Chapter 60
After returning from the vineyard, Scarlett spent several days talking about it. Andre finally grew sick of it and said,
“Please stop talking about that vineyard. I haven’t even been there yet, but I’m already tired of it.”
“I just can’t wait… I’m going to go as soon as the grapes ripen.”
“Take some work with you then.”
“…You’re unbelievable.”
Scarlett complained, but Andre stayed firm.
Since she hadn’t traveled much in her life, Scarlett remained deeply absorbed in the memories of the vineyard trip.
While she was going on like that, a servant of the Dumfelt family arrived with a gift box. Scarlett frowned at the Dumfelt family’s seal attached to the box addressed to her, and tore off the wrapping paper. When she opened the box, her eyes widened—it was a beautiful pair of white skates with silver blades.
Though she tried to hide her excitement, it was written all over her face. Andre, glancing at the skates, asked,
“What’s with the skates?”
“Good question.”
It was a gift from her ex-husband—she thought of throwing it away, but it was too full of childhood memories for her to do so. Why, of all things, skates…?
On top of the skates was a note.
[If you’re going to skate, meet me at nine in front of the shop.]
“…What the heck, acting all high-handed.”
Scarlett muttered, and Andre butted in.
“Nine o’clock is after work, so you’re free to go.”
“I’m the boss, why do I need permission?”
“I told you. My salary depends on it.”
At Andre’s sharp reply, Scarlett had no choice but to climb the stairs back to her work.
Work had piled up so much lately that she was cutting down on sleep as much as possible. While working, she glanced at the clock—it was near midnight. She paused for a moment.
Why did Viktor keep showing up around her? He was truly, truly a selfish man.
Whenever he sought her out, it was surely because he needed something. She didn’t know what, but still…
As she was thinking, a voice called from outside the window.
When Scarlett opened the curtain, Liv, in pajamas, leaned out from the neighboring building.
“Scarlett, did you know there are navy men in front of your house?”
“Now?”
“They’ve been there for a while. I woke up in the middle of the night, and they were still there.”
“Thanks.”
After the short exchange, Scarlett quickly grabbed a coat and hurried downstairs. Sure enough, Viktor was standing in front of the building.
Standing in the doorway, she kept her eyes straight ahead and said, without looking at him,
“You’re making people feel threatened.”
“That’s good, then.”
“What’s good about that?”
“At least no one will take you lightly.”
Scarlett sighed deeply and asked,
“How long are you staying?”
“I was going to leave before you woke up.”
“Why?”
“Because if I stay until morning, I’d look like a lunatic.”
“I don’t get it… Where are you going anyway?”
“The lake. To skate.”
“At this hour? Why not in the day?”
“There are people during the day.”
Though Viktor had cleared out the pirates, some had already infiltrated the capital, and they sometimes caused trouble in groups at night.
It was safe in busy districts like this, but in the quieter outskirts after dark, no one walked around. Still, the mere sight of Dumfelt’s crest was enough to make those pirates scatter in fear—that was Viktor Dumfelt.
Scarlett looked at Viktor, waiting in the freezing night air, and reluctantly said,
“Fine.”
“You didn’t buy a coat, did you?”
“…No.”
At his gesture, Blythe brought over a coat from the carriage. It was a white cashmere coat.
Scarlett accepted it absentmindedly, put it on, and exclaimed in surprise,
“It’s beautiful. And warm.”
While she was marveling, Viktor was already waiting by the carriage, hand extended.
Reluctantly, Scarlett followed him inside.
The lake they soon arrived at was empty. Gas lamps lined the perimeter, giving just enough light to see.
Scarlett hugged the skates to her chest, glanced at Viktor, then sat on a bench to put them on. The moment she stepped onto the frozen lake, she nearly slipped, but Viktor caught her around the waist.
Scarlett muttered awkwardly, embarrassed,
“It’s hard… it’s been so long.”
She quickly pulled away from his hand and tried moving forward on her own, only to fall hard on her backside.
“Ah…”
The pain was nothing compared to the embarrassment—she covered her face with both hands.
“Why can’t I skate…? I was really good when I was a kid. Guess my reflexes are gone from sitting all day.”
When she hesitated to get up, fearing another fall, Viktor pulled her to her feet and said,
“You probably never had reflexes to begin with.”
“That’s just how it looks compared to you.”
Scarlett resented Viktor for bringing the skates tied to her childhood memories. He seemed to know exactly how to lure her in.
To tempt her like this—what did he plan to do once she fell for him again?
She felt pathetic for coming out here so easily.
While she was still trying to get used to skating, a group of people appeared in the distance.
Scarlett immediately recognized one of them—Nina Hunter, the crown prince’s lover and once Viktor’s.
Scarlett went pale, remembering how she had lost control and behaved like a madwoman the last time she saw Nina.
Taking a deep breath, she spoke.
“Viktor.”
“Yeah.”
“If this is about making someone jealous, this isn’t the way.”
Viktor tilted his head, as if not understanding. Scarlett tried to whisper in his ear, standing on tiptoe, but slipped again. Viktor caught her.
Barely steadying herself, she continued,
“Skating with your ex-wife won’t make anyone jealous.”
At that, Viktor turned belatedly, finally spotting Nina Hunter, and looked back at Scarlett.
“Why would I want to make His Highness the Crown Prince’s lover jealous?”
“Just… to feel good?”
“Nina Hunter already suffers enough just knowing I don’t love her. There’s no need to drag you out at dawn for that.”
“At least greet her…”
Viktor ignored Nina’s party, but Scarlett was uncomfortable. Nina Hunter kept watching them.
Eventually, one of the royal attendants approached Viktor politely.
“Lady Hunter requests a word with you.”
“Tell her no.”
“She insists it will only take a moment.”
Viktor’s expression twisted in rare displeasure. Scarlett quickly stepped in.
“Go. I’ll keep practicing.”
“You’ll fall.”
“Someone else will help me up. I can’t skate at all if I’m this tense.”
“Is that an excuse?”
Scarlett shot him a look of exasperation.
Viktor chuckled softly and walked over to Nina Hunter. His shoes stopped just before her skates, and she spoke.
“Your ex-wife. They say she still has memory problems?”
Viktor was silent for a moment before replying flatly,
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I saw it myself. And everyone who needs to know already does. She forgot she was divorced and showed up at your house.”
“How did you know that?”
His voice dropped.
When his eyes froze over as if he were staring at a pirate, Nina involuntarily felt fear. She stammered,
“I told you—everyone knows.”
“Who told you.”
“At the ball. I don’t remember exactly who.”
“Remember. Who was it.”
“Are you giving me orders now?”
“Does this sound like a request to you?”
His retort left her speechless.
At last, she answered,
“I heard it from the group Lady Harlond was in.”
“I see.”
“But what does it matter? You’re divorced. Why take responsibility? Why look after a woman who’s not in her right mind?”
“Because I’ve always loved women who aren’t in their right mind.”
As if he had never been threatening at all, Viktor reverted to his usual courteous self.
He continued,
“I suppose you joined in too—saying my wife was raving nonsense over tea.”
“You call that nonsense? She sounded insane. What are you doing, Viktor? Do you pity her? Is that it?”
As she spoke, Viktor looked at her with those indifferent, dark blue eyes, and Nina felt a pang of desperation.
Viktor Dumfelt was still the most dazzling ornament one could bring into society. The thought of that insignificant woman parading him around social events again drove her nearly mad.
Why was he still with her? Why, even now?
