What Remains at the End of Regret - Chapter 2

It was a lazy afternoon, with the sun streaming down.
The midsummer heat had risen to the point where it could scorch the skin.
Beneath the relentless rays, the lush garden was blanketed in deep green shade, where delicate white blossoms had bloomed in abundance.

“Young Miss!”

A small commotion broke the still peace.
As always, the voice belonged to Betty, the maid, desperately calling out for the little lady who had gone missing once again.

The back of the girl, who had been crouching low with both hands tightly covering her mouth, gave a startled shudder.
Her eyes widened further in fear that even the tiniest sound might escape.

“If you don’t come out right now, I’m really going to scold you!”

“…!”

“Madam Pourin is already here!”

Betty’s voice trembled as she searched through the bushes, looking as if she might cry.

Vivian Mabel, the only daughter of the Mabel family and Betty’s young mistress, had once again disappeared just before her etiquette lesson with Madam Pourin. This always happened whenever a lesson was about to begin.

Because of that, Betty had learned to be extra careful on lesson days, watching Vivian closely in case she tried to sneak off again. Today had been no different.

She had been watching her the whole time without looking away.

Now panicked, Betty started shaking every bush that looked big enough to hide a small child.

Could she not be in the garden?

Betty glanced around and quickly hurried off in another direction. Madam Pourin would arrive at any moment. If she realized Vivian had skipped the lesson again, this time the young lady might really be scolded badly.

As Betty rushed back toward Vivian’s room, her footsteps were filled with worry.

Once the sounds of searching faded and only the soft breeze remained, the middle of the garden suddenly stirred. A small patch of grass trembled, and from it popped out a head of hair as white as snow, standing out clearly against the green.

“Is she gone…?”

Vivian’s hair was messy, tangled with leaves and grass. She glanced around carefully, checking her surroundings. As soon as she saw that no one was nearby, she quickly slipped through a small gap that connected the garden to the outside of the estate.

Vivian the troublemaker.

That was the nickname everyone in the household had given her. Because she always disappeared the moment you looked away, like a fairy playing tricks, the servants had come to use the name with a mix of affection and exasperation. And today, just like always, she was living up to it perfectly.

Vivian was nothing like the quiet and graceful young ladies people expected.

She was twelve years old, just starting her etiquette lessons. But she loved running and exploring much more than sitting still. On lazy summer days, she enjoyed lying on her stomach in the garden, her wild hair spread out behind her. She was a free-spirited girl who didn’t fit the mold of a proper lady.

Even so, she could not avoid her lessons completely. Among all of them, the one she disliked the most was Madam Pourin’s class. It was full of rules about how to eat properly and how a lady should carry herself.

“Lift your chin higher.”

“Even higher than this?”

“Higher and lower your shoulders.”

Vivian stomped her feet in frustration as she recalled Madam Pourin’s expression, lifting her chin with a frilly fan during their last lesson.

“A young lady with no progress at all. I could teach that bird flying over there and get better results.”

Those humiliating words from Madam Pourin had stuck in Vivian’s mind. That was when she decided to skip the next lesson no matter what. So, she made a plan. A very clever and perfect escape plan.

She did feel a little sorry for Betty, who was probably worrying about her right now, wondering where she had gone without a word. But still, she had no regrets.

“Hmph. I’m not going back. No way.”

With a frown, Vivian shook off the thought and gave her head a small shake. She carefully dusted off her skirt, which had gotten dirty from the loose soil, then turned back toward her destination with determination.

Suddenly, Vivian felt something bump against her foot and looked down. There, blinking up at her with round black eyes, was a small squirrel that seemed to have come down from a tree.

She gently picked up the innocent little creature and placed it on her hand. Then she lightly tapped its shiny, damp-looking nose.

“You don’t like it either, do you?”

As if answering her, the squirrel blinked its dark eyes again. Vivian smiled softly, then quickly made her way out of the garden.

The Mabel family’s estate, located on the outskirts of the Argent Empire, was part of a small territory called Faubert. Though not large, it was known for its beautiful scenery and constantly drew in visitors.

The cozy feeling of the small estate and the sparkling emerald waters of Lake Tanique were the pride of Faubert.

The miracle of Lake Tanique.

Busy merchant groups and steady streams of tourists brought wealth and prosperity to this quiet countryside village. The lively sounds of the town and the dazzling green waters of the lake reflected the warm and welcoming nature of Faubert itself.

“Peter!”

“Young Miss?”

Familiar footsteps echoed as Vivian confidently walked through the alley that led to the town.

Once she stepped into the bustling street, her round cheeks were already flushed with excitement. She raised her hand high and waved cheerfully. The gentle summer breeze blew through her hair, making it dance around her face.

Peter, surprised by her sudden appearance and bright smile, dropped the flowers he had been trimming and slowly walked over to her.

“You snuck out of the estate again, didn’t you?”

“Shh!”

Vivian quickly brought a finger to her lips and tapped it gently, as if she had just revealed a great secret. Her feet shifted in place with excitement.

A troublemaker, a rascal, and always stubborn.

The young lady of the viscount’s house was well known throughout Faubert.

She was a lovable child, born into a kind and respected family. Just as she loved the land of Faubert deeply, everyone in Faubert loved her just as much in return.

“Good afternoon, Young Miss!”

“Rose!”

Vivian happily greeted Rose, who was walking out of Peter’s flower shop with an armful of fresh flowers. She leaned lightly against Rose’s waist, smiling brightly with her cheerful face.

Peter couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the sight.

Well, good things are simply good.

In a time when old-fashioned ideas like social class and strict manners were slowly fading away, there was hardly anyone in Faubert who disliked the charming young noble girl who seemed to fill the whole town with pink warmth.

To remind such a young girl of the wall of status that stood between them felt meaningless. Faubert was nothing more than a quiet little countryside estate, far too gentle and small for such a harsh lesson.

“Did you run away from home again today?”

“I didn’t run away! I just…”

“Just what?”

“It’s too boring in the mansion…”

Vivian fidgeted with her fingers, her eyes rolling to the side with a slightly pouty look. Watching her, Peter decided to be kind and pretend not to notice.

What a lovable young lady.

With a soft smile, Rose bent down and whispered into Vivian’s ear, brushing aside her hair.

Rose tucked a pure white daisy into Vivian’s hair.

“Well, it would be such a waste to spend a day like this just lying around the mansion, wouldn’t it?”

Vivian nodded eagerly.

“Yes!”

Seeing how seriously Vivian had even packed a small travel bag, Rose couldn’t help but laugh. She asked with a playful smile,

“So, what kind of adventure are you off to today?”

“I’m going to Grandpa Len’s bookstore.”

Rose’s expression immediately changed to a frown.

It seemed the young lady of Faubert had extended her lively curiosity even to the town’s most eccentric elder. Rose, truly concerned, spoke in a gentle voice filled with care.

“No matter what he says, don’t take his words too seriously.”

“Why not?”

“Because he only says strange things.”

Rose stared into the air with a thoughtful expression, her voice dropping as if something about it bothered her. Vivian tilted her head, puzzled by the way Rose spoke, but in the end, she couldn’t quite understand what Rose meant.

Vivian quickly nodded up and down.

“Have a nice day.”

“You too, Rose and Mister Peter!”

With energetic steps, Vivian continued on her way. A white daisy swayed gently in her platinum-blonde hair as the sunlight scattered across her head like golden dust.

The lively streets of Faubert stretched out beyond the flower shop. The gentle spring had passed, and the early summer air was slightly damp but still soft and graceful. The buildings lining the street were dressed in full bloom, decorated with flowers ordered from Peter’s shop.

Vivian passed the flower shop, then the antique store, and walked beyond Madame Haley’s famous atelier, the pride of Faubert. Past that was a sloping road that led down to a breathtaking view of Lake Tanique, shining like a jewel.

At the very end of that road stood Grandpa Len’s little bookstore.

No matter what people said about him, Vivian liked Grandpa Len. She also loved the bookstore filled with his warm touch, where the full view of Lake Tanique could be seen clearly.

The door to the bookstore was wide open. It made her feel as if it had been left open just to welcome her.

Knock knock.

Vivian tapped gently and peeked into the hazy, dust-filled shop.

“Grandpa?”

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