There Is No Paradise Where You Escaped - Chapter 55

After her tears subsided, Edwin summoned the jeweler back inside. Vivianne, now calmer, hesitated to choose anything. So Edwin personally selected the accessories for her, trying each one on to see what suited her. By the time he was done, he had chosen more than ten pieces.

After paying a hefty sum at the jewelry store through Humphrey, Edwin let Vivianne go.

Vivianne, having been given jewelry that didn’t fit her, returned to her room and was the first to lock the door. Her legs gave out, and she slid down onto the floor. Her soul slipped out through the top of her head, drifting back exactly an hour earlier.

      He ordered a cello.

He bought it because I sold mine—the one I cherished. So he says it’s mine now.

The cello—she had mentioned it long ago in passing at a dinner table. She couldn’t recall exactly what she had said. But why had he remembered?

She was the daughter of the enemy who had hanged his loved ones on the execution platform. The object of his hate-filled promise. The target of his desires.

If Edwin were to define Vivianne Aveline, those were the thoughts that came to mind. In them, there was no warmth in offering his shoulder, no kindness in buying her clothes, dining together, or choosing jewelry for her.

Her mind flooded with unanswerable questions until her spiraling thoughts converged on a single conclusion.

      No way. That can’t be. Absolutely not.

Shaking her head in denial, Vivianne squeezed her eyes shut, trying to push away the answer forming in her mind. But the more she mulled over Edwin’s actions, the clearer that answer became.

She knew there had to be a trap, that malice had to be hidden in his kindness—yet it was so pure, so sincere, that she found herself on the verge of being deceived.

      I need confirmation.

Standing before an answer she could no longer ignore, Vivianne needed someone to refute it. Suddenly recalling something, she sat at her desk, pulled out a sheet of paper, and began writing without hesitation.

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『The Fallen Noble House, Miss Aveline on the Verge of Becoming a Duchess.』

With a single headline, the tabloid’s popularity skyrocketed. The very word duchess was enough to captivate public attention, all because of Baytness. When it came to Neway’s most eligible bachelors, the Duke of Baytness was always at the top of the list.

The high-ranking noble families of Neway had tried desperately to make their daughters the Duchess of Baytness, yet the Duke remained steadfastly unmarried, immune to all temptation. As a result, the desperation of noble families with daughters filled Farrington like thick smoke.

Now, rumors that someone had claimed that coveted position were spreading far and wide. Yet, with no concrete proof, people merely whispered about it. However, with the Queen’s birthday drawing nobles from all corners to Farrington, witnesses to the supposed romance began to surface one after another.

Seeing Edwin wander the city with Vivianne, dining with her, and spending a fortune on her only fueled the speculation. The tabloid’s report solidified what had been floating in the air, turning rumor into fact, and in doing so, elevating Vivianne Aveline’s status.

People who had once branded the Avelines as fallen aristocrats, swindlers, and penniless now spoke of an unprecedented reversal of fortune.

As a result, the greatest beneficiary of this turn of events was the Count of Thurston, who had hosted the ball. Even the most reserved nobles flocked to Thurston Manor, eager to catch a glimpse of the Duke of Baytness and Miss Aveline together.

The Countess of Thurston, finding herself at the center of this rewritten history, rejoiced. With a brighter, more radiant smile than ever before, she greeted the incoming guests with enthusiasm.

“But still, this is quite unexpected. I heard there were marriage talks with the second daughter of the Count of Chadwick.”

The Count of Thurston, who had been greeting guests alongside his wife, spoke quietly. Alice kept her smile firmly in place as she whispered back.

“That was never an official discussion—just vague talk that never amounted to anything. Please refrain from mentioning such things in front of either Chadwick or the Duke of Baytness, dear. And, of course, do not bring it up in front of Miss Aveline.”

“Given your past closeness with Miss Chadwick, shouldn’t we help her now, of all times?”

“Don’t say such dreadful things. Oh, My Lady, it has been too long! Thank you so much for coming. Of course, we’ll speak again later.”

Even while conversing with the Count, Alice did not neglect any of their distinguished guests.

“Chadwick is a cunning fox—a greedy woman who’ll snatch anything she covets. The mere fact that I once called her a friend makes my skin crawl.”

“Ah, still bitter about your ‘first love’, aren’t you?”

The Count chuckled, but for the first time, Alice’s smile faded as she shot him a sharp glare. The Count shrugged, deliberately teasing her.

“How long will you keep bringing up something from so many years ago? Tsk, tsk. Besides, that man died of fever in the end. Let it go. Don’t let a dead man ruin a friendship.”

Alice exhaled sharply before sneering as she mockingly retorted at her husband.

“Then I hope you’ll forgive that bastard who stabbed you in the back. After all, we shouldn’t let lost money ruin friendships either, should we?”

This time, it was the Count’s smile that disappeared. Sulking, he opened his mouth to retort but instead clicked his tongue and averted his gaze.

“In any case, I will make sure Chadwick never becomes the duchess—at all costs, no matter what it takes. And for that to happen, Vivianne Aveline must become Vivianne Baytness. So, my dear, don’t even breathe a word about the Duke’s ‘marriage talks.’”

The Count pursed his lips, expressing his irritation by ignoring her. Alice opened her mouth to argue, but noticing his forced smile toward approaching guests, she swallowed her words.

“Oh, Mr. Quinlan! How good of you to come.”

“It’s been too long, Count.”

The man replied, his lips curling into a sly smile as he shook hands with the Count of Thurston.

“How is married life treating you? It’s already been two years, so I suppose it’s hardly a honeymoon anymore.”

“I’d recommend taking things slow. We’re in the middle of a marital spat as we speak.”

The Count whispered with a playful smile, and the man burst into hearty laughter at this.

“Haha! I suppose there’s no time or place unfit for a lover’s quarrel. But I can’t afford to dawdle—I refuse to grow old and die alone. By the way, have the stars of the rumors arrived yet? It seems rather quiet, so perhaps I came too early.”

“Ah, yes. The very stars of the gossip—and the reason this manor is bursting at the seams—haven’t arrived yet. Oh, speaking of the devil.”

Right on cue, a carriage adorned with the Baytness crest pulled up. Those who had been about to enter the manor halted in their tracks upon seeing the emblem.

Everyone rushed forward, eager to be the first to lay eyes on the Duke of Baytness and his soon-to-be duchess.

A footman hurriedly approached and opened the carriage door, heightening the anticipation.

The Duke of Baytness stepped out first and extended his hand. From the darkness within, a slender hand clad in yellow silk gloves reached out to take his. As she descended, her golden gown billowed around her shoes like butterfly wings.

And then, emerging from the shadows, the Duke’s rumored lover—his future duchess—finally revealed herself.

Pale, porcelain skin framed by golden hair, a golden gown, and diamonds glittering with a brilliance that rivaled the chandeliers: Vivianne Aveline’s entrance was every bit as dazzling as the rumors had promised.

Her breathtaking beauty justified why the resolutely unmarried Duke had changed his mind about marriage. It also made clear why so many men had vied for Rodinia Castle when it went up for auction—it was never just about the manor.

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Vivianne had never been the sole focus of everyone’s gaze, not even in Preston.

She was all too aware of why all eyes clung to her, and walking into the ballroom on Edwin’s arm felt unbearably suffocating.

The deep scent of his cologne cut through Farrington’s thick air, teasing her senses. Even the warmth seeping through her glove from his hand felt intrusive—nothing about this put her at ease.

Tonight’s ball would be a parade of guests desperate to verify the Duke and his “future duchess” with their own eyes.

Could this all be a trap, hidden within the goodwill he had shown so far?

If she recalled the Baroness’ words, the Queen herself was overseeing Edwin’s matchmaking, making it likely that his marriage proposal would become a reality.

This title of future duchess could tarnish Vivianne’s name irreparably.

But… wouldn’t that be too cowardly?

Vivianne glanced at Edwin, who was smiling politely and exchanging greetings.

He wasn’t the type to crush someone using petty and vile schemes. At least, she wanted to believe that. He had never done so before, so she wanted to trust that he never would.

“So, you must be the Miss Aveline I’ve heard so much about. A pleasure to meet you. I’m Alice Thurston.”

“The pleasure is mine, Count, Countess. Thank you for the invitation.”

Vivianne smiled brightly and greeted them politely. After exchanging pleasantries with the Countess of Thurston, she and Edwin were led into the grand hall where the ball was taking place.

Most people greeted Edwin first, inquiring about his well-being, before turning to Vivianne with polite formality. While they refrained from directly calling her Duchess, they already treated her as one. And that unsettled her.

She discreetly attempted to slip her arm free, trying to put some distance between them, but Edwin swiftly caught her hand instead. By holding her hand rather than linking arms, he seemed intent on confirming the rumors beyond a shadow of a doubt.

She tried to pull away, but his grip was firm, stronger than her half-hearted resistance.

“People are seriously misunderstanding things. If we stay this close, they’ll take the rumors as fact.”

Edwin wasn’t the type to listen to her. There was a vast difference between being bound by debt and promises and being bound as a duchess.

Vivianne wanted to protest, but she gave up halfway and simply let herself be led.

She smiled until her cheeks ached, exchanging endless greetings.

Then, she came across a middle-aged woman standing beside a composed young lady.

“This must be Miss Aveline. I’ve heard quite a bit about you. They say the only daughter of the Aveline family is quite the beauty.”

It started with a courteous compliment.

Vivianne had heard such remarks more times than she could count and had perfected a well-practiced response of gratitude.

“A pleasure to meet you. I’m Sally Danvers. And this here is my niece, Miss Chadwick.”

The moment their identities were registered, Vivianne froze as if she had been caught red-handed.

Her face and shoulders stiffened.

Reflexively, she wrenched her hand from Edwin’s grasp. The grip she had thought inescapable let go of her so easily.

Naturally, Vivianne’s gaze landed on the middle-aged woman’s niece, Miss Chadwick.

The young lady, her red hair reminiscent of summer berries from Rodinia, smiled quietly and gently.

“… It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Danvers, Miss Chadwick. I’m Vivianne Aveline.”

“I’m Sarah Chadwick.”

Her voice was as soft and refreshing as the rippling waters of Lake Lannoy.

Vivianne broke out in a cold sweat, feeling like a criminal before Lady Danvers and Sarah Chadwick. She knew they must have heard the rumors spreading throughout the capital.

Her face had gone completely pale as if she were some sort of adulteress caught in the act.

“I hope the Duke of Baytness has been well. I recently met with the Baroness. I assume you’ve heard about it?”

“Yes, I have. My mother asked me to send her regards.”

“There’s hardly a need for formalities between such frequent acquaintances. I’m attending the ball as Sarah’s chaperone this time. Since you’re… aware of recent developments, I’ll spare you further chatter.”

Lady Danvers slyly hinted at the potential marriage.

Edwin responded with a carefully measured smile.

The only one feeling uncomfortable seemed to be Vivianne. When she glanced at Sarah Chadwick, their eyes met instantly.

“I’ll be looking forward to the waltz between the Duke and our Miss Chadwick later.”

With that final remark and a soft smile, Lady Danvers led Sarah Chadwick away, though their eyes remained locked for a moment.

Feeling guilty about the rumors, Vivianne was the first to break eye contact.

Just then, warmth returned to her empty hand.

As if nothing had happened, Edwin gently placed her hand back onto his arm.