Chapter 32

A red carpet was laid across the hall. On either side, chairs decorated with flowers were placed at regular intervals to match the number of invited guests.

Magic stones emitting a noble light created a beautiful atmosphere throughout. On the platform were two large golden chairs where the Emperor and Empress sat. Next to them sat today’s main characters, Louis and Vivian.c

As the Emperor and Empress entered, the seated guests rose from their seats, and the Emperor raised his hand. Once Empress Annette took her seat, the Emperor looked at Louis and Vivian and spoke.

“Luideos Lindez Tapeullon and Vivian Dinever, please come forward.”

Louis and Vivian stood up from their seats and walked forward at the Emperor’s call. Both were dressed in white formal attire.

In front of the Emperor, Vivian and Louis faced each other.

The Emperor extended his hands to Louis and Vivian. They took the Emperor’s hands, and he clasped their small hands together.

“I, Henry Lindez Tapeullon, as the Emperor of the Empire and as Louis’s father, stand here as a witness to this engagement. I, the Emperor of the Tapeullon Empire, bless your future and wish you happiness.”

As the Emperor stepped back, the Pope, who was standing behind, began to bless the two.

Holy water was sprinkled, and prayers were offered. When the Pope’s ritual ended, a song of blessing resonated. The engagement gifts handed over by the Archbishop were exchanged.

“I hereby proclaim the engagement of these two before God and all present here.”

As the Pope finished speaking, applause erupted. The happiest-looking person among them was undoubtedly the Emperor.

After the engagement ceremony, a modest banquet was held, but Daisy could not attend. Only Tereon and Vivian remained in the banquet hall to greet the guests who came to celebrate the engagement.

“Vivi, you’re going to Raspol tomorrow.”

Empress Annette held Vivian’s hand with a face full of regret.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“It’s unavoidable, but it’s still regrettable. When will you return to the capital?”

“As soon as my mother gets better, we will come back.”

“I see.”

A smile appeared on Annette’s face at Vivian’s reply.

“I hope a healthy sibling is born.”

“My mother has been very ill lately, so I’m worried.”

“Daisy will surely be alright.”

At Empress Annette’s words, Vivian nodded brightly with a smile.

“Your Majesty, if I may…”

As the Empress left at the Emperor’s call, Rosie eagerly grabbed Vivian’s hand.

“Rosie!”

“Vivi!”

Although they had exchanged letters occasionally since the winter banquet, this was their first meeting since then due to the busy engagement preparations.

“Should I call you Crown Princess now?”

“Not yet. It’s just an engagement, not a marriage.”

“You’ll get married when you turn 18, anyway.”

Rosie, more excited than Vivian, shook her hand. Then Rosie pulled Vivian close and whispered in her ear.

“Did you see Lady Reina?”

When Vivian shook her head, Rosie, who was trying to suppress her laughter, whispered again.

“She didn’t look happy throughout the engagement ceremony and eventually went home without attending the banquet.”

Vivian awkwardly smiled at Rosie, who was giggling with her hand over her mouth.

With people offering their congratulations, Vivian found it hard to spend time with Louis. Whenever she tried to approach him, someone else would come up to greet her, and when she finished, Louis would be busy talking to others.

In the end, without having a proper conversation, it was time for Vivian to go home as the banquet ended.

Determined to see Louis before leaving, Vivian seized the opportunity.

Watching Louis bid farewell to the Emperor’s aunt, Vivian quickly approached him as soon as the aunt left the banquet hall.

“Oh, it seems the fiancée has something to say.”

At the noblewoman’s words beside Louis, he turned around.

“Louis, just for a moment…”

Nodding, Louis excused himself from the guests and approached Vivian.

“I have to go now. Father is very worried about Mother. I also need to prepare to return to Raspol tomorrow…”

Louis nodded. At that moment, Tereon called Vivian.

Vivian hurriedly handed Louis a letter she had prepared in advance.

“Read this later, not now.”

Vivian ran to her waiting father. Before getting into the carriage, she glanced back towards the banquet hall, hoping to see Louis, but he was nowhere in sight.

“Vivi?”

Tereon called Vivian.

“Yes, I’m getting in.”

As Vivian boarded, the carriage began to move. Vivian looked out the window, watching Dovelia Palace until it was no longer visible.

“When will we be able to return to the capital?”

As Dovelia Palace completely disappeared from view, Vivian, sitting next to her father, asked.

“Soon, I believe.”

Seeing his daughter’s disappointment, Duke Tereon patted Vivian’s head. Feeling her father’s touch, Vivian looked out into the darkening night.

However, after that day, Vivian was unable to return to the capital for quite some time.

* * *

The sound of rain heralding spring tapped against the window. The unusually quiet Dinever residence in Raspol echoed loudly with the sound of rain.

“Miss, are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Vivian, who had been quietly sitting on the sofa looking outside, stood up. Passing by Tereon, whose eyes were swollen, Vivian stepped outside and descended the stairs to the first floor.

The small footsteps that had been echoing stopped.

“Father.”

“Yes, you’re here.”

The noticeably gaunt Duke Tereon looked at Vivian and nodded, then gazed down at the small life he held in one arm.

A tiny newborn, only a few days old, was soundly asleep.

“Let’s go.”

Holding Vivian’s hand in one, and cradling her younger brother Ian in the other, Duke Tereon left the residence.

Due to the heavy spring rain, the waiting butler and head maid hurriedly held up umbrellas.

Vivian climbed into the carriage first, followed by Duke Tereon. Once all the family members of the duke’s house were inside, the carriage set off, leaving clear tracks in the muddy ground.

As the carriage started moving, the baby in Duke Tereon’s arms began to squirm and soon frowned, starting to whimper.

Fortunately, as Tereon patted the baby, he soon calmed down, breathing softly with his tiny fists clenched.

“It’s raining so much.”

Vivian, who had been quietly looking outside, spoke. Duke Tereon, who had been looking down at the baby, lifted his head and gazed out the window where Vivian was looking.

The rain, still falling heavily, relentlessly pounded the carriage.

“It will be alright. I’m sure the rain will stop when it’s time to say goodbye.”

Tereon continued to pat the baby as he spoke.

Tereon was right. By the time they reached their destination, the rain had lessened to a drizzle.

As Vivian and Duke Tereon got out, the people waiting for them all turned to look at the Dinever family.

“This way, please.”

Following the guidance of Tereon’s aide, Vivian and Duke Tereon walked forward.

Whether it was the muddy ground holding her feet or an unwillingness to say the final goodbye, Vivian had to muster all her strength to keep moving.

They arrived at the family cemetery of the Duke of Dinever. In front of a deep grave, there was a coffin decorated with flowers.

As the entire Dinever family gathered, the waiting priest began to pray. Everyone bowed their heads and closed their eyes, sharing the final moments of a beautiful woman who had been like a single flower.

Among the drizzle, the sounds of prayer mingled with occasional sobs.

Vivian neither closed her eyes nor bowed her head. She simply stared intently at the coffin.

When the prayer ended, the white coffin decorated with flowers was lowered into the grave. Vivian watched without blinking.

“Hold Ian for a moment.”

Duke Tereon handed the baby to the nanny Daisy had carefully chosen. The nanny gently held Ian and stood beside Vivian.

Duke Tereon, without using an umbrella, walked forward.

“Your Grace.”

“Just for a moment.”

Patting Pedro on the shoulder, who had blocked his way, Tereon knelt before the grave where his life partner would rest forever. The damp ground seemed not to bother him.

“I feel like I didn’t get to say my final words properly…”

At that moment, the rain, which had paused briefly, began to fall again. Droplets started to fall, one by one, growing heavier.

Soon, Duke Tereon’s shoulders were soaked. His black mourning clothes darkened further, but no one could approach him.

“Don’t worry. Vivian, Ian, and I will be fine.”

At the sound of the duke’s trembling voice, Vivian tightly closed her eyes.

“I can’t go with you. I’ll stay here until Vivian and Ian are grown, so wait for me there.”

The duke’s hand grabbed a handful of the wet soil. His shoulders, now completely soaked, trembled.

However, the duke’s tears did not last long. Rising from his place, Duke Tereon turned and approached his daughter. Taking the sleeping Ian from the nanny’s arms, Duke Tereon nodded.

The soil quickly covered the grave. Watching this, Vivian quietly took her father’s hand.

His hand, cold and covered in dirt.

Duke Tereon also gently held his daughter’s hand. Even after most of the guests had left, Vivian and Tereon remained there for a long time, together with Daisy.

Vivian fell ill for three days afterward. Suffering from a high fever, she occasionally opened her eyes but couldn’t even keep down the soup Tia had prepared and often vomited.

During those three days, Vivian met Daisy in her dreams.

In the dream, Daisy never left Vivian’s side. She sat by the bed, stroking Vivian’s hair over and over.

Vivian loved that touch. Afraid that everything would disappear if she opened her eyes, she didn’t want to wake up.

But Vivian knew. She had to open her eyes, that her father and brother were waiting. She apologized to Daisy in her dream.

I’m sorry for leaving you there alone, Mother.

Holding Daisy’s hand, Vivian cried endlessly.

When Vivian finally opened her eyes, she saw Louis looking at her and slowly blinked.

“You’re finally awake.”

Louis wiped the tears from Vivian’s eyes with his free hand. Her tears soaked Louis’s rough hand.

“Are you alright?”

“…When did you come?”

“Three days ago.”

“I didn’t see you.”

“I was there. In the back.”

“…I see.”

Louis nodded and looked at the water cup that Tia had placed.

“Do you want some water?”

When Vivian nodded, Louis helped her sit up. Raising the hand that was still tightly held, Louis shook it in front of her eyes.

“How long are you going to hold on?”

Vivian, realizing she was gripping Louis’s hand, quickly let go in surprise.

Louis silently chuckled and handed her the water cup.

Vivian, struggling to hold the cup, opened her cracked lips and drank.

“Vivian, it’s okay to cry.”

“What?”

Taking the cup from her hand and placing it on the table, Louis spoke.

“You don’t have to desperately hold back your tears.”

“But if I cry, Father and Ian…”

Louis approached Vivian. Sitting at the edge of the bed, he spoke.

“I don’t know what it’s like to lose a parent… But I know that seeing you trying so hard not to cry isn’t what the duchess would want.”

At Louis’s words, Vivian’s long eyelashes trembled. Louis extended his hand to her.

“Do you need a hand to hold?”