Birds chirping roused Vivianne as she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and rose groggily.

The sun was already high in the sky, and not a single cloud dotted the vast blue expanse.

The sky was clear, showing no signs of the previous downpour. What exactly happened?

Her last memory was… trembling in the rain, singing to Kian—that was it.

Had she lost consciousness again?

Feeling somewhat disoriented, she looked around. She had been staying in Kian’s bedroom for a while, but today, for some reason, she was in her own room.

Still, it didn’t feel like awakening from a prolonged sleep like before. Judging by the wet floor and puddles scattered about, the rain must have stopped not long ago.

Knock knock.

A knocking sound preceded Matilda’s entrance.

“Are you alright, Vivi?”

Discovering her sitting up in bed, Matilda hurried over with quick steps. She placed a tray of bread and soup on the bedside table and sat on the edge of the bed.

“I’m fine, Matilda.”

“Let me see.”

Despite Vivianne’s assurance, Matilda cupped her round forehead, checking for lingering fever. Her touch was fussy and maternal, like a mother tending to her young.

“You still have a slight fever. You should rest thoroughly until you’ve completely recovered.”

No wonder she felt languid and weak. Some fever must remain.

“Thank goodness it didn’t develop into a serious fever. I was quite worried since you’re so delicate.”

Matilda continued with a sigh of relief.

“You got completely soaked in the rain, so I quickly gave you some herbal tea to warm you up. That must have helped. Thank goodness, truly.”

“…What about Kian? Is he alright?”

Vivianne’s only concern was Kian’s wellbeing.

“The master is working. It’s almost lunchtime already.”

“Is he hurt? Did he get injured?”

“Who’s worrying about whom, Vivi?”

Matilda chided her, washing away her concerns.

“The master is a soldier. He’s strong and healthy, unlike your fragile constitution.”

“But when it rains heavily, Kian…”

Yesterday’s Kian was different from usual. Trembling violently, sweating profusely. Remembering how he collapsed made her deeply worried.

“He was fine.”

Matilda gently tapped Vivianne’s nose, reproaching her.

“He carried you in himself. He told me to take good care of you so you wouldn’t get sick.”

“Did you nurse me all night, Matilda?”

Vivianne’s eyes widened.

“Yes. So you need to get better quickly, don’t you?”

She placed the tray back on her lap and handed Vivianne a soft piece of bread.

“I thought you might be hungry by now, so I brought your favorite bread and soup. Eat up properly, take your medicine, and get some good rest.”

Though she had little appetite, Vivianne accepted the bread. It was very soft, easily torn by hand. She broke the fist-sized bread in half and dipped it into the soup.

Placing it in her mouth, the soup-soaked bread dissolved on her tongue. Though illness dulled her taste, it felt warm and satisfying.

Eating well would help her recover faster.

Vivianne dipped the remaining half in the soup and stuffed it into her mouth.

“You’re eating well, Vivi. Such a good girl.”

As she chewed with her cheeks full, Matilda smiled contentedly and stroked her head. Vivianne glanced at her cautiously before speaking.

“Um, Matilda. Can I go see Kian?”

“Not yet, Vivi.”

“Why? Is he very busy with work?”

“No, it’s not about the master—it’s about you. No going out until your fever is completely gone.”

Matilda declared firmly.

“But I’m really fine…”

She felt anxious. Previously, when something similar happened in Kian’s bedroom, she had gone early in the morning to serve him tea out of concern.

Though he was fine then, yesterday they both got drenched in the rain. She worried that Kian might be sick like her.

“Just rest completely without thinking about anything now. If you’re careless, it could get worse again. Understand?”

“…Yes.”

Nothing to be done about it. Matilda had her reasons.

Vivianne answered glumly.

Despite being told Kian was fine, her uneasiness wouldn’t subside.

* * *

To recover quickly, Vivianne forced herself to eat well, take her medicine, and sleep plenty. She had slept so much that she couldn’t sleep anymore.

She had an early dinner and took a bath. She pretended to sleep until Matilda left, and since then had been sitting with her knees hugged to her chest.

When would Kian come?

Was he really alright?

That was all she could think about.

How much time had passed?

She heard familiar footsteps ascending the stairs.

…Those were definitely Kian’s footsteps!

If nothing else, she was confident in recognizing Kian’s footsteps. For a very long time, since she was a mermaid, she had been waiting for precisely those footsteps.

Her heart pounded.

Would he come this way?

Vivianne rushed to the door, forgetting to put on her slippers, her feet bare.

Just as she was about to open the door, bang, she heard a door closing.

Startled, Vivianne froze with her hand on the doorknob.

“……”

She cautiously opened her door to check, but the corridor was empty. Only a quiet stillness hung in the air.

He must be tired and want to sleep alone.

Thinking about it, she too had wanted to return to her own bedroom when tired.

Don’t be hasty. Just sleep for now. Matilda had told her not to go out today. Kian would know that too.

Though her heart felt as empty as the corridor, Kian had also gone through a difficult time.

Vivianne forcibly pulled the blanket over herself and squeezed her eyes shut.

* * *

Several days passed, but she still hadn’t seen Kian. Previously, it was because he was away from the mansion, but now, despite being in the same building, meeting him seemed strangely difficult.

When she asked Matilda, she received no clear answer. Just repeated assurances that she would mention it to him and that Vivianne would see him soon once his busy schedule cleared.

Vivianne stood hesitating at the door, clutching a package of cookies.

Her plan was perfect.

First, she had prepared cookies as a gift for Kian. She felt bad about previously giving them only to Theodore.

Back then, the chef had baked them, but this time she had made them herself. After ruining several batches, she had selected the best ones, though there weren’t many. Still, she had wrapped them in pretty paper and tied them with an even more elaborate ribbon than before.

She had also personally written a card expressing gratitude and encouragement. Originally, she had planned to give it to him in the evening after his work was done, but she couldn’t wait that long and came to his office.

She didn’t intend to disturb his busy schedule. The cookies would taste better fresh. They would make a nice snack during his work.

They would taste good with black tea, she’d heard. She wondered if she should have prepared to serve tea as well. Such idle thoughts crossed her mind.

If Kian was very busy, she planned to just deliver the gift and leave immediately. Even seeing his face briefly would reassure her.

…But.

Why was she so nervous?

It wasn’t anything special.

Vivianne had been staring at her toes, unable to knock. The low, round-toed shoes Kian had given her were ruined from the rain. So she had no choice but to wear high-heeled pearl shoes.

Perhaps it was because she was standing on her tiptoes due to the shoes. She felt unsteady. The discomfort made her feel strange.

Just then, the door swung open and Kian emerged.

“So I’m thinking of creating another weekly publication. The investors…”

He wasn’t alone. He was with a young man.

Startled, Vivianne hid the gift package behind her back.

“Kian, who’s this? Could it be…?”

The man beside him asked Kian with a curious expression. For a moment, Vivianne saw Kian’s face harden.

“It’s late. Let’s go.”

“Why, I’m your close friend. Since we’ve met, let’s at least exchange greetings… Oh, how about the three of us have lunch together? That would be fun.”

“Vivi. I don’t recall summoning you.”

As the man tried to greet her smoothly, the arrow of blame turned toward Vivianne.

“Who told you to come here on your own?”

His sharp voice made the surroundings deathly quiet. Had she come and interfered unnecessarily?

She had only intended to deliver the cookies and leave. Her thinking seemed shortsighted now. Far from giving cookies, she could barely raise her head from embarrassment.

“How prickly. Fine.”

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, the man checked Kian’s expression and softened his previously enthusiastic attitude.

“Another time, then.”

He bowed politely to Vivianne.

Kian brushed past Vivianne without even a glance. His companion followed with quick steps.

“……”

She had simply thought he was busy.

His cold attitude made the blood drain from her face.

Yes. She had experienced this feeling before. It resembled the discomfort she felt when she first begged to stay here.

Had she made another mistake? Or was Kian angry about something and deliberately avoiding her all this time?

That night when they waltzed on the white sand of the beach felt like a mirage.