The first thing she did right after reaching the County was to pack up her luggage. She put her luggageâthat wasnât muchâinto the bag when she had first arrived here.
Ironically, the bag fit exactly as it had been back then. For herself, who never did enjoy shopping, she always kept the only basic necessities by her side.
Except for just one. Vivian turned her eyes before gazing at the top of her bed. The fancy hat that had never matched her room was waiting quietly for its turn soon.
Vivian fell deep into thought for a moment.
The tight space within the bag would eventually crumple the hat and it was evident that she wouldnât be able to execute her plan if she were to arrange it back. She felt conflicted before gradually closing her bag while the hat was still on the bed.
âVivian!â
Then, right at that moment. Amanda immediately entered after opening the door wide while carrying a tray of hot soup.
âDo you know how much I rushed to the kitchen after hearing that you had returned? You havenât eaten for days. So, have some of this soup firstâ¦â
Amanda talked a little but she soon stopped. When she looked at the big luggage bag that was already in Vivianâs hands, her eyes gradually grew bigger.
âVivi, are you perhapsââ
âAmanda. Thatâ¦â¦â
âYou arenât going to leave just like this, right? â¦right?â
Vivian who became troubled since Amanda was on the verge of tears began placing down her bag. Then, when she approached the startled Amanda in order to fill in the details of the situationâ
âUrk.â
A disgusting smell had unexpectedly pierced Vivianâs nose. She unknowingly closed her mouth because she suddenly felt like vomiting.
âVivi?â
âUuurk.â
Amanda stared at her questioningly, but she still felt like vomiting. She usually had no trouble with disgusting smells, but she just couldnât hold out for the smell of that soup.
âVivi, whatâs wrong with you?â
ââ¦â¦that soupâseems like it has already gotten bad.â
âWhat? No way. This soup was prepared today itself. I brought it over after it had been cooked and it is still hot as well.â
Vivian couldnât think about anything at Amandaâs words all of a sudden. She began reaching out automatically to caress her lower abdomen quietlyâjust like a machine.
âAhâ¦â¦â
Vivianâs complexion that had already been pale gradually turned purple.
At that instant, she tried to deny reality.
She had wrapped her belly before she quickly pulled her hands away since she didnât want to believe it. It must never exist and it mustnât happen at all costs. With such a bloodless complexion painted over her face, Vivian then fell onto her bed.
The first thing she felt was fear, and the next thing was just sorrow. Why at this time? The emergence of a new life that should have been blessed had merely become a new kind of horror to Vivian.
âVivi, are you okayâ¦â¦?â
Amandaâs worried voice felt like it had come from far away. As she was still nauseous and her head had blanked out, she just couldnât think of anything yet.
Actually, Vivian had already planned to leave behind everything she gained here. To be exact, it would have been everything that she had gained while she was with the Grand Duke. She wanted to consider it as a price for the fact that she wasnât able to perfectly execute her deal with the Young Lady.
However, Vivian didnât know what to do with this unexpected situation. If it were going to be for two people and not for one instead, the money on Vivianâs hand surely wouldnât be enough at all.
Vivian then moved her lips.
âAmanda.â
âYeah, Vivi. Iâm here. Donât think of it alone and just share it with me. So that I could help you myself.â
âIâm planning to leave this place.â
âDo you want to resign?â
âNo.â
Amandaâs face immediately turned pale like Vivian at that firm answer of hers.
âYouâ¦â¦ Are you planning to run away?â
âYeah.â
âWhy? Thereâs no one else who works as diligently as you. If you inform them of your situation nicely, even the Master will think of your effort for all this time and maybe he will actuallyâ¦â
âAmanda. Iâve already gotten too involved.â
Vivian grabbed her shoulders.
âI feel like Iâve been doing these secret things for far too long behind the Masterâs knowledge.â
âIs it because you have been substituting yourself for the Young Lady?â
Amandaâs face was filled with dread, but Vivian slowly nodded.
âBuâbut, the Young Lady had already said that she would help you live in splendor if you could just complete this work safely!â
âDo you think that Young Lady is such a merciful person?â
Amanda closed her mouth at Vivianâs firm question. The Young Lady whom she served was clearly vicious, unlike the other nobilityâs Young Ladies.
But she is still a person who keeps the line of work precisely. Amanda moved her lips slightly with a clueless expression on her face, but then, she soon lowered her head.