<CHAPTER 9>

Vivian Rodrigo.

This was Vivian’s new name, and it was said to be the original name of the Rodrigo Duke’s daughter.

Could such an exquisite coincidence really exist in the world?

She had thought her life would be one that could never be used anywhere.

Yet thanks to all the conditions Vivian possessed, she was able to begin the life of a Duke’s daughter she could never even have dreamed of seeing while alive.

A life that she thought would sink into the mud had been lifted in a single moment to a palace in the sky.

Vivian looked outside the carriage.

After traveling for several days, they had already come close to the Imperial Capital.

During that time, Vivian spent days that were nothing special.

Achero Rodrigo did not say much to her.

It was rare for their eyes to even meet.

At night, whenever they stopped in villages and stayed at inns, he would go into a room with his aide and process the mountain of documents piled up before him.

Vivian thought perhaps it was consideration for her, who had lost everything overnight, so that she could have time alone with her thoughts.

Of course, it was merely her own speculation.

Vivian still could not get used to the scenery outside that kept changing so quickly.

She had lived her entire life only in Broten.

These were all unfamiliar sights she had never seen before.

*There’s no way my life could go this smoothly.*

Vivian had a positive personality, but she was not an optimistic one.

Suddenly she felt a gaze and turned her head.

The young man sitting beside Achero Rodrigo was looking at her and smiling brightly.

*I’m Loyola Bovillier!*

The Rodrigo Duke’s aide had introduced himself that way on the day their contract was completed.

He had light brown hair, eyes that always sparkled with curiosity, and a friendly personality.

He seemed a bit clumsy, yet he never made mistakes.

**“Miss Vivian, we’ll arrive at the Imperial Capital soon! You’ve worked really hard on this journey!”**

Loyola said cheerfully.

**“Yes, thank you. You too, Mr. Loyola.”**

Achero Rodrigo, who had been reviewing documents in the carriage the whole time, put down the thick stack of papers.

**“I believe you’ve already received everything you need to know from Mr. Loyola. Are you ready?”**

Achero Rodrigo rested his chin on his hand and looked at Vivian with the corner of his lips raised.

It was their first time making eye contact since that night under the moonlight.

**“Then who are you in front of me?”**

**“I am Vivian of the Rodrigo Ducal House. I lost my memory in an accident at the age of four and wandered until I ended up in the slums of Broten. The people who called themselves my parents sold me as a ‘doll’ to the Pernolain Viscount’s house, and I have lived as a maid in the viscount’s residence ever since.”**

Vivian’s life story flowed calmly from her lips.

She was merely mixing truth with her words.

Yet she could not understand why her chest stung with misery.

**“Then one day I saw the Rodrigo Duke from afar during a performance, and part of my memory returned. While I was confused about my identity, the bankrupt Pernolain Viscount’s house left their debts to me and fled.”**

Vivian’s voice trembled slightly for a moment.

But it lasted only an instant, and she continued speaking as if nothing had happened.

**“Fortunately, the Rodrigo Duke found me at just the right time, and I was finally able to return home and live as a Duke’s daughter.”**

**“The members of the Rodrigo Ducal House?”**

**“Veronica Rodrigo, Achero Rodrigo, Belf Rodrigo, and Luca.”**

**“Do you remember who the heads of the three major branch families of the Rodrigo House are?”**

**“It has been thirteen years since I disappeared. Would the power structure of the branch families really remain the same?”**

Vivian looked straight at Achero Rodrigo with an unwavering gaze as she spoke.

Achero Rodrigo smiled faintly.

**“Excellent. A perfect Vivian Rodrigo.”**

Achero Rodrigo clapped his hands while smiling.

Loyola also clapped excitedly beside him.

**“Will this really be enough? I think it would help more if you told me how I should act.”**

**“Act?”**

A strange smile briefly twisted in Achero Rodrigo’s eyes.

**“If you tried something like that in front of the former Duchess Veronica, you’d be exposed instantly and thrown out. No one in the Empire can deceive my grandmother.”**

**“So I’m not the first.”**

**“As expected of our Vivi. You’re clever.”**

Achero Rodrigo reached out and gently ruffled Vivian’s hair as if she were truly his younger sister.

**“Not me, but Belf, your second brother, is a bit naive. He’s been fooled by a few swindlers before. Of course, the previous fakes were all kicked out of the ducal residence in less than ten minutes.”**

**“Then wouldn’t I also be in danger? You said I shouldn’t act.”**

**“No, Vivi. You’ll be fine. You don’t need to pretend to be the Vivian Rodrigo of the past. Your very existence will be proof of Rodrigo.”**

Those words pierced her heart.

**“Your existence is noble and perfect. That is an undeniable truth.”**

The words burrowed in, carved themselves deep, and branded her like a mark.

**“All you have to do is think that position was yours from the beginning. That is your role, Vivi.”**

Vivian slightly lowered her head to hide her expression.

Then she quietly spoke the thought that had been circling in her mind the entire time.

**“The real Duke’s daughter might still be alive. It feels like I’m stealing someone else’s life, so it makes me uncomfortable.”**

**“Ah. She’s dead.”**

Achero Rodrigo shrugged.

His tone was completely certain.

**“Belf hasn’t given up hope, but there’s no doubt about it. You don’t need to worry about that. I’ve never made a wrong judgment in my life.”**

**“Your Grace, the checkpoint is ahead.”**

Loyola, who had been waiting for the right moment to speak between the two, finally interrupted.

Achero Rodrigo removed the signet ring from his finger and handed it to Loyola.

Vivian hurriedly looked out the window.

Nearby, the massive walls of the great Imperial Capital could be seen.

No matter how much Vivian tilted her head back, she could not see the end of their height.

Before the checkpoint at the city gate, countless carriages and people waiting to enter the capital stood in a long line.

And as if such order meant nothing, the carriage of Achero Rodrigo pushed straight to the front.

Vivian’s heart pounded.

This was the position of the life entrusted to her.

It was frightening.

It was exciting.

**“Hello. Thank you for your hard work. This is His Grace Achero Rodrigo.”**

…And it was thrilling as well.

Loyola opened the carriage window and held out the signet ring.

**“We greet His Grace Achero Rodrigo!”**

The inspector greeted them respectfully and accepted the ring.

After carefully checking its authenticity, he quickly prepared to return it.

Then he saw someone inside the carriage and his eyes widened.

Her facial features were delicate like a doll.

Beneath her shining golden hair were blue eyes identical to those of the Rodrigo family.

She was the most beautiful person the inspector had ever seen since he was born.

Except for Achero Rodrigo himself.

It was as if a halo shone around her, naturally drawing his gaze.

**“If you’re done, let’s depart again.”**

Achero Rodrigo personally stood up and closed the carriage window, drawing the curtain.

So that Vivian’s appearance could no longer be seen.

The carriage rattled as it entered the Imperial Capital.

Achero Rodrigo then lifted his head with a smile as if something had just come to mind.

**“Ah, Vivi. When it’s just the two of us, call me Achero from now on. I like that.”**

There was clear playfulness in his voice.

Yet there was not the slightest hint of affection.

Strangely, Vivian found that likable.

Because he seemed uninterested in her appearance.

After all, the capital was full of beauties.

Someone like Vivian would not even catch his eye.

For two people who would have to live as siblings from now on, that was fortunate.

A founding contributor of the Imperial Capital.

Power that even the Emperor treated with courtesy.

Wealth counted among the greatest on the continent.

This was about all the information Vivian knew about the Rodrigo Ducal House.

Like the sun at midday.

Like the moon and stars in the night sky.

An existence one could never reach in an entire lifetime.

And yet, Vivian now stood in that world above the sky.

Even after passing through the Rodrigo gates, the carriage traveled for quite some time through the garden before finally stopping in front of the ducal mansion.

**“His Grace Achero Rodrigo has arrived!”**

The voices of the servants lined up in front of the residence were not loud, yet they were clear enough to hear.

Vivian slightly frowned at the pouring sunlight.

At that moment, someone silently approached and held a white parasol full of lace above her.

Vivian was about to refuse because she felt burdened.

But then—

**“It’s fine, Vivi. If you start acting like that now, what will you do later? You should get used to it.”**

Achero Rodrigo smiled and offered his arm.

Vivian linked arms with Achero Rodrigo and glanced at him.

Ah.

Like this?

Yes.