“By contract, do you mean… the contract between a mermaid and the witch?”

“Yes. I’m talking about the contract you or Vivi made.”

This concerned Vivianne’s life. He couldn’t gamble on uncertainty and needed to confirm once more.

Alice hesitated momentarily. The subject seemed uncomfortable for her to discuss.

“You can speak freely, whatever it may be.”

“…You must… stab a man’s heart.”

After answering, she lowered her gaze, seemingly afraid.

“Then the contract becomes nullified, and one can return to being a mermaid. For this, a ‘mermaid’s knife’ is necessary.”

The contents of Vivianne’s diary entries. The moment when she had tried to stab him secretly before running away, her hands trembling violently as she dropped the knife.

Everything matched with Alice’s explanation.

“I see.”

The confirmation was complete. His mind felt clearer now that his suspicions were confirmed. It was like watching a compass needle that had been wavering suddenly fix on one direction.

“Here, take this.”

Kian took out a pouch of gold coins from his drawer and handed it to Alice.

“This is…”

“A token of appreciation. When Vivi leaves for Baldwin, I’ll also be away from the mansion for a while. Take it in advance.”

“So much?”

Alice’s eyes widened as she received the pouch of gold coins.

She thought she had already received sufficient compensation. No, to be honest, it was more than generous.

The Duke of Larson had not only helped treat her sick youngest child but also resolved the livelihood issues of her remaining dependents.

“No need to decline. You’ve done something worth that much to me.”

Kian smiled faintly at Alice, who still seemed uncomfortable.

“Your job ends here, so you may leave if you wish. Of course, you’re welcome to stay in the territory if you prefer.”

“…Thank you.”

“You may go now.”

Alice bowed respectfully to Kian.

“…Ah, wait.”

Just as she was about to exit, Kian called her back.

“Alice, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask you.”

“Yes?”

Kian suddenly wanted to ask something that had been bothering him.

“Do you perhaps… know about Annabel?”

“Annabel? How do you know about Annabel, Your Grace?”

Alice asked in surprise.

Vivianne knew a limited number of people. For someone to appear in her dreams meant they had considerable influence over her, but as far as Kian knew, there was no human named “Annabel.”

The only remaining possibility was that mermaid with the white lace ribbon tied around her wrist.

The fact that a mermaid living in the sea wore that ribbon meant she had met Vivianne. Additionally, Vivianne’s rapid breakdown had begun right after discovering that mermaid’s taxidermy.

“I think I met her at sea.”

At his brief response, Alice’s expression grew complicated.

“If my memory serves me correctly, Annabel was the princess’s personal attendant. They were always together.”

So she was indeed a special person. Kian recalled Vivianne crying hysterically, as though she had lost everything.

Suddenly, his breath caught. He finally understood exactly what he had done to Vivianne.

He could now better grasp the sorrow and terror Vivianne must have felt in the taxidermy room that day.

“Haah…”

He needed to calm himself first. Kian deliberately exhaled a long sigh and rubbed his face with his hands.

Feeling dizzy, he closed his eyes tightly, then opened them before continuing.

“We pulled her up on deck. She mumbled something, then collapsed and died.”

Kian recounted his memory of meeting Annabel, fumbling through the recollection.

“What?”

“…Glory to the prophets. I think that’s what she said.”

“…”

Alice sharply inhaled at the words from his mouth.

Was he that resentful? Or did he want to explain to someone that he hadn’t killed Annabel?

What good would that do now?

Even if that were true, it wouldn’t erase the fact that he had ordered the k*lling of other mermaids. It was all just a pitiful excuse. He could only laugh bitterly.

Perhaps it was better for Vivianne to continue believing what she did. Telling her that he hadn’t killed Annabel would only unsettle that kind woman’s heart.

Even if her feelings toward him changed, there was no guarantee she could get pregnant right away. If he couldn’t save Vivianne, he would have to break the contract when the red moon rose.

He didn’t want her to experience confusion during that process.

“Never mind, Alice. Forget it. Don’t ever repeat what you heard in this room today.”

To free her from guilt, it was better to let her continue hating him.

“…Understood.”

Though she answered, the command seemed incomprehensible to her, as her gaze wavered uneasily.

* * *

On the day of departure for Baldwin, Vivianne was crossing the garden with Matilda, heading toward the mansion entrance.

The grand mansion of Larson required quite a walk from the main building to the front gate.

Her luggage was minimal.

Kian had said he would keep Vivianne’s belongings, and she had arrived at Larson with almost nothing to begin with.

Matilda had suggested taking various items she had used at Larson, but Vivianne declined. She only packed the notebook where she had written her diary during her stay.

It was the notebook where she had written her name, “Vivianne.”

Now all that remained was to leave.

Woof woof! Woof!

The problem was An. Just like the day she had fled from Larson, An had instantly followed her.

“An, you need to go back.”

Whine, whimper, whimper.

Vivianne quickly picked up An, who was whimpering at her feet. An denied their separation by frantically licking Vivianne’s chin and burrowing into her embrace.

“I don’t want to part with you either.”

Woof!

An barked briefly in response.

She always felt that An was the cutest and smartest creature in the world. It was almost miraculous to hold such a precious being in her arms.

Vivianne hugged An tightly and gently stroked his round head.

“I’m sorry, An. I don’t think I can take you with me this time.”

Perhaps because she thought she would never see him again, tears welled up unexpectedly. Vivianne stood in place, holding An close for a long time.

“Lady Vivianne.”

Just then, someone called her name. It was Richard.

“The master said you may take An to Baldwin.”

“Take An to Baldwin?”

“Yes.”

Upon closer inspection, Richard was holding a box containing An’s belongings. Inside were An’s cushion for sleeping or resting, his comfort blanket, and his favorite things like cloth balls and toys.

“But still…”

“The master said to tell you that An hates being alone.”

Vivianne recalled the request she had once made to Kian. He seemed to have remembered.

Looking down, she met An’s bright, attentive eyes.

She desperately wanted to take him. But when the red moon rose, she would turn into sea foam. What would happen to An after that? She worried he would be sad if left alone again.

“Well, Madam will surely love you too.”

Josephine had mentioned she liked dogs. Theodore liked dogs too, and Matilda had always found them adorable.

Especially since this wasn’t just any dog but An, she could guarantee he would be loved.

“Who could not love such an adorable puppy like you? Of course they will.”

There were more people at Baldwin than here, so An wouldn’t have time to be bored.

Above all, she kept thinking about how much An had enjoyed walking with Theodore.

Vivianne hesitated briefly, then looked at Matilda who was nearby.

Matilda gently crinkled her eyes and slowly nodded.

She meant they should take him.

“Has he said goodbye to Kian?”

An was quite attached to Kian. Come to think of it, Kian was nowhere to be seen. She looked around but couldn’t spot him anywhere.

Reflecting on it, she hadn’t seen Kian since regaining consciousness.

“Well, Kian must find me dreadful now.”

After seeing her attempt s*icide, he must have completely given up and grown disgusted with her. She had tried to leave his side multiple times, so it made sense. She thought it perfectly understandable.

“Alright. I’ll take An with me.”

Vivianne answered calmly while nuzzling her cheek against An.

“Very well. Then I’ll load An’s belongings into the carriage.”

When they reached the entrance of the mansion, they saw Theodore waiting with the carriage.

“Your company has grown since earlier?”

Theodore quipped with a helpless smile.

“Yes. I realized I couldn’t live without An.”

“I like our new companion too.”

Fortunately, Theodore seemed pleased as well.

“Shall we go?”

Theodore extended his hand to escort her.

“Well, shall we go?”

Though he was helping her board the carriage, for a moment, his gesture overlapped with the image of Kian asking the same question with an outstretched hand.

“Silly me. Why am I thinking about that?”

She needed to forget now.

Vivianne forced a smile and placed her hand in Theodore’s.

“Now that cute An has joined us, we’re a perfect team.”

Finally, Matilda boarded the carriage.

Through the carriage window, Vivianne carefully took in the view of Larson mansion.

Memories flashed before her like a kaleidoscope—from running around frantically as the youngest maid at the laundry area to walking through the rose garden with Kian.

Suddenly, while looking at the main building, she spotted Kian watching them from the balcony.

“…Goodbye, Kian von Larson.”

While Matilda and Theodore were distracted by An, Vivianne bid her final farewell to Kian.

In a very small voice that no one else could hear.