cloaked the office in silence. The mastery of the sword’s ultimate technique, and the authority that matched it. People always revered it, yet feared it.

In the quiet office where no sound could be heard except the flipping of papers, Viviana put down her pen with a smile.

‘I never thought I’d smile so often.’

Originally, she was someone far from laughter. Even the smiles she wore in social circles were fabricated, and memories of genuinely laughing were faint. The only time she felt intense emotions was perhaps when she beheaded an enemy general.

But after meeting Tina, everything changed. As the night deepened, she often found herself smiling at the thought of Tina, and the emptiness she frequently felt was now nowhere to be found. Just the fact that Tina was by her side seemed to fill the void in her heart.

Yes, just as she had expected.

Tina was clearly a presence that brought happiness to those around her.

“I’m suffering too. So don’t hold back anymore, just break down already.”

She was determined to shatter Tina’s sturdy mask and reveal the true self hidden deep within. Only then could she, with all her heart, restore Tina’s self-esteem.

The ultimate reason she was going this far was simple. She wanted Tina to realize that she could live in the world as her naturally lovable self, without needing to wear a mask.

By constantly boosting her self-esteem, surely one day Tina would be able to interact with people as her true self, not her pretentious facade.

And then she would visit her mother again. After transforming the lazy-natured Tina into a diligent and responsible person, she would show her mother the changed, hardworking daughter, surely earning her mother’s favor.

That would be the opportunity to persuade her mother. She would propose that Tina continue to stay with the Merdelia Ducal Family.

There are few places as prestigious as the Merdelia Ducal Family, perhaps only the royal family. It’s a reality that even many high-nosed nobles are desperate to form connections with the ducal family. The benefits of staying here alone are considerable. So, if she could just gain her mother’s trust, she was confident she could keep Tina here.

Tina thinks she can leave this place in a month… Unfortunately, I have no intention of letting her go so easily.

As much as I reveal Tina’s true self to the world, it’s also my responsibility to thoroughly manage her so that other women don’t cling to her addictive loveliness.

“When will you cry for me, Tina?”

It seems like it’s almost time.

Viviana hid a sinister smile as she thought to herself.

The sight of Tina shedding beautiful tears from the corners of her eyes.

For some reason, she felt her body warming up at the sight of that immoral scene.

‘How much more must I torment you to make you cry miserably?’

When will you finally break—

“Princess!!!”

A loud noise and the door flung open. Appearing was Alphonse, the head butler of the Merdelia Ducal Family, exuding the dignity of an old general.

Viviana frowned at his disturbance but crossed her arms and waited for his words. She thought there must be something urgent for him to be so agitated, as he always carried himself with upright dignity.

After catching his breath for a while, Alphonse looked at Viviana with pale, sunken eyes. His unusual demeanor made Viviana inwardly panicked.

“Princess… The young lady of the Blanchard family…”

“What?”

At the unexpected mention, Viviana’s eyes widened, and she stood up from her seat.

Why was Tina suddenly being mentioned?

Could something have happened to her?

‘…Could she have been kidnapped?’

That can’t be.

Surely Iris was in charge of her escort. Although her personality is cold, she possesses monstrous abilities in that area. It wouldn’t be easy to overpower someone as strong as her, so who could possibly neutralize Iris and pose a danger to Tina?

An inexplicable cold sweat ran down.

Is this instinct, intuition, or foresight?

She felt that something was wrong.

“The young lady of Blanchard… in the bathroom…”

“Her hand…-.”

With Alphonse’s words.

Her rationality snapped.

All she could remember.

Was her heart pounding as if it would burst.

And her desperate body running to where Tina was.

“Her life is saved.”

With the doctor’s words, Viviana collapsed to the floor.

The sight of her, who stood like a mountain wielding her sword in the midst of the enemy camp, crumbling over a single diagnosis was unexpected, leaving the doctor greatly flustered.

But Viviana couldn’t even realize that her knees had touched the floor. Now, she was just wiping away cold sweat, calming her trembling body.

“Ah… Thank goodness…”

The sensation of fear still vividly lingered in her mind.

Had she ever been this scared in her life? If the doctor had said the wrong thing, she didn’t know what she would have done.

Viviana, who wanted to pray to a god she didn’t even believe in just because Tina hadn’t died, held her trembling hands and looked at Tina, who was deeply asleep on the bed.

Even her sleeping form exuded breathtaking beauty, but there was no time to think about that now.

‘…When did her face become so pale?’

Tina’s appearance lying down was indescribable.

Her lips were quite blue, and she seemed to have lost weight.

I should have paid more attention.

Deep regret repeatedly tormented her mind. But the irreversible mistake had already been made, and Viviana tightly closed her eyes and turned her gaze to the doctor.

“Is her life in danger?”

“The wound didn’t reach the artery, which is fortunate. However, she lost too much blood because a vein was injured.”

With the doctor’s words, Viviana’s mind went blank. She never wanted to see even a drop of blood from Tina’s fingertips, so she couldn’t accept this situation.

“…Her condition?”

“Emergency treatment has been done, but the blood transfusion was delayed, so it’s unclear when she’ll regain consciousness.”

“She won’t… die, right?”

“No.”

With the doctor’s assurance, Viviana could somewhat calm her heart. It was fortunate that only a vein was injured, and the worst-case scenario was avoided.

“There’s… one more thing.”

The doctor cautiously spoke, and Viviana widened her eyes and looked at him.

“Speak now.”

“Even without the wrist injury, the patient’s physical condition wasn’t good from the start. It seems she hasn’t been eating properly.”

“….”

“From what I’ve heard, meals were provided abundantly. If that’s the case, there might be psychological issues as well.”

Viviana bit her own lip. The taste of blood spread through her tongue, but what was even more bitter was the pain squeezing her chest.

The reason a child who used to eat well was skipping meals to the point of affecting her health was solely because of her.

She was the one who made it so.

“…I see. Anything else?”

“Nothing more. For now, continuing with IV fluids and waiting for her to wake up is the best course of action.”

The diagnosis ended with the doctor visiting every morning.

In the endlessly chaotic situation, the doctor left, and only Viviana, Iris, and the peacefully sleeping Tina remained in the room.

“…Iris.”

Viviana’s quiet voice echoed in the room. Iris, as if she knew it was coming, resignedly closed her eyes and bowed her head to Viviana.

“Yes.”

“I clearly told you to ensure Tina doesn’t get hurt, not even a fingertip.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Given her mental state, it was a situation that needed consideration. Iris had no room for excuses, but unfortunately, she had no intention of apologizing meekly.

“…But Princess, this happened because of you.”

“…What?”

“My lord, you must know it too.”

“…You.”

A loyal servant must know how to speak harsh truths to their master. Despite the intense aura flowing from Viviana, Iris steadfastly continued.

“If my lord hadn’t said you would break the young lady, this wouldn’t have happened. I am also at fault, but my lord—”

**Whack—!**

In an instant, Viviana rushed forward and grabbed Iris by the collar, lifting her up. Feeling suffocated, Iris frowned.

“Ugh.”

“…”

Viviana looked at Iris with eyes boiling with anger. Her grip was so tight it seemed she could crush Iris’s neck at any moment, but eventually, Viviana tightly closed her eyes and let Iris go.

“…The sin of failing to protect Tina, you will have to bear it later.”

“…Understood.”

Though not without a sense of injustice, a guilt hundreds of times greater weighed down on Iris. The remark she had made earlier about being a prostitute kept swirling in her mind, stabbing her like a sharp dagger.

Every time she remembered Tina’s deeply hurt face, she felt a sharp pain as if a dagger was carving out her heart.

In the quiet bedroom, as Viviana and Iris clenched their fists in deep regret and despair.

Knock knock—

A short knock was heard. Soon, Alphonse appeared, opening the door and cautiously observing the atmosphere.

“My lord… A guest has arrived.”

“…Do I look like I’m in the mood to receive guests now?”

“But—”

Alphonse’s words didn’t continue. Someone pushed him aside and rushed into the room.

Thinking it might be an ambush, Iris instinctively drew a dagger and stood in front of Viviana.

But upon seeing who it was, Viviana immediately shoved Iris aside.

Iris, who fell to the floor in an instant, looked at the intruder with bewildered eyes.

Pale skin, as pale as the unconscious Tina.

Under her red, swollen eyes were deep shadows, and her once bright blue eyes had lost their light, trembling with worry and anxiety.

Yet, still a beautiful woman.

The woman ran up to Viviana and slapped her cheek with all her might.

**Slap—!**

With a sharp sound, Viviana’s head turned. Alphonse’s mouth hung open in shock, and Iris was equally bewildered.

“You… you damn woman!!!!!”

The woman, with a voice despairingly haggard.

Was a beautiful woman who looked exactly like Tina lying on the bed.