villainess chapter 21

***

Vivian was no longer in the private room; Flora was alone. She recalled Vivian at breakfast that morning, her rose-petal pink lips curving into a soft smile, her deep green eyes alight with a gentle warmth. “Vivian seems to have grown even sweeter,” Flora murmured to herself. 

She pictured her younger sister, struggling to eat her carrots and shyly asking to trade her soup, her lovely eyes darting around the table, gauging the family’s reaction. And then, the quiet relief that washed over Vivian’s face when her bowl was replaced with carrot-free soup. Vivian likely thought she’d masked her feelings, but everyone at the table had noticed. Flora had barely resisted the urge to bury her face in those chubby cheeks.

“How does Vivian become more lovely each day?” She’d graduated from the academy recently and had begun to affect an air of maturity, but in her family’s eyes, she was still their youngest, a delicate girl in need of protection. Unlike Flora, who was on the cusp of her societal debut, Vivian seemed barely capable of navigating the world, let alone the complexities of social life. 

If Flora could, she would keep Vivian sheltered within the walls of the ducal estate, surrounded only by beauty and kindness. Someone might scoff at such sentimentality, deeming it unfitting for a noble, but to Flora, Vivian was precious beyond measure. From their very first meeting, Vivian had seemed to recognize Flora as her elder sister, trailing after her with the trusting gaze of a chick following its hen.

If only Max, their older brother, would treat Vivian with a fraction of the same kindness. “That cold-hearted brother of ours. What does such a young girl know to deserve his icy demeanor? He’ll regret it when Vivian eventually leaves the estate.” No matter how much Flora insisted that Vivian was different from their mother, the Duchess, Max refused to listen. “One person with misplaced anger in this family is enough.”

Flora heard her sister’s quick footsteps pause outside the room. Then, silence. The attendant who had accompanied Vivian had also stopped. They couldn’t have reached their destination yet. A tendril of worry began to unfurl in Flora’s chest. “What’s going on?”

“Madame, would you mind opening the door a little? The air feels a bit stuffy after being inside the estate for so long.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

The madame opened the door and a window slightly. A gentle spring breeze, both warm and cool, swept through the room, refreshing the somewhat stale air. Through the narrow gap in the doorway, Flora could see the hallway where Vivian should have been. As she suspected, her sister stood frozen mid-step, turned towards the railing, gazing down at the floor below. Her head tilted slightly, her expression puzzled. “Did Vivian see someone she knows? Perhaps a friend from the academy?” Flora knew most of Vivian’s acquaintances from her time at the academy. Those early connections tended to last, so there couldn’t have been many changes. As soon as Vivian had entered the academy, Flora had systematically dealt with any young lords who showed an interest in her. They were all young boys, easily intimidated by her sharp tongue and formidable presence. Fortunately, Vivian, who in Flora’s eyes was still a child, remained blissfully unaware of these interventions. Her circle consisted of a few quiet, well-bred young ladies of similar age. The Beaufort sisters were currently at a women’s boutique, so it wouldn’t be unusual for Vivian to encounter one of her friends. Still, a nagging feeling prompted Flora to keep watch. Suddenly, Vivian’s eyes widened in alarm.

“Oh!”

A small gasp escaped her lips as she quickly covered her face with her gloved hands. The glimpse of skin Flora saw between her fingers was starkly pale. Vivian’s eyes were squeezed shut. “Vivian? Why does she look so frightened?”

The question was immediately answered. A boy, dressed entirely in black, materialized before Vivian, blocking her path. Startled by his sudden appearance, Vivian recoiled like a small animal. He was so tall that he obscured half of Vivian from Flora’s view. It was no wonder her delicate sister was so startled, having such a large person suddenly appear before her. “Who is that rude young lord?” Rage surged through Flora. She nearly bolted from her seat but managed to restrain herself, straining to hear. They were in a busy boutique in the capital; surely, he wouldn’t dare do anything untoward. As the composed Lady Beaufort, she had to maintain her decorum.

“Hello, Vivian. It’s been a while.”

The boy’s voice, just past the point of breaking, offered a greeting. “‘It’s been a while’? Do they know each other? I’ve never seen him at the academy.” Vivian’s bewildered expression didn’t match the boy’s casual tone. If he were someone Vivian knew, Flora would certainly know him too.