Chapter 20: Chapter 20

A thought suddenly struck Vivian. Perhaps Ray wasn’t the kind person that she had hoped he would be. However, when a new side of a person is found, instead of disappointment, curiosity was what struck them first.

“It seems that you’ve changed. Did something happen overnight?”

“A lot of things occurred. It was truly a long day.”

Vivian stared blankly into the air with the gaze of a scholar who had observed all the truth and knowledge of the world. Ray’s mouth moved as though he was about to say something, but frowned when he saw her state.

“Your appearance is beyond words.”

It was black underneath her eyes. It was to the point that sunken was an understatement. And if he thought of how she looked when they’d first met, her two cheeks were so hollow, it became questionable whether she was eating her meals daily.

Whenever Vivian fell into the abyss of her novels, she’d develop insomnia and lose weight at a sudden rate. Ray, who had no way of knowing this fact, couldn’t help but sincerely worry if Vivian was ill and near the brink of death.

“Oh my, are you worrying about me?”

No matter who saw her, it was a worrisome physical state.

“Vivian. I think you should look at yourself from an objective point of view. Please speak again after taking a look at yourself through the mirror behind you.”

“While I understand my appearance looks rather terrible, it’s also true that Ray is sincerely worried about me. I’m quite pleased.”

“…….”

As Vivian blushed shyly like a young girl who had fallen in love for the first time, Ray forgot to maintain his poker face. Today, her reaction was especially strange. Whenever their eyes met, the mysterious, violet eyes sparkled brightly.

“First, please settle down.”

“I am calmer and at peace than any other day.”

“I shall escort you to the medical bay.”

“I am very healthy!”

“Then it appears to be an illness of the heart.”

“That’s true. Since Ray had taken possession of all the fiery feelings in my heart, this is something that could happen.”

“…….”

Maybe she had drunk a barrel of alcohol while on duty. Or perhaps she’d tried some drugs. Ray considered taking this woman to the Guards instead of the medical bay.

However, he judged it would be better for him to wait for Vivian to return to her senses after he borrowed his book. He placed a palm on top of the book and pushed it as if to pressure her and said in a voice that dripped with indifference.

“I believe that’s enough joking for today.”

At that, Vivian happily smiled towards him instead of handing him the lending list as usual and drew closer to him.

“How irritable.”

“Librarian, please don’t forget the main topic.”

“So, you don’t like this. Then, what do you like?”

“There must be a reason you’re acting like this, isn’t there?”

If she was neither killed nor drunk or drugged, and fully conscious, there must be a reason for her actions. Ray blatantly stared at Vivian in order to read her intent, but she kept her silence and merely smiled without a response.

Just as Ray had assumed, there was a reason for the sudden change in Vivian’s attitude. Clearly, it had to do with her meeting with Carden yesterday.

Vivian recalled the worries that Carden had secretly let loose.

Like usual. The two of us hadn’t changed even one bit.

The reason that Carden was caught in between the two men was due to her household, the ‘Fromandi’ Household. She was born as the first daughter of a Viscount and had lived the life of a sacrifice for her entire life.

But one day, Duke Biron had visited Viscount Fromandi’s territory, found Carden, and continued to remain in the territory as he watched her. Finally, Duke Biron offered her a proposal.

I will make you the Flower of Society.

Flower of Society held many different meanings within the Astia Empire. Of course, it could merely mean the aristocratic lady who stood in the center of trends and issues. However, if one flipped through history, the lady who was named the Flower of Society by the Emperor would have a very high chance to become the Empress.