What Remains at the End of Regret - Chapter 31

Vivian slowly closed her eyes, listening to the confident voice. Her turbulent heart calmed down. She also thought, it couldn’t be more certain than this.

Hayden would love her forever, and she would finally find peace in that love.

She had no doubt. She trusted Hayden, who had always given her unchanging affection, and the answer had already been given.

That’s why she could say with confidence.

“I love you.”

She told him over and over.

“I’ve always loved you.”

Under the burning sunset of a ripe summer, in a moment that would become eternity.

＊ ＊ ＊

“It’s definitely the Lockberg seal.”

“And that summer villa.”

Voices mixed with unconcealed anticipation heated up the languid summer day’s table.

It wasn’t too late in the afternoon when the heat was dying down, but an unexpectedly arrived invitation had caused quite a stir. The ladies who had gathered in the salon were whispering about an invitation that was currently heating up Ritten’s high society.

Could this really be an invitation from the Lockbergs?

The invitation, sent to families with friendly ties to the dukedom, announced that a summer ball would be held at Fobert, where the summer villa was located. It was a gentle command, inviting esteemed guests to attend.

A single invitation caused joy and sorrow to diverge.

The Duke’s family, which had been somewhat closed off since its founding, considered the invitation itself to be of great value. The young and handsome Duke, who controlled the empire’s vast financial resources. The meaning of an invitation personally selected and sent by such a Duke could not be taken lightly.

Those who did not receive an invitation lamented, while those who did rejoiced.

The choice of Lockberg.

That alone was enough to bestow an unparalleled reward.

At least the noble ladies gathered in this salon today were ladies from wise families who had not antagonized the Duke. Catherine von Verberosa fanned herself with a bright smile.

“It seems we’re not the only ones tired of summer.”

Her red hair, styled high, swayed gently with her gesture.

“It’s an unusually hot season, isn’t it?”

A small mole beside her bright red lips rose smoothly along with her upturned mouth.

“Especially in a rural place like Fobert.”

“The Grand Duchess always gives us a clear answer.”

Catherine modestly acknowledged the compliments showered upon her by the noble ladies.

The fact that the invitation from Fobert was the first to reach her hands gave Catherine an unspeakable sense of satisfaction.

The only relative of Emperor Alexei de Verdetier and the daughter of a Grand Duke.

In the current Argent Imperial Family, which had not yet welcomed an Empress, the noblest woman was Catherine von Verberosa. Her father, Grand Duke Francis, was the only brother of the late Emperor. Catherine, with such a father, was also such a noble. The empire’s only royal, born with the noblest blood.

Catherine was well aware of her worth.

Even though the class system was crumbling, the Imperial Family remained strong. In a shaking world, the unchanging fact was that she still reigned as the noblest and most virtuous woman. Therefore, Catherine only needed to use what she possessed to her advantage.

Like this invitation.

Catherine’s eyes narrowed as she stared at the invitation stamped with the Lockberg seal.

Thinking of the invitation’s owner, her back straightened stiffly. A man whom no one dared to possess easily. The only person who could perfectly prove her worth. The fact that the invitation sent by such a man was hers gave Catherine a strange sense of accomplishment.

Fobert. She had no interest in such a rural village. Only Edmund Lockberg, the place where that man was. For that reason alone, Catherine would gladly step into the ball to be held in Fobert this summer.

＊ ＊ ＊

“Oh, that’s unfortunate news.”

Vivian forced a smile, feeling too ashamed to look at the Dowager Duchess, who seemed genuinely sorry.

“I’m so sorry that I can’t continue after you trusted me with it.”

She said that she could no longer manage the greenhouse. To avoid being seen, as the Duke had ordered. The decision didn’t take long, and the arrangements were made quickly.

On the day she confessed her feelings to Hayden, Vivian returned home and sent a simple letter to Lockberg Castle, asking to see the Dowager. Not long after, on a sweltering day, a reply of permission arrived, and Vivian headed straight to Lockberg.

Saying that she would be busy with wedding preparations was, in fact, just an excuse. It was true that she had been quite busy with wedding preparations recently. However, there wasn’t much for her to do.

Guilt weighed heavily on her heart, but she still couldn’t bring herself to say that she would continue managing the greenhouse.

Because she hated the Duke.

The sensations that remained so vivid were not easily erased and lingered as residual heat. Ever since the day that man ruthlessly trampled on her, that day flashed vividly in her mind several times a day, and she had to suffer for days from scenes that were too obscene to put into words. The emotion that dominated her was mainly anger, but beneath it lay shame.

Staring blankly at the sea.

Wandering through the forest she loved so much.

Suddenly, unexpectedly.

That faintly remaining heat tormented Vivian for quite some time.

As the Duke had said, she thought that it would naturally disappear if she didn’t appear before him.

Vivian shuddered, recalling the cold eyes that had looked down at her so coldly at the last moment. I have to make sure.

“I will never forget the grace of allowing me to come and go here as I please, Dowager Duchess.”

This place was no longer somewhere that Vivian could dare to covet. The situation now was so different from when she had been captivated by the flowers and beautiful scenery and visited with a heart full of joy. It was a beautiful and dazzling cage. Every time she visited the greenhouse, her heart felt endlessly heavy. The flowers she loved, the dazzling sun, only made her tremble.

That’s why she was leaving.

Because she couldn’t bear to see this beautiful place as it was.

The summer villa was where the Tanic Sea looked most beautiful. Higher and farther than anywhere else in Fobert, it held a brilliant light that allowed one to see the end of the Tanic Sea’s horizon.

She felt like she could see the end of the sea, which she had once vowed to visit someday. But, now.

It had simply become the place where the Duke was.

She hated that feeling that had changed. She didn’t want the anticipation she had felt long ago, when she looked at the castle perched on the cliff from the beach, to be ruined any further. So Vivian wanted to run away from this place as far as possible.

Therefore, the Duke’s order was also beneficial to her. A perfect way to protect her heart by not seeing the Duke. Vivian hoped that the Duke’s heart would not change, if possible, for a very long time.

Catherine said in a low voice to Vivian, who was tracing her complicated thoughts.

“We’re going to hold a ball here.”

Vivian’s eyes widened in surprise at the Dowager’s words.

“A ball?”

“I’d like you and Sir Harper to attend as well.”

The invitation was sudden. A cool breeze, brought in by the lush grass through the open window for ventilation, flowed in.

“When I see you, I often think that this countryside isn’t so bad. It’s so different from my fiercely lived life.”

Catherine, who had been watching Vivian’s expression as she hesitated, unable to come up with an answer, couldn’t help but smile and turned her head to take a sip of tea.

“Don’t feel pressured. It’s a suitable place for you and your fiancé to come.”

“Thank you for inviting me. I will definitely attend.”

Vivian nodded, trying not to show her embarrassment. The Dowager smiled and waved her hand, signaling her to leave. Vivian bowed and stepped out of the room with light steps, then leaned against the wall and sighed deeply.

In the quiet hallway, the sound of crickets chirping loudly was now echoing. She quietly closed her eyes and focused on the sound. Listening to it seemed to ease her mind a little.

The golden decorations covering the pure white marble faintly seeped through her closed eyes. She frowned slightly and squeezed her eyes shut even tighter, but eventually opened her eyes and turned her gaze to the window, where the faint light piercing through her eyelids was coming from. Vivian cautiously approached the window where the hot sunlight was pouring in.

But her steps soon had to stop. As soon as she saw the Duke’s figure through the window, Vivian quickly took a step back and crouched down.

Did he see me?

I think he might have raised his head.

The sound of crickets had stopped.

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