Remaking Of Lady Cruel

Chapter Forty-Five: Another Drama

Viviene felt how heavy the atmosphere because of the duke’s presence. She can feel her palms sweating in nervousness while smiling at them like an i***t.

“So, how’s have you been, Father?” Viviene asked with a force, awkward smile on her face.

“I’m fine. So far, the north is as peaceful as before. The enemies were as quiet as a dead rat.” He muttered as he lean on the chair.

Viviene remembered Ulysses all of a sudden. She thought that its been a long time since she didn’t go visit him under that tree. She wondered what happened to the glass jar and the lucky stars he’s making.

‘I should pay him a visit.’

“Viviene?”

Viviene snapped and look at the duke’s face.

“Yes?”

“Is everything alright? If not then you can have a rest.” The duke stated in a worried tone.

“Nah. I’m done with resting. If I always lie in bed I’m afraid I’ll stuck in there for the rest of my life.” She answered leisurely. “Its good to have someone to talk to anyway rather than staring at the ceiling in my room.” She joke.

‘Loneliness sometimes drives someone to insanity. And living here makes it even more possible.’ She thought and sigh.

“I see.” The duke muttered in relief. “So, what happened here when I’m gone?” he added.

She flinch and pause from drinking her tea. Lots of ideas came rushing in her mind as she thought of the duke knowing the commotions happened in the mansion.

‘It will be very bad for my image in front of him. No! That cant happen!’ She hissed anxiously inside her head.

“Well---”

“Nothing much. Everything is fine, father.”

She immediately said, stopping Arthur to answer him. Unfortunately for her, Alexander open his mouth and answer the duke.

“A commotion happened in the dukedom, Your Excellency. It happened due to my thoughtless action, I’m here to apologize to the Young Lady.”

“What!?” The duke exclaimed throwing deadly stares at Alexander.

“Father, calm down.”

“Calm down? How can I calm down? You were supposed to rest and not worry over stressful matters?”

“If you get angry, Father, you’ll age ten more years.” She jokingly threaten him as she tried herself to smile as possible.

‘I should have not let them be in the same table. I’m the one who’s in danger here.’ She weigh inside her mind heavily.

“Besides, it not something serious. I had a fever when I met Sir Valor and Lady Walmeir. Its my fault for forcing myself.” She added.

She can see Arthur’s face darken feature but she choose to ignore it. He’s in a foul mood after hearing her not taking seriously the situation of her body and health. She’s unconscious for a day and half and not even that, she vomit blood before it!

“I want to spend some time with Your Excellency, Young Duke and Young Lady but I think I should head back to the imperial palace right now. If you don’t mind, may I take my leave now?” He asked.

“Of course, Sir. Thank you for spending time with me.” Viviene chirped.

“Don’t mention it, Milady. I’ll visit you next time.” Sir Valor mentioned.

“Alright. I’ll expect it.”

Alexander stood up, bow down to them all before leaving the table. Viviene glance at the two who were already staring at her. She felt a sudden goosebumps meeting their blue eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” The duke asked directly. “Child, follow me in my office this instance.” He ordered.

“… Yes, father.” She answered.

Arthur look at her but she just force a smile on her lips. She followed the duke silently and they arrived at her office. Nervousness covered her being as she sits on the sofa facing the duke’s stern face.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He asked the same question to her.

“Father.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that you’re suffering so much? Are you thinking that I am an incompetent father for you? Huh?” He asked as his eyes showed pain for the first time. Viviene’s eyes slightly widen and delate but it disappeared right away. With a small smile, she answered.

“Welcome home father. I missed you.” That’s the only thing she replied to him. She didn’t answer the question which was obvious in her heart. She didn’t want to let him know in the first place.

‘I still resent you for what you’ve done to your own daughter. And now you’re acting like you care? Now that she’s nowhere to be found!’ She fumed inside her head yet her face is still smiling in front of him.

“I don’t understand you, child. Just why?”

“Well, I don’t want to cause too much trouble in our family.”

“Trouble!? Who made you think that you are a trouble? Tell me and I’ll cut their tongues!” The duke roared as his eyes glowed dangerously.

‘He is much more dangerous than Arthur.’ She realized while looking at his face with an expressionless face.

“No one father. Please calm down. I am sorry if I caused a trouble these past few days. This will not happen again.”

‘Can I just walk out? Its so tired.’ She whine in her head.

“Child, why are you not answering the questions directly? Are you scared?” He asked looking through her amber irises.

‘Wait, how did he end up asking if I’m scared?’ She sighed and stared at the big window behind the duke’s desk.

“Am I?”

The duke nodded and stare at her.

“Its not that I’m scared, Father. There were some things that, you know, keep hidden.” She answered truthfully. “Anyway father, how about taking going to the greenhouse? Aren’t you excited about my first ever project?” She asked trying to calm her enthusiasm.

“You are not making this easy, child.” He sighed.

“Why are you not calling me by my name father?” His face hardened while staring back at her.

“Child..”

“I understand you, father. So I hope that you will understand me too.”

The conversation ended with the duke not having the answers he wants. He was astonished by her question that even he cannot answer. He lean on the chair and massage his forehead.

“Oh Veronica, what have I done to our daughter.” He mumbled in frustration and sadness as he recall the dead eyes of Viviene while smiling at him.

‘Its her smile that hides how lifeless she is inside.’ He sighed and watch the red-orange sky outside the window in a daze.

Morning came, Viviene went downstairs to eat breakfast with the duke and Arthur. While walking, she saw Arthur just went out from his room. She greeted him.

“Good morning, brother.”

“Good morning.” He greeted as well but not as cheerful as Viviene’s way of greeting.

‘What can I expect from a walking snowman?’ She thought swallowing a sigh.

“Did you sleep well, brother?”

“Not really. How about you?”

“… I’m fine.”

She lied. Of course she was not having good night sleep because she was having those episodic dreams from Viviene’s memory.

‘The most dramatic movie I have encountered so far. How I hate dramas!’ She pondered. Arthur stare at her for a while before speaking again.

“I know your lying.”

She didn’t flinch at his answer and her smile went wider.

“Shall we go now? Father is waiting for us.”

They started walking downstairs and went straight to the dining hall. After breakfast, they went to the greenhouse which Viviene is looking forward to since yesterday.

“Well, are you ready to see the greenhouse? I’m sure your heart will drop due to my creation.” She muttered with too much confidence.

‘I did my best so I should be proud of myself.’ She muttered to herself and a little nervous perhaps. She open the door and glance at them.

“Please come in.”

The duke and Arthur entered the greenhouse and were amazed by the sight. Different flowers were blooming and its scent occupied the whole area. The sun entering the greenhouse gave a more dreamy view that it looked like they entered a painting than in a room. But what’s more intriguing is the feeling they felt as they enter. They were refreshed and their tiredness disappeared in a blink of an eye. Seeing their reaction made her even more proud of herself.

“Please follow me.”

She lead the way and both of them followed. Their eyes slowly widen as they saw the silver tree in the center.

“Is this, the Moonlight Tree?” Arthur asked in astonishment.

“Of course. I asked Finnian to get me this tree for you. I’ve learned that you always lose manna and it made me worried. Are you proud of me now?” She asked with her eyes trembling a little. The duke pat her head and that made her even more shock.

“I’m proud of you.” He muttered in a gentle and warm voice. Her eyes sparkled and tears might fall anytime soon but she tried her best not to.

‘Yes, Viviene deserve this compliment.’ She thought feeling happy for Viviene, the rightful owner of the body.

“..Yes. Thank you.” She answered with a smile.

“..Why do you have such gloomy eyes?” The duke asked. Surprisingly, she answered his question truthfully.

“Because I’m sad.” She displayed her sweetest smile, refusing to fall from grace. She step back from the duke whose eyes dilate and face hardened hearing her.

“Viviene, what are you talking about?” Arthur asked in confusion as well. “What makes you sad.” He added.

‘You..’ She answered indirectly with dead eyes. ‘Its because the two of you were too late.’ She added with loath deep within. ‘I cant just forget what I’ve said to her. I’m here to hate them for her because she’s too kind for their own good.’

“Its just that, I cant be with you longer.”

“What are you talking about? Child!” The duke fumed.

“Its just as I’ve said, father. I know that you’re trying your best to help me and I appreciated it more than anyone else however, I’m beyond that.” She answered as her smile turned cold. Arthur rush to her and held her thin wrist.

“Don’t say that. What are you talking about? You are not beyond saving!” He roared at her.

Her cold smile turned into a mocking one as she raise her head and meet his eyes. She knew he is lying because she is aware of her condition more than anyone else around her. She’s just like this because she didn’t accept the fate that the gods gave her. She is not a kind woman to sympathize a stranger’s dramas.

‘I too, have my own problems, yet I am not a coward to turn my back from it. Viviene, you better return or else I’ll drag you back!’ she fumed inside.

“Brother, don’t mock yourself. You and father knew my condition and there’s no cure for it. I am aware of that and I don’t deny it. Maybe the reason why I put a lot of effort in restoring this greenhouse is to at least leave with a good impression to you and not as a troublesome member of the family. But I tried my best that this greenhouse will not make you recall of me when I leave this place someday.” She explained with a smile so bright that for a second no one thought of the sadness embedded in it.

The duke and Arthur just realized that no matter where their eyes fell, not a single red color can be seen. Red is her favorite color and no one knew it ever since. But now, she thought that perhaps, the duke and Arthur knew it now.

She can feel intense pain in her eyes and felt something red from it. Her father and her brother’s face distorted as they look at her once again. Blood rolled down from her amber eyes staining her cheeks.

‘What? Why am I crying with blood!? I thought I’ll just cough or puke blood!?’ She hissed. Her vision started to blur yet she tried her best to remain standing in front of them. ‘I looked like a ghost in a horror movie! What the heck!?’

“.. Excuse me for frightening you. I’m afraid this is the end of our trip here.”

She laugh awkwardly as she wipe her blood tears. The men in front of her remain watching her but she didn't feel bad about it at all.

'Its better than to experience their kind gestures pushed by their guilt.' She put her white hankerchief , now red, in her pocket.

"Father? Brother? Lets go back now. I'm sure you have a lot of work to do right?" She asked but they never answered her. She smiled at their pained expression.

'Should I get an applause for this?'

She walk pass through them and never look back. Comforting them would ruin the atmosphere so she decided to let it remain in them.

Ulysses stood up from sitting on his chair for a long time. He decided to visit the narra tree once again hoping he'll meet Viviene there. Oliver saw him and knew that he's going to see her again so he speak.

"Captain, are you going to meet that lady there?" He asked.

"Isn't it obvious?"

Oliver press his lips hard, hesitating in continuing the conversation.

"Perhaps you want her to be the empress?" He asked directly.

"Why not her? She's witty, smart and she's interesting. She's not like those women who after my power and wealth." He stated with a smile on his face.

"Pardon me for saying this Captain but, did you say to the lady about your real position?"

He didn't answer. Oliver took that silence as a yes to his question.

"Captain, I dont know if you knew this information but, the lady is sick. According to the information guild I've asked, she's going to die."

"Enough! One word Oliver and I'll kill you in that spot faster than the speed of light."

His red irises glowed dangerously but Oliver remained calm.

"I apologize for my insolence, captain." He muttered as he lower his gaze.

He knew all along that she's sick and that illness is not ordinary. He just saw how her damage her soul the moment he saw her closely. He felt pity for her but she knew that she's the type of woman who never accept sympathy for herself despite her pure and compassionate heart.

Yet those clear amber eyes and firm smiles, it never showed a bit of weakness and pain in front of him that made him admired her even more.

He concluded that she is the perfect empress to be in his side. The one who's worthy to be with him. Someone who's brave, strong and shines brightly despite the struggles.

Someone he can rely to.

"... Is the gods mocking me for meeting her? Am I really that despicable to felt comfort to someone who will leave soon?" He mumbled as he sit back on his throne again but Oliver heard him loud and clear and felt pity for him as well as the pity he felt for that lady.

He really needs to see that lady with his own eyes.

"Oliver, send the best tea from our empire to Lady Cruel." He ordered.

"P-pardon? Right now, captain?"

"Do I need to repeat it myself? Go!"

Oliver hurriedly went out from the tent fearing for his dear life to disappear in a blink of an eye.

'How am I suppose to do this when the empire is watching at us with intense gaze!?' He blurted in frustrations not knowing if he'll die with Ulyesses' hands or the foes' hands.

'Whatever it is, may the gods be with me.' He prayed sincerely.