Vivian’s Circumstances – R19 - Chapter 74

He was handsome even when he had a frighteningly cool impression, but as he relaxed, his beauty shone even more. Vivian stared at him, appreciating it, then regained consciousness and coughed.

 

“I have to say something first.”

 

As she straightened her back and formed a determined expression, he stopped laughing. Roger asked, ‘What?’ with his eyes instead of words.

 

“It’s fine when we’re alone. But when you’re with other people, talk like you normally do.”

 

“Why?”

 

“How strange would it be if you suddenly stopped talking formally?”

 

“I did it at dinner earlier.”

 

“That…”

 

Vivian began to form a head headache, and grabbed her forehead.

 

“If they don’t know the details, it’ll be fine. I don’t want anyone else to know what’s going on between us. I can’t even explain it in the first place…”

 

She couldn’t say that they met in a dream and had s3x for 3 years.

 

Roger didn’t say anything for a moment, wondering how he would explain their complicated relationship.

 

“Is it okay when it’s just the two of us?”

 

“Even if I say no, you will.”

 

Instead of answering, he grinned. It was a smile like no other.

 

When the Roger in reality, who had always felt stiff, overlapped with the man in her dreams, he became a complete scoundrel. Vivian felt familiarity and frustration at the same time.

 

‘Do I like this or hate it?’

 

“Are you done?”

 

“I still have a lot to ask.”

 

Vivian looked a little tired. Roger noticed it promptly.

 

“Tired?”

 

“…I couldn’t sleep last night.”

 

Even if she got good sleep last night, it was not enough. If something big was going to happen tomorrow, it would be better to recharge on stamina quickly. Recognizing that her eyelids were slowly getting heavier, Roger got up more quickly than expected.

 

Vivian involuntarily followed him to the door to see him off, even though her energy was dangerously low. She was so cute when she followed him. Roger laughed silently.

 

“I hope you have a good night.”

 

He left with the same greeting as always.

 

“I’ll see you soon anyway.”

 

…And an unnecessary remark.

 

After he left, Vivian laid her heavy body on the bed. She even forgot to close the window, and fell asleep.

 

* * *

 

After that, the relationship between Vivian and Roger did not go smoothly.

 

It had been a week since she reluctantly told him the truth and found out that they had the same dream.

 

Vivian sat blankly on the bed. Her hair was knotted, and her eyes were clouded, as if everything had just happened. It was like this every time she woke up these days, though Hamel didn’t say anything. She was accustomed to wandering around the room without paying any attention to her.

 

“… Strange.”

 

Vivian grabbed her head with confusion. As she walked to the curtains that covered the window, Hamel asked, as if she couldn’t hear well.

 

“Lady, what did you say?”

 

“Why haven’t I dreamed?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Why…”

 

A week had passed.

 

Seven days, seven nights. But during those seven days, Vivian never dreamed Roger.

 

The dream was usually every day. If there were days when she didn’t dream, it was only when Vivian was sick or unable to sleep. Otherwise, she’d always dream…

 

“How could I not dream for a week?”

 

“Miss. What are you saying?”

 

Hamel approached cautiously with absurdity and embarrassment. She was a girl who sometimes behaved erratically, but today it was particularly bad.

 

Despite Hamel’s concern, Vivian murmured a little longer before getting out of bed.

 

After she combed her disheveled silver hair and changed into a neat outfit, she left the bedroom. Maybe it was because she hadn’t been dreaming lately, but when she woke up, she wasn’t as tired as before. Feeling clearer than usual, Vivian headed to the first floor.

 

No cracks appeared for a week. It didn’t rain either. Not wanting to waste this peaceful time, the Knights of Eckhart accelerated the renovation of the village. That was why, when she woke up this morning, there were only a few knights in the mansion. It was quieter than usual.

 

“Good morning.”

 

Enka greeted her with a sweaty face, as if she had just finished training.

 

“Good morning,”

 

Vivian replied softly, looking to and fro.

 

“Are you looking for the commander?”

 

Enka quickly noticed that she was looking for Roger.

 

“Ah yes. I have something to ask him.”

 

“Training is over, so he’ll shower and come down soon.”

 

“Is he using the second floor bathroom?”

 

Enka nodded her head.

 

Vivian was going to talk about their dreams, so she thought it would be better to go to a place where theyy could be alone. After saying thank you, she left the hall.

 

As she stood in front of the bathroom door, she heard the sound of water pouring again and again.

 

‘Can I wait here?’

 

It wasn’t like she was looking into the bathroom, but it felt voyeuristic. She urgently needed to have a conversation, so Vivian pushed those thoughts aside and waited for him to come out.

 

After a while, the door opened and white steam poured out. Roger, who was combing his hairl, noticed Vivian standing in front of the bathroom and widened his eyes.

 

Before he could even open his mouth, Vivian pulled him by the forearm into the room next door. After he turned into a serpent, no, after revealing his true nature, she was afraid of anyone seeing them alone.

 

“Let’s talk.”

 

“About?”

 

“That…”

 

Vivian closed the door after making sure the coast was clear, but as she was about to get to the point, his dripping hair caught her eye.

 

“Dry your hair first. You will catch a cold.”

 

“Ah.”

 

He wrinkled his eyes as if he didn’t care and shook his head.

 

“It’s okay, so let’s talk.”

 

Saying so, he ran his hand through his hair roughly. Vivian, who was staring at him quietly, sighed. He took good care of other people’s bodies, but didn’t take care of his own at all.

 

“Wait.”

 

If she didn’t do it, it seemed like he’d leave it that way, so Vivian began to open countless closets in search of a towel. Thankfully, a servant was passing by.

 

After a while, she received a towel and closed the door again.

 

“Sit.”

 

Roger sat obediently in the chair Vivian pointed to. The chair that would have been comfortable enough for Vivian to sit on, but felt quite narrow to him. Vivian placed the towel over his wet hair and lightly brushed.

 

Suddenly, Roger laughed.

 

“I remember when it last rained.”

 

Even if he didn’t say anything, Vivian was also reminiscing about that day. That day, Roger got wet like today from the rain, and Vivian waited for him with a towel. And she dried his hair like this when he returned.

 

It was seductive to see the dark strands swaying finely against the pure white towel. It has a strange power that drew her attention over and over again.

 

He leaned back in his chair as comfortably as a beast after a hunt. He, who was always filling her with her tension, relaxed in front of her like this.

 

Swish, swish, swish. 

 

There was no conversation, only the sound of hair being rubbed by a towel. Roger opened his mouth after a while.

 

“What did you want to say?”

 

It was a small voice, so Vivian did not notice it right away. Roger raised a hand, which was roughly placed on the armrest, and grabbed her wrist as it swayed above his head. Vivian flinched at the sudden act.

 

“Vivian.”

 

He shook his head, which had been bowed down. Suddenly their eyes met, and Vivian’s mind went blank. Whenever she became aware of how close they were, her thoughts came to a halt.

 

When their eyes met, he didn’t say a word, Roger stared at Vivian and rubbed the inside of her wrist with his finger. A jolt flowed through her nerves and struck her heart. Vivian, as if on fire, pushed his hand away.

 

“Oh, why? What?”

 

“I asked what you had to say.”

 

After agitating her, he asked again with an innocent smile. She could never get used to his sly tricks.

 

“… Are you dreaming these days?”

 

A day or two was okay. After three or four days, she started to get worried, and finally, after a week, she had to ask.

 

At Vivian’s question, Roger wiped the smile from his lips and shook his head.

 

“You don’t dream?”

 

“Exactly a week ago.”

 

He answered, removing the towel from her hand. Vivian was puzzled and silently rubbed her chin.

 

“Why didn’t we dream all of a sudden?”

 

“Well… I don’t know.”

 

He didn’t seem to care much. Vivian’s mood became strange because he didn’t put much meaning into her dreams. He was so blunt that she even wondered if she cared too much.

 

Then, as Roger got up, her gaze naturally returned to his face.

 

He ran his hand through his dry hair a few times, then began straighten out his shirt and pants. Seeing that he was getting ready to go somewhere, Vivian stood still and burst out with a dull exclamation.

 

“Are you going to town today?”

 

She stared at Roger as he nodded his head in affirmation.

 

Vivian was no longer jealous of the fact that he was going out to town. She was closer to being liberated than jealous.

 

In the beginning, doubts begetted endless doubts. Nothing changed because she cared, she she’d rather not think about it at all. And she had confidence in him.

 

“You don’t care anymore? Even if I go to town.”

 

Vivian, who was turning to open the closed door, suddenly stopped at the sound of a voice in her ear. She didn’t even have to turn her head. Roger moved closer behind her.

 

His fingers covered back of Vivian’s hand, which was holding the doorknob. The distance was so close that it felt like a hug from behind. The back of her neck formed goosebumps, and a bead of sweat slowly rolled down it.

 

“… Should I care?”

 

She asked, trying not to turn her head. Muffled laughter echoed in her ears.

 

“I wish you did.”

 

His fingers moved softly, turning the doorknob and opening the closed door.

 

“You’re cute when you’re jealous.”

 

A small, whispering voice blew like a spring breeze. Shame flooded her senses at his honest remark, and Vivian’s face flushed red.

 

***