“Vivi! Where on earth have you been?”

She eventually met up with Amanda as soon as she reached the county. Amanda must have been really startled as she straight away took a hold of Vivian’s wrist with a scowl on her face.

Nevertheless, when Vivian’s face had come unto light, Amanda just couldn’t bring herself to keep on nagging at her.

“…Let’s just get to the room first. You must be absolutely tired.”

Vivian was only able to nod at those words. Soon after listening to her, she began to feel exhausted.

Vivian entered the room quietly while being led by Amanda’s hand. Only after she realized how they were only ones in the room that Amanda’s worries started pouring out incessantly.

“Where in the world have you been? I’m so worried, you know. Also, where did this bandage even come from?”

“Amanda……”

She had always known of Amanda’s heart. But for the first time ever, Vivian just couldn’t accept such concern from her friend. Her own tattered heart had made her wish to reject even such goodwill.

“Can I sleep now, since I’m so tired? It’s just—hard.”

Amanda’s shoulder instantly flinched at Vivian’s words that were uttered faintly in Alexia’s own voice. But as soon as she realized that Vivian was still the one in front of her, she then lifted the blanket before draping over her body.

“Whew, I get it. Don’t you worry and sleep well.”

Vivian snuggled herself amidst Amanda’s constant worries. As soon as she closed her eyes, the image of having been abused had vividly cast on her mind, nevertheless her fatigue had eventually compelled her to plunge straight into an unconscious slumber.

***

“Vivi, Vivian!”

She tried to somehow pry open her eyes following that voice, but Vivian could hardly awaken herself. Not only that, her breathing was also too heavy that she could just barely open her eyes to look at Amanda.

“Why is this kid being like this, when she always wakes up early?”

“Amanda…”

Amanda then placed her hand on Vivian’s forehead before exclaiming in surprise.

“Huh—Vivi, did you get a fever? Are you okay?”

Ah. It seemed like she couldn’t really endure yesterday’s incident, which had ultimately left her in a state of shock. Vivian then breathed out softly before giving a nod.

“Don’t tell me—you got it from the Grand Duke…”

“No, it’s nothing like that. I guess I was just a bit shocked yesterday.”

She became infuriated with Amanda’s words as she shouted even without realizing it. She looked at Amanda just a second later, but it looked like Amanda didn’t really mind about it as she led Vivian out of bed.

“Are you really fine? Should we tell the Young Lady….”

“I really am fine. So, I’ll be going again today.”

It was better to take a breath as she went there, rather than being stuck over here. Although she was absolutely overwhelmed by the huge load of pressure, it would definitely be better than feeling suffocated in here.

Her scorching breath had clearly exhaled through her nose, but Vivian herself was relatively calm. The Young Lady wouldn’t even want to touch her body in the first place, so there wasn’t any trouble in hiding the pain at all.

As soon as she had arrived at the Grand Duke’s mansion, she was guided by the butler to the room—as if he had been waiting all along. Just when the door had closed after she entered, Vivian gradually raised her head, which had been staring at the floor since before.

“Your Highness?”

“Ah, Alexia.”

Vivian immediately flinched at the call of the Young Lady’s name. For the first time ever, he was standing with his legs rooted on the floor—no longer on the bed.

“I was just practicing my walking since I wouldn’t want to forget my senses just because I’m unable to see.”

“I see.”

“Welcome.”

He slowly approached Vivian before reaching out to her. When she noticed that he had wished for her hand to be placed on top of his, she straight away did so.

Once Vivian’s hand was already on his own, the Grand Duke immediately aimed his gaze towards Vivian. Despite the fact that his hazy eyes were still directed towards her, a questioning frown had come into sight.