Chapter 127

It was nearing the end of May. Spring was in full bloom, and the Duke Dinever household was still bustling.  

Lucas was traveling around the capital, meeting with physicians and learning non-magical healing methods, while Teresa was busy preparing to welcome Laila into the family.  

Vivian was overwhelmed, trying to take care of her growing family and deal with her backlog of work. Louis, who had offered to help, was busy traveling back and forth between the academy and negotiating a new agreement with the Mage Tower.  

The most idle people in the Duke Dinever household were Zero and Aitor.  

“Why are you looking at me like that?”  

Aitor, who was chewing on a piece of fruit cut into bite-sized pieces, stared at Vivian while moving his jaw.  

“Do you have nothing to do?”  

“Yeah.”  

At Aitor’s confident response, Vivian looked at him in disbelief. He smiled sheepishly and stabbed the remaining fruit with his fork, popping it into his mouth.  

Claiming that his injuries still hurt and that he needed more rest, Aitor seemed to be making excuses. Feeling a bit suspicious, Vivian narrowed her eyes and stared at him.  

At that moment.  

“Young Lady. Miss Rosie has arrived.”  

Vivian asked the head maid to bring Rosie to the study instead of the reception room. Shortly after, the door burst open, and Rosie made her entrance.  

“Vivi!”  

At Rosie’s loud voice, Aitor, who had just taken a bite of his last apple, began choking and coughing.  

“Oh my! Grand Mage!”  

Rosie, startled, rushed to Aitor and began patting his back.  

“Ugh! Ah, no, it’s fine.”  

Aitor, finding Rosie’s pats rather painful, quickly stood up, waving his hands to indicate he was okay. Rosie, who had been watching his reddened face with concern, turned to glare at Vivian, as if asking why she hadn’t informed her that Aitor was there.  

“I’ll take my leave now.”  

Aitor cleared his throat, picked up the empty plate, and left the study with Zero. As they exited, Rosie’s eyebrows drooped.  

“How about confessing?”  

At Vivian’s suggestion, Rosie’s eyebrows shot up.  

“I told you, I don’t like him!”  

Who would believe that?  

Vivian shook her head and placed a rose-patterned paperweight on top of her papers before standing up.  

“You said you came here today not as a friend but as the heir of the Countess Langdne family. Shall we talk?”  

At Vivian’s words, Rosie’s gaze shifted instantly. Her light purple eyes became serious, and Vivian straightened her posture, listening attentively to the business proposal Rosie began to explain.  

“Hmm. After hearing your explanation, it doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Do you have it organized in documents? I’d like to discuss it with my father.”  

At Vivian’s words, Rosie’s face brightened. The postal service targeting commoners required significant capital.  

Finding investors was the most critical task. Seeing Vivian’s positive reaction, Rosie felt as if she had found a savior.  

“If you manage to find investors, you’ll be really busy, Rosie.”  

Vivian asked as she skimmed through the thick documents Rosie handed her.  

“Of course. Once that happens, you won’t see this big sister’s face often anymore, so better enjoy it while you can!”  

Vivian nodded, narrowing her eyes at Rosie. Laughing at Vivian’s expression, Rosie glanced at Louis’s desk, which was tucked in one corner of the study, and scratched her nose with her finger.  

“He’s still staying here, huh?”  

“Huh? Yeah…”  

Rosie mentioned that the political situation had stabilized quickly after the trial and that the magic stone exports and magical tool businesses were becoming active again. She added that many people were jumping into the magical tool business due to the news of the upcoming agreement with the Mage Tower.  

“How are things with the Crown Prince these days?”  

Vivian smiled bashfully, her cheeks flushing red as she rubbed the edge of the paper with her fingers.  

“We don’t see each other often because he’s busy.”  

“If you don’t see each other often, why is your face like that?”  

Rosie shook her head, saying she didn’t like it whether they were on bad terms or acting all lovey-dovey.  

“Does your mother bother you about marriage?”  

“She seems to have given up for now. Since I stood on the opposite side of His Majesty the Emperor during the trial… rumors among the nobles seem to have turned negative. No more matchmaking proposals come my way.”  

Rosie spoke nonchalantly, but Vivian blinked rapidly in shock.  

Seeing Vivian’s expression, Rosie waved her hand dismissively, saying it was no big deal and that it was actually a relief not to have to deal with annoying marriage meetings.  

“Should I look into it for you?”  

“What men do you even know?”  

“Well, that’s…”  

As Vivian tried to think of someone suitable to introduce to Rosie, she quickly realized she was at a loss.  

The only men she knew were Lucas, who would soon return to the Mage Tower; Allen, who had recently found a lover and was practically glowing; and Rayden… who was out of the question. That left only Ian and Aitor.  

“Aitor?”  

At Vivian’s suggestion, Rosie jumped up from her seat.  

“Don’t you dare! Never! Absolutely not! Got it? Don’t you dare say things like, ‘How about my friend Rosie?’ or ‘Why don’t you meet her?’ or ‘She’s a great woman,’ or ‘She can make sure you never have to work again!’ Don’t you dare!”  

Blushing furiously, Rosie quickly left the study, saying to contact her if there was anything lacking in the documents.  

“So… does that mean I should say it or not?”  

Vivian muttered to herself, staring at the closed door.  

With Rosie gone, the study was finally quiet for the first time in a while, and Vivian quickly got back to work. She had a simple sandwich for lunch and immersed herself in her tasks, feeling satisfied with the amount she had accomplished.  

Should I have some tea before continuing?  

Vivian thought of the tea varieties Daon had sent her as she got up from her seat. Just as she was about to pull the bell cord, Tia entered the study.  

“Young Lady. This is from His Highness the Crown Prince.”  

Louis, who had left early that morning for Hugo’s lab at the Imperial Academy, had sent something. Worried that something urgent had happened, Vivian quickly opened the envelope.  

[Take the prepared carriage and come. -Louis-]  

The letter contained just one sentence.  

Tia, who was sneaking glances at the letter beside Vivian, mentioned that the carriage was ready and suggested she prepare to go out. Somehow, it seemed that Tia was in cahoots with Louis again.  

Feigning ignorance, Vivian nodded and folded the letter. Excited by Vivian’s approval, Tia cheerfully said everything was already prepared and urged her to get ready.  

After quickly dressing up, Vivian climbed into the carriage and looked around as they arrived at a familiar destination.  

“Vivian?”  

Louis, who had just gotten out of his carriage, approached her.  

“Did you just arrive?”  

“Yes.”  

“Let’s go in.”  

Louis opened the door to the dessert shop and nodded at Vivian to enter first. As Vivian slowly stepped inside, an employee greeted them politely, as if they had been waiting.

It was said to be the most famous and largest dessert shop in the bustling capital district, and Allen’s words were true. A variety of desserts were appetizingly displayed.

While pondering a date location, Louis thought of Vivian, who loved sweets, and decided he would no longer trust Rayden’s suggestions. Instead, he asked Allen for a recommendation.

Thinking that Allen was indeed more reliable than Rayden, Louis watched with satisfaction as the small, brown-haired girl wandered around the shop, looking here and there.

As Vivian followed the employee’s guidance toward the second floor, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

“Can we sit over there?”

Vivian pointed to a corner seat on the first floor, where the sunlight streamed in most beautifully. Her words left both the guiding employee and Louis flustered.

“The second floor is roomier and quieter. The view is also better.”

“Yes, Vivian. I think going to the second floor would be better.”

Despite the employee and Louis’s persuasion, Vivian was firm in her decision. Unless she absolutely had to go to the second floor, she wanted to sit in that corner seat on the first floor. In the end, they changed direction.

After Vivian selected a few desserts and the server left their table, Louis glanced regretfully at the staircase leading to the second floor and asked Vivian,

“Why does it have to be this seat?”

“I’ve been here before.”

Vivian’s words made Louis’s eyebrows twitch. According to Allen, this shop was rumored among nobles to be a great spot for dates. The thought of Vivian having been here before didn’t sit well with Louis.

Vivian looked around nostalgically, unable to hide her excitement and fondness as she commented on what used to be there and what was new.

“Who did you come here with?”

Louis’s voice came out stiffly. He sat slouched in his chair, crossing his legs, tapping his foot as if dissatisfied.

“With my mother.”

At Vivian’s reply, Louis subtly adjusted his posture.

“Your… mother? The Duchess?”

“Yes. I came here with my mother. I was feeling very upset because of someone, and my mother brought me here, saying that sweets are the best remedy for times like that.”

Hearing that she came with her mother and not another man instantly brightened Louis’s expression. Somehow, he found himself liking the place even more. The thought that young Vivian and Daisy, the Duchess of Dinever, had once sat here made the spot feel special.

When the desserts Vivian had chosen arrived, she picked up her fork and hummed happily as she ate, while Louis poured tea from the teapot.

“Is this one of the desserts you had before?”

“Some are, and some aren’t.”

Vivian mentioned that, fortunately, the most delicious dessert from back then was still available. She took a bite with her fork and closed her eyes to savor it.

Cute.

Louis chuckled softly as he lifted the fragrant tea to his lips and asked,

“By the way, why were you upset back then?”

At Louis’s question, Vivian, who had been enjoying her dessert, narrowed her eyes and stared at him.

“Because of you, Louis.”

“Pfft—cough, cough!”

Louis spat out a bit of tea in surprise and hurriedly wiped his mouth with a handkerchief. Watching the flustered Louis, Vivian suppressed a laugh and stabbed another dessert with her fork.

“The day I first met you. That’s when I came here.”

As Louis recalled the day he first met Vivian, his expression grew stiffer and stiffer. Trying not to laugh, Vivian bit her lower lip and took a bite of the chocolate-covered cake.

“Because you kept calling me ugly…”

At Vivian’s words, Louis, who had been nervously clutching his handkerchief, suddenly looked up.

“I never called you ugly.”

“You said you didn’t want me as your fiancée because I was ugly.”

“That’s….”

Louis stopped mid-sentence, lowering his head in defeat. There was no excuse—he was undeniably at fault.

“I’m sorry.”

Louis said, his shoulders seeming to shrink.

Smiling faintly, Vivian put down her fork and pointed to the display case filled with desserts.

“If you’re sorry, could you buy me one of each from over there?”

Louis nodded slightly and replied,

“I’ll buy you two of each.”

Except for the sold-out items, two of each dessert was packed and scheduled to be delivered to the Dinever Duchy’s household.

As Louis paid, a senior-looking employee approached him.

“We won’t charge you for the second-floor reservation fee.”

Looking at Vivian, who was gazing at the packed desserts with sparkling eyes, Louis shook his head.

“Charge us. It couldn’t be helped….”

Louis handed over a considerable sum of money and asked the employee if it was possible to reserve the seat they had sat in today. When the employee said it was, Louis spoke.

“For 30 years. How much would it cost to reserve it?”