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Chapter_33
Vivienne couldn’t help but laugh at Percival’s bluntness. His response was so straightforward, and yet, there was an undercurrent of sincerity in his words. He wasn’t playing along with her flirtation or attempting to manipulate the situation. He simply saw it for what it was.
“You’d slap them in the face?” Vivienne asked, raising an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Percival didn’t flinch under her gaze, though there was a slight, almost imperceptible smirk playing on his own. “If that’s what it takes to get my point across, yes.”
Vivienne’s laughter was light, and for a brief moment, the tension in the room evaporated. But she was quick to return to her usual cool demeanor. The game had changed, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it yet.
“That’s certainly one way to handle things,” she said, her voice still carrying a trace of amusement. “But I suppose I’d have to be careful not to test your limits, wouldn’t I?”
“I can control my limits,” Percival replied smoothly, though the glint in his eyes suggested there was more to that statement than just the physical control he was referring to.
Vivienne tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued. “So, you’re saying if someone were to cross a line with me… you wouldn’t hesitate to step in?”
Percival’s expression darkened a little, though he remained calm. “Anyone who harms you, physically or otherwise, will regret it. That’s a promise, Vivienne.”
The weight of his words hung in the air for a moment, and Vivienne found herself both reassured and unsettled by the certainty in his tone. She hadn’t expected him to respond with such firmness. It wasn’t just about the slap anymore—it was about protecting her, about making it clear that he wouldn’t let anyone hurt her.
“And what if I don’t want your protection?” she asked, testing the waters. “What if I don’t want to be saved?”
Percival’s eyes softened ever so slightly. “It’s not about you needing saving. It’s about me standing by you when you do need someone. If you choose to handle things on your own, that’s your decision. But know that I’ll always be here if you need me.”
Vivienne wasn’t sure what to make of his words. She had never been someone who liked depending on others, but Percival’s offer wasn’t one of weakness—it was one of strength. The strength to give her space, but also to offer support when she needed it.
She crossed her arms, leaning against the wall as she studied him carefully. “You really think I need protection?”
Percival’s lips quirked upward again. “Not need, but deserve.”
Vivienne couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion at those words. She had never been the kind of person to openly seek help, but the idea of someone willing to stand by her, even when she didn’t ask, was foreign to her. She had her own strength, but this… this was different.
Her expression softened, though she quickly masked it with a playful smirk. “Fine. But don’t think I’ll let you off easy, Percival. I don’t like being treated like some fragile thing.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied smoothly, his gaze locking with hers. “You’re far from fragile.”
The two of them stood there in a charged silence, the weight of their words lingering in the air. Percival’s earlier comment about “slapping them in the face” now seemed more like a symbolic gesture of his willingness to fight for her, protect her, and stand beside her in whatever came next.
Vivienne exhaled slowly, feeling a strange sense of calm settle over her. For the first time, she felt like she wasn’t alone in this world of family drama and hidden agendas.
“Alright, fiancé,” she said, her voice low but steady. “Let’s see if you can live up to that promise.”
