Then, he approached even closer to her side instead of answering her.
âWhen did you realize that?â
Vivian didnât utter a response. Instead, she only pried at the physicianâs action that was just examining her calmly. As the few measures of examination had ended, the physician began to talk.
âFor a more detailed result, we need to thoroughly check it at the clinic, but what youâre thinking is correct.â
Vivian immediately bit her lips at the physicianâs prompt words.
She had hoped that it wouldnât be that case, but the reality made her feel lost.
A child? She chewed on the word that was absolutely unfamiliar. But still, she just couldnât entirely believe that. As she caressed her lower stomach that seemed to have nothing despite her being in a state of pregnancy, the physician asked her a question.
âIs it the Grand Dukeâs child?â
Vivian nodded slightly. In the first place, she never had sexual relations with anyone except for him, so that was the truth that could never have changed at all.
âWhy did you call for me? What if I were to tell this straight to the Grand Duke himself? Or maybe, I could even inform the Young Countess about this.â
âBecause I know that you wouldnât have done so.â
Vivian turned her head and stared quietly at him.
âYou were aware that the Grand Duke and I have been sharing a bed, but you still didnât do anything. Rather, you just left me to do as I please.â
âAre you sure that I wonât speak about this just because of that?â
âThereâs no way that you, a doctor, have never expected something like this to eventually happen. Isnât that why youâre still hiding my identity even when youâve already found out about it?â
The physician didnât respond to Vivianâs question. He released her hand that he had grabbed beforeâfor examinationâand laughed.
âThatâs right. I just hope that the Grand Duke will truly be happy someday. However, the one who should be by his side isnât supposed to be you, but a daughter from a family that could eventually become his source of strength.â
Vivian chewed down her lips slightly. She thought that this man, who treated her like a disposable chess piece, was disgusting, but this was not the time for her to hold onto her pride.
âThen, please lend me some help.â
âWhat should I help you with?â
âI need some money. Although, even if I could obtain a new workplace, I still need a house for me to rest.â
âThen, would you like to make a promise with me?â
Instead of responding, he reached out his little finger. Unlike Vivianâs face which eventually turned hardened, he was still smiling amiably.
âPlease donât show up in front of the Grand Dukeâs eyes ever again. Although such a thing would be impossible to happen, he cannot be swayed because of you even for a tiny bit. If you promise me this one, I will give you my support no matter how much you need. I may look like this, but since Iâm the Grand Dukeâs chief physician, I have quite a lot of money to spare.â
It wasnât really that bad of a bargain for Vivian herself.
She had already planned to never show up in front of his eyes for all eternity anyway. On top of that, since she couldnât show up in front of the Young Lady as well, she had to move to a very faraway place. Then, Vivian nodded her head obediently.
âOkay.â
***
Right after the day Vivian had run away, the County instantly turned upside down.
It didnât seem like Alexiaâs voice, which was overflowing with wrath, would stop anytime soon.
Most of the servants had a confused expression on their faces while they began to wonder. There was no one who couldâve known exactly why the Young Lady was this furious first thing in the morningâexcept for a handful of people who were already aware of the truth.
They couldnât do anything but merely be careful and cautious, just like they were treading upon a layer of thin ice. Since the one who was in charge of submitting under Alexiaâs wrath, Vivian, of all times, had run away, there was no one else who could put up with her task.
âWhy the fuck did she run away?!â
Along with her rage-filled voice, another bowl was shattered into pieces once again. However, there was no one who could hurry over and clean those up. They were only thinking about what would happen if they had entered her sight and got beaten up instead.
âWhat should I do? Iâm supposed to be going for today as well!â
Alexia bit on her nail as if she was extremely nervous.
âIs there anyone who knows where exactly she had gone?â
No one answered Alexiaâs question. Everyone was only avoiding her eyes while curling up their bodies in response. There was absolutely no one who could recklessly utter something about the truth which they had no idea of.