Depraved Noble: Forced To Live The Debaucherous Life Of An Evil Noble!

Vivi leaned forward, her voice steady and soothing, cutting through Mara's sobs like a gentle breeze.

"Mara, thank you for sharing that. I'm sure it's so hard to carry this alone, and I'm glad you're here telling me what you feel."

She said, her tone warm but to the point like she was building up to something.

"I can see why you're hurting, why this feels like betrayal...But let's take it step by step, alright, since you said your husband's always been kind, always put you first—does that sound like a man who'd throw it all away without a word?...Maybe there's something we're not seeing yet."

Cassius nodded his head seeing that she had picked up on what he had also thought and was properly questioning like he would to find the truth.

"Can you tell me more about Clara? What's she like when she's around you? And your husband—has he ever lied to you before, or hidden things?"

Mara sniffled, wiping her eyes as she looked at Vivi, the girl's calm presence pulling her back from the edge.

"Clara...She's quiet, polite. Doesn't talk much to me, but she's not rude or anything. Just...young, pretty, always looking to him like he's her hero...And my husband—he's never lied, not that I know of. Always been straight with me, even when it's hard."

"...But this...It's too much, Lady Vivi. The money, the time, that scene in the shop—it's all pointing one way."

Vivi's gentle smile held steady as she leaned toward Mara, her voice a soothing balm to the woman's frayed nerves.

"I understand your worries, Mara, and it's okay to feel this way—it's a lot to carry."

She said, her tone calm and measured, radiating a warmth that seemed to ease the tension in Mara's shoulders.

"But let's take this one step at a time, alright? Let's see if what you're thinking is true, or if there's something else going on. First off, have you ever seen your husband and Clara...Well, being intimate? Touching each other in a way that felt too close, or speaking sweet words, anything like that?"

Mara hesitated, her brow furrowing as she searched her memory, her hands stilling in her lap.

"No..." She admitted finally, her voice soft, almost surprised by her own answer. "Not once. He's never...They've never been like that. When he talks to her, it's like he's speaking to a child—kind, but firm, like a teacher."

"...And when he's showing her how to do things, he keeps his distance, always proper. I've never seen him touch her beyond a pat on the shoulder, and even that's rare."

Vivi nodded, her expression thoughtful but encouraging, her eyes never leaving Mara's.

"Alright, that's important. Now, what about Clara herself? Does she seem like the kind of person who'd try to steal another woman's husband? Does her character feel...scheming, or manipulative to you?"

Mara's lips parted, then closed as she thought it over, her gaze drifting to the table.

"Not at all." She said slowly, her voice tinged with realization. "Clara's...she's sweet, innocent to a fault. Gullible, even—I've thought sometimes she's so naive, someone could trick her without her noticing. Makes me feel a bit bad for her, truth be told, like she needs protecting."

"...So no, she doesn't have it in her to steal anyone, let alone my husband. She's just...a girl trying to get by."

A murmur rippled through the crowd, their initial judgment softening as Vivi's questions peeled back the layers of Mara's story. Eyes widened, heads tilted, as they began to grasp where Vivi was leading them.

Lucius, standing behind Cassius, felt a spark of understanding, his earlier gossip-fueled indignation fading as he caught the thread of Vivi's logic.

'She's unraveling it, piece by piece.' He thought, his admiration for her growing.

Vivi's smile brightened, her voice gentle but firm as she pressed on.

"Exactly, Mara. Now, you said your husband brought Clara to help because you mentioned feeling tired, right? Not because he fancied her, but because he wanted to ease your burden, to help her out since she was struggling with no other opportunities...Does that sound like him?"

Mara nodded, her expression softening, a flicker of hope breaking through her doubt.

"Yes...That's him. Always looking out for others, especially me."

"And you've said he's a good husband, always treated you with care, made you feel like you're his whole world." Vivi continued, her tone warm but probing. "If he's like that, doesn't it make sense that he'd want to spare you the strain of teaching Clara? That he'd take it on himself, not to push you away, but to protect you?"

Mara's eyes widened slightly, her breath catching as the idea took root.

"I...I suppose so." She murmured, her voice trembling with the weight of new perspective. "He's always been like that—taking on the hard things so I don't have to."

Vivi nodded, her smile encouraging as she leaned closer. "And as an educator, has he ever done this before—taught people in the neighborhood, given special lessons to help them learn?"

Mara's face lit up, her voice eager now, as if grasping a lifeline.

"Oh, yes! He's done that for years—goes to orphanages, teaches the children there to read, write, even do sums. Holds private lessons sometimes, stays late to help them catch up. He loves it, says it's his way of giving back."

"Exactly." Vivi said, her voice bright with conviction. "So it makes sense, doesn't it? He's teaching Clara because he sees potential in her, wants her to have a better life than just being a maid."

"...Education's a weapon for her, a way to move up in the world and it's not about replacing you, it's about him being the man you've always known."

The crowd's murmurs grew, nods and whispers spreading as Vivi's case became clearer, their pity for Mara shifting to a dawning realization that they'd misjudged.

Lucius's eyes sparkled, his excitement barely contained as he listened, marveling at how Vivi turned suspicion into understanding with such ease.

Vivi's smile widened, a spark of intuition in her eyes as she pressed on.

"Now, about seeing him with Clara and her sister in the gift shop—that could be many things, and we can't know for sure without asking. But I have a guess, and I need you to confirm something for me."

"...Is there an event coming up soon? A birthday, a special occasion, anything like that?"

Mara blinked, her brow furrowing as she thought.

"Well...Yes, actually. In a week, it's our twentieth anniversary—me and my husband, we've been married that long, can you believe it?"

Vivi's smile turned radiant, as if she'd found the final piece of a puzzle, her voice brimming with quiet triumph.

"That's wonderful, Mara—twenty years! Let me ask you this: is your husband a good gift-giver? Does he pick out presents well, or...?"

Mara let out a small, rueful laugh, shaking her head.

"Not at all! He's hopeless at it, bless him. Good at so many things, but gifts? He's awful—always picking out odd trinkets, things I'd never use. A carved frog one year, a scarf with holes another."

"...I love him for trying, but he's never gotten it right."

The crowd chuckled softly, the tension easing as Vivi's grin widened.

"That's what I thought." She said, her voice light but certain. "Mara, I think your husband was in that shop with Clara and her sister because he was letting Clara help him pick out a gift for you...For your anniversary."

"...He knows he's terrible at it, so he's turning to someone young, someone who might know what a woman would like, to make sure he gets it right this time."

A collective gasp swept through the crowd, eyes widening as the truth clicked into place.

Mara's hands flew to her mouth, her voice trembling with disbelief. "You...You think so? That's why they were there? Not....not because he's...?"

Vivi leaned closer, her smile soft and reassuring as she nodded.

"After everything you've told me, Mara, I think it's all a misunderstanding. Your husband's been clumsy, maybe, not telling you everything, but it sounds like he's trying to care for you, for Clara, for her sister, all while planning something special for your anniversary."

"...But the only way to know for sure is to talk to him—ask him, clear the air..."

"...But you're scared, aren't you? Worried he'll think less of you for doubting him?"

Mara nodded, her eyes glistening as panic crept into her voice. "Yes! I can't just ask him that. What if he thinks I'm awful for suspecting him? I'd die of shame, Lady Vivi. I wouldn't know how to face him after."

Vivi reached out, gently taking Mara's hand, her touch light but steady.

"Mara, from everything you've said, your husband sounds like a good man—a great man. Do you really think he's the kind who'd hate you for asking a question, for being honest about your fears?"

Mara paused, her breath hastening as she thought it over, a faint smile breaking through her tears.

"No...no, he wouldn't. He's a love-struck fool, always has been. If I told him what I've been thinking, he'd probably laugh—loud and long, say it's the funniest thing he's ever heard. Tell me there's no other woman in the world for him, that I'm being ridiculous. He'd...he'd hold me and make it alright."

Vivi's eyes sparkled, her voice warm with approval.

"There you go. That's the man you love, the one who's loved you for over twenty years. This is just a misunderstanding, Mara, and you can fix it by talking to him."

"Go home, ask him—be open, like you've been with me. But maybe..."

She winked, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Don't mention the gift shop. Let him have his surprise...You deserve a good anniversary gift for once."

Mara laughed, a genuine, relieved sound that seemed to lift the weight from her shoulders. She squeezed Vivi's hand, her voice thick with gratitude.

"Oh, Lady Vivi, you've saved my marriage—I was so sure it was over, but now...Thank you, thank you so much. I'll talk to him, I will. You're a miracle!"

Vivi shook her head, her smile humble but radiant.

"It's nothing at all, Mara. I'm just happy I could help. Go home, be with your husband—you've got a beautiful anniversary to celebrate."

She clapped her hands, a satisfied gesture that closed the case, and called out, "Next, please!" as Mara stood, her face glowing with renewed hope, and walked away, lighter than she'd been in weeks.

The crowd erupted in soft applause, their faces full of awe and relief, their earlier judgment replaced by admiration for Vivi's wisdom.

Lucius, barely containing his excitement, bounced on his heels and leaned toward Cassius, whispering fervently.

"Master, isn't she incredible? So young, but so smart! Everyone thought that husband was a cheating dog, but she saw right through it, picked it apart like a puzzle! How'd she do that?"

Cassius, lounging back with his arms crossed, let out a low chuckle, his crimson eyes glinting with approval.

"She's sharp, I'll give her that." He murmured, his voice low enough for only Lucius to hear. "I knew it wasn't what it looked like too neat, too convenient and she immidietly understood that as well."

"...The girl's got a knack for cutting through the noise."

Lucius's eyes sparkled, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm. "Did you figure it out too, Master? That it was about the anniversary gift?"

Cassius smirked, shrugging casually. "Obvious from the start, Lucius. Guy like that—kind, devoted? Screams he's trying to do right by her, not sneak around."

"...But Vivi put it together faster than most would've. That's mighty impressive to say the least."

Lucius grinned, practically vibrating with pride.

"Of course you saw it, Master—nothing slips past you! You and Lady Vivi, you both so clever—you're like a match made in heaven, aren't you? Two minds like that, unstoppable!"

The senior maid, standing nearby, caught the comment, her eyes lighting up with a sudden, giddy excitement.

She leaned toward Lucius, whispering eagerly, "Oh, wouldn't they be perfect together? Our Vivi and Young Master Cassius—so brilliant, so matched! No one could keep up with them—think of the pair they'd make!"

Cassius's smirk twitched, his eyes rolling slightly as he ignored the matchmaking fervor, his focus still on Vivi as she greeted the next person in line, a young man with a nervous stammer.

"Enough of that nonsense..." He said, his tone dry but not unkind, as he turned to the senior maid. "Watching her work through these cases...it's too damn interesting to walk away from."

"...So, you can head off for now. I'm staying to hear her out, every word."

The senior maid's face brightened, her mind clearly spinning with hopes of Vivi catching Cassius's eye.

"Of course, my lord." She said, bowing quickly. "I'll leave you to it."

She stepped away, then returned moments later, silently placing two cushioned chairs behind Cassius and Lucius before slipping off again, her steps light with the thrill of possibility.

Cassius sank into one chair, lounging back with a lazy grace, his eyes locked on Vivi as she began speaking to the young man, her voice a steady stream of warmth and wisdom.

Lucius settled beside him, still buzzing with excitement, his gaze flicking between Vivi and his master, thinking they were a match made in heaven.

Vivi, oblivious to the infamous figure seated just behind her, continued her work, case by case, unraveling troubles with her boundless optimism and sharp insight.

Each word, each smile, drew Cassius in further, his expression of admiration and something darker, a calculating glint that hinted at plans yet to unfold...