What Remains at the End of Regret - Chapter 15

Taking a deep breath, Vivian followed Varner’s lead and sat across from the elderly Dowager Marchioness, who was holding a teacup in her hand. Catherine’s eyes widened slightly, as if she had seen something unexpected.

“Good afternoon, Madam. It’s been a while.”

Vivian gently held the edge of her skirt with one hand and placed the other over her chest as she gave a graceful, formal greeting. The motion was flawless, and Catherine couldn’t help but let out a faint smile.

She had matured enough that no one could mistake her for a child anymore. Catherine saw flashes of the young girl who once excitedly told stories about the legends of the Tannic Sea.

Vivian looked startled and slightly embarrassed by Catherine’s sudden laughter, which seemed out of place in the formal setting. But that hint of awkwardness was familiar and endearing, and it brought a quiet sense of joy to Catherine.

“My goodness, you’ve grown so much I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“Would you bring tea for our guest?”

She gave the instruction to the maid standing beside her, and soon enough, a cup filled with a warm floral aroma was placed before Vivian.

“I was very sad I couldn’t say goodbye properly when I left back then,” Vivian said sincerely.

While facing the Duke still filled her with nervousness, Madam Norma had been someone who showed her kindness without expecting anything in return. For that, Vivian always remembered her with gratitude.

“It was such a sudden situation back then. None of us were in the right state of mind. I felt regret too. That’s why I’m especially thankful you agreed to come now.”

“To be honest, I’m not sure how much help I’ll really be. I do love flowers, but I’ve never actually cared for or managed a garden before.”

Vivian smiled awkwardly and scratched her cheek with her index finger.

“The upkeep of the garden will be handled by the assistant gardener. All I ask is that you take care of the greenhouse I cherish. It won’t be too difficult.”

Catherine studied Vivian’s face, finally showing a bit of relief.

She still wasn’t someone who could lie. She wore her emotions openly and honestly, just like always. Vivian Mabel. The only heir left in a viscount family with no male successor.

In order to continue the family line, she would likely need to bring in a husband through adoption. If Vivian’s marriage had not yet been arranged, Catherine felt she would like to help find her a good match.

“I heard you turned twenty this year.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“I was your age when I married my late husband.”

Vivian blinked and looked slightly confused, which made Madam Norma let out a soft laugh.

“I was fortunate. I hope you find someone who brings you the same kind of happiness.”

Vivian understood what Catherine meant, and her expression became a little uneasy. The news of her upcoming marriage to Hayden had apparently not yet reached the walls of the Lockberg summer villa.

Vivian politely shared the news. She explained that she had indeed met someone, and that she was looking forward to spending the summer with him and building something meaningful together.

Catherine’s eyes widened in surprise.

To hear that the match had already been arranged caught her off guard. Realizing her earlier words might have been inappropriate, she looked apologetic.

“My goodness, so you already have someone in mind.”

“Yes, Madam. His name is Hayden Harper, from the Harper family.”

Catherine took a moment to search her memory. The name sounded both unfamiliar and oddly familiar at once. After some thought, she finally recalled it, and her expression shifted to one of mild surprise.

In Litten, the nobility was utterly obsessed with wine from the Duchy of Leman. Even the Emperor had once tasted it and couldn’t stop praising it. When it became known that the exclusive distributor of this prized wine was not a noble but a businessman of common birth named Bender Harper, the noble class had been stunned.

Some nobles had loudly protested, insisting that a commoner had no right to monopolize the distribution of Leman’s wine. But as times changed, most of them accepted the reality and acknowledged the high quality of the product. Along with their appreciation for the wine, they began to show respect for the man who made its steady supply possible—Bender Harper.

Catherine was not unfamiliar with the Harper family, whose name had been circulating among the nobility for some time. What surprised her most was, first, that Vivian’s fiancé was not a noble, and second, that he came from the wealthy Harper family.

“The viscount and viscountess clearly understand the times.”

By marrying Hayden Harper, the viscount family would continue its bloodline and gain financial strength. From the Harper family’s side, gaining a noble wife gave them a legitimate entrance into high society. It was a practical and well-balanced match.

From every angle, there was benefit. It was a profitable marriage.

“If the wedding is this summer, then I should be able to attend.”

“It would truly make me happy if you came.”

Catherine could tell that the happiness in Vivian’s voice didn’t come from winning the favor of a powerful noble. From what she had seen, Vivian was a warmhearted young woman who genuinely cared about others.

With a soft smile, Catherine brought the meeting to a gentle close.

“Do you remember the way to the greenhouse?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Would you like to look around on your own again?”

Varner, ever attentive, asked the question as if he remembered what Vivian had requested the last time she was here. Vivian looked slightly surprised, then smiled and nodded. Varner bowed his head politely.

Just as she was quietly preparing to leave her seat, she paused.

“Um, is His Grace very busy today?”

Vivian asked the question with a bit of hesitation, summoning her courage.

She had finished her tea time with Lady Norma successfully. That was half the goal. Now, the only thing left was to speak with the Duke.

He had sent word earlier that he would not be able to join due to an urgent call about family business from the capital. Even by the time Vivian had left the drawing room, he still had not appeared.

Vivian had planned to speak about her past mistake while Lady Norma was present, but that plan had already started to fall apart.

She had decided that she would resolve things today. She no longer wanted to carry around the weight of this unresolved emotion.

“I heard the business matter has mostly been handled. Is there something you would like me to tell him?”

“Yes, I have something I must say to the Duke. I don’t mind waiting, so may I see him today if possible?”

“I will let His Grace know that Miss Mabel wishes to speak with him. Please wait here a moment.”

Vivian’s eyes, which had been filled with quiet worry, now reflected a sense of relief.

＊ ＊ ＊

“Vivian Mabel?”

The urgent call from the capital had been about a cargo train carrying materials for weapons manufacturing. It had collided with fallen rocks, disrupting supply lines. It was a serious matter.

To resolve the issue, Edmund had just finished a phone call with Marquess Talan, the official overseeing national transportation in Argent. They had arranged to use civilian rail lines in place of the damaged military tracks.

As Edmund lowered the telephone receiver, he turned slightly at the mention of the unfamiliar name that had come from Varner.

“She said it’s fine if there’s a delay, but she very much hopes to see you today.”

“Where is she now?”

“She’s in the glass greenhouse. Should I bring her here?”

“No. I’ll go to her.”

Varner looked at the Duke with a trace of curiosity, noticing a subtle change in his expression. But as a capable and loyal servant, he kept his thoughts to himself and focused on his duty.

His steps toward the greenhouse were steady and without hesitation.

It was an unexpected request.

News that the only daughter of the viscount family had crossed the gates of the villa at the invitation of his grandmother had arrived just moments after the urgent phone call from Litten, the capital.

Through the sunlit windows, which had heated under the intense afternoon light, he caught sight of Vivian in a soft green summer dress. While he had recognized from the phone call that the situation was quite serious, he found himself just a little disappointed that he hadn’t seen her reaction in person across the table. He wondered if she might have nervously glanced at him while he spoke, or if she had simply sat there, quietly observing.

The conversation had gone on for quite a while. Marquess Talan was the kind of man who knew how to secure his own benefit, and Edmund was a capable businessman in his own right. The negotiation was successful. By the time the call ended, a significant amount of time had already passed.

Missing such an unusual encounter was unfortunate, but Vivian Mabel, the kind-hearted girl who couldn’t refuse his grandmother’s request, would likely continue visiting the villa for some time. There was no need to rush.

She asked to see me.

Edmund let out a quiet laugh. It was not a bad feeling. It was enough to ease the strange discomfort that had lingered since the day she had run off along the coast. As though he had finally found a good excuse to face it again.

When he reached the greenhouse, he pulled open the door by its crystal-cut handle.

Inside the carefully arranged glass greenhouse, Vivian stood at the center, gazing at the flowers with a look of wonder in her eyes. She gently touched a petal, her fingers light and cautious, then widened her eyes in surprise. A moment later, as if mustering up courage, she leaned in to breathe in the scent and broke into a bright, joyful smile.

She must have been completely absorbed.

So lost in the flowers, she hadn’t even noticed someone approaching. The sight made Edmund chuckle softly. Her expressions shifted so naturally from delight to amazement with every flower, it was almost like watching a play. His gaze lingered, drawn in by the unexpected charm of the moment.

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