She never imagined he would interrogate her so suddenly. What should she do?

Vivianne’s gaze wavered uncertainly.

What should she say? After a moment’s consideration, she decided to start with her name.

After all, her name was the most valuable thing among what she could honestly tell.

“I’m Vivianne.”

“Do you really only remember your name?”

No. All her memories were intact. The problem was that she couldn’t speak honestly about them.

If she were to say that she was a mermaid, that she had fallen in love with him and desperately wanted to reach him, that she even made a soul-binding contract with a witch, and as a result became human…

…Would he believe her?

It was obvious he would think it was nonsense. Even to Vivianne, everything that had happened so far seemed like a fairy tale. It seemed best to try to avoid the situation somehow.

“…Yes.”

“Interesting.”

The corner of his mouth twisted.

“So what do you plan to do from now on?”

“Pardon?”

“You, who knows nothing but your name. What are you going to do going forward?”

He hit the nail on the head. Vivianne momentarily froze as if she’d been struck. It was true that she had been so focused on getting legs and coming ashore that she hadn’t thought about what would come after.

She had opened her eyes in this place after drinking the potion from the witch. Physically, there hadn’t been time to think. She admitted that she had been too excited that the person who helped her happened to be the man she had been secretly in love with.

What courage had brought her this far? Looking back, it was a reckless act.

But since she couldn’t change what had already happened, it was time to face reality.

Though she wasn’t sure where things had gone wrong, she could feel that he wasn’t particularly favorable towards her.

Well, it would be selfish of her to expect unconditional favor just because he had saved her.

She didn’t know much about the human world, and since living outside was unfamiliar, she still needed someone’s help.

Though it was shameless, she thought it would be best to formally ask for help first.

Vivianne cleared her throat and spoke carefully.

“…I have nowhere to go. Please grant me the grace to stay here.”

“Grace? Why should I?”

Kian asked back as if dumbfounded.

“I think I’ve shown enough grace by bringing you here and taking care of you until you woke up. Don’t you?”

She felt as if she’d been struck in the head.

Though bile rose in her throat, looking at it objectively, there wasn’t a single wrong word. Moreover, she felt guilty that she hadn’t yet expressed her gratitude, overwhelmed by the oppressive atmosphere of the room.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I was late in thanking you for that part. Thank you so much for saving me.”

Vivianne bowed her head once again.

“I know it’s a shameless request, but couldn’t you please let me stay until I can find another solution? I’ll work without pay. Whatever you ask…”

“Hey, Vivianne.”

She had always imagined the moment he would call her name.

Just imagining it made her feel so good.

It was a moment she had looked forward to so much that she wanted it to come quickly.

But never in her life had the name ‘Vivianne’ felt so distant.

“Who told you to work without pay?”

A snicker escaped before her eyes. His dark gaze seemed to weigh heavily on her entire body.

The pressure was so intense that her knees trembled, and she felt her breath catch.

“I don’t keep useless people in Larson. Whether they’re maids, gardeners, knights, or even the rats crawling somewhere, I keep them for their usefulness. It’s my principle to give appropriate compensation to useful people.”

“…”

“And as for having something for you to do… that’s when I need you, isn’t it?”

Kian suddenly lifted Vivianne’s right hand and placed it on her left chest.

“Put your hand on your heart and think about it. Would I, the master of this great estate, need help from someone who has nowhere to go?”

His large hand covered hers, gripping it.

…What is this?

Her heart pounded as if it would jump out of her chest at this sudden eccentricity. Even if she wanted to say something, her lower lip trembled and her mouth kept going dry.

“…No, you wouldn’t. Rather, I’m the one who needs help.”

Still, she couldn’t keep trembling like this forever. She frankly admitted her position.

“I’m asking because I’m that desperate, so please give me time to prove my usefulness.”

He gave no answer to her calm request. He seemed to be mulling over her words again.

The problem was on her side. Though she had spoken her piece clearly, her heart was beating wildly against her palm as if it were broken.

Surely he could feel it through his hand. As that thought reached her, a very primal shame washed over her.

“And if you don’t intend to dishonor me, please… let go of my hand.”

“…Ah.”

He let out a short, hollow laugh as if he had just realized how his actions might be interpreted.

The shame made it difficult to continue speaking. Even though she asked him to let go, he instead tightened his grip on her hand and yanked her wrist. Vivianne’s body was helplessly pulled along.

“Why?”

His chest was right in front of her face. She had to lift her chin even higher as they got close enough to hear each other’s breathing.

Their gazes locked intensely.

“If I were to take you here, wouldn’t that be the quickest way to prove your usefulness? Don’t you think so?”

This wasn’t just being unfavorable. It was clear malice by anyone’s standards.

Why? What had upset him so much? And what was the reason for going this far?

The man she had imagined until now wasn’t like this. Had it just been a foolish fantasy? Her chest stung as though it were bleeding.

Though she had endured firmly until now despite his fierce pressure, this was her limit.

Her large eyes filled with tears until her vision blurred, then they fell, drop by drop.

“You said you were desperate. But it seems you still have some shame left.”

After pointedly emphasizing her situation once more, he finally let go of her hand. Her hand that had been in his grip fell limply. Once the tears started, they poured out endlessly like a broken dam.

“Don’t worry. I can’t stand crying women either.”

He returned to his seat without lingering.

Can’t stand it.

She was being openly hated.

She hadn’t expected things to turn out like this before they’d even had a proper conversation.

Vivianne still stood stiffly before him, unable to move either way.

Though she had lived in confinement all her life, never had anyone scraped her down to the bottom like this.

During this brief private audience, what had upset that man so much?

Was it because she just smiled helplessly despite being in trouble?

Or because she shamelessly begged for favor at their first meeting?

Because she couldn’t give up her last shred of dignity despite claiming desperation?

Her mind was in chaos with questions that had no answers.

“Vivianne. Since you really seem to know nothing but your name, let me tell you something important.”

His eyes, which had been empty of emotion all along, curved kindly.

“There’s no such thing as favor without reason in this world.”

“…Then when you saved me, did you… have a reason too?”

It was a somewhat impulsive question. Personally carrying her to the mansion when she was shaking with fever, calling a doctor to treat her, dressing her in such pretty clothes only to deliberately dishonor her – what could be the reason for all this?

“Well. Perhaps it’s better if you don’t know how you were found.”

He seemed to have no intention of telling her. Though they had only exchanged a few words, considering what she had experienced today, it seemed better not to provoke him further.

Was her body not fully recovered yet? Or was it from the shock?

Extreme fatigue washed over her. Vivianne pressed strength into her toes to keep from swaying.

When Kian pulled the bell cord, Matilda entered shortly after.

“Yes, Master.”

“Matilda. Starting today, Vivianne will have exactly one week to find what she can do in Larson.”

“What? Work?”

Matilda’s eyes grew round, as if this was an unexpected situation.

“Yes. She said that’s what she wants to do. From today, clear out the guest bedroom and prepare a place in the employee quarters.”

“…Master. But.”

“What?”

It seemed a bit harsh since she had only regained consciousness two days ago. Despite her concern, his eyes showed no particular remorse.

“…No. I will follow your orders.”

Yes. Surely there must be some reason for going this far. Like a true person of Larson, Matilda showed no particular resistance to her master’s decision.

Still, perhaps out of sympathy, she couldn’t help but worry about the innocent young lady crying before her.

“However, since she’s only just woken up recently, I’m concerned she might be disoriented. Would it be alright if I keep her with me for tonight?”

“Well, if that makes you feel better.”

Kian readily agreed, seemingly unconcerned about that much.

“Ah, Matilda.”

“Yes, Master.”

“You’ve worked hard on special duties these past few days, so take some vacation starting tomorrow.”

“…Pardon?”

“Don’t decline.”

A sudden reward vacation. Usually, vacations were announced several weeks in advance to prevent gaps in work.

As people of Larson, everyone knew the master’s obsessive nature, so this was like an unwritten rule.

“Then I’ll see you in a week.”

Matilda sensed that this was both an impulsive and intentional order.