Chapter 95
Vivianâs gaze slowly turned to Knox once again.
She had said it very carefully, but just in case. If he were to hear even a little bit of the conversation between Vivian and Alexia, that would definitely be the end.
âThatâs delightful. I donât even have the slightest concern to do that.â
Vivian didnât respond to Alexiaâs words at all.
When Alexiaâs gaze was fixed to the surroundings and not towards Knox himself, Vivian carefully began to caress his forehead.
The heat that hadnât been as much as before was brushed against Vivianâs fingertips. What should I even think of when I look at you this ill?
Actually, Vivian felt rather glad that Knox was sick. If his eyes were already open when she had arrived with the Young Lady, Vivian might have just unveiled what had happened to that Alexia so far.
Vivianâs fingers were slowly wiping Knoxâs sweat away. As Vivian began carefully sponging him down with the wet towel next to her, Alexia pouted her lips.
âIâm bored.â
In the first place, there was truly nothing to do when visiting the sick anyway.
âWanna go home.â
âBut we just arrived here.â
âRegardless, heâs only sleeping, isnât he? You can just say that he doesnât wake up, so we can go back now.â
Vivian meekly lowered her head at Alexiaâs words. Honestly, she also didnât wish to stay here that long while still serving the Young Lady.
She only wanted to escape before anyone could find out and of course, before Alexia herself could discover it.
Naturally, Alexia rose from her seat, ahead of Vivian before she swiftly stood in front of the door.
âNow, quickly make an excuse and letâs return to the carriage.â
As Alexia had already left the room after looking around outside, Vivian heaved a long sighâthat could literally reach the floor. If she didnât want to provoke Alexiaâs nerves, it would be better for her to leave quickly as well.
After removing the damp towel from Knoxâs face, Vivian gazed at his face from close for the last time. Maybe due to the cold sensation from the wet towel earlier, his breath had gotten more comfortable than before.
When she felt quite jittery because of that, Vivianâs pupils suddenly dilated at the unexpected touch on her hand, which was actually pulling her.
âWhere are you going?â
Knox, who had been thought to be asleep at that moment, had abruptly opened his eyes and was now boring a hole into Vivian.
âKn-oxâ¦â¦?â
She didnât want to believe this was happening. Just moments ago, he had his eyes closedâdeeply asleepâbut now, there was no such thing as languor lingering in his eyes.
Although she was aware that he couldnât really see well, when his fierce gaze had fallen upon her, she still instinctively avoided his eyes.
âYouâve aw-awakened? I was just about to leave.â
âWhat were you talking about before?â
Right at Knoxâs question, Vivianâs body stiffened in response. Did he perhaps hear that? She had desperately hoped that wasnât to be the case, but Knoxâs expression was serious as ever.
âWhat is it that youâre asking about?â
âIn regard to making an excuse before returning to the carriage.â
Knoxâs expression had gotten even fiercer as he continued talking. And at the same time, the strength of his hand that was still grabbing onto hers had also grown stronger.
Vivian immediately felt like throwing up. Was this room always this intimidating before?
ââ¦â¦E-excuse, you say? I donât understand what you actually mean by that?â
âDidnât you say that youâre boredâwith your own pair of lips?â
Right at those words, Vivianâs breathing stopped in an instant.
What Knox just said wasnât actually from Vivian herself. It seemed like Knox had mistaken Alexiaâs words as her own.
âAre you already tired of nursing me all this time?â
âNo.â
âHaâreally? Wasnât what you said to the person next to you before the truth, though?â
The Grand Duke tugged on her hand even more. Due to his powerful force that impelled her helplessly, Vivianâs face grew ultimately closer to the tip of Knoxâs nose. His eyes were filled with bloodthirst, just like the eyes of those monsters which could only be found in the deep mountains.
Knox was undoubtedly furious. He was extremely mad at Alexiaâs words that werenât even being said by Alexia herself. It had been directed towards Vivian who was impersonating Alexia.
Aha.
Only then did Vivian finally realize. Alexiaâs voice was utterly identical to the one that Vivian always used to speak to Knox. It must have been hard for him to differentiate the two since he was hearing them in his sleep.
âIâm not. Knox, honestlyâIâm really not.â
Just before she could feel a little relief that she hadnât been caught yet, she still had to quickly make an excuse to him.
She shook her head desperately, but there was no hint of Knoxâs hardened expression relaxing itself at all.