<CHAPTER 11>
Vivia received luxurious treatment in the bath and was guided to one of the guest rooms in the Rodrigo Ducal residence.
The maid who assisted with her bath told her that Veronica would soon have Vivia’s old room reorganized and prepared for her.
Vivia lay on the bed and blankly stared at the ceiling.
On the ceiling was painted an elegant pattern of white lilies.
How much would it have cost to decorate it like that?
How much value does it have for her?
And how much have I accomplished just now?
Her blue eyes shimmered like lilies submerged and swimming deep in water.
“Luck followed you.”
Vivia weakly turned her head.
Achero Rodrigo was leaning against the door.
Quietly smiling, he met Vivia’s gaze, gently closed the door, and entered the room.
Vivia looked at the approaching Achero Rodrigo with moist eyes and slowly parted her lips.
“You said you would test it with the dog…”
“You didn’t tell me.”
“Haha.”
Achero Rodrigo calmly laughed it off, dragged a chair, and sat at the foot of the bed.
“Hearing you say it like that reminds me of the first time we met.”
His eyes, whose true thoughts were impossible to read, curved warmly.
The spinning smile was somewhat unpleasant.
“Sorry, Vivia, I didn’t think it was something that could be told in advance.”
“If you had happily greeted Lucas, Grandmother would have become even more suspicious.”
“It’s contradictory.”
“Grandmother wishes for the Rodrigo bloodline to be perfect from the moment they are born.”
“Yet when something feels disconnected from common reality, suspicion grows.”
Achero Rodrigo smiled even more gently.
Vivia understood what he meant.
A child separated from her family at an age when she could barely recognize them remembers her pet dog and rejoices upon reunion.
But if the dog failed to recognize the child, that would have been the worst possible situation.
“I didn’t expect it to turn out like this either.”
“Originally, I planned to step in once Lucas appeared.”
“But for some reason Lucas welcomed you, Vivia.”
“The situation is unfolding in a way that is incredibly advantageous for us.”
“…Why?”
Vivia murmured quietly.
“Why did Lucas look happy to see me?”
“Well, dogs usually distinguish people by scent.”
“But sometimes they follow someone with a similar appearance.”
“Maybe it’s something like that.”
“You resemble my sister’s childhood.”
“Grandmother didn’t seem to completely believe me.”
“As expected, our Vivia is sharp.”
“That’s right.”
“Don’t trust Grandmother’s tears.”
“She’s not an ordinary person.”
“Still, she has probably crossed more than half the line.”
“This is an extraordinary achievement.”
“You can be proud.”
Achero Rodrigo reached out and stroked Vivia’s hair.
Just as if he were treating a real younger sister.
“Well done, Vivia.”
“Thanks to you, we’ve passed one difficult hurdle.”
Have I ever received such intimate contact from anyone before?
Has anyone ever praised me like this no matter what I did?
Even if I rummage through my entire memory, the only thing I can recall is the occasional pitying hand from passing gentlemen and ladies when I begged on the streets.
Something ticklish burrowed into her chest.
Vivia had not yet figured out how to define that emotion.
Rustle.
With Achero Rodrigo’s hand, strands of golden hair rose and fell as they were brushed aside.
At the same time, Vivia’s heart swayed as well.
“Our contract lasts until Grandmother passes away.”
“Soon she will begin preparing to debut you in society next spring to build the connections you need.”
“The day she introduces you to the Imperial Palace will be the day she completely trusts us.”
“Until then, we must not let our guard down.”
“Neither you nor I.”
“I know.”
“I came this far risking my life.”
“Yes.”
“And I was the one who brought your life this far.”
Achero Rodrigo smiled faintly and gently kissed Vivia’s round forehead.
A soft and unfamiliar sensation touched her skin and then disappeared.
“Tomorrow morning a personal maid will come.”
“She’s someone I sent, but act like you don’t know.”
“And?”
Before Achero Rodrigo could answer, Vivia spoke first.
“You’re going to say I don’t have anything else to do anyway, right?”
“You really do understand well.”
“You saw it earlier.”
“You’re already perfect just the way you are.”
“Why?”
“Are you scared?”
Achero Rodrigo showed a playful smile.
“Should I sing you a lullaby before leaving?”
Vivia sighed and turned her head away from him.
Soon, quiet laughter and gentle whispers wrapped around her ears.
“Once again, take good care of things, my sister.”
“Have sweet dreams.”
Early morning arrived.
Vivia opened her eyes on the bed where white sunlight seeped in.
The noise coming from the door had already awakened her.
It sounded like several blunt, thin objects scratching against the door.
Still half-asleep, she got out of bed and opened the door.
Lucas barked happily and leapt toward Vivia.
Vivia staggered backward under the sudden heavy weight.
Lucas placed his paws on her upper body and eagerly licked her cheeks as if giving a morning greeting.
Vivia, who had almost no experience handling pets, hesitated before gently stroking Lucas’s back.
“Did you sleep well?”
Lucas spun around two or three times and barked again.
He looked absolutely delighted to meet her again today.
A blue satin collar hung around his neck.
It was the same color as the eyes of Vivia, Achero Rodrigo, and Veronica Rodrigo.
It was the color of the Rodrigo Ducal House.
Having finished his task, Lucas bounced out of the room energetically.
A woman Vivia had never seen before stood at the doorway Lucas had passed.
When she noticed Vivia looking at her, she bowed deeply.
“Greetings for the first time, Lady Vivia.”
“Did you rest well last night?”
“Hello.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Yes, thanks to you.”
“My name is Dalis.”
“From today onward, I will be serving at your side.”
“Other maids will also attend to you, but please treat me as your hands and feet within the group and tell me whatever you desire.”
The maid sent by Achero Rodrigo kept her eyes lowered and her face calm.
Her speech was blunt and her expression stern.
Her tightly closed lips gave the impression of someone burdened with heavy responsibility.
Ah, the one Achero mentioned yesterday.
Does Dalis know I’m a fake?
Or does she not?
Either way, Vivia only needed to focus on her own role.
“How would you like your breakfast prepared?”
“It can be brought to your room, or you may go to the breakfast room.”
“Lady Veronica said the choice is yours.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“I’ll go to the breakfast room.”
Unless someone had grown up in an environment without any lack, it would be impossible to enjoy every luxury immediately upon entering the ducal residence.
At least that was how Vivia felt.
“Then first allow me to help you prepare.”
“Ah.”
She had forgotten.
Vivia was now a noble lady.
And one of the most noble in the Empire.
“Yes, please take care of me.”
Dalis bowed politely again and entered the room.
She apologized that the dress prepared for breakfast was a ready-made one as she dressed Vivia.
Then she simply combed Vivia’s hair into shape, washed her face and hands, and applied light makeup.
Vivia accepted the entire process somewhat awkwardly.
“Now I will guide you to the breakfast room.”
Vivia followed behind Dalis.
She had been too flustered yesterday to notice, but the servants here had a clearly different dignity compared to those she had seen in Broten.
They made almost no sound when walking and their bodies barely swayed.
In Broten, such manners would have made them appear like nobles.
So this is the standard here?
Suddenly she became conscious of her own steps.
Vivia barely managed to stop her gaze from dropping to her feet and lifted it back up.
Just like yesterday, the corridor remained silent and cold.
Through the windows in the corridor, the winter garden could be seen.
What time is it now?
It still didn’t feel real that she had become a Rodrigo.
She thought she would have nightmares worrying about being chased out at dawn.
Yet unexpectedly, she had slept better than she did at the Pernolain residence.
At the long dining table in the breakfast room, Veronica Rodrigo and Achero Rodrigo were already seated.
Veronica Rodrigo sat at the head of the table.
Although she had handed the ducal title to Achero Rodrigo, it meant that within the residence her authority was still overwhelming.
That must be why Achero Rodrigo couldn’t firmly persuade Grandmother about Vivia.
When Veronica Rodrigo saw Vivia, her face immediately turned cold.
“You came from far away.”
“It would be a waste to return after only one day.”
