Chapter 22 ❖ ❖ ❖
Vivienne took a bath with the help of the mansion’s maids, dressed in the clothes they had prepared for her, and was then guided to Edmund’s study, where the telephone was kept.
Like the staff she had met here yesterday, the maids barely spoke the Imperial language, so Vivienne had to endure an awkward silence. Fortunately, they seemed largely uninterested in her overall presence, including her posture and mannerisms.
Today, Vivienne felt particularly self-conscious, thinking that the way she walked somehow didn’t look ladylike.
When the doors to Edmund’s study opened, revealing the spacious interior, Vivienne gave the room a quick glance. Sunlight filled the space, which was neat and orderly, furnished entirely with high-quality pieces.
At that moment, a memory of what an agent had said a year ago surfaced in her mind:
“It’s cold, so as you said, I’ll guide you to my mansion.”
She remembered that the agent had later replaced the word mansion with house, meaning a villa. Vivienne couldn’t help but think how wonderful it would have been if that agent’s mansion had looked like this. If he had been waiting for her in a place like this…
Shaking off the thought, Vivienne glanced at the ring on her finger and approached the receiver on the desk. Unlike the first time she had hesitated at a public phone, now she had to call home—to the Mergoville mansion.
The phone began to ring.
The maid who had greeted her here yesterday snatched the receiver up and set it down again with strong, quick movements. The call had come through several times, and she repeated the action each time. Only after this did Vivienne manage to pick up the receiver and ask the telephone operator to connect her to the Mergoville mansion.
The operator’s voice carried a foreign accent.
Soon, the call was connected, and someone answered. Vivienne held her breath and whispered, “Hello.”
Why do you keep hanging up when we’re supposed to be talking?
A familiar voice came through.
Vivienne’s hands trembled, but she gripped the receiver tightly and took a deep breath.
Ludvik.
She whispered the name to herself.
So you were at the Count’s residence after all.
Bringing the receiver back to her ear, Ludvik Rex’s voice continued. Vivienne responded carefully.
“I’ve seen the annulment documents. That’s why you’re at my house, isn’t it?”
No. That matter is already settled. Once you get your parents’ consent, the engagement will be officially ended, as instructed. But…
“…….”
I was just curious to see if you were doing well at that house.
Vivienne’s heart raced at the chilling undertone of his words. She forced her voice to remain calm and replied,
“I’m fine. Could you put my mother on the line now?”
Soon, the Marchioness’s voice came through the receiver. Vivienne said she would explain everything at the mansion. The Marchioness responded that matters like the annulment should be discussed face-to-face, and asked her to come home immediately.
Vivienne then told the Count that she would ask her mother if he would accompany her and hung up. Her mother would understand what that meant.
Vivienne slowly descended the grand staircase she had just climbed and headed toward the mansion’s hall. Edmund was speaking with someone. Judging by appearance, it seemed to be a foreigner.
“Regarding the funds for purchasing the diamond…”
The foreign man glanced at Vivienne, then switched languages to continue his conversation with Edmund.
[…I understand you contacted our syndicate to sell privately held shares of your defense contractor to secure cash, Count Edmund Colt. The ring must have been quite valuable.]
Edmund replied in the same language.
[Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hear you’ve developed a particular interest in the defense industry lately.]
From the conversation, it seemed the two didn’t know each other beforehand, which was not unusual.
Yet Vivienne felt strangely familiar with Edmund’s voice speaking in Mekalentian.
She racked her brain to remember where she had heard it before—and froze.
It was in that pharmacy on Miravolta Street in the underworld of this Empire.
[The second of the Nelvinos family is hiding here.]
The voice from her memory echoed in her mind. No, it couldn’t be. Vivienne shook her head.
It couldn’t be.
