Chapter 9

‘R-really?’

Having no prior experience, she couldn’t be sure. Usually, they said that after the first time, one’s back hurts. Some even said that there could be bleeding depending on the person.

She glanced at the bed and saw a little blood on the pristine white sheets. Her heart sank.

“Vivi. Are you alright?”

Sir Costance’s voice came from behind. It seemed even more tender than yesterday.

Should I ask? Should I really ask?

“Are you feeling very unwell? Let me get you more honey water.”

“No! I’m fine! Really.”

“But you must be in a lot of pain…”

Pain? Why?

“No, I have to go to work right away, so I should be going… Ugh!”

A groan escaped her lips without her realizing it. Thinking it might just be in her head, she twisted her back, but it really hurt. At that moment, despair washed over her.

“Vivi?”

“…R-really, I’m fine. More importantly, could you hand me my clothes?”

“Can’t you take a day off? It seems best for you to rest well today.”

“If I get fired, it’ll be a big problem!”

A clumsy excuse slipped out.

He didn’t question further and picked up the clothes from the floor, handing them to her. She dressed hastily under the blanket and got out of bed.

As she stood up, she definitely felt as if she had been beaten—her body hurt all over. Her head felt like it was going to burst, as if the alcohol hadn’t worn off yet.

Maybe it would be best to rest well today, just as he had suggested.

“I’ll escort you home.”

He blocked her path, but she was too embarrassed to look him in the eye.

“It’s okay. I can go by myself.”

“You seem to be struggling to walk.”

“Isn’t it just in my head? I’m perfectly fine!”

At her determined answer, he let out a small sigh. 

Was he angry at my continued refusal?

“…Then can we have dinner together again, like yesterday?”

“What?”

“If dinner is too much, then tea is fine. Honestly, if this is the last time, I don’t want to let you go.”

She couldn’t easily find the words to reply. She worried that if she refused, she’d have to stay with him until her work time. He waited anxiously for her answer.

“……If I have time, let’s do that.”

“Really?”

He spoke with visible joy.

“If I have time, that is. So, I’ll be going now!”

“It’s a shame I can’t escort you, but I’m glad I can see you again later. If you’re in too much pain, don’t force yourself to go to work and make sure to rest.”

Her hand paused on the doorknob. 

Was he really unaffected by the situation?

A man and a woman were alone in a closed room. Even after spending the night together, he didn’t bat an eye and approached her more actively.

‘He must have a lot of experience, unlike me.’

What woman would leave a man with such looks and status alone?

Since childhood, he must have met the most beautiful women in the country, and among them, there must have been those who spent the night with him like she did.

It felt unfair. After all his shy pretense, he took her first night and moved on without any particular reaction.

“Vivi? Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

As she stood quietly at the door, he approached. Vivi bit her lip hard.

She didn’t place much significance on her first night, but she never thought it would end like this. Especially with a man who would eventually discard her.

He knew nothing about her. She knew almost nothing about Sir Costance, either.

“No, excuse me.”

She opened the door and walked silently down the corridor lined with luxurious carpets.

* * *

The hellish World War had just ended.

But the research institute in the outskirts of Toramde was always at war.

With only the top geniuses gathered, all sorts of extraordinary things happened.

“Is this pretty girl really his daughter?”

“She doesn’t look like him at all.”

But today was the first time a young girl crossed the threshold of the research institute.

The researchers looked at the new girl in the institute with curious eyes.

She was a beautiful girl with big eyes and a round nose bridge. The girl twisted her body, seeming nervous.

“Hello…”

Her voice was clearer than expected. Such a refreshing voice was never heard in the institute. The researchers felt as if the filth inside them was being washed away.

“I didn’t know the director was married. And he even has a daughter……. Where is his wife?”

At that moment, a woman who had been watching the girl spoke. The girl looked at the name tag on the woman’s white outfit. It read ‘Sien’.

“…Mom ran away.”

The girl said.

“…She ran away?”

The atmosphere sank. But Sien couldn’t hold back her curiosity and asked again.

“Why?”

“Senior, that’s a bit…”

Unable to watch any longer, Tiago nudged Sien’s arm. He was a kindly looking young man. He was also one of the senior researchers and one of the people who brought the girl to the institute.

“What’s the matter?”

“I’ll tell you later, later, so please keep quiet for now.”

Sien pouted her lips slightly at her junior’s lecture. The girl thought that expression was funny.

“Little Miss.”

Then, a neutral voice came from behind the girl. There stood the person who had brought her along with Tiago.

A mature woman with silver bobbed hair and blue eyes. The girl knew her name was Rene.

“Don’t be too scared. They’re not scary people.”

“……Are they all people who work with my father?”

“Yes. And they’re people you’ll live with now. They’ve spent their whole lives studying, so they’re a bit loose in the head.”

“I didn’t just study, Senior.”

Sien interrupted again. Then Tiago, who was next to her, pinched Sien’s arm hard in surprise.

“Senior, please!”

“Haha. Yes, that sister named Sien was a military doctor. Do you know what a military doctor does?”

“An officer.”

“Yes. You’re smart, aren’t you?”

Rene laughed kindly and patted the girl’s head.

“That’s enough of meeting the neighbors. Shall we go see your room, Little Miss?”

At Rene’s words, the girl nodded. Rene took the girl’s hand.

Walking down the corridor, Rene introduced the ‘rooms you can enter’, ‘rooms you shouldn’t enter’, and ‘rooms you must knock before entering’.

“There are so many rooms, it’s hard to memorize, isn’t it? Sorry. I’ll give you a floor plan later.”

“It’s okay. I’ve already memorized it.”

“Wow. Amazing.”

Even with Rene’s compliment, the girl didn’t smile.

“…Does my father know I’m here?”

The girl hesitated and asked.

“Of course. You could come here because your father agreed.”

“Where is my father now?”

The girl mustered more courage. Still, the word ‘father’ felt awkward and unfamiliar to her.

“Do you want to see your father?”

The girl nodded.

“Your father is probably in the room labeled ‘Atomic Theory Lab’ over there.”

Rene stopped in front of the room where Galinne was. 

“Could you wait here for a moment?” 

At Rene’s words, the girl nodded.

Rene, seemingly nervous, cleared her throat a few times. Then she knocked on the door.

But no sound came from inside. The girl stared blankly at the closed door.

“It seems no one’s there.”

“This… is probably a sign that someone is there.”

Rene knocked a few more times, then grabbed the doorknob.

“Wait here for a moment. It won’t take long.”

With those words, Rene entered the room alone.

The girl stared at the door Rene had entered. Soon, voices could be heard through the crack in the door.

Approaching the door to eavesdrop, the girl frowned. The sounds were muffled, making her anxious.

At that moment, the slightly open door pushed against her body. Though startled by the open door, her curiosity got the better of her, and she went inside.

She expected the lab to be a dark and scary place… Contrary to her expectations, it was excessively bright.

The table was cluttered with unfamiliar instruments and books. Crumbs from leftover snacks were scattered on the floor.

Walking straight ahead, the girl found Rene. Not only Rene but also her father, Galinne, whom she hadn’t seen in a while, was there.

The girl took in her father’s face. She had seen it a few times before, but seeing him after a long time, her father’s face looked gloomier and scarier than before.

“I told you I would bring the child.”

“…Why?”

“Madame ran away. She left the child alone in the hotel room and disappeared. She even took all the money from the safe.”

“Hmm.”

“What do you mean, hmm? I said your wife ran away!”

“I never loved her in the first place.”

The girl flinched. She hadn’t expected a mention of her mother to come from her father’s mouth.

“What can I say? I mean, your wife ran away, and the child was alone in the hotel for a week. During that time, she caught a cold. When we arrived, the child’s condition was serious, Director.”

“…”

“After discussing with Tiago, we brought the child to the institute. We couldn’t leave her alone. You agreed back then, Director.”

“Yes.”

Galinne, who had been consistently responding, turned his gaze sideways. Soon, he noticed his daughter in the room.

Even though he realized his daughter was secretly listening to the conversation, Galinne’s expression didn’t change.

“So please pay some attention to the child. If she gets hurt…”

Rene paused. She belatedly noticed the presence and turned her head. Rene’s eyes met the girl’s.

“Child!”

The girl quickly ran away.

So, her father really didn’t care about her.

He hadn’t even looked for her mother. Even if she died, her father wouldn’t care at all.

The girl thought her situation was too miserable.