Chapter 154
Was she acting that way because she was banking on hidden money and heirlooms stashed at the bank?
If even those were taken from her, perhaps she’d finally show a face of despair.
Viviana sighed.
In the end, she launched a full-scale investigation to build her strategy.
Her charm ability was essentially temporary emotional manipulation with time-limited effects.
Even people she’d already won over would change their minds quickly if she didn’t keep up the effort.
Moreover, her power failed against anyone whose hatred of Viviana ran deep enough to resist.
This was precisely why she had no choice but to live wrapped in hypocrisy and pretense.
However, prejudice, as opposed to hatred, loathing, or deep grudges, was well within her ability to alter. This was how she’d ensnared three prisoners from the tens rank and turned them into her pawns.
“Is this everyone Number 49 interacts with?”
“Yes, Number 10. There’s no one else.”
A flushed-faced prisoner replied.
Most of them were high-ranking prisoners well beyond Viviana’s reach, and none seemed to be a particular weakness for Kido.
Viviana pressed once more.
“Even someone she doesn’t openly associate with but seems to care about?”
The three captive prisoners exchanged glances, and one clapped his hands as something occurred to him.
“That foreign royal, Number 48. They seem to talk occasionally. I think she called her a friend.”
Another prisoner shook his head vigorously.
“No way. It looked completely one-sided on Number 48’s part. You could see Number 49 actively avoiding her. She definitely doesn’t like her.”
Viviana’s lips curled upward.
If that wasn’t caring, what was?
She remembered Kido’s expression at a certain countess’s tea party long ago when a young maid was falsely accused and mistreated, Kido had helped her in a roundabout way.
Kido had always been like that, offering only surface-level help to the weak while never getting close.
Viviana knew exactly why.
Regardless of their character or sincerity, such people would eventually become obstacles.
It’s not a capable enemy that leads to defeat. It’s an incompetent ally.
“Thanks for your help, everyone.”
Viviana smiled sweetly and handed out caramels.
The prisoners’ eyes went wide at the sight of caramels, which were a treasure beyond measure in this prison.
“Number 10, something this precious!”
“Where did you get these?”
They were not only stunned, as if they’d unearthed gold, but their eyes actually reddened with emotion as though they’d glimpsed heaven.
In a prison where even a rotten potato was a luxury, so sharing caramels they could barely dream of tasting might as well have made her a Saintess in their eyes.
“Bishop El gave them to me. I’ll share more whenever I receive them.”
The stunned prisoners began to see her in a new light.
Bishop El was one of the highest-ranking figures in the country, after all.
They began fawning over Viviana, eager to ingratiate themselves with someone who had such powerful backing.
A world apart from how they’d reacted when Number 49, Kido, had been summoned by the bishop.
Because Viviana occupied a position that warranted such treatment.
“He must have singled you out as a special devotee, given your kind heart, Number 10.”
“You’ll be inducted into the Dark Order in no time.”
Flattered by the praise, Viviana smiled bashfully.
Wrapping these prison inmates around my finger is this easy.
Who would’ve thought simple food could bring them such joy.
Maybe I could even win over Number 1 and Number 2.
“Seeing you all happy makes me happy too. I’ll ask the bishop if I can get more.”
“Thank you, Number 10!”
The moment she turned away with a smile, Viviana’s expression flattened, replaced by twisted lips.
“…Don’t they even know how to decline? They’re not poorhouse beggars. How disgraceful. I’m embarrassed to think we were once fellow nobles.”
She grumbled under her breath, though inwardly she was brimming with superiority.
Even within this tiny community, the disparity in class was this stark.
With Bishop El’s trust behind her, dragging Kido through the mud was only a matter of time.
On her way to the bishop’s quarters, Viviana turned her head at the sound of a familiar voice from somewhere.
“Why are you giving this to me?”
Kido’s signature graceless tone.
Near the stairs leading down, Kido and Enoch stood facing each other.
Viviana quickly hid and began spying on the two.
“Don’t you know how to say thank you?”
“Who asked for this crap?”
“Just take it graciously. All you have left is that stubborn pride.”
What Kido had coldly flung away was the very caramel Viviana had given to Enoch.
“I asked you what the purpose of giving it to me was.”
Kido asked in a low, flat voice.
Enoch stared silently at the caramel rolling across the floor, then pushed out an answer like a sigh.
“Because I can’t stop thinking about you.”
Viviana’s red eyes widened in surprise.
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