IJNSTH 36

❖ ❖ ❖ 36

Three days later.

“My goodness, Miss Mergoville…!”

Vivienne had been deliberately attending multiple gatherings to try and forget what had happened that day. To be precise, she meant the day it rained—the day Edmund had come looking for her.

This tea party was just one part of that effort.

“Thank you for humoring me, my lady.”

Vivienne gave a polite greeting, then took her seat and glanced at the others in the social circle she belonged to.

Looking around, she noticed the composition of attendees hadn’t changed much since before. Back then, she had spoken with them about her brother’s promotion and modestly commented on her engagement.

Meeting them again after such a long time, Vivienne reflected on how much had changed since then.

But one thing hadn’t changed at all—her fiancé.

Ludwig Rex.

As if reading her thoughts, a voice cut through the room.

“Even with all the worry about your fiancé, thank you for gracing us with your presence.”

It was none other than Lady Hansbury. Vivienne had already run into her three times recently—at the engagement announcement, at a shipboard party, and now here.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m truly honored to attend such a distinguished event.”

Vivienne answered mechanically, silently hoping that today she wouldn’t be bothered.

But that hope was betrayed far too easily.

Lady Hansbury’s gaze rested on the noblewoman beside Vivienne, who held a rose-engraved cigarette holder, and she spoke in a chilling tone.

“By the way, have you heard?”

Her voice carried a dark, ominous note. Something was off. Yet Lady Hansbury continued.

“They say that at that infamous shipboard party, Miss Vivienne Mergoville and Count Colt were seen heading to the same lounge room.”

Vivienne replied without hesitation.

“That was to return the ring. Count Colt told me he wished to become newly engaged to me.”

“The engagement ring?”

The mention made the onlookers’ eyes light up as they exchanged glances.

Vivienne had expected the topic to stir no excitement—after all, she had a long history with Edmund—but even as she spoke, she had to admit her heart fluttered slightly.

Yet she had resolved to forget him. She didn’t want to be drawn into his complicated life any longer. So she suppressed the feeling and continued.

“Count Colt’s proposal was out of a sense of responsibility.”

She remembered the kiss with the Count. He had seemed to devour her, pressing his mouth against hers, exploring fiercely, stirring her emotions as if to unsettle her completely.

Recalling how heated their shared breath had been, she reminded herself to remain composed.

It was a rather… clingy sense of responsibility.

“He said he would take responsibility for me since I delivered the letter I once intended for the underworld boss to His Excellency.”

Vivienne spoke with the decorum of a noblewoman. Lady Hansbury inquired further.

“Does that letter relate to Watkins’ revelations?”

“No. It was simply about the possibility that my fiancé might have ties to the underworld.”

Vivienne’s clarification was met with puzzled murmurs.

“Even after Ludwig Rex was released by the Metropolitan Police due to insufficient evidence, and now, with everyone’s attention drawn once more to Watkins’ revelations, do you still think the same?”

“That’s not for me to answer—you can ask him directly.”

As Vivienne spoke, all eyes turned toward where she was looking.

The one she needed most at that moment—her fiancé, whom she had never before seen in the social circle—was approaching.

Ludwig Rex walked into the gathering and came closer to them.

“Having fun?”

He whispered as he stood beside her, then addressed the other ladies present.

“I have something for my fiancée. Apologies for interrupting your good time.”

“Oh, there’s nothing to apologize for. It’s delightful to watch young love bloom.”

One lady spoke cheerfully, prompting Ludwig to return a charming smile. He then set something on the table.

A small jewelry box.

The surrounding chatter rose immediately as people whispered and speculated.

Vivienne picked up the box and opened it. Inside, just as she had expected, lay the engagement ring she had once returned to him.

“Marry me.”

The moment Ludwig spoke, Vivienne realized—

How the ring Edmund had once offered her had made her feel, what sensations it left behind.

And how extraordinary this ring was in comparison.

She loved him.

In that instant, Vivienne told herself—it was Edmund Colt she loved, not this man.

Yet she looked at Ludwig and smiled beautifully, like a happy bride. She nodded.

Completely absorbed in the relief of having abandoned Edmund Colt, she didn’t yet know what consequences this would bring.

She compulsively believed this was how she could fortify her heart.