The Monstrous Grand Duke’s Fake Lady

It looked like Amanda wasn’t the only one who had been dreaming about that. Even Alexia, who had always been sitting in her seat while busy commanding odds and ends with her hand, had come out to manage on her own.

Vivian stared blankly at those people, who were busy moving under her orders.

It was a completely different world from hers, anyway. Even if she was lucky enough to follow her as a maid, it was undeniable to say that she would have to eventually work there.

Vivian suddenly put an end to her steps, which made Amanda stop as well.

“All of the people from prestigious families are attending, right?”

“That’s right. Especially since there were a number of people who said that you can find your own mate through this gathering.”

That can’t be, right? Vivian’s body immediately stiffened when the thought of Knox had naturally come to her mind. If the prestigious families were the ones who had gotten the invitation, he would definitely be contacted as well.

What if he comes as well? What if he is also participating?

This time, it was crystal clear that Alexia would be participating in the event herself. If she runs into Knox over there…

Vivian’s complexion instantly went pale as she fell into a state of confusion, before she quickly shook her head.

No one knows how it will transpire. He was still an ill patient, so there might be a possibility that won’t be attending. Yeah, that’s absolutely right. Vivian continued to suppress her anxious mind, before repressing it over and over again.

***

Vivian, who had transformed into Alexia just like she always did, hastened her steps even more.

“Knox!”

Soon after she had arrived at the Grand Duke’s residence, Vivian immediately stormed into his bedroom. Knox naturally turned his head to the door at the hurried steps that were unlike that of the usual.

In the end, she couldn’t even fall asleep last night as she suffered in agony. Vivian’s expression appeared complicated since her anguish continued to disrupt her sleep until sunrise.

“What is it that makes you run like that?”

“That…… Is Knox coming as well?”

She had kicked down his door rather bravely, but she suddenly became cautious when she tried to speak.

“Are you talking about the hunting competition?”

“Yes!”

“I’ve always participated, so I’ll be attending for this year as well. Moreover, I can relax while going there.”

How can this even happen? It was at that exact moment where her last night’s nightmare had become a reality.

Vivian tried really hard to hide her desperation with that hat of hers.

“…Are you going even though you’re still sick?”

“Thanks to your devoted care, my eyes are just uncomfortable now. They don’t really hurt any longer. If my eyes are healed completely, I wouldn’t even have to do this anymore.”

Fortunately, Knox had given a casual reply to Vivian as he couldn’t really discern her expression.

“Are you also going?”

“Ah. Yes, yes.”

“Then, we can meet each other there.”

“I might not be able to see you there. It’s been a long since I’ve met up with my friends.”

Vivian replied quickly. If he was going to participate, then it’d be important to make sure that Alexia wouldn’t bump into him at all costs.

“Also, Knox needs to meet your own friends, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Plus, it’s only for three nights. So, I think that it might be better to meet our friends comfortably during that time.”

“Hmmm…….”

He lost in thought for a moment before calling upon Vivian with his hand.

Vivian, who had already known the meaning of his hand gesture, obediently approached him.

She accepted his hand before sitting on his lap while he held on her waist rather tightly.

“But my dear, I prefer to meet you more than my friends.”

“Even if you say so, you still can’t.”

Knox’s hand slightly slid downwards at her words. Vivian straight away grabbed his wrist as firmly as she could when he tried to squeeze her through that thick skirt.

“…That hand—especially can’t.”

“Can’t I?”

“Of course. Because of yesterday’s deed, my back is…”

Vivian blurted out before closing her lips in a hurry.

Vivian’s face, which had never expressed any pain or shame in front of him, heated up all of a sudden.