Chapter 20

# 20

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A little while later, Maki appeared with Senator Hans. Her clothes and hair were slightly disheveled, suggesting she had run over in a hurry.

Charlotte inwardly felt a sense of satisfaction.

Senator Hans examined Navia and said that while she didn’t have a stomachache, she was clearly not in good health.

In fact, it couldn't be helped.

Navia had inhaled smoke from the fire, had always been a poor eater, and had just pulled an all-nighter.

Upon hearing the examination results, Maki, immersed in confusion, refrained from further mischief and quietly returned.

Charlotte, once Navia fell asleep, left the room to secure some delicious food for the evening.

'Oh, right, I need to get some thread and fabric to mend the clothes.'

She was lost in thought as she descended the stairs.

"Um, Charlotte?"

Linden, who had been nowhere to be seen for hours, suddenly reappeared and called out to Charlotte subtly.

"Yes, Mr. Butler."

Linden hesitated before speaking.

"I've arranged for the items from Ansier Boutique to arrive early tomorrow morning. I've also asked them to include some jewelry that might suit you. You should find something useful."

So, this was his way of making up for the earlier situation.

Charlotte knew that Linden was opportunistic but pretended to be a gentleman, and he detested being seen as a bad person. She responded appropriately to his wishes.

"Only you, Mr. Butler, seem to care for Miss Navia. And for me to wear jewelry... I feel so unworthy."

Linden felt at ease with her humble demeanor.

"Hehe, what's a piece of jewelry? This is something I can handle with my discretion, so please accept it."

"Thank you, Mr. Butler."

"Yes, yes. Get back to your work."

Charlotte bowed her head again and continued down the stairs.

Thinking about how things had started to fall into place since she took Navia's hand, a pleasant smile appeared on her face.

"Ansier."

'So, I can take my time mending Miss's clothes.'

Thinking of the numerous cute and beautiful dresses in Ansier, Charlotte hummed a tune.

'I can't wait for tomorrow!'

* * *

On the fourth morning since Navia's return.

The mansion was quiet.

Wood and Filipa were busy for unknown reasons, so the servants were relatively relaxed.

Just as they were starting their peaceful morning,

Clack, clack.

Carriages arrived on the path that cut through the garden from the main gate to the foyer of the mansion.

The silver emblem carved on the carriages belonged to Ansier Boutique.

The highest-ranking employee stepped out first.

Linden, aware of their visit, had come out to greet them.

"Welcome, Mr. Butler Linden."

"Thank you for coming. Please move the items to the third floor."

At his words, the senior employee from Ansier clapped his hands.

Clap! Clap!

"Everyone, move out!"

Then, well-dressed men with neatly combed hair, each carrying an elegant rosewood box, stepped out.

The female servants watched in awe as the handsome men entered the foyer in a line.

Indeed, as employees of a premium boutique known for its high prices, they all had striking appearances.

"Didn't we just have Miss Vivian's winter clothes made a short while ago? And now Ansier again?"

"Truly, the master is generous."

They recalled how Vivian had burst into tears two days ago.

Thinking that Nikan had ordered a gift for Vivian, they all felt moved.

"The master always shows such devotion to Miss. If she had been healthy, she would have enjoyed so much more..."

The servants watched the procession with affectionate eyes.

The head of a great noble family wielded power second only to the emperor and governed a vast organization, often with a ruthless disposition.

However, ruling by fear alone was not always possible.

A sense of belonging and pride in a great family, and respect for the master, played a crucial role in consolidating power.

In this regard, Nikan was a capable and charismatic master, but he was also respected for his devoted care of his terminally ill daughter as a widower.

People felt proud of this additional good deed as if it were their own.

No one suspected that the Ansier Boutique boxes were heading to Navia's room, the adopted daughter.

This was true even for Vivian's dedicated maids.

Vivian's maids rushed up to the third floor faster than the Ansier employees.

Before opening Vivian's door, they glanced down the opposite corridor.

The corridor where Navia's room was located.

"Hmph, a fake."

Maki, in particular, deliberately left the door wide open.

How much would Navia envy Vivian? The thought alone was satisfying.

"Miss Vivian, the items from Ansier Boutique are here! If you're still sleepy, you can rest a bit longer and open the boxes together."

At the mention of Ansier Boutique, Vivian rubbed her eyes and jumped out of bed.

"No, I'm awake!"

Everyone giggled.

"Our master is so considerate. He loves our Miss the most in the world!"

Vivian felt happy.

Two days ago, she had been sad because of Wood, and yesterday, she had been even more depressed because the apple juice she had been looking forward to had a problem and she couldn't drink it.

'Daddy must have given this gift to Vivian so she wouldn't be sad!'

Vivian, her eyes filled with anticipation, sat on the bed and wiggled her feet.

"Hehe, I should call Navia-nee to show her Vivian's gift. She always says how pretty and enviable the gifts Vivian receives are."

Watching Navia's eyes glued to her dresses and hairpins made Vivian feel elated.

"When will the gifts arrive?"

In response to Vivian's question, Laura quickly replied.

"I'll check!"

Then Maki added,

"Also, Laura, check if anyone is peeking from the opposite corridor."

"Pfft! Got it. Oh, I'm excited."

They were even angrier because, instead of making Navia suffer yesterday, they had ended up in trouble themselves.

'Today, you'll realize just how insignificant your position is.'

Maki, with a burning gaze, waited for the Ansier Boutique employees to arrive.

She planned to make a loud fuss so that the entire corridor would hear.

Laura, who had suffered from a stomachache yesterday, also wanted to take revenge on Charlotte and Navia.

She peeked down the corridor and smiled broadly when she spotted the Ansier employees.

Their smiles made Vivian's anticipation grow.

However, Laura's smile froze like she had been doused with cold water.

"Huh?"

Maki and Ann, who had been giggling while waiting for the boxes, also sensed something was off and stopped laughing.

"What's wrong, Laura?"

"The boxes..."

Impatient Ann couldn't hold back and stepped out into the corridor.

And she saw it.

"Isn't that the Emerald Room?"

As they watched, the Ansier employees were standing in front of Navia's room, not Vivian's.

The employee knocked politely.

Knock knock.

"Excuse me, Lady. Duke Agnes has sent a gift. May we bring it in?"

Click.

Charlotte, who had been waiting, opened the door wide.

"Come in."

The Ansier employees stacked the boxes neatly in Navia's room.

"Unbelievable!"

Vivian's maids, upon seeing this, screamed in shock.

Ansier Boutique was a place reserved for those with noble blood like Vivian.

Navia, a fake lady, should not have been using such items! Vivian, who couldn't understand their reaction, tilted her head and stepped out into the corridor.

She saw familiar-looking men entering an unused room on the opposite corridor.

'What's that room?'

She approached the room where the Ansier employees had entered, leaving her maids behind.

Through the open door, she saw silver hair.

Vivian was momentarily stunned.

"Navia-nee?"

Why is Nee here?

Oh, she said she would be using the third floor too.

So, this is Nee's room?

'That means... '

The gifts are for Navia-nee, not Vivian?

"A, Vivian came."

Navia's voice, welcoming Vivian, was sweeter than a bird's song.

Her gentle gaze was deep and inviting, and the smile on her lips exuded an elegant dignity.

Navia looked perfectly at home in the room filled with boxes from Ansier Boutique.

As if she belonged there.

"Are you okay? You don't look well."

Vivian, who had felt like she was floating in the air, suddenly felt grounded in reality. Her face had already turned pale.

A wave of complex and chaotic emotions washed over her.

Her hands trembled. A fact she had never consciously considered suddenly came to mind.

Nee said she came to marry Prince Ares in Vivian's place.