“Yes. I held it before sunset, and now it’s dawn. It must have dried naturally.”
After reaching this simple conclusion, Vivianne returned to bed. Her body felt heavy. Right. No signs or sounds had emerged yet.
The worry belonged to her alone, and above all, Kian didn’t want that worry.
Vivianne pulled the blanket over her head and firmly closed her eyelids.
The night remained deathly quiet.
* * *
“Luncheon?”
Vivianne’s eyes widened. Matilda smiled contentedly.
“Yes. He wants to have lunch with Vivi. In the rose greenhouse.”
Was last night okay? The sudden invitation to share a meal together surprised her. This marked the first time since entering this mansion.
Vivianne felt somewhat dazed.
“And the master gave this too.”
Matilda quickly presented a box. Inside lay a pretty pair of shoes.
“He ordered these when he visited the capital a few weeks ago. The department store delivery just arrived. Richard told me about it. Here, try them on quickly.”
Her insistence left no room for refusal. The heels maintained a modest height, and they fit perfectly, seeming crafted specifically for her feet.
“Usually they take measurements for custom shoes, but how did he get such a perfect fit? His eye for detail truly stands out. Since Vivi isn’t used to high heels, he must have chosen a design young ladies prefer. Don’t you love how adorably round they are?”
“…”
The shoes looked pretty and felt comfortable. Though she genuinely liked them, something held her back from full joy.
“You must feel tired from yesterday. There’s still plenty of time, so why don’t you soak in the tub? Would you like a massage?”
“It’s fine. I’ll just wash up quickly.”
Yesterday’s events made her hesitant about an elaborate bath.
“Why so glum, Vivi?”
“Just a bit tired, that’s all.”
While checking on her condition, Matilda noticed the vase on the table.
The crushed and ruined bouquet remained there.
“Because of the bouquet?”
“…”
Vivianne stayed silent, the question striking her vulnerable spot.
“The sudden rain really ruined it, didn’t it?”
“I just… felt embarrassed to show it.”
Her honest admission brought sympathy to Matilda’s face.
“Embarrassed? What do you mean by that, Vivi?”
“Even I could see how worthless it was. I feel like someone who can’t give Kian anything he needs.”
Vivianne kept staring at her new shoes, head bowed.
“While Kian gives me so much…”
“Vivi. So that’s why you’re feeling down.”
Matilda stroked Vivianne’s cheek and met her eyes.
“The difference exists naturally since the master has more than Vivi. That can’t be helped.”
Though she acknowledged this truth, the unsettling feeling persisted.
“Receiving well matters just as much as giving something.”
“…”
“So just accept it with all the happiness you can.”
Accept it with all the happiness you can, she says.
Even trying to lift the corners of my mouth.
The memory of the shawl falling onto the bouquet kept returning.
* * *
Matilda worked her magic. Saying that dressing up prettily helps when feeling down, she dressed her in the most beautiful dress available, and braided her hair elegantly. She added an elaborate lace ribbon and applied light makeup to her face.
Vivianne wore the shoes Kian gave her and walked through the glass greenhouse following Richard’s guidance.
She remembered seeing Kian here with his fiancée back then.
Now she would sit in that same spot for a meal, yet the walk felt longer than when she carried the tea set.
“You’re here.”
Kian already sat waiting.
Vivianne gave a small bow in greeting and sat in the chair Richard pulled out for her.
The table displayed an overwhelming array of items.
Multiple plates and various types of cutlery spread before them created an intimidating sight.
“…”
Why does it look so complicated?
Vivianne’s face paled.
In truth, she had navigated her entire life on land by reading social cues.
In the Mermaid Palace, Vivianne only needed to watch her father’s mood and her sisters’ moods.
Even during her monthly land visits to see Kian, she had to observe the palace guards’ moods too.
Though people often called her oblivious, she considered herself quite skilled at reading situations.
While she claimed to only know names, she tried her best to copy others since she couldn’t reveal her mermaid identity.
Though merfolk and humans shared the same basic vocal language, cultural differences often introduced unfamiliar words.
When someone used an unknown word, she would repeat it questioningly.
Most ignored this, but kind people like Matilda or Theodore would explain again.
It happened earlier too:
“Luncheon?”
“Yes. He wants to have lunch with Vivi. In the rose greenhouse.”
Ah, so luncheon means lunch.
After making that connection, she would nod in rough understanding. Simple enough.
The unkind maids avoided her shortly after meeting her, limiting chances for conversation.
For meals, she simply ate whatever appeared before her. Being unpicky helped – she ate everything readily.
Working as a maid meant meals of stew and bread. She tore bread with her hands and copied others using spoons for stew. Living with Matilda followed the same pattern. Initially when sick, Matilda fed her, teaching her utensil use through observation. Until then, it resembled life under the sea, presenting no real difficulty. She particularly enjoyed bread, so Matilda usually brought bread-focused meals.
Eating alone in her room meant simple meals of one or two dishes. She never ate much anyway.
She hadn’t experienced meals with so many dishes and implements before.
‘…There’s bread!’
Thankfully, she spotted something familiar. Better yet, her favorite human food.
Vivianne’s blue eyes sparkled.
She planned to eat that first while naturally mimicking Kian’s dining style.
Perhaps nervousness caused her dry throat and parched mouth.
Just then, Richard began pouring drinks into tall glasses, serving Kian first.
Pale yellow liquid filled the clear glass. Bubbles rose mesmerizingly.
“Southern champagne, sir.”
So that’s champagne.
Kian held the stem, swirled gently, and moistened his lips. Though thirst made her want to gulp it down, she resolved to follow his lead with just a small sip.
As Richard moved to fill her glass, Kian looked up and commanded.
“Don’t give any to Vivi.”
“Yes, master.”
Despite her thirst, the cruel Kian drank his while denying her even a taste.
How mean. Vivianne’s expression darkened slightly.
“…I’m thirsty, Kian.”
Her tiny voice finally prompted his smirk and call to Richard.
“Richard.”
“Yes, master.”
“Give her water instead.”
Kian gestured lightly with his chin.
Richard bowed slightly and poured clear water into Vivianne’s glass with a soft trickle.
She had hoped to try the bubbly water. Vivianne gazed at the glass disappointedly.
“You said you were thirsty. Fill it up.”
“Yes.”
He seemed to tease her, though perhaps she imagined it. While the drink situation felt petty, she had no choice.
Vivianne glanced to check, then mimicked Kian, holding the stem, swirling once, and moistening her lips.
“Weren’t you thirsty, Vivi? Drink comfortably.”
“…”
“What? Should I make a toast for you?”
His tone clearly mocked her.
Why did he act so difficult? At least his handsome face made up for it.
Vivianne gulped down the water, her lower lip slightly protruding.
So petty and mean about food…
“Do you think I’m being petty and mean?”
She flinched at his apparent mind-reading.
“Wh-what? Oh, no.”
“I’m not reading your mind, so no need to startle. Your face reveals all your thoughts.”
Unable to deny her expressive nature, she remained silent. Vivianne glanced at Richard. His expression stayed consistently blank from their first meeting until now.
How enviable. She wished to match Kian’s composure, if not quite reaching that level.
“Vivi. Alcohol is forbidden for you from now on.”
“What? Alcohol?”
The sudden declaration confused Vivianne.
Though she questioned his words, she understood what alcohol meant.
She wondered about his reasoning since she had never drunk any.
The mermaid kingdom had alcohol too. Fear of her father’s scolding kept her from trying it. Kian’s declaration puzzled her.
“Anyway, drink only pure water.”
“…Yes.”
Whether water or alcohol, everything belonged to Kian, leaving her no choice but to comply.
“Eat. You must be hungry.”
She planned to follow once Kian started eating, but he continued sipping his champagne teasingly.
Vivianne took some bread and placed it on her plate. She held it with both hands, carefully tearing and eating pieces.
His watching without eating bothered her…
“…!”
What incredible bread!
The taste completely amazed her. Vivianne’s eyes grew wide.
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