Chapter 32
Can We Become a Family?
Navia crossed the corridor and went to the center stairs. Then, a loud noise came from the other side.
âItâs a miracle that the Ladyâs illness got better so quickly!â
âGod took care of it. No matter what anyone says, the Lady is of noble birth.â
Vivian and her maids were on their way to Naviaâs room, so they met in the middle.
Navia made eye contact with Vivian, who looked at her and was in a flamboyant dress and with her maids by her side.
Vivian sang to Navia triumphantly.
âSister! Iâm all better!â
A sense of superiority was felt in her voice. The expectation in the eyes looking at Navia were high. She was hoping for Navia to be surprised by the fact that she had recovered completely and hoped that she would collapse with defeat.
âNow that Iâm all better, youâre nothing.â
Vivian was saying so with her whole body.
A cold sneer flashed through Naviaâs subtle smile.
Vivian flinched.
What was that just now?
Navia looked surprised before she could fully process the situation.
âWhat? Are you really all better?â
It was a little more boring than the reaction she wanted, but she was satisfied. Vivian smiled sweetly.
âYeah!â
âLady Navia is a fake who came to take Lady Vivianâs place.â
Philippa cursed Navia, saying that she was just a stand-in and could not dare being mixed up among the great nobles.
However, that was not the case for Vivian.
âEveryone likes Sister.â
When Vivian heard about Naviaâs kidnapping, she honestly hoped that she would disappear and never return. However, Wood almost died of a mana explosion from saving Navia.
When Vivian heard that, she felt like the world was falling apart.
âBrother thinks Navia is more precious. He told Vivi to die.â
His real younger sister wasnât Navia but her. Vivian was resentful and felt unjust.
It was like Navia came into her room saying, âThis is my room now.â
The real Agnes was not Navia but her.
Even though Sister Navia was a fake!
But today, Nikan came and said he could cure her disease.
And somehow, after feeling a strange sensation that made her float for a while, she relaxed. Adults were telling stories, saying that mana was moving on its own again.
Vivian could only understand one thing.
She was cured of her illness.
Vivianâs maids spread the news so that everyone in the duchy knew that she was cured of her illness.
Then they said in unison that Vivian should enjoy all the rights that Navia, the evil sister Navia, unfairly stole.
In addition, they criticized the fact that Navia would be compared to Vivian.
Vivian saw the dress Navia was wearing. It was a shabby dress that didnât seem to be Ansierâs.
âThatâs something a maid wears.â
On top of that, whatâs with the hair pin with the pearl?
In comparison, Vivianâs dress was full of frills, lace, jewelry, and silk ribbons.
That was the difference between the real and the fake.
Vivian spoke, lifting her chin in triumph.
âSister doesnât have to replace Vivi anymore.â
The maids couldnât hide their excitement as Vivian looked down on Navia and drew a clear line.
Maki, who had even more bad feelings towards Navia among the maids, did not miss the opportunity and sarcastically mocked her.
âLady Vivian recovered from her illness, so of course you should regain your rights as the real princess. Isnât that right, Lady Navia?â
In other words, if you have a conscious, you should back off.
Navia spoke calmly.
âThatâs right. Vivian should use her true rights as a real princess. Iâm here as Vivianâs substitute.â
Maki felt uncomfortable suddenly when Navia admitted it so gently.
But nowhere in Naviaâs words did they come at a disadvantage.
It was decided that it was right to retire herself, so when they tried to push it, Navia suddenly spoke with determination.
âBut Iâll take care of the nanny.â
Vivian didnât understand what she was saying so she looked around.
When the maids understood that she meant Philippaâs embezzlement case, they became confused in a different sense.
What on earth can Navia do?
Naviaâs expression darkened.
âI heard today that the nanny is in prison.â
âNanny is in jailâ¦?â
Vivian asked back blankly at the words she heard for the first time.
Navia lowered her gaze. It was a woeful appearance that would make the viewer feel more heartbroken.
âWe canât let the nanny who took care of us die.â
The maids frowned when Navia spoke plainly about death.
Vivian shouted back.
âNanny is going to die? Thatâs ridiculous!â
âI think so too. So, Vivi, wouldnât this be better for me to do thisâ¦?â
Navia deliberately stretched her words significantly, giving Vivian room to step in.
Vivian spoke sharply as Navia expected.
âNo. Vivi will do it.â
âVivi, this is a difficult jobâ¦â
Vivian was irritated.
Then, she suddenly realized that Navia was looking very anxious and nervous.
âI got it. Itâs because if Vivi solves this beautifully, Sister will really be useless.â
When she saved the nanny in the last crisis, people applauded her saying the real princess was Lady Vivian.
Vivian kindly taught Navia the reality.
âSister, that kind of work is only for the real princess.â
Then, Navia couldnât refute and closed her mouth in a melancholy manner.
Vivian was convinced that the answer to beat Navia was to act and say she would solve it.
Maki, who was listening, spoke with a perplexed look as the conversation flowed in an increasingly unexpected direction.
âMiss, this is the masterâs authorityâ¦â
Navia confronted Maki even before she could finish talking.
âYes. I will tell father instead, so youâd better stop, like Maki said.â
Vivian got nervous as soon as she heard Navia.
âSheâs trying to take Father, as if Brother wasnât enough.â
âA real princess can do anything like this!â
Vivian turned her head with a look that she didnât want to hear anymore.
How hard was it to let the nanny go with just one word?
Vivian went down the stairs. She was going to go to Lyndon and order him to release Philippa.
âNo, Vivi!â
Vivian ordered as Navia followed her.
âBlock Sister!â
The maids looked anxious and blocked Navia from going down the stairs.
Vivian saw how Navia wasnât able to budge from just a single word.
âAs expected, Sister is a fake. Thatâs why you have to follow Viviâs words.â
Step step step!
The steps down the stairs were light.
Navia turned her eyes away from Vivian.
âWill it be okay to leave Vivian like this?â
At Naviaâs words, the maids bit their lips.
No one can overturn the family headâs decision. Even if itâs Vivian.
âIt will be even more troublesome if Vivian punished someone who contradicts me.â
They knew that well.
âBrother Wood is the only one who can stop Vivian right now.â
However, Wood was not someone to step up in this situation. In addition, he couldnât dare to release Philippa.
Maki grit her teeth in resentment.
ââ¦letâs go to Lady Vivian.â
As soon as they followed Vivian, Navia moved straight away. The place Navia was headed to was the laundry room.
âThat was so I could see Charlotte.â
The maids in the laundry room glanced curiously when the heterogeneous girl appeared in the laundry room.
Navia asked the maids.
âWhereâs Charlotte?â
After hearing the question, the maids blinked and pointed far away.
âYou will find her there.â
Navia headed where the maids pointed.
There, Charlotte was alone in the water doing laundry.
âCharlotte.â
When Navia called her, Charlotte straightened her bent waist and looked straight ahead with surprised eyes.
âMissâ¦â
Frozen hands, disheveled hair, and haggard face in icy cold water. The work in the laundry room was hard work for Charlotte, who had only been in charge of a princess.
Charlotteâs eyes shook as she bowed.
ââ¦After becoming like this, I remembered what the Lady said. You told me not to accuse Philippa of her crimes.â
Navia had warned her earlier against such a situation.
âStill, Iâm glad my life is safe.â
Charlotte murmured, and soon, her eyes met with Navia again.
âI couldnât even apologize to the Lady for the rudeness Iâve done so far. I was most pleased to be assigned in the laundry room.â
She gave a deep nod and spoke in a voice of deep penitence.
âIâm sorry, Miss.â
Navia watched her silently.
In fact, she didnât expect to hear such an apology.
Charlotte added with a look that she didnât expect to be forgiven.
âRumors could be spread if you stay here. You should go back now.â
Navia had no intention of having anything to do with Agnes and giving her heart to anything.
It was the same for this situation.
Navia approached Charlotte and took the bucket of water from her hand and threw it on the ground
Pak!
And she ordered firmly.
âDonât do these things.â
Charlotte hesitated with astonishment.
âM-Miss⦠howeverâ¦â
Paak-!
Navia kicked the bucket further as if she wasnât going to change. Charlotte shut her mouth to the violence.
Navia looked at Charlotte without any expression.
âYou know that this is a cover up. Are you going to stay here going this your whole life?â
ââ¦â¦â
âYou need to break the contract.â
Charlotteâs eyes opened wide at Naviaâs words.
âHow do youâ¦!â
âIâm going to exchange what I got from Ansier Boutique for money. That will leave you with extra money. Do what you want with it.â
To break a life contract required paying ten times the initial deposit.
Navia added carelessly,
âIt hasnât been long, but youâre an ally.â
ââ¦Miss.â
Charlotteâs eyes were dyed red. Her voice was tingling with a cry.
âThereâs nothing to be thrilled about. Iâm doing this because I have one last thing for you to do.â
Navia spoke in an insensitive voice that didnât let out any emotion, but Charlotte somehow felt warmth in it.
She asked with a firm look, wiping the tears in her eyes with her sleeve.
âWhat should I do?â