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Chapter 66
Aiden was speechless at the sudden proposal.
His eyes darted around before he finally gathered the courage to speak.
“Th-that is!
His Highness the Crown Prince, my father urged you to support the Internal Tax Reform Act!”
Vincent interrupted with a curious smile.
“Oh?
So the Duke of Wentworth is pressuring me through you and your sister to accept his proposal?”
“N-no!
That’s not what I meant!”
Even foolish Aiden could tell the prince’s mood had soured.
He waved his hands frantically, then bowed under Vincent’s cold stare.
I forced a faint smile and bowed to Vincent.
“Your Highness.”
Feeling his gaze turn to me, I looked away as if embarrassed.
“Please forgive my family for their rudeness. It wasn’t my intention.”
I trusted Vincent would side with me this time.
He didn’t disappoint.
“I know, Amelia. You didn’t plan this, so don’t worry.”
His tone softened, completely different from earlier.
When I looked up, he was smiling faintly.
That alone showed everyone that I wasn’t being ignored by him.
Vincent turned his gaze toward the garden.
A gust of autumn wind swept through the courtyard, scattering leaves.
Keeping his eyes on them, Vincent suddenly spoke to Eric.
“Sir Eric, you’ve been quiet. Don’t you have anything to say?”
Eric slowly lifted his head and glanced at me.
In his eyes, I saw encouragement.
“Your Highness, I only wished my sister wouldn’t be troubled.
I hope you know the Wentworth family’s loyalty to the royal family hasn’t changed.”
Wow, Eric. You should be the older brother.
I admired him silently.
Vincent nodded with a small smile.
“I see, Sir Eric.
I feel the same way.”
Then he turned to Aiden, who stood frozen.
“Sir Aiden, do you have anything else to say?”
Aiden couldn’t meet Vincent’s eyes.
He kept blinking, staring at the floor.
Still, he couldn’t ignore the question.
“Y-your Highness… what should I tell my father?”
Vincent tilted his head slightly, amused.
“If you were only here to deliver the Duke’s message, you’ve done enough.
If you must report back, tell him everything will proceed by proper procedure.”
Aiden said nothing.
The meaning was clear—Vincent wouldn’t be persuaded.
He swallowed hard and stepped back.
“…Understood.”
From that, I knew Vincent had gained confidence for the upcoming vote.
He looked at me, his gaze filled with gratitude.
When I blinked, he extended his hand.
“Amelia, it’s time to go to work.”
Oh no, my job was supposed to be a secret.
I glanced at Aiden and Eric before taking his hand.
“I’ll see you off here,” Vincent said.
“Feel free to look around as you like.”
Aiden and Eric both bowed slowly.
Vincent led me away by the hand.
When I looked back, Aiden was fuming.
Eric kept watching me.
I waved slightly.
He turned away, flustered.
Once we were far enough, Vincent asked quietly.
“Amelia, you received a letter, didn’t you? Why didn’t you tell me?”
I hadn’t expected that question.
Like Aiden earlier, I could only open and close my mouth.
Vincent raised an eyebrow, studying my face.
He wasn’t suspicious, just curious.
He must be wondering why things were different now.
But neither of us could say the real reason.
“Well, I didn’t support my father’s proposal, so I didn’t want to persuade you.”
“And?”
“I didn’t want to make things harder for you.”
Vincent nodded slowly.
“Her Majesty the Empress told me how you tried to persuade His Majesty on my behalf.”
“…”
“I’m grateful, truly.”
Did I hear that right?
I looked up and saw a soft smile on his lips.
His gratitude was genuine.
Feeling that, something in my chest ached faintly.
“I’m just glad I could help,” I whispered.
He still didn’t trust me completely.
But there was finally a small thread of trust forming.
My efforts were beginning to bear fruit.
***
Four days passed, yet Vivian hadn’t appeared.
Where on earth did she go?
After washing up, I was drying my hair when Lauren entered with breakfast.
Startled, she set the tray down and hurried to me.
“My lady, let me do that for you.”
I handed her the towel and sat at the vanity.
As she dried my hair, I thought even more about Vivian.
After a moment, I asked carefully.
“How long has Vivian been in bed? Since the senior maids called her?”
“That’s right, since then… about four days—oh!”
I caught her reflection in the mirror.
Lauren froze.
“Senior maids?”
“No, not seniors! I misspoke!”
Honestly, I had only guessed.
I remembered Jessie, the maid I’d met in servant’s clothes.
I’d told Vivian to bring that uniform, and she might have been blamed for it.
Lauren’s slip confirmed my suspicion.
“Right, just a slip. Lead the way.”
“Pardon?”
“Vivian’s sick, isn’t she?
She’s always taken care of me, so I’ll visit her.”
“S-she went on vacation! Far away!”
Lauren stammered, blurting excuses.
I stood up.
“Sure, vacation or not, take me to her. You must know where she is.”
Suddenly, Lauren dropped to her knees.
I looked down in shock as tears filled her eyes.
“My lady, please.”
“Lauren.”
“Can’t you just pretend you don’t know?”
“So something did happen.”
I spoke seriously.
Lauren shook her head.
“Even if something did, it can’t be helped.
If you go, she’ll suffer more.
Please pretend you don’t know. She’s not badly hurt—she’ll return soon.”
“How can I ignore it? This happened because of me.”
“But what could you possibly do for her now?”
