New World, New Life: I Became A Bigshot In The Ancient World
Chapter 208: VIVIAN QUENTIN

Chapter 208: VIVIAN QUENTIN

The members of house Quentin turned around once the carriage left their sight.

"Vivian dear, you didn’t tell us you were close to her highness, the Third Princess?" Countess Quentin inquired once they were back inside the mansion.

"I wasn’t," Vivian said simply, looking up at her mother with a blank face.

"Nonsense," Count Quentin said with a dismissive wave. "It didn’t look like that."

Vivian said nothing and headed for her room. None of her family tried to stop her. She sat on her bed in thought.

After the incident where the third princess had humiliated and hurt her, she developed a strong dislike for her, even though she was also very small at the time.

She didn’t think the third princess would ever apologize, even if the apology came after two years.

She had been shocked and resentful the first time the princess sent her a gift. It was a beautiful necklace which she had hidden away from her family.

The second time, it was a box of baked goods. Vivian was shocked. Weren’t they only served in The Vanilla Courtyard?

But soon she assured herself. The princess was royalty, of course she would be able to get her hands on it. She had only eaten in The Vanilla Courtyard a handful of times when they visited the capital.

The princess’s gift had left her feeling conflicted. Why had she gotten a gift from the princess when they weren’t even close? The princess had also made fun of her before so she couldn’t tell why she was sending her gifts.

Then today, the princess surprised her even more by making an appearance at her home. For her.

She wasn’t aware so she couldn’t prepare herself. But nothing would have prepared her for when the princess asked for forgiveness from her.

She knew that the princess and her family were in the Hemsworth Fief to visit the Viscountess who had given birth. It wasn’t surprising though, since the royal family, the Antons and the Hemsworths were one of those noble families that maintained close ties with family.

And it wasn’t only them. Extended families belonging to pure nobility maintained close ties with each other to keep their relationship strong.

She didn’t know that the princess would leave the Hemsworth Fief for the Quentin Fief just to apologise to her. It was something she was still trying to wrap her head around.

She thought of the rumours about the third princess, that she had changed. She had refused to believe those talks, but now, she was beginning to see reasons why she should.

And Aristia had talked about visiting again. Did she want to become friends with her?

Her thoughts were interrupted when her door was pushed open forcefully and someone barged in. Vivian looked up to see her oldest sister.

"What are you doing?" Bethany demanded sharply with her hands on her hips.

Vivian met her gaze calmly without saying anything.

Bethany sneered. "Don’t think you’re special just because the princess came to see you."

Vivian sighed, hoping her sister would just leave her room. Her sister would soon leave for the Academy after the Kingdom’s Anniversary. That would leave her one less person to endure.

"You lied." Vivian sighed. "Why did you lie?" She asked quietly.

Bethany froze and her sharp tone faltered. The unexpected question caught her off guard. "What are you talking about?"

"You told me you were close to her highness and that you would make sure she disliked me, just like you did with all my friends." Vivian said evenly.

"I didn’t lie. The princess didn’t like you, did she?" Bethany folded her arms.

"Yes, but it wasn’t because of you. She didn’t even look like she recognized you." Vivian stated.

Bethany’s face turned crimson red. "You...!"

Her words faltered, and after an awkward pause and a moment’s hesitation and still not finding what to say, she spun on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

"Huu~" Vivian sighed and lay back down on her bed. The room was finally quiet.

But she barely had time to exhale as the next moment, her door was pushed open again. Vivian swallowed a sigh and sat up.

She was shocked to see the Countess.

"Vivian, dear, come down for dinner. The chef prepared your favorite," the Countess said with a sugary sweet smile.

Vivian blinked, trying to make sure she was seeing correctly.

’Mother, coming to my room and personally inviting me to dinner?’ she thought incredulously.

Her mother had never come to her room to inform her of dinner, or anything at all. It was usually the maids that were sent to call her.

She realized her mother was still waiting for an answer.

"Yes, mother. I will be there."

Her mother nodded with satisfaction before leaving.

Vivian got out of bed and made her way to the dining room. She walked in the corridors but none of the servants bowed or bothered to acknowledge her. It was as if she was invisible.

As she neared the door to the dining room, she heard Bethany’s sharp voice through the closed doors. She stopped in front of the closed door.

"Why would the princess visit her? Why not me or Annie?" Bethany’s voice was filled with irritation.

"Bethany, keep your voice down," their mother chided before continuing. "She’s your sister."

"You’ve never said this before. Is it because her highness came to see her?" Bethany pressed on.

"Mama, papa. What sister is trying to say is..." Annie hesitated. "Vivian is too boorish. What if she makes her highness unhappy? She doesn’t have any friends." She sounded worried.

’You’re the reason I don’t have friends.’ Vivian thought, still listening quietly.

"That’s what I’m trying to say," Beth said. "If it were Annie or I, we would make sure to have a good relationship with her highness."

"I know you’re both keeping the family in mind, even at such tender age." Count Quentin wavered. "But the princess made her choice. We cannot interfere. For now, we’ll let things be, since the princess seems entertained."

Bethany huffed, and Annie’s hand clenched tightly under the table.

"We understand, Papa." Annie smiled.

"I knew you both would." Countess Quentin smiled proudly.

Vivian pushed open the door at that moment.

All conversation ceased as her family turned to look at her. Her expression remained the same as usual, showing no excitement or happiness. It was a bit unusual for a child her age.

’So boorish. Why would her highness want to have a friendship with her?’ Bethany thought, glaring at her.

"Vivian, dear, take a seat," Countess Quentin said, her tone dripping with sweetness.

"Vivian, you’re finally here. We didn’t want to begin dinner without you." Annie added with a bright smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Vivian nodded silently, her face impassive as she took her seat. They usually did begin dinner without her. It made no difference if they did or didn’t now.

Dinner began without further delay.

Vivian faced her food. Her face remained passive as usual.

The food on the table was not her favorite. In fact, she hated it. It was Annie and Bethany’s favorite food. She sighed softly.

"Vivian, what did Her Highness talk to you about? I’ve never spoken with any of the princesses." Annie asked with curiosity plastered on her face.

The question drew everyone’s attention to the fact that they still didn’t know what Vivian and the princess had talked about.

"Her Highness talked about the upcoming kingdom anniversary celebration. She also discussed the classes we were taking." Vivian’s expression did not change.

As a six year old, she was too mature for her age. Most of the time even more so than Annie, who was eight, and Bethany who was ten. Their brother was twelve years old and should have been at the Academy but had returned. He would soon go back.

"I see," her parents didn’t doubt her words. They couldn’t see any reason for her to lie.

"I’ve heard the princess is exceptionally brilliant. She’s among the smartest in the kingdom, even more so than the first and second princesses." Count Quentin mused.

Of course this comparison wasn’t something anyone would dare say outside in the open.

"Then you must work hard to keep up with her, Vivian," the Countess said sharply. "You don’t want to bore her."

"I understand, mother." Vivian replied quietly.

"Come with me to pick out dresses tomorrow, Vivian. I plan on purchasing new dresses for the four of us. We’ll make a day of it." Countess Quentin announced, talking about herself and her daughters.

"Yes, mother." Vivian nodded obediently.

Countess Quentin’s face showed slight annoyance but it quickly disappeared. This daughter of hers was really boorish.

Even as she told her this, she couldn’t even smile, only always having that bland expression on her face. It irritated the Countess to no end.

She sighed. If only the princess had shown interest in Annie or Bethany...

Bethany scoffed. "Can’t you say anything besides ’yes, Mother’?"

"Beth!" Count Quentin bellowed, his voice echoing.

Bethany shrank back at his loud voice, before glaring at Vivian.

Vivian didn’t pay any attention to the drama or the angry gaze directed at her. Instead, she focused on clearing the food off her plate.

She finished her meal and set down her utensils.

"I would like to return to my room to study in order to keep up with her highness’s brilliance and not bore her. Please excuse me, father, mother." Vivian pushed her seat backwards and stood up.

"Very well, I’ll make sure the servants don’t disturb you." Countess Quentin smiled approvingly, clearly pleased that Vivian was taking it seriously.

"I would appreciate that, mother." Vivian said, bowing slightly before leaving.

She went into her room. She glanced at the stack of books on her bedside table and eventually walked towards it. But once she was in front of it, she sank backwards and climbed into the bed, pulled the covers over her, and fell asleep.

Vivian Quentin deserved a break after a stressful day.