Chapter 13
“Vivian, you came back alive and are calling me Father… Is there anything more touching than this?”
The Duke of Werner muttered, his eyes slightly teary.
Sylvia gave an awkward smile, thinking she should have called him that much sooner.
“A day like this must be celebrated.”
“Pardon? Celebrated?”
Startled by the Duke’s sudden words, Sylvia opened her eyes wide.
“Yes. A day like today should be made a special day for the Werner family and remembered forever.”
“Excuse me?”
“Come, Vivian. Let’s go back to the mansion. There are many things I must instruct the servants.”
The Duke, clearly excited, urged her.
Without thinking much, Sylvia followed him and got into the carriage.
On the way back, she watched the Duke, who kept smiling brightly in a way that didn’t quite suit him.
“Are you… that happy?”
Sylvia asked carefully.
The Duke nodded with a smile.
“Of course. There have been very few days in my life as joyful as today.”
“Very few? So there were others too?”
Sylvia asked with interest.
“Of course. There were.”
“May I ask what they were?”
“Why not?”
With a warm smile, the Duke continued,
“The happiest moment was when I met Gladia.”
Sylvia had heard that name before.
Gladia—the former Saint, the former Duchess of Werner, and Vivian’s real mother.
“…You mean Mother?”
“Yes. I could never forget that moment. It was truly beautiful… and unforgettable.”
“Then what was the second happiest time?”
“The day I married her. I felt like I had the whole world. I was truly happy… and I thought that happiness would last forever.”
There was a lingering bitterness in his voice.
Sylvia felt a little regret for asking.
But the Duke continued,
“After that, it was the day Julia was born… and lastly, the day you were born, Vivian.”
By the time he finished, the wide smile on his face had softened into a gentle one.
“And today has become another happy day. Thank you for giving me joy once again, Vivian.”
Hearing his kind words, Sylvia felt strangely guilty.
She still wasn’t sure if she was truly Vivian.
Listening to him like this made her feel as if she was deceiving him.
* * *
“Welcome back, Father.”
As the Duke and Sylvia stepped out of the carriage, Julia greeted them.
“Yes, we’re back.”
“I’m back as well.”
After greeting Julia briefly, the Duke looked around.
“Where is Mrs. Barren?”
“I am here, Your Grace.”
Mrs. Barren quickly approached and bowed.
“Prepare tonight’s dinner more lavish and grand than ever.”
“Yes… of course. But may I ask if there is a special occasion? Are there guests coming?”
She asked, since such things affected how the meal should be prepared.
“No, nothing like that.”
“Then may I ask the reason…?”
The Duke answered proudly,
“Vivian has finally called me Father.”
“Lady Vivian?”
Everyone present turned to look at Sylvia.
Feeling embarrassed, she scratched her cheek awkwardly.
“It has been ten years since she returned and called me Father. Of course, it should be celebrated.”
“I understand. I will prepare it immediately.”
Though surprised, Mrs. Barren quickly gathered the servants and went inside.
“Vivian, you should go and rest now. You must be tired after everything today.”
“Yes. I’ll see you at dinner.”
After greeting both the Duke and Julia, Sylvia headed inside.
After washing in the bath, she returned to her room and lay down on the bed.
Even if it didn’t seem like it, she had used a lot of mental energy going around all day.
Lying still, she organized her thoughts.
The orphanage director would finally pay for his crimes.
The children would now grow up in a better place.
It was hard to believe that a problem she struggled with for so long had been solved so easily.
But she had seen it with her own eyes.
Everything had turned out the way she wanted… even if it wasn’t intentional.
Sylvia let out a long breath, realizing the power of the Duke’s wealth and influence.
Then she thought about meeting the Emperor.
Just as Julia and the Duke had said, the Emperor simply wanted to see Vivian.
It had been such a short meeting that she felt silly for being so nervous.
And then… Edmond.
“So Ed… was actually the Crown Prince.”
She had always thought he came from a noble family.
But she never imagined he was the Crown Prince.
“What would have happened if I accepted his offer?”
It was completely different from becoming a servant of a noble house.
She might have become a royal maid.
“Even if I’m revealed not to be Vivian… would his offer still stand?”
Sylvia let her imagination wander, thinking about her uncertain future.
* * *
Knock knock.
Sylvia woke up at the clear sound of knocking.
She must have fallen asleep quickly from exhaustion.
“Miss, it’s time for dinner.”
“Come in.”
As she sat up in bed, Melody entered.
Sylvia smiled softly at her.
“Sorry… could you fix my hair?”
“Of course.”
Melody brought a comb and gently fixed her messy hair.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Oh—you’re getting late. Everyone is waiting in the dining room.”
“Let’s go.”
Melody guided her there.
As expected, the Duke and Julia were already seated.
“Sorry, I’m late.”
“It’s alright. You must have been tired. Come, sit.”
Relieved, Sylvia took her seat—this time across from Julia.
Julia glanced at her briefly, then lost interest and took a sip of wine.
“Now that the main guest is here, let us begin.”
With the Duke’s words, everyone started eating.
Though he called it a celebration, it was simply a rich dinner with the three of them.
Sylvia relaxed and enjoyed the meal.
The Duke, having drunk quite a bit, began recalling Vivian’s childhood memories one by one.
Sylvia listened carefully, amazed at how he remembered even the smallest details.
Meanwhile, Julia remained quiet, only drinking.
Even while listening to the Duke, Sylvia couldn’t help but notice Julia.
She didn’t seem to be in a good mood.
After some time, as dinner was nearing its end, Julia spoke,
“I know it may be rude to leave first, but since this doesn’t seem to be ending soon, I will take my leave.”
“Yes, go and rest. You must be tired after visiting the temple today.”
The Duke allowed her to leave.
After a short bow, Julia left the dining room.
