Remaking Of Lady Cruel

Chapter Twenty-Four: Redeeming Guilt (Part One)

Its unwise for him to have that kind of question. He’s known for being a smart-talker but now he feels stupid. Seeing her indifferent expression makes him feel even more unwanted and dirty. Viviene, who notice his sudden silence glance at him. Her eyes slightly went wide as she saw unfamiliar expressions from him.

She didn’t ask anything towards the prince because she knew what those feelings are. She thought he needs realization of the situation in front of him. She may be nice like some other person said but she’s not kind.

She’s not like the woman whom they cared and love so much. She’s very different to Eliza.

“You’re scared of going there?” He asked again.

“Maybe.” She lightly answered and shrug her shoulders.

The crown prince only nodded then he stood up.

“Lets talk again, Lady Cruel.”

“Goodbye Your Majesty.”

He disappeared immediately from her sight. She lean on the bench again but a severe headache appeared in he head. She felt nauseous and dizzy then her face paled.

“Milady? Are you alright?” Sir Rowellius asked beside her. He’s been standing beside Viviene the whole time until the crown prince left.

“I’m not feeling well. Lets go back now.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll call them.”

After that, Viviene went home early and hurriedly went to her room to rest. She asked Merriam to have a meal that is easy to digest and be brought to her room. While waiting for her meal, someone knock the door and broke the silence of her room.

“Who is it?”

“Its your brother.”

She sighed and felt the headache getting worse than before.

“…Come in.”

The door opened and Arthur entered. Unlike before, she didn’t smile at him and greeted him.

“You’ve been avoiding me since morning. What’s wrong?”

She felt like a tornado just brush everything away from her even her skill to think, thankfully, she held her rising anger towards him.

“What do you think is wrong?”

“Viviene.”

“Look, I’m tired okay? I don’t have the strength to talk with you. So, please leave brother.” She muttered in an indifferent tone.

“If its about Eliza being your friend, I can listen. Why do you hate her so much? She’s a kind and nice person.” He pointed and ignore her plea.

“Why do you think I hate her?”

“Because your jealous of her.” He immediately answered. There’s no sense of doubt in his tone. She smiled bitterly and glance at him.

“Do you mean that?”

He didn’t answer so Viviene continue talking.

“Go on, think what you want to think. I’m tired of explaining things out. Will you now leave my room?” She felt really tired of their useless argument. Its like she’s talking to a child instead of an adult.

“You’re being very immature since then.”

“And you’ve been insensitive since then.”

“What?”

“I told you I’m not feeling well and you kept on nagging me about useless things. If you’re worried that I’ll hurt the woman you love, don’t be. I’m too tired to do that. So will you please get out now?” She muttered in annoyance. Arthur sighed heavily in defeat.

“Alright.”

He glance at her again and saw her face with a little smile on her lips. He blink before going out from the room. At that moment, he felt an extreme anger that can make someone tremble yet once he saw her calm and smiling demeanor he thought he is just hallucinating.

Viviene sigh and relax her stiff shoulders. She can still feel her blood pressure not decreasing after she talked to Arthur.

‘That jerk is an idiot.’ She thought grimly. Someone knock on the door again.

“Who is it?”

“Its Merriam Miss.”

Seeing Arthur made her appetite drop so she told Merriam that she’s not having dinner. Merriam, who knew about her health condition insist that she should eat at least the soup.

“Please Miss. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” She pleaded to her.

“No, its alright, Merriam. I ate earlier so you can take this back now.”

“But!”

“Merriam, please don’t make me repeat myself. I don’t have an amiable mood tonight.”

Sensing something’s off from Viviene she slowly back down and nodded disappointedly. Looking at her sullen face makes her feel guilty a little.

“Don’t worry Merriam, I’ll eat a lot tomorrow. So don’t be sad.”

She tried to smiled at her but that didn’t help Merriam’s disappointed feeling towards herself.

“Alright Miss. Good night.”

“Good night to you too.”

Merriam went out from her room dragging the trolley with her dinner on it. Viviene opened her drawer and took the plan she wrote. She felt that the plan is slowly crumbling and deep in her, hopelessness is forming. She felt that everywhere she went and every time, stresses and problems are always there. The most problematic situation is her being here in the wrong place.

She’s scared she might not return home.

“I hope I’ll meet Axxiale in my dreams tonight.” She hoped. She returned the paper in her drawer and lie down to sleep.

Unfortunately, she had a dreamless night so all her frustrations and questions were held deep inside her again.

Morning came, she woke up very early because of her chest aching. She sits on her bed and coughed continuously that so much blood went out from her mouth. She’s aware of the reactions of the people that resides in the mansion so she quickly hid the two white handkerchiefs that are now covered in blood. Not long after that, Merriam came to attend her.

“Miss, are you alright? You’re so pale.” Merriam asked as she notice Viviene’s complexion. “Is something hurts?” She added.

“No, I’m alright.” She lied while Merriam helped her wear her dress.

She came out from her room and went downstairs to the dining hall. The door opened and she saw her brother and father who were already sitting near the table. She felt Arthur’s cold gaze at her but she ignore him.

“Good morning father, brother.” She greeted. Instead of greeting her back, the duke asked her with a worried tone.

“You’re so pale. Are you alright? Should I call a doctor?”

“No.”

“Don’t be stubborn. We know you’re not alright.” Arthur said glaring at her. She sits on the chair and calmly glance at well.

“Really? I’m not surprise.” She muttered with a sly smile.

“You..”

“Stop arguing. Lets eat.” The duke said coldly.

Viviene slowly ate her salad. Her eyes widen and her fork fell on the floor creating a noise that stops everyone from moving and glance at her direction. She smiled at them, hiding her startled look.

“I’m sorry, I slip the fork.”

“… Its alright.” The duke muttered calmly. The maid handed a new salad fork and she started eating again.

‘I cant taste anything…’ She thought feeling scared of her body. She finished her food slower than the usual.

“..Are you really alright?” Arthur asked looking at her for a long time.

“Of course. The food is delicious.” She muttered trying to be cheerful like the usual.

“… I realized that you haven’t had new jewelries for a long time, Viviene.” The duke suddenly open-up.

“Yes?”

“I called the best jewelry maker from the capital, they’ll arrive soon before lunch.”

“Jewelry? I have tons of it in my room, father.”

“So?”

‘As I know I only have one neck, two ears and two hands with ten fingers..’ She thought sullenly while glancing at him. With an awkward laugh, she open her mouth again.

“I think I already have too much.”

“… You deserve it.”

She glance at Arthur again. She thought thoroughly why they’re doing this things. Only one thing came to her mind.

They’re trying to ease their guilt by compensating her with material things. And that makes her even sadder than before. Its clear she doesn’t want those things at all. Even the real Viviene.

‘They really, don’t know a thing about her. Poor Viviene, having a family whose cold and ignorant.’ She thought and concluded that being alone is much better than being ignored. She smiled at her father, the sweetest to be exact.

“…Alright. Thank you, father.”

‘Its better that they remain like this. I don’t have the slightest intention of letting them know about myself until the real Viviene return.’

She excused herself from them. She skip eating desserts and asked permission to go back to her room with an excuse of not feeling well. While walking in the empty hallway someone called her name that made her stop and turn around. She saw Arthur still with his cold gaze at her.

“Brother, what do you want?” She asked calmly.

“You don’t really look fine. Did you, cough blood again?” He asked directly to her.

“No.” She lied smoothly smiling at him. “I always look like this, brother. No need to be worried.” She added and turn her back from him. She started walking again but halted when he suddenly speak to her.

“Can I, visit you later?”

She face him again but this time she’s not smiling anymore.

“No.”

She started walking again without glancing at him the second time. She felt so tired and she wants to sleep so bad. With heavy steps, she enter her room and close the door. She throw herself on the bed and fell asleep immediately.

“Miss. Miss.”

She slowly open her eyes and saw Merriam.

“I apologize for waking you up, Miss. The jewelers had arrived and currently waiting for you at the audience room.”

“Oh. Alright.”

She stood up from bed and went out from the room. She arrived at the audience room and saw the jewelers. A man with his servants greet her with curtesy and respect. She greeted them as well and take a sit on the couch. The jeweler presented her a catalogue of the best jewels they sell.

But in her eyes, all of them were useless.

‘My ring is the only valuable jewelry I have.’ She thought while looking at the catalogue with a bored look. ‘I decided..’ She added to herself as she close the catalogue.

“So, is there anything you want?” The jeweler asked expecting a ‘yes’ from her. She smiled at him and answered..

“I apologize but there’s none to my liking.”

The jeweler’s mouth hang wide open at her answer.

‘But I my jewelries are the best in the whole empire!’ He thought furiously and disappointedly.

“B-But.”

“The butler will see you outside. Thank you for showing me such beautiful jewels.” She said politely as she stood up and went out from the room. Merriam, who’s standing in the corner followed her and whispered.

“Miss, are you sure you don’t want their jewelries? Those were the best!”

“Indeed, their jewelries are very beautiful and I don’t deny it, however..” She stopped from walking and face her with a small smile. “I don’t need futile things.” She added. After she muttered those words to Merriam, she started walking again towards her room.

The butler, who fetch the jewelers from the audience room, was aware of Viviene’s refusal from the jewelers products. He told the duke what happened and he’s very disappointed.

‘Was the jewelries not to her liking?’ He thought.

“Find another jewelers and it should be the best of the best.”

“P-Pardon Your Grace?”

“You heard me Finnian.” The duke said while not glancing at his direction.

‘But they are already the best!’ Finnian thought nervously.

Lunch passed peacefully and Viviene is still in her room, on her bed with a boom and a cup of tea. She close her eyes for a while when the letters from the book started to swirl.

“Are you okay Miss?” Merriam asked again.

“Yes.”

“You look pale all of a sudden.” Merriam added.

“Can I get another cup of tea?” She asked to avoid answering her question. Merriam nodded and serve her another cup of tea which she gladly accept. Someone knock the door.

“Miss, its me Finnian.”

“Come in.”

The door opened and the butler opened. He slightly bow then started speaking.

“His Highness, the crown prince and Lady Walmeir were waiting for you at the audience room.”

She felt her blood flowed backwards and her nape drench in cold sweat.

“T-The crown prince?”

“Yes, Miss.”

‘Why are they here? What do they want from me?’ She asked herself but she knew that she cant answer those questions unless she’ll meet them. She sighed and face the butler again who’s clearly waiting for her reply.

“I’ll be there.”

“Yes, Miss.”

He went out from her room. Viviene stood up and asked Merriam to help her fix her hair. She braided her hair and after that she confidently meet them.

The door of the audience room opened once again for her and she entered proudly.

“Good day, Your Majesty, Lady Walmeir.” She muttered in curtesy as she sits on the couch.

“Lady Cruel, its nice to meet you again. I brought this tea for you. Its dandelion herbal tea and its good for the skin.” She explained happily.

“Thank you, Lady Walmeir.”

“I apologize for my question but, are you sick Miss? Your complexion is really pale.” Eliza asked.

“Yes. I’m alright. What are you doing here?”

“Actually, we decided to visit you here since we heard that you’re not feeling well this past few days.” Eliza answered.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness and Lady Walmeir but as you can see, I’m perfectly fine.” She said while forcing a smile.

“Fine? You looked like you’re about to disappear any minute.” The crown prince said with irritation from her lies.

“Yes? I’m really fine, Your Majesty.”

“Liar.”

Her blood is slowly boiling inside of her but she needs to stay alive until she return home. She remain smiling at him.

“I don’t lie, Your Majesty.” She retorted while smiling.

“… Alright.” He muttered to himself but remained a cold-hearted bastard.

Their conversation wasn’t to her liking but she force herself as she smiled at them.

‘I’m really tired..’ She thought and felt her body being heavy again. She stopped talking seeing the surroundings become blurry then suddenly, she felt something dripping from her nose. The prince and Eliza’s eyes widen when they saw Viviene with her nose bleeding. She immediately wipe her nose and stood up.

“I apologize but I’m taking my leave.”

She said forcing a smile before going out from the audience hall leaving the two behind.