Gris reached out for her silver fork and poked a piece of potato and brought it to her mouth. She hopes that by keeping her hands busy she might be able to conceal her anxiousness. She figured she at least had to eat to gain strength, she couldnt look at Vianut so instead she casted her eyes elsewhere and quietly looked around the room.


    The windows of the room gave the view of the north, which exined why the room was so dark. There was a cab behind her, and on it was a sculpture of a saint. On the right side of the room, its wall was adorned by two portraits, each portrait housed middle aged people one was a man and the other was a woman.


    The portrait of the man surprisingly looked just like Vianut, Gris observed, that is if he was older however, the formers face showed deep sorrow, he looked more somber than Vianut. Gris assumed he was the former Sir Byrenhag and Vianuts father, Valdemar. She had seen his portrait before, by the lobby staircase, and so she seems to recognize his face.


    Next to his portrait was of a woman, smiling as bright as a person can. She had a beautiful smile, Gris noted. Unlike the average woman in their town, the woman in the portrait had a small frame and was rather petite like Gris, as if she too had not been fed properly since childhood.


    ording to what Gris has heard, thetedy of the house died from pneumonia, meaning she suffered from poor health. She was even amazed that a sickly woman like her was able to give birth to two children.


    Looking at the portraits, Gris suddenly recalled the portraits of her own parents which too were once hung on the walls of the pce of Grandia.


    When she was young, she had thought her life as a princess, with all its responsibilities such as needing to appear fancy and elegant like a doll that was pleasing to the eyes, was rather suffocating. She remembered that she would return to her room after official events and pass the corridor where her parents portraits were disyed, in anger and then, she wouldin to the girl whobed her hair about how tiring it was to be a princess. Gris smiled bitterly, recalling how unaware her younger self was of the privileges she had.


    Come to think of it now, the girl who used tob her hair was the oldest daughter of Count Tallulichi.


    Now, she must be enjoying a luxurious life in the pce.That d*mn girl


    Gris felt the tears of anger when she imagined them celebrating their life at the pce at the cost of her familys demise and could almost hear theirughter echoing in her ears. But her bitter musings stopped when she felt a cold gazend on her.


    Vianut was staring at her in deep contemtion. Gris feared that he may have read her emotions on her face and was now thinking she was pretending to be Yuliana, pretending to be saddened by the portraits of their dead parents.


    Therefore, she realized that she had to stop. She had to stop missing her parents and the pce stolen from her by the Tallulichis if she did not want to be discovered.


    Gris wet her lips with a ss of red wine.


    The silence was unbearable, thankfully, Vianut finally spoke to her.


    Your portrait. It was new.


    He was talking about the painting she messed up yesterday. As she was thanking him in her mind for not asking about the luby, he continued talking to her in a sickening happy tone.


    Ill give you a chance. This sudden announcement left Gris speechless.


    Youre too good to kill.


    This time Gris was certain that Vianut was convinced she was a fake.


    To be honest, anybody who knew the real Yuliana would be suspicious of her, for she who once was violent enough to kill a dog, is now raising one with love. Moreover, her eye color was different and was caught singing a luby from a neighboring kingdom. There was no way Yuliana could have known of that song.


    Realizing this was it for her, her heart started to race, and her throat dried up. Vianut felt smug at the fearful expression on her face.


    Your face. Its quite pretty, He told her, and Gris did not know how to respond. Live as a mistress among nobles and feed yourself that way.


    It seemed to be the greatest mercy he could offer. Predicting the consequences if she rejected this, she went pale at the direction of this conversation.


    It was clear to her that Vianut was giving her an opportunity or threatening her, to confess Stephans n. However, Gris knew that if Vianut spares her, she will still die by the hands of another venomous man if she betrays him. It was not likely that Vianut would step up to protect a prostitute, who he may now view worse than an animal for pretending to be his sister.


    Gris forced her lips shut to stop them from trembling. Vianut took a sip of water from a crystal ss and said in a low voice.


    You should ept it.


    She knew that Vianut had no ns of letting her have a choice. Rather what he was doing now was giving her onest chance in return for painting a funny portrait. If she didnt tell him the truth, she might die in his own hands. Imagining her pale, bloody head hanging in the za, just like the King of Chateaux, Gris became nauseous and wanted to throw up.


    But when she was about to hastily blurt out the truth, Stephans words lingered in her ears.


    If you attempt running away, just bear in mind that your head will be axed, along with the whores in the brothel you came from.


    It wasnt difficult for Stephan to kill a couple of women. Adrianne, Marie, ren, including others, will face death. What have they done wrong, except for being forced to live a life they didnt choose?


    There shouldnt be more blood spilled just to save her life.


    As she let out a sorrowful sigh, Vianutzily ced down a fork. Times ticking. He told her but Gris remained silent.


    How long do you think my patience willst? Vianut was starting to get annoyed by herck of response.


    Vianut, didnt have much interest in women, and was already being incredibly generous for inviting her for a private meal with him. Her not responding to him now, was a clear sign of disrespect.


    But Gris couldnt ept his generosity even when it was clear she was offending him with her silence. If she infuriated him, it was only going to be her life at risk but if she infuriates Stephan, that will result in others lives at risk as well.


    Vianut realized that Gris was determined to keep her mouth shut. She wasnt going to answer him even if it means she was to die. He let out a high-pitchedugh, and Gris knew that hisugh didnt carry any mirth. As soon as he finishedughing, he reached out and slid his fingers between the stem of his wine ss and took a sip.


    It was nice eating with you.


    His final offer for her to confess was finished, just like that.