Chapter 16

In the midst of the cheerful atmosphere, Vivian glanced at Cordelia. Cordelia, hiding her face behind a fan, looked at Adrian with clear disapproval. Even the fact that her gaze landed on Adrian was unwelcome.

“Vivian, congratulations on becoming an adult.”

“Shelia.”

While Vivian chatted with Shelia, her attention was entirely focused on Cordelia. She kept nodding absentmindedly to whatever Shelia was saying, worried Cordelia might speak to Adrian.

“Vivi, shall we dance?”

Vivian was led out alone by Adrian. Many were already dancing to the music played by the orchestra. Standing among them, Adrian extended his hand to Vivian with polite formality.

“May I have this dance, My Lady?”

“Pfft. Ahem, gladly, Sir.”

Vivian placed her hand in Adrian’s, and the two began to move to the music. Holding hands, they drifted apart and then drew close enough for Vivian to kiss Adrian’s cheek.

Vivian’s laughter rang out, and Adrian’s face lit up with a wide smile.

Meanwhile, there was a cold gaze fixed on the two.

“It’s nice to see Vivian happy, isn’t it, Sister?”

“Well, do you really think that looks happy?”

“Sister?”

“I don’t like it.”

Cordelia even clenched her teeth. As her expression worsened, Shelia nudged her arm in warning.

“Stop it. What could you possibly do now?”

“If there’s still something I can change, I should try, shouldn’t I?”

Cordelia snapped open her fan to hide her face. Her exposed eyes were focused solely on one person.

***

The wedding was scheduled for a week later. Before the ceremony, for her bridal party, Vivian invited her sisters and friends to a tea party.

She spread a large cloth in the annex garden and set up a lavishly decorated tent. The ladies gathered in small groups, enjoying tea, pastries, and conversation.

Since they had gathered to celebrate Vivian’s marriage, the young ladies only spoke kindly to her, making Vivian very happy.

And, as often happens when women gather, their conversation soon took a more private turn.

“Vivian, I heard Lord Adrian waited for you for six years?”

One of the ladies, opening her fan as if to share a secret, whispered in Vivian’s ear.

Not understanding, Vivian looked at her. Another lady, hearing this, leaned in with interest.

“Six years, Vivian, you’ll need to be well prepared.”

“What do you mean?”

“Think about it. He waited six years at the peak of his youth, so what do you think will happen now that he doesn’t have to wait any longer?”

Vivian’s face quickly flushed as she finally understood the suggestive tone.

“And everyone knows Lord Adrian has kept himself chaste until now! He’s been waiting only for you.”

One of the reasons Adrian was so popular among the young ladies of society was that he had never once been involved in a scandal with a woman. Unlike other noble heirs who quickly changed their romantic partners, dated several women at once, cheated on their fiancées or wives, or frequented brothels, Adrian had no rumors whatsoever involving women.

It was never possible for a man meeting a woman to remain a secret. Especially in society, where gossip spread instantly about who was seeing whom.

When Adrian became an adult, he was already one of the most sought-after grooms, and many young ladies held affection for him. However, his fiancée was still a child, so everyone in society expected Adrian to have affairs despite his engagement.

Yet, defying all expectations, Adrian remained loyal to his young fiancée. He accompanied Vivian everywhere, and he abstained from any social activities where he could not be with her.

Even when invited to banquets, he would return early to match his young fiancée’s schedule, leaving the ladies who admired him to gaze longingly at an unattainable tree, sometimes even in tears.

That was how the past six years had gone.

The ladies laughed and whispered to tease Vivian, marveling at how impressive it was for a man to restrain himself for six years before finally letting go.

Until recently, Vivian would not have understood their teasing. Adrian, who always cared for his young fiancée, was simply a kind older brother to her.

That was why Vivian, receiving his consideration, had never seen Adrian as a ‘man.’

But now, Vivian understood.

She knew what Adrian had endured during those six years of waiting.

Remembering the look in his eyes, filled with passion for her, Vivian covered her warm cheeks with her palms and shook her head.

“Anyway, I’m so jealous of you. Lord Adrian is finally going to be a married man….”

Adrian was now in his mid-twenties, which, strictly speaking, was a bit older than the average marriage age for noble men and women. Nevertheless, from the time he became an adult until now, he had always been one of the most admired bachelors.

Even though he was devoted to his fiancée, there were many women who were content just to look at him. But now that Adrian was truly becoming a married man, even the slightest hope they held would vanish, and so they sighed.

Amidst the warm atmosphere of envy, curiosity about Vivian’s upcoming intimate night, and genuine congratulations and wishes for her happiness, Adrian appeared.

From the moment he entered the annex garden, all the ladies’ attention was focused on him.

Vivian quickly rose from her seat and hurried outside the tent toward Adrian.

“Vivian.”

Adrian, holding a large bouquet of flowers, knelt on one knee before Vivian. His gesture was like that of a knight professing his devotion to a lady, and the young ladies gathered around all swooned with envy.

“Eddie. Thank you.”

Vivian hugged the bouquet and smiled softly. Receiving all those admiring gazes, Vivian felt a bit proud.

“Vivi, are you having fun?”

“Yes, everyone’s congratulating me.”

Adrian slowly looked over the women sitting under the tent. Among them was Cordelia, gently fanning herself. Vivian noticed where his gaze landed and quickly linked arms with him, drawing his attention back to herself.

“Then enjoy your time, Vivi.”

“Oh, are you leaving already?”

“I’d just get in the way if I stayed, wouldn’t I? Today is your day.”

As Adrian left, saying he would give the ladies their time, Vivian inhaled the fragrance of the flowers while watching his back.

When she returned to chatting with the young ladies, Vivian happened to turn her head and noticed that Cordelia, who had been talking with Shelia just moments ago, was no longer in her seat. This gave Vivian an uneasy feeling.