The Footman's Misstep
Matilda entered the duke's study with a polite bow. It had been a while since she had given such a greeting. She had taken a week of vacation at the owner's orders, and after that, the owner had left the estate vacant for another week.
After returning from her vacation, she had received instructions through the butler to take care of Vivienne. It had almost been two weeks since the owner had formally summoned her.
“Did you call for me, Master?”
“Long time no see, Matilda. How was your vacation?”
“It was very good, Master. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to rest.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
Kian offered the customary greeting, his gaze remaining fixed on the documents. Matilda carefully studied the master's expression. It had rained heavily the previous night, and the sea had been turbulent. She had worried about the owner the entire time.
She had assumed he would call her in the morning to assign her tasks. Yet he had said nothing. The cleaning maids would arrive sometime that morning, and she had been uneasy about it, though she had not voiced her concern.
“You seem concerned about my well-being.”
Kian slammed the documents shut. When his eyes met hers, it was clear he had already read her thoughts.
“The room has been cleaned. I did not call the physician.”
“A physician? Is something wrong?”
“No. She is injured. Not me. That woman.”
A spark of light lit up Kian's previously empty eyes.
“Vivienne came to serve me this morning. I wonder what happened.”
“Vivienne? You mean...”
Mattilda was momentarily speechless. Impossible. Even as the owner's woman, she would serve tea?
Of course she had drunk the tea, and presumably read the newspaper, but Mattilda had only thought it was because she was not yet accustomed to her new position and had worried unnecessarily.
“I told you in advance that you would not need to worry about such things going forward.”
She had not expected her to prepare everything herself. The tea serving was scheduled for eight o'clock, and the room would already have been in chaos. It was quite a complicated situation.
Before Vivienne, another maid had served the tea, and there had been no problem. Kian would usually call Mattilda before that time, or the door would be locked.
No, the door must have been locked.
“You mean she opened the locked door?”
Matilda asked in disbelief.
“She broke the doorknob. I was worried because there was a loud noise at night, so I thought... According to Vivienne, she was not at fault, but I disagree.”
Oh dear. It was far worse than she had imagined. Breaking the doorknob. She knew she was headstrong, but this was too much. Mattilda's face flushed with embarrassment.
“No, it is entirely my fault. I failed to explain sufficiently to Vivienne. Please scold me.”
“Hushing up incidents and locking doors is preferable. But listen.”
Kian's eyes sharpened.
“I instructed you to care for her without causing injury. Was I too demanding?”
“...I am sorry. I failed to pay sufficient attention.”
“I do not want any additional scars left. Have her wounds treated carefully.”
“Yes, Master. I will tend to them with all my heart.”
Although it was a woman who constantly complained about being pampered and spoiled, Mattilda understood that careful treatment was only natural. It was directly related to her value.
But the gentle smile on Mattilda's lips suggested another meaning.
“Is there anything else you wish to report?”
She had no interest in the maids' affairs. It must be something about Vivienne.
Would it be appropriate to speak now? Mattilda hesitated and spoke cautiously.
“Um... Vivienne wishes to learn to read.”
“To read?”
“Yes. If you would assign a tutor, I believe she would be pleased. She cannot read books because she cannot read, and besides walking, she has nothing to do, so she must be feeling lonely.”
A tutor.
Kian turned the words over in his mind.
Nothing to do besides walking. Of course. Officially assigned an escort, but there had been few outings.
No connections outside the family. Everything needed had been provided here. It would have been free of charge.
A woman who had come to serve tea because there was nothing to do. It would not be a bad idea to give her suitable tasks.
“You once called her a precious young lady.”
“To me, she is still a precious young lady. After all, you ordered me to care for Vivienne carefully.”
Despite her erratic behavior, Mattilda seemed to genuinely love Vivienne.
“Inquire about this. Since you are doing it, you might as well teach her other things as well.”
Kian's permission brightened Mattilda's face.
“The master is as kind as ever. Vivienne will be very happy. I will consult with Richard and look into it in detail.”
“Go.”
“Yes, Master.”
Matilda bowed and left the room with lighter steps. Kian stared at the closed door.
It was fortunate, in a way. Mattilda's eyes would see him as a man lost in a woman, acting with reckless abandon. If it was visible to a close one, what would others think? It was obvious.
The maid who had brought the bath water in the morning had surely spread the tale by now. The rumor would have swelled like a snowball into the owner having lost his mind over a woman.
Everything was proceeding as planned. Yet a dirty feeling refused to fade. Kian fiddled with his pen and unconsciously tightened his grip.
Thud. The pen tip snapped lifelessly.
***
After returning to her room, Vivienne spent the entire day in a daze. A physician had come in the morning to treat the wounds and check for pain.
Whether it was because Kian had summoned him or Mattilda had discovered the injury and called him, she could not tell.
Matilda had offered to bring lunch, but she refused because she had no appetite. After that, she buried her face in the pillow and slept like the dead.
She had not slept well the previous night because of too many thoughts. She had wanted to run away anywhere.
When she woke, the sun was already setting. The image she had shown him had become her wound. By offering to help, she had carelessly crossed the boundary he had set. Perhaps her arrogance had created the illusion that she could save him.
Vivienne stared at the newspaper bundle tied neatly with a ribbon.
She could not bear to show it. She had been told not to play the servant. She had brought the newspaper out of worry that she might not be able to see him for days. It would not be received well.
The gift she had prepared with all her heart. She was angry, but there was no one to blame. She had prepared it herself, thinking he would like it.
Feeling wronged by an unreciprocated kindness was also her selfishness.
A faint sigh escaped her. Her body felt drained. She had already slept enough. Yet she wanted to sleep again.
Only in dreams could she escape. But she could not run away forever.
Though the feeling was somewhat tragic, she gathered her composure and began to organize today's events one by one.
When she asked him why she was needed, Kian said he would show her with his own hands. And without hesitation, he summoned a maid. It was as if he had deliberately found someone to show.
She stood in front of him, and he straightened her appearance. Then, playfully whispering, he loosened it again. It felt as if he was undressing her and then dressing her back. Even if it was her misunderstanding, was there not something on the other side of undressing her... like, for example, consummation?
Did he really want to be seen that way? Why? She could not understand the reason and felt confused.
Being given an exceptionally good room, being dressed in beautiful clothes, being given his people. When she imagined herself fitting into the role of “Kian's woman,” it seemed reasonable.
But from Kian's perspective, it was a rather risky action. If he was deliberately breaking off the engagement, she might understand. But she could not easily comprehend his thoughts.
Mermaids have only one mate. Even the mermaid king, her father, had not taken a new mate after being wounded. Vivienne's coming to land after making a contract with the witch was because of that.
Only Kian. She had chosen him as her mate alone. She could not even hold another male in her heart. That might be why he could not accept her easily.
While lost in these various thoughts, a knock sounded at the door.