"Earl Henry Pembroke," she stated firmly, her gaze fixed on him, "I demand an explanation. How did your daughter, Lady Sophia Pembroke, manage to gain unauthorized access to His Highness's bedroom?"
Earl Pembroke's face paled, and a wave of fear washed over him as he met Vivienne's intense gaze. The piercing intensity of her red eyes seemed to unnerve him, his instinctual response urging him to flee from her presence.
In contrast, the daughter of Earl Henry Pembroke glared at Vivienne with a look of disdain. Her eyes carried a mix of resentment and determination as if viewing Vivienne as a mere barrier to the budding romance between the crown prince and herself. She clearly saw Vivienne as an unwelcome obstacle, refusing to back down and challenging Vivienne's authority with her defiant gaze.
"I now terminate your employment, and both you and your daughter are now banned from entering the royal palace," Vivienne declared firmly, her tone resolute, as her inquiries went unanswered by the father and daughter.
"You can't do this to me!" the Earl protested. "You don't have the authority."
In response, Vivienne firmly grasped the Earl's shoulder and guided him down, forcing him into kneeling. As the Earl looked up, he found himself facing Vivienne's intense gaze, her striking red eyes seeming to pierce through his very being. With a commanding presence, Vivienne revealed her royal badge, causing the Earl's face to be pale with realization.
The daughter's voice trembled with anger and desperation as she pointed an accusatory finger at Vivienne. "You're nothing but a wicked witch! You've been abusing your authority as His Highness's secretary, using it to win his affection. But mark my words; one day, he will uncover your true nature and realize how terrible you are!"
Vivienne maintained her composure, her gaze steady and unwavering. She refused to let the daughter's words penetrate her resolve, understanding the pain and frustration that motivated her defense of her father. Instead of engaging in a verbal confrontation, Vivienne chose a different path.
"Guards, escort them out," Vivienne commanded, her voice firm and unwavering. The guards promptly seized Earl Pembroke and his daughter, leading them out of the crown prince's office.
Vivienne gently massaged her temples to relieve the mounting stress that accompanied such encounters. 'Being labeled a wicked witch again this month,' she sighed inwardly, contemplating the toll it took on her. 'My hands are already full with paperwork and meetings to attend. Now, I must handle this as well. Perhaps it's time to consider requesting a well-deserved raise for the added responsibilities.'
Reflecting on the situation, Vivienne couldn't help but wonder how many more individuals of a similar ilk would emerge. The persistence of these delusional girls convinced they stood a chance with the crown prince, weighed heavily on her mind. She longed for the debutante to arrive, hoping it would quell their misguided aspirations and end the unnecessary dramas that seemed to surround the royal court.
Milo stepped into the office and immediately noticed the commotion unfolding before him. With a quick glance, he pieced together the situation, understanding the events that had transpired in his absence.
"Yet another instance of a noble daughter attempting to sneak into His Highness's bedroom? This marks the third occurrence this month," Milo remarked, his tone tinged with disbelief and amusement.
Vivienne nodded, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "Indeed, it is the third time already. Thankfully, His Highness has been staying in Lady Silverwood's quarters as of late. It saves me the trouble of dealing with his grumpy face," she replied, a slight smirk on her lips.
"I will need to find a suitable replacement for Earl Pembroke," Vivienne sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly under her increasing workload.
Milo offered her a document, his expression reflecting pride and satisfaction. "Here is a list of qualified candidates. Ever since you suggested hiring commoners to replace the corrupt nobles, it has become much easier to find deserving individuals to fill these positions."
Vivienne nodded a determined glint in her eyes. "Qualifications should not be limited to titles alone. Everyone deserves a fair chance, regardless of their background. We must provide equal opportunities to all, allowing talent to rise above social status," she declared, scanning through the list of candidates with a renewed sense of purpose.
"Lady Vivienne, how are the preparations for Lady Silverwood's debutante progressing?" Milo inquired.
"The dress is ready, all the invitations have been sent to the guests, and the decorations are complete. Lady Silverwood is going to shine next week," Vivienne replied confidently.
"That's excellent news. Have you decided on what you'll be wearing for the ball?" Milo asked.
Vivienne hadn't thought much about wearing anything extravagant, so Milo's question prompted her to pause and reflect. "I believe I'll wear my uniform. Since I'll need to be on alert that day, it would be easier for the staff to identify me if any issues arise."
"Lady Vivienne, you could take a break on that day. I can oversee things for you," Milo suggested.
"No need, I've already experienced my debutante, so I don't attach much importance to this one," Vivienne responded.
"Very well, but remember, I'm always here to assist you," Milo said, reassuringly smiling.
The door to the workroom swung open, catching the attention of the two secretaries. To their astonishment, it was none other than His Highness himself. The secretaries were taken aback by the unusual sight of the crown prince, as he didn't burst through the door in his usual assertive manner.
As the crown prince took his seat, everyone followed their usual routine, but this time, he remained seated, wearing a forlorn expression that resembled a rejected puppy. The two secretaries exchanged uncertain glances, unsure how to address the crown prince's newfound behavior.
Feeling a sense of sympathy for the crown prince, Vivienne mustered the courage to inquire, "Your Highness, is there anything I can do to assist you?"
In a sulking tone, the crown prince revealed, "Ava has forbidden me from entering her bedroom throughout this entire week."
Vivienne couldn't help but think, 'Is he genuinely upset about that?' The conflicting emotions swirled within her as she struggled to respond appropriately.
"Does she have a specific reason for not wanting you to enter her bedroom at night?" Vivienne inquired, curious about the situation.
"She claims that I am the reason she's been having trouble sleeping, and she needs plenty of rest for the debutante next week," the crown prince explained with a hint of disappointment.
Vivienne silently mused, 'Ah, so she needs her beauty sleep. That's crucial, especially considering the pressure and potential scrutiny she may face that day. Ensuring she gets sufficient rest will undoubtedly benefit her.'
"You'll still have the opportunity to spend time with her during breakfast, lunch, and dinner," Vivienne reassured him.
"But I also want to spend time with her at night," the crown prince insisted.
Vivienne couldn't help but speculate, 'Alright, they must have been engaging in more intimate activities for a while now. It's understandable why Lady Silverwood might have trouble sleeping.' She silently acknowledged, 'It's good to know their relationship is progressing positively.'
"Here, Your Highness, have some chocolate. It'll be over in a week," Vivienne offered sympathetically.
The crown prince reluctantly accepted the chocolate, sinking deeper into his self-pity. Meanwhile, the two secretaries discreetly returned to their work, attempting to ignore the crown prince's presence.
"Ava... Ava... Ava..." The crown prince whispered in silence.
Vivienne couldn't shake off the unease that crept over her as she observed the crown prince's increasingly peculiar behavior. As he sank deeper into self-pity, Vivienne reached her breaking point. She couldn't tolerate it any longer and devised a plan to kick out the crown prince from his office.
"Your Highness, I believe Lady Silverwood would be displeased to witness such behavior from you," Vivienne suggested, her voice gentle yet firm. "Considering Lady Silverwood's fondness for gardens, I propose a gesture that might soften her heart. Sending her different colored roses daily could show your sincerity and perhaps pave the way for her to welcome you back into her bedroom."
"I will personally order the gardener to carry out the task," the crown prince perked up at Vivienne's suggestion. Sensing an opportunity, Vivienne quickly interjected.
"Your Highness, if you were to handpick the roses yourself, it would have a greater impact on Lady Silverwood. The personal touch would touch her heart deeply. Furthermore, please allow me to bandage you to ensure your fingers don't get hurt during the process." Vivienne swiftly retrieved a first aid kit, skillfully wrapping the bandages around the prince's fingers as she spoke.
Vivienne's mind danced with mischievous thoughts as she contemplated the outcome. 'This way, the female lead will believe that the crown prince has endured great suffering, preventing her from pitying him and taking him back,' she thought, a sly smile on her lips.
"Do you truly believe this will be effective?" the crown prince inquired, seeking reassurance.
"I am absolutely certain," Vivienne replied confidently, her eyes gleaming with determination. "However, there is a crucial rule: you must give exactly three roses daily—no more, no less. Lady Silverwood holds great significance to the number three in relation to love, so it must be adhered to. With this gesture, you will communicate 'I love you' to her in a way that resonates with her deeply."
After hearing Vivienne's suggestion, the crown prince's face brightened, and he swiftly exited the room, bringing a sense of tranquility to the previously bustling workroom.
"Nice and peaceful once again, don't you agree, Sir Milo?" Vivienne remarked, expecting a response. However, she was met with Milo's unwavering focus on the documents before him.
"Sir Milo?" Vivienne called again but still received no response, which was highly unusual for someone as attentive as Milo.
Curiosity piqued, Vivienne approached Milo's desk, intent on capturing his attention. As Milo finally noticed her presence, he seemed surprised by her proximity.
"Lady Vivienne, is there something I can assist you with?" Milo asked, removing an earplug from one ear, indicating that he had been engrossed in something else.
Vivienne's eyes landed on the earplugs, and she realized how Milo had skillfully tuned out the crown prince's presence.
"Where did you obtain those earplugs? And how would you know when His Highness calls for you if you wore them?" Vivienne inquired, genuinely curious.
"I acquired these earplugs from the medical team. I have plenty so that you can have a pair too. As for knowing when His Highness requires my attention, he usually signals it by slamming the table. His communication style is rather minimal, consisting mostly of grumbles, which can easily distract me from my work," Milo explained.
"I see... I would gladly accept a pair," Vivienne replied, contemplating the convenience of wearing earplugs instead of devising strategies to remove the crown prince from his office every time.
The two secretaries resumed their usual tasks, diligently attending to their work. At the same time, the crown prince immersed himself in the mission of selecting the most exquisite roses from the palace garden. Day after day, he presented the carefully chosen blooms to Ava, whose heart melted with each heartfelt gesture. On the third day, the crown prince was once again welcomed into her bedroom at night.