TNBTW | Episode 37

“Lady Edith, a carriage seems to have arrived.”

“Thank you, Bill.”

Upon hearing the long-awaited news, Edith rose from her seat. Her steps toward the entrance were noticeably quicker than usual.

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“I’d like to borrow a moment of your time.”

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That was what Vivianne had said when they last met at the royal ball. Instinctively, Edith had sensed that the matter concerned Becky, and she agreed without hesitation.

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And now, the day had finally arrived. Though she had expected the conversation to take place that very night, Vivianne, perhaps mindful of prying eyes, had arranged a separate meeting instead.

As she stepped outside, Edith spotted the carriage that had just come to a halt. It was a small, enclosed coach with curtained windows, ensuring that the interior remained hidden. There was no emblem of House Valesia adorning it.

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‘She’s come unofficially.’

There were certain things that needed no explanation. Edith made a mental note that this meeting was meant to remain a secret.

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A moment later, Vivianne emerged. As she descended from the carriage, her attire was notably more modest than usual.

“Your Ladyship, you’ve arrived. It is truly a pleasure to have you here.”

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“I should be the one grateful for your warm welcome, given how sudden my request was.”

The two exchanged formal pleasantries. Despite the youthfulness of her appearance, Vivianne’s refined speech was that of a perfect noble.

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‘Is this how all nobles turn out when raised and educated from a young age?’

No. That couldn’t be it. Edith asked herself the question and answered it in the same breath.

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Having worked as a governess for various noble families, she had encountered many children—none of whom displayed such composure. Vivianne was exceptionally mature for her age.

“The Duke is currently at the palace. There is no one else here, so why don’t we speak inside?”

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Just as Edith was about to turn back toward the house after making the suggestion, a status window appeared before her.

 

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“…Huh?”

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Edith tilted her head in puzzlement at the sudden increase. It was a minuscule change, yet her favorability had undeniably gone up.

“Is something the matter?”

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“Oh, no. It’s nothing. I must have seen it wrong.”

What’s going on? Though perplexed, she decided it was a good thing. Flashing a slightly awkward smile under Vivianne’s curious gaze, Edith led her into the drawing room.

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Rattle.

After seating Vivianne, Edith tugged the bell cord. Before long, a maid entered, pushing a tray laden with refreshments. Soon, the table was filled with an array of desserts and a steaming teapot.

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There were cookies topped with lightly toasted marshmallows, mini tarts generously adorned with honey-soaked cherries, and cream puffs filled to the brim with sweet rose cream.

The exquisite decorations on each dessert hinted at the kitchen staff’s excitement. The chef, having the privilege of serving his mistress’s first guest, had clearly gone all out.

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The rich, sweet scent of the desserts filled the drawing room, and suddenly, the notifier alerted Edith to an update.

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Curious, she glanced up, only to stifle a laugh upon seeing the newly increased value.

‘She likes sweets.’

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A quick sideways glance confirmed that Vivianne remained as composed as ever, her expression betraying nothing.

Yet despite her outward indifference, she was secretly delighted at the sight of the desserts. Edith found it so endearing that she had to fight to keep her amusement in check.

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As she waged this silent battle with herself, a fragrant herbal tea was poured into their cups.

“Please, try some. The chef is quite skilled, so you won’t be disappointed. Ah, we also have hot chocolate. If you’d prefer that over tea…”

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“…Shall I serve it?”

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Startled by the sudden drop in favorability, Edith barely managed to finish her sentence.

‘I didn’t say anything strange, so why…? Ah, could it be…?’

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Lost in thought, Edith parted her lips. She had a suspicion.

“The last time we met, I committed a grave discourtesy due to my own misunderstanding. To offer my apology, I have taken the liberty of requesting this meeting.”

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Vivianne, making a show of sipping her herbal tea, finally spoke. As expected, Becky’s account had been correct.

“Would you care to explain what exactly happened?”

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Now that they had reached the heart of the matter, Edith inquired calmly. It was not an apology she wanted. She merely wished to hear Vivianne’s story.

Why had Becky been raised in that place? And why, despite having clearly raised Becky herself, had Vivianne let go of her so easily? She wanted to know the circumstances behind it.

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“It seems a young maid had been secretly raising her there. Given how few people came and went, she must have thought she could keep her hidden. I was told the puppy had such a gentle nature that she was nearly abandoned.”

In this world, dogs typically fell into two categories: fierce guard dogs that protected homes and companion dogs that lived alongside their owners.

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The latter were usually pampered on the laps of noblewomen, cherished as treasured pets. However, to be accepted as a noblewoman’s companion, a dog needed to possess a certain intelligence such as an ability to discern people.

A noblewoman’s pet was not merely a pretty creature to be doted upon. It had to serve as a guardian, remaining by its mistress’s side and shielding her from unfamiliar presences.

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To fulfill that role, a dog needed to maintain some level of distance from anyone other than its owner. A dog like Becky, who would expose her belly to just anyone, was not particularly favored.

“A young maid, you say.”

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“Yes. I was quite surprised she even had such a notion.”

When Edith pointedly reiterated the phrase, Vivianne responded without hesitation. Her reply was seamless, as if she had prepared for it in advance.

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“I believe it was a most foolish act. I have already reprimanded the girl thoroughly, so please, I ask for your—”

“Foolish, you say? I’m not so sure.”

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Another question interrupted her smoothly flowing words. Vivianne’s lips pressed into a thin line.

“If that girl hadn’t stepped in, Becky might not be in this world anymore.”

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Edith had not referred to the maid as a maid. She had called her a girl. Whether Vivianne had noticed the subtle distinction or not, her expression stiffened ever so slightly.

“…You’re being sentimental, Madame. That is something we cannot know for certain. Even if that were the case, one should not recklessly take on responsibilities they cannot bear. Can we simply do whatever our hearts dictate?”

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“I think it is precisely because she was young that she acted as she did.”

“Hah. So you believe youth excuses such selfish and irresponsible behavior?”

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Her voice, now tinged with reproach, rose slightly in intensity. It was an unfamiliar sight, so unlike the perpetually composed woman she usually was. Perhaps she was merely trying to smooth over an incident caused by a servant from her household.

But if that wasn’t the case…

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“Of course, that’s not what I meant. I only…”

What if this was not about a mere maid’s actions, but about Vivianne herself?

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“…thought that perhaps, to that girl, saving that puppy had been a desperate act.”

“……!”

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Edith did not lose her smile as she met Vivianne’s gaze directly. The way Vivianne’s pupils dilated, betraying her momentary discomposure, told Edith she had guessed correctly.

Surely, Vivianne had never believed her lie would go entirely unnoticed. More likely, she had counted on Edith to feign ignorance.

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Some might dismiss this as nothing more than a young noblewoman’s naïve generosity, but in truth, it was the opposite. Vivianne was astute, sharp enough to assess Edith’s nature with precision and make a calculated decision based on their respective positions.

Edith was certain that had it been another lady sitting across from Vivianne that day, she would never have employed such a method.

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Despite their few meetings, Vivianne had already gauged Edith’s character. She had measured their standings and drawn her conclusions accordingly.

And indeed, had Edith witnessed something else—some other blemish of Vivianne’s past—she might have chosen to overlook it, just as Vivianne had expected.

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The reason she did not this time was twofold. First, because a life was involved.

“Do you not think so as well, Your Ladyship?”

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And second, because on the day Becky was sent away, Vivianne had looked utterly wretched.

Even now, she was the same. From the moment she entered the mansion, she had continuously cast glances toward the doorway.

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Given what Edith knew of her, this was an unconscious act. And it was all too obvious what, or rather, who she was searching for.

That alone was enough to reveal just how much Vivianne had loved and cherished Becky.

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“This is the collar that came with her that day. It does not seem like something a mere maid would have prepared.”

Edith reached for the small pouch beside her and retrieved Becky’s collar, setting it atop the table. The supple leather spoke of its value without need for words. Vivianne would know its worth better than anyone.

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The engraved initials stood stark against the polished surface.Vivianne stared at the collar, her lips pressed even tighter together. 

“I would like you to tell me the true reason you asked to see me today.”

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Edith did not avert her gaze for even a moment.

“Did you come merely to apologize for that day?”

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Edith asked without looking away from Vivianne for even a moment.

“Or did you come to reclaim Becky?”

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