Chapter 19 (1/2)

Vivian left those words unsaid and smiled a naughty smile. At that, Carden also smiled faintly. It was a smile that looked dejected yet relieved at the same time.

Just as she had been in the past, Vivian had a unique charm of making the other person relax with an unexpected and bold action.

“I want to tell you. Will you listen to my story?”

“Of course.”

As if she had waited patiently, Vivian responded readily. She wouldn’t dig further into an issue if the person at question refused, but she wouldn’t stop them either if they wanted to talk.

“It’s a problem with men…….”

I could tell that much.

“There must be at least twenty pairs of couples I’ve already connected within this Royal Palace. Did you know that?”

Vivian cleared her throat and proudly put her hands on her hips.

This statement was not an exaggeration or bluff. Vivian was an expert in this field. She was such an expert that no one had noticed she had never dated, and people came to find her for love advice after they heard the rumors about her.

Of course, the disadvantage was she became naive in her own matters. Just as there was saying that a doctor couldn’t fix his own illness, it was the world’s balance to gain something while one lost something at the same time.

“Where should I start from…….?”

“Speak comfortably and start from the beginning.”

Carden fiddled with the edge of the dress and hesitated, then started to speak with a sullen expression.

“I think his Majesty, the Emperor, and His Highness, the Duke, are standing against each other because of me.”

It was a concern befitting a female protagonist.

Vivian listened courteously to her, whose eyes sparkled like the stars in the night sky.

“Sir Scholar! No, Ray!”

Vivian, who had sighed continuously, suddenly raised her head. The moment she found Ray, she ran over excitedly as if she’d waited for him. Her face that had previously looked so hopeless had immediately brightened like a spring flower.

At the figure of Vivian who welcomed him more than usual, Ray’s eyes narrowed for a split second. He stopped in his steps, tilted his head, and slowly approached her.

“You look happy. Did something good happen?”

Ray stared at Vivian. His gaze felt like he saw something unusual, and Vivian cleared her throat momentarily. She, herself, realized that she had reacted agitatedly like a dog that wagged its tail like crazy.

“No, not in particular.”

However, she didn’t erase the wide smile that filled her face.