The Gentle Question
She had never imagined that she would be questioned so abruptly. What was she supposed to do?
Vivienne’s gaze drifted helplessly, swirling like water caught in a storm.
What should she say? After a moment of hesitation, she decided to begin with her name. It was, after all, the most valuable thing she could offer honestly.
“Vivienne.”
“You really only remember your name?”
No. Every memory remained intact. The issue lay in the fact that she could not speak them.
In this situation, she had been a mermaid, desperate to reach him at all costs. She had made a soul-binding contract with the witch, and the outcome was that she had become human.
…Would he believe it?
He would surely dismiss it as nonsense. To her, everything that had happened so far felt like a fairy tale. First, she needed to survive the moment however she could.
“…Yes.”
“How interesting.”
The corner of his mouth curled.
“Then what do you plan to do from now on?”
“What?”
“The one who only knows your name, what will you do?”
His question struck straight to the heart. Vivienne stiffened as if struck, her body rigid. She had only rushed to get her legs and climb onto land, never considering what would come after.
When she had drunk the potion the witch gave her and opened her eyes, she was here. She had no time to think logically. At the right moment, the man who had helped her had been her secret crush, so she had been far too flustered.
What courage had driven her here? Even now, it felt reckless.
Yet the situation was already set in motion, so she had no choice but to face reality.
Whether it began here or there, she could feel that he did not hold her in any kindness.
After all, saving her did not mean he expected one-sided gratitude.
She knew little of the human world, and living outside the sea was strange. She still needed help from someone.
Though it shamed her, it was best to ask formally for aid.
Vivienne drew a deep breath and spoke carefully.
“I have nowhere to go. Please… allow me to stay here and grant me your mercy.”
“Mercy? Why would I?”
Kian asked, incredulous.
“I provided enough mercy just by bringing you here and caring for you until you woke. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Her head felt light, as though struck again.
Shame rose in her chest, yet upon reflection, he had not lied about a single thing. Moreover, the oppressive atmosphere of the room still left her unable to thank him properly.
“You are right. Forgive me. I am late in acknowledging it. Thank you for saving me.”
Vivienne lowered her head once more.
“I know this is shameless, but… just until I can find another solution, please let me stay. I will work without pay. Whatever you command….”
“Hey, Vivienne.”
He had always imagined the moment he would call her by name.
Simply thinking of it made her heart flutter.
She had longed for that moment with every fiber of her being.
Yet never in her life had the name “Vivienne” felt so distant.
“Who told you to work without pay?”
A mocking smile crossed his face. His black gaze pressed heavily upon her entire body.
The pressure was so intense her knees buckled, and her breath caught.
“I do not leave useless humans in Larson. Maids, gardeners, knights—anyone. Even a mouse crawling somewhere if it can serve a purpose. My principle is to pay what is due to those who can be useful.”
“……”
“And I can command you when I need you. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Without warning, Kian lifted her right hand and placed it on the swell of her left breast.
“Think about it with your hand placed there. As the owner of this grand estate, do I truly need your help?”
His large hand enveloped hers, warm and possessive.
…What on earth was this?
Her heart pounded as if it might burst from her chest. She could not speak, for her lower lip trembled and her mouth grew unbearably dry.
“…Yes. You will not need me. On the contrary, I am the one who needs you.”
Yet she could not keep trembling like this. She accepted her fate quietly.
“Please… grant me the time to prove I am necessary to you.”
His calm demand received no answer. He seemed to be considering her words again.
The problem was on her side. She kept speaking, yet her heart raced as though it were failing. She was surely pressing his palm with her trembling hand. The thought made a primitive shame surge through her.
“And if you do not intend to humiliate me… please… release this hand.”
“Ah…”
He now understood the meaning of her actions and let out a short, helpless laugh.
Shame kept her from continuing. Even though she had asked him to let go, he tightened his grip and yanked her wrist. Vivienne swayed helplessly and was pulled into his arms.
“Why?”
His embrace was inches away. The scent of his breath made her jaw tremble.
Their gazes locked, sharp and intense.
“If I were to take you here, it would be the fastest way to prove your usefulness. Wouldn’t it?”
It was no longer merely unkind. Anyone could see the malice clear as day.
Why? What had she done to stir his wrath? And why go to such lengths?
The man she had imagined before was not like this. Had her dream been nothing but foolish fantasy? Her chest burned with a dull ache.
She had endured his rough pursuit until now, but her limits had been reached.
Tears filled her large eyes, blurring her vision, and they spilled freely.
“You speak of desperation, yet shame remains.”
He deliberately pressed her situation once more, then finally released her. Her limp hand fell. The dam that had already broken poured out without end.
“Do not worry. I dislike weeping women myself.”
He turned and sat back on the couch without hesitation.
Liked weeping women?
He openly despised her.
She had never expected things to reach this point before they could even talk properly about each other.
Vivienne stood frozen before him, unable to move either way.
She had been imprisoned, yet never in her life had anyone dug so deeply into her bottomless depths.
In this short span of time, what had she done to anger the man?
Was it because she had laughed helplessly at her predicament?
Or had she shamelessly begged for kindness on their first meeting?
Or had she failed to abandon even a shred of pride despite pleading desperation?
Her mind spun in a knot of unanswered questions.
“Vivienne. You truly seem to know only your name. Allow me to tell you one important thing.”
His eyes, once empty of emotion, curved with gentle kindness.
“There is no kindness without reason in this world.”
“…Then the reason you saved me… exists?”
It was a somewhat impulsive question. He had carried her, burning with fever, into the estate, summoned a doctor, treated her, dressed her in this beautiful gown, and now sought to humiliate her. What on earth was the purpose?
“Perhaps it would be better if I did not know how you fell.”
He showed no sign of wanting to explain. A few words were all they had exchanged, yet with today’s events fresh in mind, it was better not to provoke him further.
Was her body still recovering? Or was she simply bewildered?
Extreme fatigue washed over her. Vivienne pressed her toes firmly into the ground to keep from swaying.
When Kian tugged on the reins, Matilda entered shortly after.
“Yes, Master.”
“Matilda. Vivienne will search for work she can do in Larson starting tomorrow for exactly one week.”
“Work?”
Matilda’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Yes. She said she wants to do it herself. Starting today, vacate the guest bedroom and prepare quarters in the servants’ quarters.”
“Master… but—”
“Why?”
She had only regained consciousness two days ago. It seemed a bit excessive. He showed no remorse despite her concern.
“…No. I will obey your orders.”
Of course there must be a reason. Matilda, loyal to the people of Larson, offered no resistance to her master’s decision.
Yet out of pity, she could not help worrying about the innocent girl weeping before her eyes.
“However, she has only just woken. I worry she lacks her bearings. May I let her sleep with me tonight?”
“Hm. If it makes you feel better, then yes.”
Kian granted the request without hesitation.
“Oh, and Matilda.”
“Yes, Master.”
“You have worked overtime these past few days. Take vacation starting tomorrow.”
“…”
“You may take it.”
Vacation as an unexpected reward? Normally, vacations were scheduled weeks in advance to prevent gaps in work.
As a resident of Larson, no one was unaware of her master’s rigid principles, so this was unwritten law.
“Then I will see you in a week.”
Matilda sensed that the command was impulsive and carried clear intent.