The Monstrous Grand Duke's Fake Lady

Vivian’s gaze slowly turned to Knox once again.

She had said it very carefully, but just in case. If he were to hear even a little bit of the conversation between Vivian and Alexia, that would definitely be the end.

“That’s delightful. I don’t even have the slightest concern to do that.”

Vivian didn’t respond to Alexia’s words at all.

When Alexia’s gaze was fixed to the surroundings and not towards Knox himself, Vivian carefully began to caress his forehead.

The heat that hadn’t been as much as before was brushed against Vivian’s fingertips. What should I even think of when I look at you this ill?

Actually, Vivian felt rather glad that Knox was sick. If his eyes were already open when she had arrived with the Young Lady, Vivian might have just unveiled what had happened to that Alexia so far.

Vivian’s fingers were slowly wiping Knox’s sweat away. As Vivian began carefully sponging him down with the wet towel next to her, Alexia pouted her lips.

“I’m bored.”

In the first place, there was truly nothing to do when visiting the sick anyway.

“Wanna go home.”

“But we just arrived here.”

“Regardless, he’s only sleeping, isn’t he? You can just say that he doesn’t wake up, so we can go back now.”

Vivian meekly lowered her head at Alexia’s words. Honestly, she also didn’t wish to stay here that long while still serving the Young Lady.

She only wanted to escape before anyone could find out and of course, before Alexia herself could discover it.

Naturally, Alexia rose from her seat, ahead of Vivian before she swiftly stood in front of the door.

“Now, quickly make an excuse and let’s return to the carriage.”

As Alexia had already left the room after looking around outside, Vivian heaved a long sigh—that could literally reach the floor. If she didn’t want to provoke Alexia’s nerves, it would be better for her to leave quickly as well.

After removing the damp towel from Knox’s face, Vivian gazed at his face from close for the last time. Maybe due to the cold sensation from the wet towel earlier, his breath had gotten more comfortable than before.

When she felt quite jittery because of that, Vivian’s pupils suddenly dilated at the unexpected touch on her hand, which was actually pulling her.

“Where are you going?”

Knox, who had been thought to be asleep at that moment, had abruptly opened his eyes and was now boring a hole into Vivian.

“Kn-ox……?”

She didn’t want to believe this was happening. Just moments ago, he had his eyes closed—deeply asleep—but now, there was no such thing as languor lingering in his eyes.

Although she was aware that he couldn’t really see well, when his fierce gaze had fallen upon her, she still instinctively avoided his eyes.

“You’ve aw-awakened? I was just about to leave.”

“What were you talking about before?”

Right at Knox’s question, Vivian’s body stiffened in response. Did he perhaps hear that? She had desperately hoped that wasn’t to be the case, but Knox’s expression was serious as ever.

“What is it that you’re asking about?”

“In regard to making an excuse before returning to the carriage.”

Knox’s expression had gotten even fiercer as he continued talking. And at the same time, the strength of his hand that was still grabbing onto hers had also grown stronger.

Vivian immediately felt like throwing up. Was this room always this intimidating before?

“……E-excuse, you say? I don’t understand what you actually mean by that?”

“Didn’t you say that you’re bored—with your own pair of lips?”

Right at those words, Vivian’s breathing stopped in an instant.

What Knox just said wasn’t actually from Vivian herself. It seemed like Knox had mistaken Alexia’s words as her own.

“Are you already tired of nursing me all this time?”

“No.”

“Ha—really? Wasn’t what you said to the person next to you before the truth, though?”

The Grand Duke tugged on her hand even more. Due to his powerful force that impelled her helplessly, Vivian’s face grew ultimately closer to the tip of Knox’s nose. His eyes were filled with bloodthirst, just like the eyes of those monsters which could only be found in the deep mountains.

Knox was undoubtedly furious. He was extremely mad at Alexia’s words that weren’t even being said by Alexia herself. It had been directed towards Vivian who was impersonating Alexia.

Aha.

Only then did Vivian finally realize. Alexia’s voice was utterly identical to the one that Vivian always used to speak to Knox. It must have been hard for him to differentiate the two since he was hearing them in his sleep.

“I’m not. Knox, honestly—I’m really not.”

Just before she could feel a little relief that she hadn’t been caught yet, she still had to quickly make an excuse to him.

She shook her head desperately, but there was no hint of Knox’s hardened expression relaxing itself at all.