Chapter 41 (1/2)

Aidan moved to pick up Vivian’s notebook. He bent his back. The movements that were reminiscent of a predator who showed a weakness in order to relieve his prey of its wariness.

“Your precious notebook, you dropped it.”

She had thought that the notebook was worth as much as her life, but it appeared that was not truly the case. She would rather give up possession of the notebook and run away from this situation.

Vivian took the notebook with a trembling hand and her eyes shook. She dearly wished to collapse this very second and escape from reality, but she had the sin of being too healthy and she was physically and mentally far too normal and unaffected.

“Y, your Highness, the Grand Duke?”

“Aidan.”

“Aidan?”

“Yes.”

Gasp, I called him by his name! Vivian muttered after him subconsciously and after realizing she had said it out loud she became surprised.

According to his notoriety, it wouldn’t be odd if an arrogant maid who dared to speak his name had her neck throat ripped out. However, he didn’t have a single hint of discomfort or agitation – rather his eyes were filled slightly with satiety.

Even if he’s calm, he’s too calm. He was just like a predator who had their fill.

The library started to be stained by the rising sun, but the area where he stood appeared to be sunken in darkness.

As she faced those blue eyes that flashed with mercilessness, Vivian took hold of her tactlessly pounding heart. Did it pound out of fear or did it flutter in excitement? The boundary line was so ambiguous that there was no way for her to understand how they were different.

He was a man who was inhabited by contrary notions. He was dark and gloomy at the same time he was beautiful, and goosebump raisingly frightening while being elegant as well.

“Then, shall we continue what we were talking about previously?”

“W, wait. Please wait.”

So, the Black Grand Duke was Ray. Vivian calmly looked down at the marble floor. She looked as though she was considering if she would be able to collapse and faint from the physical force if she flung her head towards the floor.