Chapter 13
“An Unavoidable Situation”
Morning came again at the mansion.
“What stubbornness.”
At the long table in the dining hall, the Grand Duke and his future Grand Duchess sat at opposite ends.
Seated on the far left, Leon picked up his knife and glared across at her.
Then he spoke coldly.
“You should know how unpleasant it is to eat while facing such a gloomy face.”
Today’s breakfast was salmon steak and boiled salad.
The orange-colored fish looked perfectly cooked and appetizing, but Vivian remained firm as always.
No matter how delicious the food looked, she didn’t even glance at it.
It had already been several days since she started refusing food.
At this point, everyone found it strange that she hadn’t collapsed yet.
At Leon’s remark, Vivian slightly frowned with her pale face.
“You’re the one who told me to sit here no matter what. If you hate it so much, then just don’t look at me.”
Leon had ordered Vivian to come to the dining hall for every meal.
He said that whether she ate or not, following the schedule properly was the rule of the mansion.
“Are you planning to starve to death?”
“Well… if I keep starving like this, maybe that will happen.”
“What a thorough plan. You must want people to see how badly you’re doing on the wedding day. But even if you try something like that, nothing will change. That kind of flaw means nothing to me.”
What is he talking about?
He misunderstood completely.
“Huh? What are you even saying?”
“I don’t want this marriage either. But unfortunately, it must happen. No one can go against His Majesty’s will.”
That foolish second prince.
Just like in the novel, Vivian felt a bit sorry for him, devoted to the Emperor like a fool.
Leon Lohberger Ester.
The ugly duckling of the Ester family.
He was the son of the late Empress and, in truth, a prince who had been abandoned.
The Emperor used him completely to protect the Empire from monsters, and Leon knew it.
Even knowing everything, he still remained loyal to the Emperor.
There was only one reason.
To appear that way.
He only wanted to look like an obedient son.
Leon did not want to get involved with the Imperial family controlled by the Empress. He wanted to live quietly like now.
The Emperor needed Leon, but the Empress was ready to kill him the moment he became useless.
She hated him—the son of the woman who took her husband away, and someone more talented than her own child in every way.
The position of the Grand Duke of the North was that unstable.
If not for the monsters filling the Empire, that position wouldn’t even exist.
“Grand Duke, will you listen to me for a moment?”
Leon didn’t like the calm look in Vivian’s eyes.
‘She must be doing exactly what the Marquis told her.’
He thought her refusal to eat was because of the Marquis of Kihis.
Even her desire to cook was misunderstood.
He believed she was acting vulgar on purpose to damage the Empire’s dignity.
Completely wrong.
“Shut your mouth.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying. I just want to eat food I make myself.”
At this point, wouldn’t it be better to just tell the truth?
That her father was trying to kill her.
That someone in the mansion was ordered to poison her.
Would he believe her?
They needed to talk alone.
Somewhere no one could hear them—especially not someone sent by the Marquis.
Vivian leaned forward across the table.
“Let’s talk alone. I have something to tell you.”
“I’m listening. Speak.”
“You’re the only one who should hear this.”
Clang.
Leon slammed the knife he was holding onto the table.
The servants flinched in shock.
Vivian was startled too.
But Leon’s expression remained calm.
“Damn it.”
Muttering a curse, he surprisingly dismissed everyone from the dining hall.
The maids and servants left.
Zygmunt and Mrs. Mayfield also stepped out.
Silence filled the room, along with a strange tension.
Leon stared at Vivian sharply.
“Go on. Let’s hear what nonsense you’re going to say this time.”
“Well… actually…”
Vivian hesitated.
Now that the moment had come, the words wouldn’t come out easily.
She didn’t know how he would react.
‘I just hope he believes even half of it…’
After a moment, she spoke slowly.
“Actually… my father is trying to kill me.”
“…I don’t even know what I just heard. What are you talking about?”
Leon narrowed one eye and asked.
He seemed shocked, sitting up straight.
“My father… the Marquis of Kihis… he’s going to kill me.”
Even saying it herself, it sounded terrible.
To be killed by her own father.
Vivian’s fate was truly miserable.
Leon’s eyes shook slightly.
He muttered under his breath, then picked up his wine glass and drank it in one go.
“I can’t believe it… The Marquis of Kihis killing you? That makes no sense…”
Then suddenly, something seemed to occur to him.
“It’s hard to believe, but it’s true.”
“If that’s true, why would he do such a thing?”
“To remove me as an obstacle… and to create an excuse to turn against the Empire.”
If his daughter, who married into the Empire, died here—
It would be the perfect excuse for Kihis to side with the Eastern Kingdom.
“How do you know this? And why are you telling me?”
Because I read it in the novel!
But she couldn’t say that.
“I overheard it. And why am I telling you? To survive.”
“To dare send someone into my territory…”
“Not like that. He’ll probably have someone poison me.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
“It means it won’t be someone from Kihis. It’ll be someone else.”
Leon stared at her deeply.
Then suddenly, he smirked.
“Poison… Are you saying that’s why you’re refusing to eat?”
“I know it’s hard to believe, but there’s someone in this mansion working with the Marquis.”
“…Ha.”
Leon’s face twisted.
Something was going wrong.
“Do you need to see me die before you believe me?”
This was her chance.
If he believed her, he might find the person.
Then she wouldn’t have to worry about food anymore.
Please… please…!
Vivian clasped her hands tightly.
“There’s someone here trying to poison my food. I don’t know who it is, but—”
Leon suddenly leaned back in his chair again.
He looked at her, then smiled faintly.
Vivian felt uneasy.
What did that smile mean?
Leon let out a small laugh.
“So now you even have delusions?”
“I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true.”
“You’re insane. Completely insane.”
“…Grand Duke. Please believe me.”
“Why are you doing this? Even dragging your father’s name through the mud?”
“I’m just telling the truth.”
“I don’t know why I even tried to listen to a madwoman lost in delusions.”
With that, Leon stood up.
He looked at her briefly, then shook his head.
“Don’t act like you were sold off. I never paid a price to have you. And you’re not worth it.”
Then he turned and walked out of the dining hall.
Vivian stared at his back with resentment.
***
The backyard of the mansion was as bleak as the northern lands of Lavric.
There were no flowers—only large green trees and grass.
The temperature was lower than other places, but not enough to prevent flowers from growing.
It seemed they simply chose not to plant any.
What a strange Grand Duke.
At a tea table in one corner, Vivian sat wearing a light blue dress that exposed her shoulders, staring blankly at the empty yard.
“Ha…”
“Why are you sighing so much, Miss?” asked Mrs. Mayfield.
“It’s just… frustrating.”
It was noon tea time.
After her meal with Leon, Vivian sat at tea time without drinking tea.
Mrs. Mayfield had brought tea again, but Vivian didn’t touch it.
‘There might be poison in this too.’
Her caution grew stronger each day.
“Please at least drink some tea…”
“Thank you, but I’m fine.”
Mrs. Mayfield lowered her gaze, looking disappointed.
Since the night of the stew, the two had grown closer.
Mrs. Mayfield spoke more freely now, and Vivian welcomed it.
But today, Vivian looked especially tired.
Maybe I shouldn’t have told him…
Vivian regretted telling Leon the truth.
Instead of being surprised, he had only looked at her with contempt.
Convincing him seemed impossible.
What should she do now?
Noticing her dark expression, Mrs. Mayfield asked carefully,
“Are you worried about something?”
“…Yes. I am.”
“If there’s anything I can help with, please tell me.”
Mrs. Mayfield’s gentle brown eyes trembled slightly.
They were kind eyes.
Eyes that seemed like they would understand everything.
Maybe… if at least one person here knew her situation, things might change.
“Actually…”
Vivian suddenly turned toward Mrs. Mayfield.
