The Monstrous Grand Duke's Fake Lady

Vivian sank her head down with a confused expression. Her eyes got all teary as various emotions felt entangled. She even felt that her nose was getting cold as well.

Ez stared at Vivian before he spoke up ever so carefully.

“There’s something which I’ve lied to you, ma’am.”

“Huh?”

Surprised by the statement that came out of nowhere, Vivian looked up and Ez was already sitting on a nearby chair. As the two of them sat down together, the music of the festival could still be heard faintly.

“Actually, the one who brought you to the doctor when you were sick wasn’t me.”

“What?”

“It was that person. He was the one who held you amidst the rain and brought you to the doctor.”

Sir Grand Duke. He faintly added his title so as not to confuse himself.

“When I arrived at the inn, he was already on his way back from the doctor. At first, I thought he had harmed you, so I was furious. But I could no longer say anything when I saw that he was all drenched in the rain.”

The recount that had been carefully started was eventually continued in a calm voice. He moved his thumbs together as if he was clasping his own hands and began disclosing the past event.

“He said that he had matters to attend to, so he had to go. Then, he entrusted you to me, but his eyes were clearly showing that he was still worried and anxious about you. Looking at him, I got nervous as well. I’m truly afraid that you will fall for that person, ma’am.”

“Ez……”

The warm air took her breath away. The concentration of air that was diminishing in the atmosphere had caused her chest to move slowly.

Boom! Cheers could be heard as if the atmosphere of the festival was at its peak.

Ez leaned sideways toward her while turning his back on the rising volume of the music. When his knee had brushed against hers, her eyes immediately followed suit. Those deep green eyes that filled with darkness were staring sharply towards her.

“I like you, ma’am.”

Her breath was instantaneously snatched away—Vivian had felt so.

As if his confession had blocked her ears, she could no longer hear any others. She felt as if she was locked away with him in another space completely.

“I……”

“I don’t even mind if you have a child. Although I may be lacking, I will raise her well. I can treat her like my own daughter.”

His serious face was not as flushed as usual. His ears did not turn red nor did he turn his head away due to being embarrassed.

Ez was facing her with a more serious look than ever.

She had somehow known of it, but she didn’t know what to do when she finally heard it in person. Even Vivian, herself, who knew nothing about Ez’s young feelings, could actually realize them. Nevertheless, she pretended to be unaware of it since she thought that she might just be mistaken.

Vivian suddenly remembered what Knox said before. His question of whether or not she had liked him. Vivian then pressed her lips gently. She was in a hurry only to escape from his feelings and she never had properly thought about it.

“…I’m sorry. This is all too sudden……”

“You can take your time to think. I will always be by your side.”

He looked as though he had already expected it. Ultimately, he didn’t even urge her.

Nevertheless, she felt like she was about to be crushed by the whole atmosphere. Ez’s serious expression, which she always looked at like a merely younger child than her, had eventually made her turn her eyes away.

“……I’m sorry, Ez.”

The blasting music began to fade. Even amidst those noises, Ez still could hear her voice clearly.

A gentle yet firm voice. The dreamy-like places which were filled with music started to get wrapped up—one by one.

“……As expected, is it because of that person?”

“…I don’t know.”

Ez faintly smiled at her, who was shaking her head.

“Actually, I already knew that it’ll be like this. That’s why I wasn’t planning on confessing today.”

“…”

“But after seeing that scene earlier, I just can’t hold it in anymore. I felt like if I don’t say it now, I won’t be able to say it forever.”

Ez was still fidgeting with his thumb. The toe of his shoes also seemed to have been dragged along the floor a few times. He smiled playfully—trying to allay the still, burdensome atmosphere.

“You’re still going to keep on hiring me, right? It’s the busiest time of the year—if you were to fire me now, you’re going to make a big mistake.”

“Is that okay?”

Of course—Ez, who looked like he would really exclaim that, began surging out.

“Then, can you just allow me one thing?”

“What is it?”

“I want to call you by your name, instead of ma’am.”

Vivian, who had been absent-minded for a while, slowly nodded her head. In fact, there hadn’t been much of an age difference between the two of them. If they weren’t in an employment relationship, it wouldn’t have mattered even if he spoke informally.