CH 42

Livia stared blankly at the scenery outside the mansion’s entrance. 

The carriage prepared for them was much larger and more splendid than she had imagined. However, there was no sign of the emblem of Mercedes anywhere. That was probably natural. There was no need to attract unnecessary attention.

But the reason she was surprised was not because of that. It was because of the figure standing in front of the carriage!

‘Why is he there?’

By this point, Livia thought surely everyone must have noticed him standing there. Were they as confused as she was? 

‘Cardien Mercedes!’

The man standing in front of the carriage was none other than Cardien.

‘Could it be that he came to see us off?’ Livia thought dubiously. 

…..but his attire was unusual to say that. It wasn’t his usual comfortable shirt.

He wore a beige cravat over a white shirt, a dark brown vest, black trousers that wrapped around his thighs, and a brown coat that looked classy.

It was undoubtedly the appearance of someone who was going out.

Vincent also seemed to notice something strange and clasped onto her skirt.

Livia looked back at Winston. Helpless nonverbal communication was written all over her face. 

‘Is this why we don’t need an escort?’

‘It isn’t, right?’

‘Please tell me it’s not.’

But as she was sending Winston glance after desperate glance, her betrayal of trust came from a different direction.

“You’re late,”Cardien casually muttered as he checked his watch.

Livia sighed inwardly and slowly made her way over to him while Cardien took a moment to scan her from top to bottom.

“Your Grace…….”

“What?”

Livia paused, wondering how to get the words out. No matter how much she thought, the words she wanted to say didn’t come to mind.

In the end, she just asked honestly.

“Well, is Your Grace…… going on the festival outing with us?”

Upon hearing that, Cardien immediately responded without hesitation.

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“…Ah, I see.”

Of course, it was obvious. That’s how it is.

At a loss for words, Livia smiled and turned away. In the end, she let out an even deeper internal sigh.

‘Well, who can I blame?’

If there was anyone to blame, it was clearly her own fault for not confirming.

‘Besides…….’

Livia looked back at Vincent. From the moment he’d spotted Cardien, Vincent had been on edge. She couldn’t hide her bitterness at the sight.

‘He’s his father.’

Even if he wasn’t his biological father, he was still his father, and the mere sight of him made the poor child stiffen.

Livia already knew about the relationship between Cardien and Vincent, but it was even more heartbreaking to see it so clearly.

Well, in a way, it might have been better.

‘I’m sorry Vincent, but…….’

The emotions Vincent harbored towards Cardien were positive, but that didn’t mean he felt comfortable around him. Rather, Vincent saw Cardien as someone who rescued him. In other words, it meant that he lacked a sense of family between them.

‘And Cardien is…….’

Livia carefully observed Cardien’s reactions. Cardien was looking down at Vincent with an indifferent expression.

‘He doesn’t seem to dislike it, does he?’

Of course, he doesn’t, because if he did, he wouldn’t have brought him to Mercedes to be his adopted son in the first place.

‘And he announced him as his heir right away.’

He didn’t even criticize Vincent’s attitude towards his studies.

It might seem like negligence at a glance, but it also meant that Cardien was lenient towards Vincent to that extent.

Livia swallowed hard.

‘If this is a chance for you two to get closer…….’

Even if the heirloom cured her illness, if the relationship between Cardien and Vincent remained the same, she wouldn’t be able to leave this place with peace of mind.

Livia needed to find the heirloom and cure her illness, but improving the relationship between Cardien and Vincent was also necessary.

With that in mind, she actually felt relieved to see Cardien. Livia looked at him with resolute eyes.

“That’s great. This is going to be fun, isn’t it, Vincent?”

Vincent, who hadn’t been expecting to be called on so suddenly, was startled. He met Cardien’s eyes and nodded.

“Yes…….”

“Shall we go then?”

“Sure.”

Winston, who realized the conversation had come to an end, quickly approached, and opened the door to the carriage.

“Thank you.”

As Livia bowed her head to him, Winston bid her farewell with a brighter face than ever.

“I hope you have a wonderful time,” he practically sang.

His eyes were shining brightly, as if it wasn’t just a polite remark.

Without further thought, she entered the carriage. Soon, Vincent sat beside her, and Cardien sat across from them.

~ Translations by Lurelia | Editing by Valpal | Read only at moonlightnovels.com ~

Thud.

The carriage door closed firmly, and the wheels began to roll. The carriage quickly left the mansion and headed towards the city.

“Vin……Master Vincent is there anything wrong?”

She was about to speak as casually as she would if they were alone, but then she remembered the presence of Cardien and made a hasty revision.

No matter how kindly Cardien may treat her, addressing the future Duke Vincent by his name and using informal speech could reflect poorly.

Vincent must have realized what she was thinking, because he frowned, but he wasn’t as stubborn as before. 

Still, just as Livia was speaking with a bright expression, concerned about Vincent’s gloomy face–

“I don’t care, so just act like you normally would.”

“……Huh?”

Livia questioned as she turned around with a confused look on her face.

Cardien, legs crossed and leaning back comfortably against the backrest, stared at her and Vincent with a nonchalant expression.

Through the gap between his slightly parted lips, a low voice, almost devoid of emotion, flowed out.

“I know how close Tutor and Vincent are, so you don’t have to keep your distance.”

“Oh.”

Realizing the implications of his words half a beat too late, Livia narrowed her eyes.

‘You knew?’

No. Anyone could have figured that out. Vincent was good at following her.

What surprised her was…….

‘You allowed me to use informal speech with Vincent?’

She knew that Cardien had been lenient towards her. He had turned a blind eye to her rude attitude many times.

But since rank and position were clear, she thought he would feel uncomfortable with her treating Vincent as more than just a disciple.

“Or are you more comfortable with me being strict about it? Just say it. I’ll do as you wish.”

As Livia continued to stare silently, he added on in a low, mocking tone.

‘Anyway, it means not to worry and act comfortably.’

Livia could recognize that beneath the sarcasm, it might be Cardien’s own way of consideration.

She soon realized that his gaze was directed at Vincent, who was tense and stiff.

And suddenly, she understood.

Right. Cardien was also concerned about Vincent.

The sight of Vincent freezing up and not being able to enjoy himself properly from the moment his adoptive father appeared was not lost on Cardien.

‘Ah…….’

It was not that Livia had deep affection for Cardien.

‘It’s just that my heart aches for no reason.’

Both Vincent, who feels uncomfortable with his father, and Cardien, who understands that son’s heart. Rather than feeling the discomfort of being caught between the two, Livia only felt regret that they couldn’t become closer.

‘All right.’

Cardien paved the way, and she couldn’t just reject it. She clenched her fist tightly and turned to Vincent.

“Vincent!”

As Livia suddenly called his name, Vincent looked at her, startled.

“Yes, yes?”

Oh, but.

Although she called him, she hadn’t thought about what to say…. 

While she was contemplating, a colorful circus tent of a wandering troupe passed by outside the window.

That’s it!

“Vincent, look outside the window. There are lots of interesting things.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I’ve seen a lot already, so why don’t we switch seats?”

“Is that okay?”

“Of course!”

“Then I’ll go!”

Vincent quickly jumped up from his seat.

“Oh, wait until after the carriage stops…”

Livia hurriedly tried to stop Vincent, but it was already too late.

Thud!

Sure enough, the carriage shook violently, causing Vincent’s body to sway.

~ Translations by Lurelia | Editing by Valpal | Read only at moonlightnovels.com ~

“Vincent!”

She rushed out to grab Vincent, but someone else’s hand was faster.

Thump.

“Do not move recklessly inside a moving carriage – it’s dangerous,” Cardien coldly spoke, catching Vincent, who was about to fall.

“Oh, I’m sorry….” Held by Cardien, Vincent lowered his head with a gloomy face.

While silently observing Vincent in that state, Cardien swiftly lifted him up.

“Huh?!” Vincent’s eyes widened in surprise.

It wasn’t just Vincent who was surprised. Livia also froze, looking at him as Cardien plonked Vincent down next to her, in the vacant seat by the window that she had left for him.

Then, as if nothing happened, Cardien returned to his original position, crossing his legs and gazing out of the window on the opposite side.

“…….”

“…….”

‘What on earth just happened?’

Livia was momentarily lost in the sequence of events.

It seemed like Vincent was also in the same state. Vincent stared blankly at Cardien.

Realizing that this was an opportunity, Livia regained her senses and quietly whispered in Vincent’s ear, “It seems like His Grace was worried that Vincent might get hurt.”

Of course, Cardien probably heard it too, but it didn’t matter.

Upon hearing her words, Vincent looked at her with surprise and then quickly lowered his head. With a flushed face, he fiddled with his fingers, seemingly unsure of what to do.

Seeing him like that, Livia couldn’t help but smile.

When she first found out that Cardien would accompany us, she was taken aback, but now, she had a feeling.

Perhaps today, the relationship between Cardien and Vincent might grow much closer.