One week went by. During that time, Vivien never once returned to the mansion.
Just as I thought. She's exactly like all the other kids.
The excuses were always different on the surface. Poor health, a new baby brother, relatives visiting from far away, and so on. At first, she actually believed them. She had even written letters full of genuine worry, until one day when her nanny finally told her the truth.
"Actually, everyone is too scared to come because you, my lady, are the child of a traitor. They're terrified His Majesty the emperor will punish anyone close to you. Oh, my poor lady. But please, don't you worry. Sally and I will always stay right by your side."
Ever since that day, Rachel decided to never expect anything from anyone ever again. They all said they liked her, right? She had known all along. Vivien would abandon her soon enough, too.
She should have been completely used to this by now. But why did she feel so intensely frustrated?
Just then, a sudden knock came from the door. Could it be? Is it her?
However, the person who walked in was Sally. "Are you reading, my lady?"
Bitterly disappointed, Rachel turned her head away and didn't answer.
Sally kept trying to cozy up to her. "My lady, it's not even study time right now. Can't you just take a little break? I want to play with the dolls. Or how about playing house?"
Looking at Rachel, who refused to say a single word to her, Sally started getting annoyed. Sure, the young lady was always on the quiet side, but she used to at least chat with her from time to time. That was until Vivien showed up.
"Are you giving me the cold shoulder just because that little country bumpkin hasn't shown up? Wasn't it because of that little mutt that you couldn't even read your books in peace before?"
At the mention of Vivien, Rachel finally pulled her eyes away from her book and glared at Sally. Emboldened, Sally eagerly continued.
"She just pretends to be sweet on the outside, acting like she's so close to us. I saw right through her from the very beginning. I knew that brat would run off soon enough. But don't you worry, my lady. I will stay by your side forever."
"Get out. You're so damn loud. Get out."
In the end, utterly overwhelmed by her fierce tone, Sally scrambled out of the room.
Stepping into the courtyard, she was instantly boiling with rage. This is all because of that little brat.
Panting, Sally kicked a flower pot out of her way. Crash. The pot shattered into pieces on the ground.
How dare some country bumpkin try to seduce a man who was going to be her husband? Mother had told her: even though he's currently in a special situation and has to live as a girl for now, once he grows up, he'll become a boy and marry you. So you need to keep the young lady company. Understand?
No matter what that brat does, Rachel will end up marrying me anyway.
Right in the middle of her tantrum, an unfamiliar man's voice called out from the side.
"What you just said — could you elaborate on that for me? What do you mean, her ladyship is going to be your husband?"
Late that night, Owen gave his report to the Duke. "Inspectors are heading back to the capital the day after tomorrow."
Carts raised an eyebrow. "That fast? Since they came all this way, I figured they'd stay for at least a month."
Even though His Majesty's official decree was just for them to visit their retired teacher in the countryside, their real motive was definitely surveillance. To think he'd pull out the spies he went out of his way to send here so quickly.
The Duke had a bad feeling about this. Right up until her dying breath, his daughter had begged him to protect Rachel at all costs. He immediately ordered the butler to tighten security around the villa.
Owen then pulled out a file. He had gathered background information on Vivien and her father, Diaz Hassan.
"Diaz Hassan, twenty-nine years old, currently running a bakery in the village. As for his wife, rumors say that before they settled in the village with their daughter five years ago, she had already passed away. But absolutely no one knows anything about this family's past. Though his past before arriving here is a total mystery, it doesn't look like he has any ties to the emperor."
"The emperor couldn't have known I'd buy this estate and planted him here in advance."
Owen handed a small notebook to the Duke, adding, "This is a report Vivien submitted to you, Your Grace. Apparently, it's her observational analysis of the Imperial Knights."
The Duke was baffled. Why on earth would a child be observing the Imperial Knights?
Earlier that afternoon, Owen had asked her why she wanted to give this to His Grace.
"Because I'm on the Duke's side, of course."
Thinking back to her words, Owen couldn't help but chuckle. "Because that child claims to be on your side, Your Grace."
Looking skeptical, Carts flipped open the notebook and read.
"After a really yummy dinner that day, I went home and saw three creepy misters. They asked if her ladyship was doing well and if I had ever seen her use magic. When I went out after breakfast, those misters were asking the grocery store owner if he had supplied anything special to the Duke's household."
Finishing the page, the Duke burst into laughter. "I had a feeling about her from the very first time we met. She's a remarkably perceptive and street-smart kid. Looks like we've stumbled upon quite the little talent. Bring Vivien in."