Chapter 3

“Haha.”

Grace didn’t mind her opinion being ignored. Instead, she entered a state of appreciation, looking at Vivian and Cassius with a pleased gaze as they started their conversation.

“Grace, no matter what, don’t put Miss Vivian in a difficult position. You should treat your friends preciously.”

“Of course. There’s no friend more precious to me than Vivian. Especially in times like these.”

Grace nodded at Cassius’s words, then looked at Vivian with a sly smile. Her expression didn’t seem to intend not to cause trouble. Facing that look, Vivian felt a chill.

“Oh, by the way, Vivian plans to stay overnight today. We should prepare the guest room.”

Grace, who had been smiling with a mischievous look, relaxed her expression and informed Cassius as if she had just remembered.

“…What?!”

Grace’s words spilled out a story that was not in the plan. Vivian looked at Grace, surprised by the unexpected news of her stay.

“I see. Then I should instruct them to prepare. Peter.”

Cassius called his aide, Peter, who was following behind him. It was to instruct the preparation of the guest room.

“No, I’m….”

Vivian opened her mouth to correct this, but Grace interrupted, linking arms with her.

“Vivian, you’ll play with me, right? I really want to have fun with you tonight! We’ve met after a long time. It’s a shame to let you go like this.”

Grace looked at Vivian with shining eyes. It was a little difficult to refuse a beautiful request. Moreover, it was a more normal request compared to the previous absurd one, so Vivian judged it wasn’t too difficult.

“…Alright, let’s do that.”

“Wow, Vivian, you are the best. I’m already so excited.”

Grace seemed delighted and embraced Vivian.

“I’m glad to hear that too.”

Though the proposal was a bit strange, Vivian felt her heart melt at Grace’s still pretty and kind words and actions. She gently patted Grace’s back with the hand she had wrapped around her.

“Well, I’d like to stay longer, but I have work, so I’ll leave first. If it’s alright, I’ll see you at dinner.”

After finishing his conversation with his aide, Peter, Cassius greeted and disappeared.

“Oh, too bad. I wanted to see more of the conversation between you two.”

“Grace. It’s better to read novels in moderation.”

“Haha, I understand. Right now, what’s happening in reality is more stimulating than the novel.”

“……”

Grace seemed not to understand the meaning of Vivian’s advice to read novels moderately. Or perhaps she pretended not to know, slyly.

* * *

Not long after having tea time with Grace, evening came. The two moved from the garden directly to the dining room. Cassius, having finished his work early, was already seated.

“Welcome, Vivian. And Grace.”

As the two entered the dining room, Cassius greeted them with a bright smile.

“You finished early, Brother.”

“Thank you for inviting me to the dinner.”

Vivian lifted the hem of her dress and gracefully bent her knees to greet.

“No need to be so formal every time, Vivian.”

Grace interjected, stopping her.

“But….”

Vivian hesitated, glancing at Cassius. Seeing her, Cassius smiled slightly and spoke.

“Grace is right. We’ve known each other for almost a year now. Please feel comfortable, Vivian.”

Along with the request to be comfortable, he had already omitted the title ‘Miss’ and was calling her by name.

“Oh, yes, I’ll do that.”

Realizing this, Vivian stammered and nodded repeatedly. Her face felt hot enough for her to notice.

“If you like, why not call him Cassius too?”

Grace added more fuel, seeing Vivian’s flushed face. Cassius was also silently looking at Vivian at Grace’s suggestion. Vivian hesitated, not knowing what it meant. It could be permission to call him casually, but could it be rude to do so? Worried, Vivian decided to choose the safest option.

“No, I think it’s still more comfortable to call as I have been.”

“Is that so? Well, if that’s the case, there’s no choice.”

Grace clicked her tongue with a face full of regret but didn’t insist on her wish.

“Haha…. Maybe I was a bit impatient. You can call me however you like.”

Cassius smiled softly, leading the situation comfortably.

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Vivian replied to Cassius’s words with relief. Afterward, they had a relatively enjoyable dinner time.

“Phew, I’m very full.”

After finishing the meal and taking a bath, Vivian entered the guest room assigned to her and sighed.

“Haha, Vivian, you always eat well, so it makes me proud.”

Grace, who had bathed in the adjacent bathroom, followed and spoke.

“The food at here in your estate is excellent. But is it okay to give me such a good room?”

Though she heard it was a guest room, Vivian was amazed by the luxurious room that seemed twice the size of her own. It was her first time sleeping at the Marquis Estate, and Vivian found it hard to contain her excitement. Moreover, it was her first time staying in such a splendid room.

Looking at the large arched windows, luxurious carpet, and the elegant canopy bed, her heart fluttered like a child going on a picnic. She felt she could have pleasant dreams sleeping in such a place.

“By the way, Vivian. You couldn’t properly prepare because of my sudden request today, right? I brought pajamas.”

“What? Pajamas?”

“Yes, they’ll suit you very well. Anna.”

Grace said, calling her maid, Anna, who was behind her.

“Yes, Miss.”

Anna stepped forward as if she had been waiting.

“Miss Vivian, this way.”

“Oh. Yes.”

Anna naturally led Vivian to the partition set up on one side of the room. With Anna’s help, Vivian began to change out of her bathrobe into the prepared clothes.

“…Huh?”

“What is it, Miss Vivian?”

Vivian murmured, feeling something strange while changing as Anna instructed. Hearing the sound, Anna stopped adjusting Vivian’s clothes and looked up.

“So, am I supposed to wear nothing underneath this? It’s all see-through….”

Vivian looked down at herself, showing Anna. The pajamas were made of excessively thin material, making her body entirely visible.

Feeling embarrassed by her exposed body, Vivian clutched the hem of her clothes. Her gaze, which had been downward, returned to Anna. Anna spoke with a slightly awkward expression.

“Yes, Miss Grace specifically instructed not to wear any underwear inside.”

“Ah…. Grace…. I see…. Got it.”

Hearing Anna’s words, Vivian had no choice but to accept. What could the maid Anna say if her master had instructed so? Vivian decided to talk to Grace about this and went to meet her, waiting beyond the partition.

“I’ve changed.”

Vivian walked out to where Grace was, feeling a bit awkward. Even though they were friends, showing herself like this was somewhat burdensome, so Vivian covered her private parts with her arms.

“Wow, Vivian. It suits you so well. You’re beautiful. Haha, I specially prepared these pajamas just in case. How is it? Do you like it?”

Grace praised Vivian, looking her up and down.

“Oh…. Yes, it’s very pretty. Thank you, Grace.”

Thinking of Grace’s sincerity, Vivian politely thanked her.

“Haha, you’re welcome. In the novel, Vivian wore similar pajamas to seduce Marquis Rimor. Marquis Rimor was initially flustered seeing Vivian’s see-through pajamas but then….”

“…Was the see-through intended?”

Vivian squinted at Grace.

“Hahaha, the intention was very small. Like this, as small as a fingernail. I just thought it would suit you well, Vivian .”

“I see….”

“Vivian, why do you look so sullen? Come on, it’s just pajamas. No one else will see you.”

Grace gestured to Anna as she spoke. Anna quietly left the room.

“Well, I suppose so.”

Vivian somewhat accepted.

“More importantly, Vivian. Would you like a drink? Since you’re staying at the estate, I brought one of the wines my brother collects as a hobby.”

Grace pointed to the table where the wine bottle and glasses were placed, offering them to Vivian.

“Uh…, is it okay to drink?”

“Hahaha, what would my brother do if it weren’t?”

Grace shrugged with a shameless expression.

“Oh…”

Vivian awkwardly laughed along.

“Just kidding, kidding. I took it out right in front of him, so don’t worry. When I said I’d drink it with you, he gladly handed it over. He even specially picked a good one.”

“Oh, I see.”

At Grace’s words, Vivian finally relaxed and sighed in relief.

“Haha, Vivian. You’re cute.”

Grace winked and laughed playfully at her.

“Please don’t tease me.”

Vivian pouted, looking at Grace with a dissatisfied expression, mixed with playfulness.

“Haha, alright. Anyway, look at this.”

Grace sat down and showed the wine she had received from Cassius.

“What kind of wine is it?”

“It’s plum wine. He skipped the bitter ones and chose a sweet one. My brother really thinks a lot about you, Vivian.”

“Oh, I’m really grateful for that. It seems delicious.”

“Right? Well, then, let me pour it for you.”

Grace opened the bottle and offered the mouth of the wine bottle to Vivian. Vivian naturally picked up the wine glass placed in front of her. The crimson liquid poured into the glass, emitting a sweet aroma. Thinking that Cassius personally chose it made Vivian’s heart flutter for no reason. Just receiving his kindness was an exhilarating feeling.

“Shall we toast, then?”

Grace, who had already filled her glass, offered it to Vivian. Vivian accepted Grace’s proposal and clinked her glass against hers. The sound of glass colliding rang clear. Grace took a sip of the drink, and Vivian followed, sipping the wine in her glass. The sweet plum scent spread in her mouth. It was very fragrant and delicious.