The Monstrous Grand Duke's Fake Lady

“Aren’t you overexerting yourself these days? Although it is the Young Lady’s order, you’re still living a double life after all—not to mention, attending to her as well.”

Her concerned nagging persisted ceaselessly. Nevertheless, Vivian gave her a nod before closing her eyes because of the tenacious vertigo.

A wry, self-mocking sigh leaked out naturally from her.

It only lasted for a moment, but she desperately hoped that she would see Knox as soon as she had opened her eyes—not Amanda instead. Although she was aware that she shouldn’t have thought of that, and that such a hope was just impossible. The fact that the current sight in front of her eyes was never what she anticipated had made her thoroughly disappointed.

“…Vivi, Vivi! Are you even listening to me?”

“Huh? Uh huh? What did you say?”

“You really—”

Amanda immediately shook her head—incredulously.

“It seems like the Young Lady would have to hear a lot about what had happened today.”

Ah.

Only then did Vivian remember the things which she had just forgotten. Since Vivian was much later than expected, Alexia had to return alone, so she must have been dumbfounded by such absurdity.

It would be such great luck if she could only feel that way. The thought that Alexia might call her in order to interrogate herself had made Vivian start trembling uncontrollably.

“Don’t worry. She said that she’ll call for you tomorrow since I told her that you look rather sick yourself.”

“…The Young Lady said that?”

“Yeah. I really thought that I’d misheard her as well.”

Vivian’s lips twitched slightly at the words of Amanda, who just shrugged her shoulders as she said so.

What is it that she wants to talk about? My relationship with the Grand Duke? Or maybe it’s in regard to my strange behaviour.

When she started trembling just akin to a quaking aspen out of fear and panic, Amanda immediately grabbed her shoulders in response.

“Now, don’t you think about it anymore. It’s not like anything will change just because you give a thought to it.”

Amanda then patted her as if she was gently soothing her. If this had continued, she felt like something bad would happen to Vivian soon. This was the first time she had seen this girl, who was always cheerful and bright, shuddered with anxiety this much.

What on earth happened at the Grand Duchy that made her change this much? Amanda suddenly recalled the term—‘monster’—in the rumors before furrowing her brows even further.

“Are you sure you’re okay by not getting examined by the doctor?”

“I’m fine. It’s not like I have any money to spare anyway.”

Even at Amanda’s act of kindness, Vivian could only shake her head weakly.

“Then, at least have some dinner. You didn’t even have any breakfast, did you?”

Vivian stared quietly at the cup before reaching out to it. The water smelled rather fishy and she shook her head in response once again.

“No. I don’t feel that good. I think I’ll have to say no for dinner.”

“If you keep on being like this, you’ll collapse eventually. Is there a reason for you to compel yourself entirely at work while not even taking good care of your own body?”

Compel? How good would it actually be if I could only devote myself to ‘meeting with Knox’ work?

Nevertheless, Vivian instinctively knew that this work wouldn’t last any longer. On top of that, she believed in seeing the end of that said work by today itself.

“I’m honestly worried about you. We’re just here to get some money, no? So, it’s fine if you don’t truly follow the Young Lady’s orders blindly.”

Vivian was aware of it as well. There were other places to work besides here if she were to take a look around. However, there was only one reason for her to hold on even when she had gotten thrashed by the Young Lady.

The life in which she was provided with accommodation, on top of getting paid. There was no better condition than this for Vivian, who was left alone, ever since her family had died from the illness.

She didn’t wish to go back home where everyone had already passed on. Vivian then flashed a bright smile to Amanda, who was the only one that always worried about her.

“I won’t push myself excessively. Don’t worry too much.”

“You’ve promised, okay? If you work too hard again, I’ll definitely call the doctor then.”

Vivian quietly nodded.

She was in a rather strange condition for today. She even wondered if she was still sane since both her body and heart had been gouged away like that. Along with Amanda’s words that lulled her to sleep once again, Vivian slowly closed her eyes.

It was only a matter of time that the pitch-black night was soon tinted with a ray of sunlight. When Vivian raised her body as she rubbed her eyes, the maid who was sent by Alexia had been knocking on her door for quite a while already.

“Vivian! The Young Lady is calling for you!”

Alexia wasn’t a person who woke up early, but as if she was already in a hurry, the maid kept on knocking on the door with such blustery haste.