The moment Enya stepped over the threshold, she immediately sensed a subtle, unsettling aura.
The fresh floral fragrance wafting through the air instantly tightened her nerves.
Vivienne always carried that kind of hypnotic scent, one that could easily sway people’s hearts—no wonder she could effortlessly make others spill their true feelings with just a few words.
Enya instinctively wanted to hold her breath.
But then she thought better of it. Holding her breath in front of others was rude, and how could she possibly explain that she was aware of the special effect of this fragrance?
So what was she supposed to do now…
She stood frozen at the doorway for a long moment.
Inside the room, a pink-haired woman dressed in a white dress sat by the window.
Her delicate, slender hands held a porcelain cup, which she lifted to her pair of lips as delicate as peach blossoms.
The faint tea inside tilted and flowed into her mouth. After sipping lightly, she set the cup down gently.
Her stunning pale pink gemstone eyes turned toward the door.
Through the thin painted silk screen, only the visitor’s slender and graceful figure was visible.
Vivienne narrowed her eyes slightly, pinching a handkerchief to dab her exquisite lips, then softly said to the figure beyond the screen, “Since you’ve come in, why don’t you come over and sit?”
Hearing those words, Enya swallowed nervously.
But since she was currently under the guise of Madam Phil, she shouldn’t feel guilty.
The more guilty she felt, the easier it would be to slip up.
Letting out a small breath, she stepped forward to the other side of the screen.
Only then did Vivienne see her clearly: dressed simply, with a white top and black skirt, a blue bow at the neckline adorned with a beautiful purple gemstone.
Her stride was neither fast nor slow, elegant and composed.
Underneath the black skirt, her jade-like feet were wrapped in sheer, flesh-colored black stockings, stepping lightly on glossy black low heels.
Apart from that, she wore almost no other decorations.
The heels were only about five centimeters high, but with chunky heels. This outfit, combined with her silver hair and beautiful features…
gave off a mature vibe.
Enya looked toward the seated princess.
She gently lifted her skirt to curtsy, then spoke softly.
“Phil Crochy, it’s an honor to see you again, Miss.”
“Likewise,” Vivienne replied.
Vivienne’s steady gaze made Enya feel uneasy standing there.
She dared not meet Vivienne’s eyes, lowering her head to look at the patterned stone floor beneath her.
Suddenly, a smile appeared on Vivienne’s face.
“Madam, come sit down~”
Enya twitched at the corner of her mouth but forced herself to walk over.
The chair was genuine leather and solid wood, painted in the vibrant red color most commonly used by the Asades Family. Even the tabletop was a deep red hue.
Thankfully, the white porcelain plates and the colorful fruits and pastries helped soften the overall brightness.
Enya adjusted her skirt slightly before sitting down slowly.
Her ample hips sank into the soft, comfortable cushion, but she felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.
Vivienne’s unblinking gaze was so piercing that a light sweat of anxiety broke out on Enya’s skin.
“Hehe, Madam, no need to be nervous.”
Vivienne smiled warmly, pouring a cup of tea for Enya as she spoke.
Enya fought the twitch at the corner of her lips.
Madam… why is she calling me that?
“Lady” was acceptable as a direct form of address, but “Madam” was an honorific reserved strictly for married women in formal settings.
She should be called “Madam Crochy,” or in less formal contexts, “Mrs. Phil.”
Being called “Madam” by Vivienne was awkward beyond words, but she could only smile awkwardly and try to hide her discomfort.
“Miss…”
“Just call me Vivienne.”
“Understood, Miss Vivienne. May I ask what you wished to see me about?”
“Not much, really.”
Vivienne shook her head with a smile, then pushed a cup of tea toward Enya.
Enya thanked her, then took the cup.
She gently blew on the tea’s surface to cool it, then took a sip—and immediately froze.
This flavor was familiar.
Wasn’t this the same floral tea she had sun-dried herself?!
Setting the cup down, she glanced at Vivienne out of the corner of her eye, only to find the princess still watching her. Quickly, she withdrew her gaze.
Lowering her voice, Enya said, “I think I still have some matters to attend to at home.”
“Oh? Madam, don’t worry. Ever since we parted last time, I’ve missed you terribly. I thought I’d come by to see you on my way back.”
Vivienne rested her elbow on the table, supporting her chin with her palm, leaning in closer. Her breath carried that intoxicating charm capable of making anyone’s head spin.
Enya’s eyes darted away repeatedly, choosing not to mention the issues at home.
She focused on her breathing and tried to remain silent, seemingly prepared to keep quiet no matter what.
Vivienne’s gaze dropped to Enya’s abdomen.
“Oh, right. Just about a month ago, if I remember correctly, Madam, you were still pregnant. How come your belly is gone now? Has the baby been born?”
“Cough cough cough!”
Enya almost lost her composure but managed to suppress the rising surge of blood energy within her. Her lips tingled as she parted them softly.
“That was just a ruse; the baby was already quite large.”
“Oh~ I see.”
Vivienne first gave a cold smile, then returned to her usual smile.
“So, what’s your child’s name?”
“She… she’s called Rosily, a very lovely girl.”
Enya continued smoothly.
Vivienne kept staring at Enya’s face, as if trying to see through the mask.
She first praised, then shifted the topic.
“Then she must have inherited Madam’s beauty. May I meet this child?”
Could she? Clearly not!
If Vivienne saw Rosily, she’d be exposed immediately.
Rosily looked exactly like her, not quite as identical as Estelle, but close enough—about ninety-five percent alike.
Her second daughter was just a different-colored version of herself!
Vivienne had seen young Enya before and knew this well. If she met Rosily, she’d definitely capture the mother.
As for Henna not recognizing, it was only because Henna had vague memories of Enya’s childhood, and they hadn’t had much contact afterward.
So, Enya quickly changed the subject.
“Ahaha, my little Rosily is very shy, and she might be off playing somewhere now. She’s not easy to see.”
“Is that so? Well, alright then.”
Vivienne wasn’t bothered by Enya’s evasion, instead nodding in agreement. After all, she also believed children, regardless of gender, loved to roam outside.
“My little Estelle loves running outside too.”
“Hmm, Miss Vivienne, you also have children?”
Enya deliberately asked, and Vivienne smoothly shifted to talking about raising daughters.
“Yes, I have one as well.”
“Hehehe, that’s good, very good.”
“But I’m often too busy to spend much time with her. Plus, I have some rather obsessive tendencies in my personality.”
“Being a mother for the first time, that’s quite normal.”
“Then, Madam, how do you usually get along with your child? I want to learn from you~”
Vivienne asked curiously.
Enya thought for a moment, filtering out what she couldn’t say, then shared her experiences on raising children. Although she only half understood parenting herself, she spoke at length.
As they talked, the atmosphere gradually lightened.
In the Lord’s Manor study, the petite Blood Elf loli Henna paced anxiously back and forth.
The maid beside her attentively watched the tiny Lord.
“How long have they been inside?”
Henna stopped pacing and turned to ask the maid guarding nearby.
The maid hesitated briefly, then quickly replied, “It’s been an hour already, Lord!”
“An hour…”
Henna narrowed her crimson, vertical pupils, pouting her lips in frustration.
Why could Princess Vivienne chat with Madam Phil for so long?
What could they possibly be talking about?
Henna desperately wanted to eavesdrop, but of course, that was impossible.
She just hoped Madam Phil wasn’t being troubled by Princess Vivienne.
After all, Vivienne didn’t seem to have any reason to make things difficult for Madam Phil, right?
Just then, a maid entered.
“Lord, Miss and Madam Phil have left the room together and are now strolling in the garden.”
On the other side.
Vivienne and Enya stepped out the door.
After their earlier casual conversation, the tension between them had somewhat eased, but only slightly.
Just as they reached the garden path, Enya’s hand was suddenly grasped.
Vivienne leaned close, almost pressing her face against Enya’s, and asked, “I suppose Madam wouldn’t mind, right?”
“No, no. How could I possibly mind Miss Vivienne?” Enya replied with an awkward smile.
Then, she suddenly felt a hand grasp her waist.
Moments later, a gentle force pressed her closer to the woman beside her.
Enya wasn’t particularly bothered, but the hand wasn’t satisfied—it slid down slightly from her waist.
Her expression turned puzzled.
Aren’t we at least half-strangers on the surface? I already have a child. Isn’t this a bit inappropriate? Don’t you even want to pretend a little?
Vivienne’s face drew even closer, a hint of confusion on her beautiful features.
She exhaled softly, her breath brushing Enya’s cheek.
Then she said gently, “What’s wrong? Could it be that Madam isn’t feeling well?”
“Um…”
Enya felt a brief squeeze; a faint blush quickly blossomed across her cheeks.
Too much, too much!
Although irritated, she dared not confront Vivienne outright.
She lowered her head weakly and turned her face away, refusing to look at the woman so close to her.
“I’m not unwell.”
“Oh, that’s good. Otherwise, I could have given Madam a checkup.”
“Since you’re fine, let’s walk and talk~”
Vivienne smiled with a look that seemed to wipe away any grievances.
Taking Enya’s hand, she strolled through the Henna family garden, continuing their conversation about their daughters as they walked.