IJNSTH 29

Chapter 29 ❖ ❖ ❖

Residence of the Speaker of the Noble Assembly

“Shall we get married?”

Ludwig leisurely smoked a cigarette as he looked at Vivienne, who had come to see him a few days later. This wasn’t a dream—those words were truly being spoken by Vivienne Mergoville. She swept her jet-black hair over one shoulder and sat with her legs, clad in heels, neatly crossed to the right.

Ludwig let his gaze travel down those legs before meeting her eyes.

“You said you’d rather go fawn over the kingpin of the underworld than let someone like me touch you. Changed your mind?”

“Compared to Don Becalone, you’re younger and better-looking.”

It was a denial of the claim that Edmund might be the underworld’s boss—and a pointed jab at Ludwig’s failed plan last time.

“Getting cocky, Mergoville. Did you think that would make me find you cute?”

He went on, voice cool.

“At least be honest. You’ve grown afraid that the truth—that your count is the underworld’s boss—might surface. Afraid I’m targeting your count. So you decided you want to protect him by marrying me, even if it means closing your eyes to the truth. That’s it, isn’t it?”

Vivienne couldn’t say a word. It had taken her a long time to come here and say this—but he’d grasped her intent in an instant.

“You’ve always thought only about your man. How adorable do you think that looks to me? And yet you ask me to marry you.”

“……”

“If you have something to say, say it. What good is that pretty mouth if you don’t use it?”

Vivienne steadied her breathing. She clasped her trembling hands atop her neat skirt and spoke calmly.

“You need me too.”

She met Ludwig’s gaze. The way he smiled in lazy circles terrified her—but she pressed on, clearly articulating what she’d rehearsed.

“After that ‘experiment’ at the Metropolitan Police, it looks like you’ve had a tearful breakup with the underworld. And if you don’t want to be cast aside by your father… you’ll have to do politics. For that, you’ll need a title.”

“……”

“I’m not asking for much. Feed me well, give me a place to sleep—that’s enough. So let’s marry. My brother at the police won’t need a title. If he gives it up, you—the man who becomes my husband—inherit the marquisate. You can see other women as you do now. The heir doesn’t have to be my child. Just leave me alone as I am. You’ve seen clearly enough how repulsive I find you.”

As Vivienne finished, Ludwig happened to glance behind her. She followed his gaze.

There, at the entrance to the sitting room, the Speaker’s wife stood with her hand over her mouth. Startled by Vivienne’s words, she quietly turned and left.

Vivienne knew she would call her father.

And she knew what would follow. But she didn’t care.

They were discussing something more important than getting hurt a little.

“Why would I hold another woman when you’re here? You won’t be trembling with that face anymore,” Ludwig shot back. He seemed amused by it all, savoring the pause before continuing.

“Of course I should marry you. Whose order do you think it is?”

“……”

“But just as you intend to use me, I’ll be using you.”

At that, the gentle softness of Vivienne’s eyes sharpened.

“I’ll capture Edmund Hiyard Colt with my own hands.”

Even Vivienne, who had seemed so composed, had to clutch the fabric of her skirt at her knees.

Ludwig enjoyed her reaction.

“Good. I’m glad you understand the situation. Sending a district chief from the underworld to take me away was clever—but suspicions don’t vanish that easily. Now I intend to secure concrete evidence. Besides, isn’t the other side waiting for me to do exactly that?”

As he finished, something slid toward Vivienne across the table. She looked down at a small envelope on the side table.

She knew that kind of envelope well.

An invitation.

“Open it.”

At Ludwig’s urging, she did. It was an invitation to a party aboard a ship.

A famous arms manufacturer—renowned for building warships—also made cruise liners, and this was the unveiling of one such masterpiece.

Vivienne had a feeling Edmund would be behind it. If he truly was the underworld’s boss, then as rumors claimed he’d acquired arms companies, he could easily have this one under his thumb as well.

Leaning back languidly on the sofa, Ludwig said,

“Come to think of it, our purposes here are completely opposed. You came to escape Count Edmund Colt. I came to catch him.”

“……”

She couldn’t deny it.

“No matter how much I dote on your face, that kind of deal won’t do. You’d be the only one benefiting. If what you want is marriage to me, then you’ll need to cooperate.”

Smoke spiraled from the cigarette between Ludwig’s fingers as he gestured.

“They require a partner.”

His voice suited the acrid haze. Vivienne asked,

“What exactly do you need me to do?”

“A married couple.”

Her expression twisted slightly.

“An engaged couple will do, too. Don’t worry—I won’t ask you to marry me just yet, Mergoville.”

“And?”

“Didn’t you say Count Colt finished his master’s degree in the New Continent? Quite a few people connected to that place will be at the party.”

“……”

“It’s been seven years since the underworld began growing within the Empire. There’s a two-year gap between that and nine years ago, when the count finished his degree. What happened during those two years? He was likely in the New Continent—people there might know.”

Listening closely, Vivienne was quietly impressed by how thorough Ludwig’s investigation was.

He continued.

“And how did the count buy your ring? Do you think I wouldn’t look into that? On the surface, he sold stock shares—but the reality could be different. Coincidentally, leading investment bankers from the New Continent will be there. I intend to meet them. And find out.”

When he finished, Vivienne spoke.

“Why tell me all this?”

“I told you—I read people well.”

He looked straight into her eyes.

“When did you start being so afraid of agents, Vivienne Mergoville?”

Then he turned away and took a drag.

“And yet—you still want to see him.”

“I don’t think you read that well.”

“Or maybe you don’t know yourself.”

He chuckled softly.

“Better than I know you.”

“……”

“So your best option is to become mine—gracefully. I won’t stop.”

His voice turned devilish.

“Cooperate with me. Then I’ll let you abandon that man in the most dignified way possible.”

“……”

“What do you expect from a man who once tried to kill you? You’ll be discarded, Mergoville. So discard him first—with your own hands. And isn’t living as the wife of the Speaker’s son the finest revenge?”

Vivienne barely managed to steady the ache in her chest. He might be right.

If the truth would come out anyway, perhaps the best course was to face it—and abandon him first.

At least then, she wouldn’t be remembered by the count as a pitiful woman.

This was the world she belonged to.

Suffocating—but she believed she could endure it.

The party was held aboard one of the Empire’s largest cruise ships, docked at the harbor. Only when Vivienne stood before the doors of the ship’s dance floor—the ballroom—did reality truly sink in.

The crew member who guided her and Ludwig through the ship was unusually courteous, leading them through nothing but opulent spaces.

Knowing this hall surpassed even the earlier banquet in splendor, Vivienne tried not to tense as she gazed at the massive doors. As she adjusted her slipping shawl, a voice spoke beside her.

“You’ve got bruises.”

It was Ludwig.

“You know my father hates it when I act out.”

“True. And there’s no other reason—my mistress is already dead.”

“……”

“While you’re at it, pass along my regards to Count Colt when you see him.”

“I’ll just return the ring.”

“Why not send it by parcel?”

“It’s expensive. It could get lost.”

“Send it to the count’s estate, then.”

“No. Anyway, how am I supposed to find the people you mentioned—”

She broke off as the doors opened and her name was announced. Ludwig’s followed immediately after—uncomfortable, yet she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the sight before her.

The ballroom stretched so wide it seemed endless. Countless people of every description turned to look at her.

Vivienne sensed, instinctively, that she had stepped into Edmund’s world first.

Whether he truly had a hidden identity, she didn’t know.

But his words echoed in her mind.

“Why didn’t you say so, Father-in-law? I have more money than I know what to do with.”

“And I’m not the sort who moves at my father-in-law’s word. I’m rather useful that way.”

If her suspicions were right, those words took on an entirely different meaning.

She searched for Edmund, scanning the crowd—especially the center—but there were simply too many people. It felt as though the entire capital’s social scene had been transplanted here.

Then someone approached.

“Oh! Lady Vivienne.”

She recognized her at once—Lady Hansbury, who had worn a yellow dress at her engagement announcement banquet.

“I think we met at your engagement party. Fancy seeing you again. I heard your fiancé wasn’t indicted due to lack of evidence—looks like things worked out?”

“You never know how life will turn.”

“Oh, thank goodness. I nearly misunderstood everything. The letters, that actress scandal—it was all nothing, wasn’t it? I’m so sorry, my lady.”

“It’s all right.”

Truly.

She murmured to herself.

The underworld’s boss must wield extraordinary power—able to make everything vanish as though it never happened.

Hansbury spoke warmly.

“Shall we mingle together tonight? Your fiancé seems busy.”

“No, thank you. But I appreciate the offer.”

Vivienne turned away. She’d planned to return the ring and leave once Edmund approached—but she couldn’t find even a single strand of his black hair.

“Vivienne?”

She turned at the voice and widened her eyes in surprise.

“Madison.”

“What brings you here? I came because the people I work with said there’d be a cocktail party—thought I’d snag a rare drink.”

“As for me… well. I’m used to places like this.”

She glanced past Madison to change the subject.

“And who is that?”

“Daniel.”

“Daniel?”

She tilted her head.

“You don’t remember? Our Lieutenant Danechester?”

Madison threw an arm around Daniel’s shoulder with gusto, knocking his officer’s cap askew. Then Vivienne recalled it—the day she’d first met Madison, Daniel’s model glider had flown into her window.

Nostalgia stung her chest slightly, but she smiled warmly.

“Seeing that Daniel’s now carrying the name of the family your mother once worked for, I suppose he was adopted by the Danechester family.”

“That’s right. You know—his first love was you—”

“Parker. Quiet.”

It was the first time she’d heard Daniel’s voice. She remembered him as a small boy standing where a maid had stepped aside, staring at her blankly.

“I heard about the broken engagement,” he said, stepping closer. “I wish I’d received an invitation to your engagement announcement. I never received one from the marquis.”

“That’s all right. The thought is enough.”

She looked between them.

“They said couples are required here. So you two are—”

She trailed off, prompting them to answer.

“With him?”

“With Madison Parker?”

They spoke at once.

“How could it be him?”

“I wouldn’t take it if you gave it to me.”

Daniel shot back, and Madison laughed.

“Are you done?”

“My apologies.”

Daniel bowed exaggeratedly. When their gazes drifted back to Vivienne, she burst out laughing.

It had been so long since she’d felt such simple joy. Relaxing among them, she said,

“They say there’s dancing on the floor. You two would look good together.”

“I’d rather dance with you than with him.”

“I concur.”

Madison pressed the point.

“You don’t get a choice. This is a lady of rank.”

“Ah—of course. My apologies, my lady.”

“There’s no need for such formality. ‘Lady Mergoville’ will do.”

Madison nudged her.

“You really are a proper young lady.”

Then she turned to Daniel.

“Let’s eat instead of dancing.”

She added sternly,

“Isn’t that right, Lieutenant Danechester?”

“Indeed.”

Switching tones again, Madison said to Vivienne,

“Looks like arms companies are thriving even in a depression. Throwing a party this lavish—just like nobles from centuries ago.”

“Yes. That’s true.”

Vivienne ignored the fact that she herself—an actual noble—was here merely to preserve a hollow dignity. Madison had likely meant no harm.

If she’d tiptoed around it, that would have been worse.

Brightly, Madison said,

“Speaking of which, let’s hit the banquet hall. It looked gorgeous earlier—definitely worth sitting in once.”

“Sure. Let’s go.”

Having forgotten entirely about returning Edmund’s ring, Vivienne followed Madison. Daniel walked alongside them.

She savored the moment.

Grateful that Madison asked her nothing about the rumors.

Grateful, too, that as a war correspondent in this bleak age of war and depression, Madison chose not to bare the darker side of life.

Yes.

Even if you don’t work on a literal battlefield, life itself is a war for everyone.

That light, thoughtful kindness meant everything.