The Monstrous Grand Duke’s Fake Lady

Amanda’s worry wasn’t fading away at all. It was definitely clear in her mind that Vivian’s expression was extremely pale yesterday.

“Is it really okay for you to be alone… My Lady?”

“Of course.”

Vivian could only smile brightly as she fiddled her own fingers, just once though. If she was Vivian right now, she would definitely tackle her into a hug, but alas she could have never done that while still being in Alexia’s guise.

Eventually, the carriage, which was ridden by Vivian all on her own, began to depart to the Grand Duke’s residence. Even though Vivian was alone inside of the carriage, she didn’t take off her hat at all as she just stared blankly outside the window.

“Then, as usual, I’ll be here if you ever reach me through the butler.”

The coachman immediately dropped her off in front of the Grand Duke’s abode before leaving in a flash.

As she was perfectly alone on her own, Vivian dragged her steps not proceeding to the Grand Duke, but rather, to an entirely different place.

Even though the area was quite barren, it was still a living place for the citizens. While she was using the Grand Duke’s place as the gauge, Vivian then looked around the private houses, one after the other. After that, she proceeded to enter a flower shop that she had seen from the window before.

“Can I buy some flowers?”

“Of course. What kind of flowers would you like?”

“It’s for visiting the sick.”

“Then, what about this flower?”

She opened the cupboard and took out a particular flower. As soon as Vivian tried to give a slight frown towards the artificial form of it, her eyes suddenly widened at the scent that pervaded within the shop.

“Despite the fact that this flower was created, it actually gives off a whiff through the means of magic. In addition, this flower could bloom eternally. It might be a tad expensive, but it’s definitely splendid for visiting the sick.”

“Then, please ring this up for me.”

Somehow, her eyes wouldn’t leave the sight of the flower at all. The scent was definitely prominent, but when compared to the other kinds of flowers, it wasn’t particularly special after all.

Nevertheless, Vivian couldn’t even peel her eyes off from that flower. It was as though the flower itself bore a certain kind of resemblance towards herself. Thankfully, she had most of her money in her hand right now, just in case.

Vivian clasped onto the flowers that were stuffed in her arms, which she had paid an amount that was almost similar to that of her own salary. Placing this bouquet inside might slightly redeem the dreary atmosphere of the room.

Vivian was still recalling the impression of the room that had seemingly worsened yesterday up till the right moment when she entered the Grand Duke’s residence.

“Ah… Oh, you have arrived?”

Vivian’s lips thinned into a straight line as she encountered the butler, whose face looked plainly awkward.

“Did something happen?”

“That is……”

Unlike his usual cold-headed demeanor, the butler somehow acted like someone who was at a loss. He kept glancing towards his back and then, he ended up bowing his head without revealing any reason at all.

“I’m sure you’ve had a hard time coming here, but it seems to be difficult for you to visit him today.”

“What does that supposed to mean? Is his condition getting more severe?”

“It’s not that his condition has become dire, but still… we should just leave him alone for now.”

Right at that moment, a sound was echoing from within the Grand Duke’s room that was just located behind the butler. It could be heard like a sound of heavy breathing, but at the same time, it was quite akin to an excruciating growl from a beast itself.

“There is a voice resounding from the inside.”

Vivian was absolutely sure that it was the voice of the Grand Duke. In the light of his harsh breathing of yesterday, it was more than enough to consider that it came from him.

“The Master is currently in a state of emergency, are you just going to leave him like that?”

“Because… there is nothing else we can do.”

“At the very least then, I’d like to go in myself.”

“But, Young Countess!”

Immediately at that moment, Vivian was halted as she began to pass through them when she tried to get inside while still feeling infuriated by their unwarranted apathy.