Chapter 72
A week had passed since Vivian discovered her unexpected strength, when she received an invitation to a tea party from Jennifer. It was not a meeting to purchase the Water Rose, but a tea party to which other young ladies were also invited, so Vivian readily accepted.
Due to the cold winter, the tea party was held in the glass greenhouse, which was the pride of Earl Moore’s family.
“It’s still beautiful.”
Vivian smiled brightly at Jennifer, who came running breathlessly as she arrived.
“Your taste is still impeccable, Vivian. My mother still tends to it with great care.”
Jennifer led Vivian to the tea table, continuing to explain about the glass greenhouse. Half-listening to Jennifer Moore’s boasts, Vivian observed the young ladies who had already arrived.
Most of them were young ladies she was meeting for the first time.
Reina Bynes was not present. It seemed Rosie was right when she said their relationship had soured while preparing for the winter ball.
Besides Vivian and Jennifer, there were four young ladies, one of whom had danced with Louis at the winter ball.
Pretending not to know, Vivian greeted them first. Then Jennifer stepped in to introduce each one to Vivian.
“Hello, Lady Vivian. It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I’m honored to be in your company.”
The young ladies, introduced by Jennifer, could not hide their desire to befriend Vivian.
“I heard about your engagement. It’s a grand celebration for the Empire.”
“Yes, indeed. Just seeing you two makes me smile. You’re such a beautiful couple. I’m already looking forward to the wedding.”
As the tea party progressed, the young ladies eagerly praised Vivian and Louis. Feeling both embarrassed and pleased, Vivian responded with appropriate modesty.
“Lady Vivian is not only excellent in appearance but also very capable. The floor decoration that received the most praise at the recent ball was also Lady Vivian’s suggestion.”
“Oh my. Is that so?”
Jennifer began to excessively praise Vivian. Although Vivian tried to stop her, Jennifer only praised her more, encouraging reactions from the other young ladies.
“Are the other young ladies interested in flowers?”
Feeling embarrassed, Vivian hurriedly changed the subject. Then, one by one, they added their comments, and the conversation topic quickly shifted.
The conversation remained light. With little opportunity to probe Jennifer while among the other young ladies, Vivian felt anxious.
As the time for her next appointment approached, Vivian had to return to her mansion, albeit reluctantly. After saying goodbye to the other young ladies, Jennifer, who was seeing Vivian off, grabbed her arm urgently when the Dinever Ducal carriage came into view.
“Lady Vivian. I have something to tell you…”
Seeing Jennifer’s anxious expression, Vivian involuntarily swallowed dryly.
“Yes. Please go ahead.”
After a brief pause, Jennifer looked around and then spoke as if she had made up her mind.
“Do you remember the proposal I mentioned in my letter last time?”
Here it comes.
Vivian rejoiced inwardly but nodded with a composed expression. As Vivian nodded, Jennifer’s face brightened instantly.
“It seemed like you were very interested in the Water Rose, Lady Vivian. The mage who provided the Water Rose in our glass greenhouse says he has obtained a very high-quality Water Rose this time.”
“Oh. I see.”
Vivian hid her true feelings and responded indifferently, feigning disinterest.
Jennifer’s expression hardened, and she blinked rapidly.
“Wouldn’t such an elegant flower be fitting for the Dinever Ducal garden? Who knows when you’ll have another chance to acquire a Water Rose. It’s not a common opportunity.”
Jennifer seemed desperate. Despite the cold winter weather, beads of sweat began to form on Jennifer’s forehead.
Vivian felt a twinge of pity for Jennifer, who was babbling on to persuade her.
“I can’t decide to purchase such an expensive plant on my own. I need to ask my father, and even if we decide to keep it, we need to prepare a place to grow it.”
Jennifer’s lips twisted at Vivian’s skeptical response.
“I understand that you manage the household affairs of the Dinever Ducal family, Lady Vivian. It’s surprising that someone who will be the future Crown Princess hesitates to purchase just a Water Rose.”
At the sudden sharp thorn, Vivian recalled Louis’s words. He was right about her being cornered.
Smiling gently at Jennifer, who bared her teeth like a cornered rat, Vivian replied.
“It’s true that I’m interested in the Water Rose. It’s a truly beautiful flower. However, even for the Dinever Ducal family, it’s not easy to decide to spend the budget on such an expensive plant.”
As Vivian spoke slowly, Jennifer’s face turned pale. Jennifer’s tightly clenched hand began to tremble. Her expression shifted from anger to despair. Jennifer released her grip on her white fist, and her hand trembled slightly.
Watching her hand, Vivian continued to speak.
“So, could I meet the person who provides the Water Rose?”
“That… person?”
“Yes. There is no place to grow a Water Rose at the Dinever Ducal residence in the capital. However, Dovelia Palace is different. Before the wedding, I would like to present it to Her Majesty the Empress…”
Jennifer’s expression, which had been dark moments ago, brightened as if she couldn’t imagine it. Seeing hope, Jennifer looked at Vivian as if she were her savior, then suddenly made a pained expression as if she remembered something.
“That person is very cautious, so I’m not sure if they would want to meet someone unfamiliar. But! The Moore family guarantees it. We would never, ever sell a low-quality product to you, Lady Vivian. How could we dare do such a thing to someone who will be the future Crown Princess?”
“Lady Jennifer.”
Vivian gently took Jennifer’s cold hand in hers.
“I am not doubting Earl Moore’s family. But when it comes to something entering the imperial family, I cannot purchase it without trust in the seller, can I?”
Jennifer looked down at Vivian’s small, white hand holding hers. Then, as if making a decision, she nodded once and looked at Vivian.
“I’ll talk to my parents about it.”
“Thank you, Lady Jennifer.”
Upon returning home, Vivian received a letter from Earl Moore’s family two days later.
“Young Lady. Why do you look so serious about that letter?”
“I need to meet Louis right away.”
Holding the letter, Vivian wrote to Louis, asking to meet.
* * *
“I am against it.”
“So am I.”
In the office of the Crown Prince, Louis, Rayden, Aitor, and Vivian were seated. Rayden and Aitor were adamantly opposed, their expressions firm.
Sitting at the head of the table, Louis merely looked at the letter Vivian had brought.
“Tristan is a dangerous figure. His magical abilities are unimpressive, but he’s quick-witted and perceptive. That’s why he’s managed to stay attached to the Mage Tower until now.”
Aitor pursed his lips and bit his lower lip.
“Tell me everything you know about this Tristan.”
Louis placed the letter on the table as if tossing it.
“There was a major incident at the Mage Tower in the past, and he was one of the rogue elements involved. Most of the mages connected to that incident were punished or expelled, but Tristan was the only one who wasn’t punished.”
“Why was that?”
Rayden interjected in the middle of Aitor’s explanation.
“He was excellent at maneuvering and managed to wipe his hands clean just before the incident was discovered. One of the expelled mages caused a disturbance out of resentment for the punishment. According to that person, Tristan orchestrated many of the incidents.”
“What was the incident about?”
“It seemed like they were trying to replace the head of the Mage Tower.”
Rayden let out a sarcastic laugh, calling him an extraordinary bat.
“Currently, he’s doing menial tasks at the Mage Tower, but many inside the tower are wary of him.”
Listening to Aitor’s explanation, Louis nodded and glanced at Vivian. Vivian was listening intently, determined not to miss a single detail of Aitor’s explanation.
“In any case, he’s someone to be cautious of.”
At Louis’s words, Aitor nodded vigorously, looking at Vivian with concern in his blue eyes.
“Refuse. That’s for the best, Vivi.”
Vivian bit her lip, searching for the right words. She understood why they were worried, but she didn’t want to retreat helplessly.
Even if she didn’t know, she didn’t want to easily let go of such a golden opportunity.
“Then let’s do it this way.”
As Vivian was busy trying to find words to persuade them, Louis spoke up. Vivian, Rayden, and Aitor looked at Louis, who was resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands, waiting to hear what he would say.
“You both know how golden this opportunity is, Aitor and Rayden.”
At Louis’s words, Vivian’s expression brightened.
“However.”
Louis’s gaze slowly shifted to Vivian. Meeting Louis’s sharp eyes, Vivian was tense.
“The danger remains. I hope you understand our desire not to put you in harm’s way, Vivian.”
Vivian felt as if she were traveling between heaven and hell with Louis’s words.
So is he saying no, or yes?
Uncertain about Louis’s words, Vivian, Aitor, and Rayden looked at each other.
“So, I want to discuss this matter with Duke Dinever.”
As soon as Louis finished speaking, Vivian stood up abruptly.
“That can’t happen!”
“Why not?”
“Father will worry.”
“You know that well. That the Duke will worry. So why don’t you consider our worries?”
He was right.
Vivian opened her mouth to argue but then slowly closed it again.
“The Duke is somewhat aware of this matter, so let’s discuss Vivian’s visit to Earl Moore’s family with him. If Duke Dinever permits it, I intend to seize this opportunity.”
Louis stood up, walked to his desk, and picked up a pen. Without sitting down, he quickly wrote something, sealed it in an envelope, and handed it to Vivian.
“Give this to the Duke.”
It was a letter written to arrange a meeting with Duke Dinever. Looking down at the letter, Vivian raised her head and spoke to Louis.
“Let me explain it.”
Vivian, who was sitting, had to tilt her chin up to look at Louis, who was standing. As a result, her jawline and neckline were clearly visible.
Her posture was tense.
Seeing that, Louis slowly nodded.
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