Chapter 66
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Chapter 66
When Vivian returned to the Duke's Residence after safely assisting the Guard Post, unexpected news awaited her.
"Vivian, there's been word from your father."
Upon hearing this, Vivian's amber eyes began to waver without focus.
"You found... Father?"
At Vivian's question, Kaltz released a shallow sigh and continued.
"He said he cannot come to meet you right now due to urgent matters, so he sent someone to deliver the message."
He omitted the part about the note.
Since I didn't know why Dain had cautioned against contact with Igraine, I couldn't speak of it carelessly.
"Then that person was...?"
"He was merely a passerby, so we gained no substantial information from him, but we did manage to obtain a description of the one who asked him to relay the message. We're investigating from various angles, so news should come soon."
Disappointment flickered in Vivian's eyes at the fact that she couldn't meet Father immediately, but it was only a fleeting moment.
Vivian quickly suppressed that emotion and smiled.
"Thank you, Duke. I'll continue to rely on your help."
"Change your clothes and come down to the Dining Room. I'd like to hear how your Guard Post activities went today."
"There were actually so many incredible incidents today. You'll be shocked when you hear about them!"
At Vivian's playful remark, Kaltz let out a soft chuckle.
It was better to share at least the news that Dias was alive rather than hide it entirely.
Yet I couldn't help but worry whether I was giving false hope to this child who so desperately awaited her father.
But seeing her as she always was, I felt I had made the right choice in telling her.
"I look forward to it."
Vivian left the Study with Lahedis, leaving Kaltz behind.
However, unlike the reassured Kaltz, concern was etched in Lahedis's eyes as he watched Vivian.
"Are you alright?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"About your father."
Vivian, who had been blinking as if she didn't understand, spoke.
"Of course I'm fine. I heard he's safe. And we'll find him soon."
It seemed less like genuine belief and more like she was reassuring herself.
"See you later then."
Vivian bid Lahedis farewell and returned to her Room first.
Click.
The moment the door closed, the smile that had been painted on Vivian's face faded.
'I'm relieved Father is safe...'
I was reassured by that news, but the unease didn't dissipate. Now a different kind of anxiety weighed upon me.
Because I knew the original story's content—that Dias never returns to Vivian, or perhaps cannot return.
The letter Dias left carried the nuance of him leaving forever.
Even though he clearly knew I was searching for him, he didn't come and instead sent someone to relay the message.
'Could he be in such a dangerous situation?'
Or perhaps...'
The sound of a grandfather clock chiming seven echoed faintly from the Central Hall.
It was time for dinner.
Upon hearing that sound, I patted my cheeks as if to shake off my deepening worries.
"...No, stop. Father will be fine."
Since he was still safe, I would be able to find him before any real trouble arose.
'If I'm late to dinner, he'll worry.'
With that thought, I hurried toward the dressing room.
* * *
After that day, by the Marquis's orders, the Guard underwent a massive personnel reorganization.
And I became the Imperial Princess's exclusive servant...no, subordinate.
I deliberately threw myself into Guard work to shake off my worries and negative thoughts.
And so two weeks passed in a whirlwind.
What I realized while working Guard duties alongside the Imperial Princess over those two weeks was this:
'The Guard handles an incredibly diverse range of tasks.'
For example....
"Die! Just die, you worthless husband!"
...like stopping a woman who was beating her half-naked husband with a broom in broad daylight?
We pushed through the crowd that had gathered like clouds and separated the woman first.
"My goodness, what must your husband have done to upset you so?"
"This bastard! He said work was hard, so I fed him, gave him a place to sleep, did everything for him, and then he goes and cheats on me!"
"Your husband was wrong. But violence isn't the answer either. You don't want to become a murderer, do you? Let's talk this through, yes?"
The Imperial Princess began coaxing the woman with a smooth tongue, but hearing her words, I couldn't stay silent.
"No wait! Now that I think about it, sir, you really did deserve that! A few hits wouldn't even begin to settle this!"
"See? Even this young lady agrees! You beast, you worthless creature!"
As I got more caught up and excited, the woman finally dropped the broom from her hands and began beating her husband's back with her bare fists, tears streaming down her face.
"H-honey! Aaaah!"
"Oh, it's so unfair! So unfair!"
...Somehow, the situation had only escalated.
'W-was this not the right move?'
It was then that I belatedly sensed something had gone wrong.
The Imperial Princess, who had been knocked back while trying to stop the woman, approached me and glared quietly.
"What are you doing right now!"
In the end, I too rushed in, trying to separate the woman and the man.
"L-Lahedis! Help!"
Even Lahedis, who had been sighing while observing the chaos, belatedly joined in.
It was the same peaceful morning scene as always.
* * *
The situation finally ended when the exhausted woman collapsed, and in that moment, the man grabbed his clothes and fled.
On the way back to the Guard Post.
Hildegard reproached Vivian.
"What will you do if you keep stirring up her anger over there?"
"It's not your fault, ma'am. I understand you, and I'm on your side! I thought you'd calm down if I said it like this..."
"When emotions are running high, it doesn't matter who was right or wrong. What matters first is making sure you understand: 'If you continue this behavior, you'll suffer tremendous consequences.'"
When being scolded by a superior, it's better not to argue back and simply bow your head unconditionally.
Vivian stopped making excuses and lowered her head.
"Yes. I'm sorry..."
"Sigh, that's enough. No one gets everything right from the start."
Fortunately, Hildegard didn't press the matter any further.
She seemed utterly exhausted from breaking up the prolonged quarrel.
'Tsk, I feel bad now. Is there any way to make up for this?'
As Vivian studied Hildegard's expression, something caught her eye—something perfect for breaking the tension.
"Imperial Princess... no, Hilde."
Hildegard had insisted on being called "Hilde" rather than "Imperial Princess" to keep her Guard Post activities hidden.
Hildegard turned to look at Vivian with a puzzled expression instead of asking why.
Vivian pointed toward a nearby vendor stall.
"Would you like some ice cream? My treat."
At the word "ice cream," life returned to Hildegard's ruby-red eyes, which had been dull moments before.
"Hmm, perhaps."
Seeing Hildegard's reaction, a triumphant smile spread across Vivian's lips.
'Hehe, no one can resist a snack.'
Having received Hildegard's approval, Vivian turned to look at Lahedis following behind her and asked.
"You'll have some too, won't you?"
Just as Lahedis was about to answer.
"Waaaah! Mommy..."
The sound of a child crying came from not far away.
Turning in that direction, I could see a young girl, appearing to be around seven or eight years old, crying alone.
At a glance, it was clear she was a child who had lost her mother in the Town Square.
The sorrowful crying, as if she had lost the world itself, captured Vivian's attention.
"Hilde, I'm sorry, but I'll go check on her for a moment."
With those words, Vivian rushed toward the child.
Hildegard watched Vivian skillfully soothe the child and smacked her lips.
"That girl will soon return as the Prime Minister's Aide... The Guard Post lost a talent."
Lahedis, who had also been watching Vivian from beside Hildegard, responded.
"Yet you were so harsh on her just moments ago."
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