<Chapter 04>
Vivia calmly moved as if nothing had happened just moments ago.
Not even a trace of emotion brushed across her face.
She casually took out a handkerchief, wiped the floor, and asked the Viscountess Pernolain.
“Will only Miss Mariana be attending?”
“Yes, it must be that Odley Countess is busy hosting the ball and simply forgot Getty and me.”
“That must be it, hm, otherwise there is no way we would not have been invited.”
“In any case, Mariana is still young, so you will accompany her and assist her well!”
Mariana Pernolain was the same age as Vivia, but that fact was of little importance in the Viscountess’s mind.
“Yes.”
“I will investigate Odley Count and Countess’s preferred gifts, their favorite topics, and even the guest list, and inform Miss Mariana thoroughly so she can prepare perfectly.”
“Hmph. Of course you should.”
After carefully wiping the floor clean, Vivia bowed politely and withdrew.
There was a time when she had prayed that the heavens might take pity on her and grant her a miraculous grace.
If such a thing were possible, she would have willingly followed anyone as their daughter.
Even if that someone were the devil.
But now she knew.
Miracles had to be carved out by one’s own hands.
Vivia expected nothing.
Cutting through the cold winter air, a crimson hem fluttered and spread beneath the dawn sky.
A man walked with elegant steps through the Rodrigo Ducal Estate, bathed in the first light of morning.
Achero Rodrigo had spent the entire night settling unrest within his territory and was only now returning.
He headed straight toward his grandmother’s chamber on the upper floor.
He paused briefly before the door.
With a subtle movement of his facial muscles, he formed a picturesque smile upon his lips.
Though he had not slept a single wink, his skin was not haggard, but as clear and immaculate as a mirror, maintained through strict discipline.
As if sensing his presence outside, a faint voice called from within the room.
Achero cleared his throat and spoke.
“Grandmother, it’s me.”
“Come in.”
A weak voice flowed through the crack of the door.
It was so faint it seemed it might scatter away at any moment.
Click.
“Woof! Woof!”
As the door opened, a Border Collie burst out, tail wagging furiously.
Around its black-and-white neck was tied a violet satin ribbon collar.
The dog circled Achero, sniffing him eagerly, then stood on its hind legs to lick his lips.
“Luca, you rascal, we saw each other yesterday.”
“Are you still that happy to see me?”
“Woof.”
“You truly are energetic, aren’t you.”
Achero lifted Luca’s large body with ease.
Luca rested his chin on Achero’s shoulder and relaxed comfortably in his arms.
The room was still wrapped in dimness as though it were midnight.
Without hesitation, Achero walked to the curtains and pulled them wide open.
Golden waves of newborn sunlight poured into the chamber.
Everything that had been submerged in darkness revealed its clear contours beneath the light.
“So you have returned.”
Achero turned toward the direction of the voice.
An elderly woman was propped slightly upright against the bed, narrowing her eyes against the brightness.
Veronica Rodrigo.
Achero’s grandmother.
A woman with the same silver hair and blue eyes as he.
“Yes.”
“The matter was more complicated than expected, so it took some time.”
“But it has been resolved safely, so please do not worry.”
He set Luca down.
The dog leapt excitedly onto the bed once more.
Achero pulled a chair beside the bed and sat down, gazing at his grandmother with clear eyes.
Only three years ago, she had been exceptionally vigorous even among those her age.
Now her wrinkles had deepened, and her frame had grown thin.
Fatigue lingered upon her face, along with an unextinguished attachment to life that flickered in her eyes.
“The House of Rodrigo is a venerable and noble family that stood alongside the founding of the Empire.”
“For a thousand years, we have quietly maintained influence through accumulated power and wealth.”
“Not a single mistake is tolerated in the eternal future of this house.”
“Of course.”
“I always keep your words in my heart, Grandmother.”
But three years ago, a terrible tragedy left an indelible wound upon them all.
The carriage carrying the Duke and Duchess Rodrigo and their youngest daughter overturned during an outing.
The Duke and Duchess soon passed away from their injuries.
And their youngest child, Vivia, vanished without a trace.
Sudden calamity struck the Rodrigo Ducal Estate.
Only Veronica, the former Duchess, Achero the eldest son, and his younger brother remained to hold the funeral.
“Though I had retired, I took up the ducal title once more.”
“The collateral branches, foolish as they are, sought to sever the flawless lineage of our house.”
Yet though aged, Veronica’s political acumen remained sharp.
She suppressed the collateral branches and secured Achero’s position as heir.
“And Achero, you have led this house with excellence worthy of our noble blood.”
“I have watched you without worry.”
Yet the lingering regret deep within her heart remained.
“I wish to see Vivia.”
Her one and only lost granddaughter.
A thin sigh escaped Veronica’s lips.
“Did Vivia appear in your dreams again?”
“Yes.”
“That child was lost and trembling in the cold, unable to return home.”
“Even after waking, I could hardly steady my heart.”
Her wrinkled eyes trembled.
“Achero, has there been progress in finding Vivia?”
“If I cannot see her before I die, I will not be able to close my eyes in peace.”
“No, I cannot die before that.”
“When I imagine her suffering alone without family, my heart burns black.”
“We recently received information from the Serbera Kingdom and are focusing our investigation there.”
“We are also searching other nations thoroughly.”
“Even the eastern countries?”
“Yes.”
“The east, the north, and the south as well.”
“Continue to look carefully.”
“If you find her, you will recognize her at once.”
“The noble blood of Rodrigo cannot be hidden.”
“Understood.”
“I will bring Vivia back to you soon, so please be at ease.”
“I trust you, Achero.”
“You are the perfect Rodrigo I raised.”
Achero had inherited the search for Vivia even before ascending to the ducal seat.
For ten years, Veronica had devoted herself entirely to this task.
But.
It is a futile endeavor.
Achero had already concluded that his sister had died that day.
Otherwise, how could the great House of Rodrigo fail to uncover even the smallest trace?
As if “Vivia Rodrigo” had never existed in this world.
The time has come.
His clear blue eyes darkened as a cloud passed before the sun.
“A substitute for the deceased Vivia—”
But at that very moment, the cloud drifted away.
The room was once again flooded with golden light.
He barely remembered his sister.
Only a faint affection remained, born of shared blood.
Thus it was easy for him to reach a conclusion.
“Remember this, Achero.”
“If we erase Vivia from our hearts, she will truly have no home to return to.”
“If we bury her in abandonment, she will become truly dead.”
“Do not forget her.”
He could not refuse the final wish of the grandmother who had raised him.
“I have not forgotten.”
“I miss Vivia as well, Grandmother.”
Achero smiled gently and embraced Veronica.
People said the Duke of Rodrigo was like the sea, vast and unfathomable.
They were mistaken.
A life without revealing one’s true heart was like a well.
Achero was sink
ing deeper into that well.
Words he did not wish to say.
Words that were not his true feelings.
He lived hidden beneath responsibilities gained too early.
“Now, Achero.”
“Let us speak of something else.”
“What of your youth?”
Even the man he would become in the future could not escape this sense of duty.
