CHAPTER 166: FIGHT

Viktor looked at her. "What do you mean by that?"

"She was staring at you in a very strange way. She didn’t look happy or sad to see you, just... overwhelmed. I don’t really understand it." Charlotte let go of his arm.

"I felt it too, but maybe she mistook me for someone else." Viktor shrugged.

"Perhaps she did," Charlotte murmured, her gaze shifting up the stairs as she spotted Prudence descending with her usual blank expression. Charlotte sighed under her breath, "Dear gods, not this again."

The sound caught Prudence’s attention. She stopped in front of them, her lips twitching slightly. "Did you say something?"

Charlotte arched a brow. "Did you hear anything?"

Prudence scoffed. "If you’re so bold, then speak openly when you insult me. Muttering under your breath while I’m right in front of you is pure cowardice."

Charlotte chuckled. "Oh, you want the insults to your face? Very well. You’re quite rude." She leaned in. "Actually, you ARE a rude bitch."

Prudence’s jaw clenched, her fists tightening. "How dare you? Who do you think you are to speak to me like that in my own house?"

Viktor sighed, gently grabbing Charlotte’s arm. "Let’s go, Lucy. You don’t have to do this," he whispered.

"I absolutely do. Someone has to teach this little girl some manners." Charlotte smirked, pulling her arm free. "I’m Charlotte, and I don’t care who you are. I’ll speak to you however I wish, because you’re a spoilt bitch."

"Lucy... come on," Viktor urged, tugging her arm.

Prudence’s face reddened, her lips trembling with rage. "You’d better listen to your friend, Charlotte. Get out of here before I slap that smile off your face, whore. No wonder you and Lilith are friends, you both whore yourselves around noble men to feel important and..."

Before she could finish, Charlotte stepped forward and shoved her so hard she crashed to the ground with a heavy thud. "I dare you to say that again," Charlotte growled, stepping closer.

"Oh my goodness," Viktor sighed, then swiftly grabbed Charlotte and threw her over his shoulder. The sudden move stunned her into silence. He turned to Prudence, who was groaning and cursing as she struggled to get up. "Your tongue will get you into serious trouble someday," he said before carrying Charlotte up the stairs, into her chamber. He shut the door behind them and finally set her down.

"Dear heavens, Viktor! Why did you do that?" Charlotte breathed, pushing strands of hair behind her ears, her face and neck flushed.

"I won’t let you fight that girl. You should know better than to let people rile you up like that," Viktor scolded gently.

"First of all, I wasn’t going to fight her. And you heard what she said, I couldn’t just let her get away with it. She called me a whore."

"I admit that was wrong but you do know she only said that to get a reaction from you and you gave her exactly what she wanted. You didn’t have to push her that hard, Lucy. She could have seriously injured herself."

Charlotte narrowed her eyes at him. "You are defending her? I can’t believe this. Last night in the dining room, you rushed in to defend Lilith without hesitation when they spoke cruelly to her, but now you expect me to just walk away after Prudence literally insulted my chastity?"

Viktor wiped his face with both hands. "Don’t start with that, Lucy. Those people have emotionally and physically tormented Lilith for years. She’s still not immune to their words, you saw that for yourself. I will defend her for as long as I live, because she doesn’t need any more trauma than what she’s already endured."

Charlotte pressed her lips into a thin line, staring at him in silence.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Viktor asked, suspicious.

"Are you...like in love with Lilith?" she asked bluntly.

Viktor’s eyes widened, his mouth falling open in disbelief. "Are you fucking serious? Can you hear yourself? In what world did you think I was in love with Lilith?"

"You don’t have to be so vexed about it. I was only asking a question," Charlotte said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"That’s a fucking stupid question, Lucy." Viktor let out an exhausted sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. "Listen, Lucy. You’re not like Lilith. You’re free, you’re stable. Some girl calling you a whore doesn’t change who you are. You were born into an important noble family, with wealth and a title to your name. You have more than enough to have men swirling around you. Please, try to ignore Prudence as best as you can while we are here."

Charlotte’s expression softened. "Forgive me, I might have gone overboard with the push. I just... I hate her so much for how she treats Lilith. I’ll try to ignore her."

"Thank you. I’d appreciate that." Viktor smiled, walking toward the door. "I’ll leave you to do whatever you wish for the rest of the night."

"Very well." Charlotte followed him to the door.

"Good night, Lucy." He reached out to ruffle her hair, but she quickly ducked, dodging his hand.

"Don’t touch my hair! You already ruined it when you threw me over your shoulders," Charlotte whined, gently adjusting the edges of her hair.

He chuckled, lifting his hands in surrender. "Alright, whatever you say, my lady." He stepped back, then turned around and walked toward his own room, faintly hearing Charlotte murmur something before she shut her door.

Viktor exhaled deeply as he entered his chambers and closed the door behind him. He shrugged off his coat and tossed it onto the bed before strolling toward the window. As he reached to pull the curtains open, something outside caught his attention.

His eyes narrowed as he focused on the figure standing on the ground floor, staring up directly at his bedroom window, the exact spot where he now stood.

Vanessa.

Her expression was unreadable, her face pale as their eyes met when he finally parted the curtains. She froze for a heartbeat, then quickly forced an awkward wave, as if trying to ease the tension.

Viktor didn’t wave back. He just stood there, watching her turn and walk away in haste. He slowly stepped away from the window, unease settling in his chest as he whispered to himself, "What the hell just happened?"