The Monstrous Grand Duke's Fake Lady

Then, he approached even closer to her side instead of answering her.

“When did you realize that?”

Vivian didn’t utter a response. Instead, she only pried at the physician’s action that was just examining her calmly. As the few measures of examination had ended, the physician began to talk.

“For a more detailed result, we need to thoroughly check it at the clinic, but what you’re thinking is correct.”

Vivian immediately bit her lips at the physician’s prompt words.

She had hoped that it wouldn’t be that case, but the reality made her feel lost.

A child? She chewed on the word that was absolutely unfamiliar. But still, she just couldn’t entirely believe that. As she caressed her lower stomach that seemed to have nothing despite her being in a state of pregnancy, the physician asked her a question.

“Is it the Grand Duke’s child?”

Vivian nodded slightly. In the first place, she never had sexual relations with anyone except for him, so that was the truth that could never have changed at all.

“Why did you call for me? What if I were to tell this straight to the Grand Duke himself? Or maybe, I could even inform the Young Countess about this.”

“Because I know that you wouldn’t have done so.”

Vivian turned her head and stared quietly at him.

“You were aware that the Grand Duke and I have been sharing a bed, but you still didn’t do anything. Rather, you just left me to do as I please.”

“Are you sure that I won’t speak about this just because of that?”

“There’s no way that you, a doctor, have never expected something like this to eventually happen. Isn’t that why you’re still hiding my identity even when you’ve already found out about it?”

The physician didn’t respond to Vivian’s question. He released her hand that he had grabbed before—for examination—and laughed.

“That’s right. I just hope that the Grand Duke will truly be happy someday. However, the one who should be by his side isn’t supposed to be you, but a daughter from a family that could eventually become his source of strength.”

Vivian chewed down her lips slightly. She thought that this man, who treated her like a disposable chess piece, was disgusting, but this was not the time for her to hold onto her pride.

“Then, please lend me some help.”

“What should I help you with?”

“I need some money. Although, even if I could obtain a new workplace, I still need a house for me to rest.”

“Then, would you like to make a promise with me?”

Instead of responding, he reached out his little finger. Unlike Vivian’s face which eventually turned hardened, he was still smiling amiably.

“Please don’t show up in front of the Grand Duke’s eyes ever again. Although such a thing would be impossible to happen, he cannot be swayed because of you even for a tiny bit. If you promise me this one, I will give you my support no matter how much you need. I may look like this, but since I’m the Grand Duke’s chief physician, I have quite a lot of money to spare.”

It wasn’t really that bad of a bargain for Vivian herself.

She had already planned to never show up in front of his eyes for all eternity anyway. On top of that, since she couldn’t show up in front of the Young Lady as well, she had to move to a very faraway place. Then, Vivian nodded her head obediently.

“Okay.”

***

Right after the day Vivian had run away, the County instantly turned upside down.

It didn’t seem like Alexia’s voice, which was overflowing with wrath, would stop anytime soon.

Most of the servants had a confused expression on their faces while they began to wonder. There was no one who could’ve known exactly why the Young Lady was this furious first thing in the morning—except for a handful of people who were already aware of the truth.

They couldn’t do anything but merely be careful and cautious, just like they were treading upon a layer of thin ice. Since the one who was in charge of submitting under Alexia’s wrath, Vivian, of all times, had run away, there was no one else who could put up with her task.

“Why the fuck did she run away?!”

Along with her rage-filled voice, another bowl was shattered into pieces once again. However, there was no one who could hurry over and clean those up. They were only thinking about what would happen if they had entered her sight and got beaten up instead.

“What should I do? I’m supposed to be going for today as well!”

Alexia bit on her nail as if she was extremely nervous.

“Is there anyone who knows where exactly she had gone?”

No one answered Alexia’s question. Everyone was only avoiding her eyes while curling up their bodies in response. There was absolutely no one who could recklessly utter something about the truth which they had no idea of.