Victoria was once again alone with her tormenting thoughts. The shadow of her guilt was sitting next to her, holding onto her hand and whispering cruel nothing to her.

Her guilt promises her that it will not leave her alone or abandon her. Even if she tells her father the truth to ease her guilt, it only reminds her that it was selfish.

Foolish Victoria. Thinking she can get rid of this guilt, not thinking about anyone who could get affected by her mother's affair, and only thinking about herself.

Her guilt, the thing that loves her the most, will never abandon Victoria.

Mrs. Johnson walks back to the room, holding two tea cups, sets them down on the table in front of them, and sits down. "Victoria, thank you for telling me this. It must have been hard keeping everything inside the entire night, not being able to say anything."

"Mrs. Johnson, May I borrow one of your journals?" Victoria finally asks, her hands starting to sweat.

"Of course, dear. I'll give you one of my journals that I have not used," Mrs. Johnson says as she takes a sip of her tea. "Drink up. It will help you feel relaxed." Victoria looked down at her teacup and picked it up, hesitating to take a sip but eventually did.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Victoria smiled, "Thank you, Mrs. Johnson." She thanked me while staring down at the liquid in her cup, the steam kissing the tip of her nose.

"Do you feel better, my dear?" Mrs. Johnson asked, and Victoria nodded. She does feel better. Was it because she talked about how she was feeling? Or is it because of the tea that she just drank?

Victoria didn't care at that moment. All she cares about right now is that she finally feels relaxed. "Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. For the tea and for listening to me."

"Anytime, sweetheart." Mrs. Johnson says while taking another sip of her tea. "If you want, you can sleep in my room, dear. I will tell your coachman to leave for now so that you can rest in peace. I will find a journal for you."

Victoria lets out a short giggle and sets her teacup down. "That would be very kind of you, Mrs. Johnson. I would like to catch up on some sleep." Mrs. Johnson nodded her head, stood up from her seat, and outstretched her hand for Victoria to take.

Victoria grabbed hold of her hand and stood up. "I will let you rest in my room. It is more comfortable than the guest bedroom," she was being far too kind to Victoria. For now, please let her feel spoiled by someone else other than Alice and her father.

Let Victoria feel the warmth of the sweet old lady's kindness. She wants to feel like a child for a bit longer, only until Mrs. Johnson gets sick of her.

Mrs. Johnson led her to her bedroom and opened the door. Victoria's eyes looked at a painting hanging from the wall. Even she could tell that the picture was of Mrs. Johnson when she was younger and a young man by her side.

"Rest as long as you want, dear. I won't disturb your rest." She rubbed Victoria's back, and Victoria walked into the room. Her eyes landed on the bed, and she had to admit, it looked comfortable, and she could already feel sleep creeping up on her.

"Thank you once again, Mrs. Johnson." Victoria couldn't help but thank that sweet old lady. She owes her so much for helping her whenever she needs help.

"No need to thank me, and do not dare think about owning me anything," Mrs. Johnson scolded, and Victoria thought she could read minds at that moment. Was she that easy to read?

Victoria nervously laughed and nodded her head. "Of course," Mrs. Johnson smiled at that, "rest well, dear." She shuts the door, and Victoria stands alone in the room.

Victoria walks towards the bed, and there she sees an old photo of a young Mrs. Johnson with the same man in the painting, but there is a little boy with them.

Victoria remembers now that Mrs. Johnson had a son with her deceased husband. An accident happened years ago, which resulted in her son and husband's deaths. Afterwards, Mrs. Johnson preferred to live in this villa alone with no servants around her.

Mrs. Johnson told Victoria about this last year when they started becoming very close. Victoria never asked how the two died; it wasn't her place nor her business. But she knows that Mrs. Johnson loved her son and husband very much and was heartbroken when they died.

She is still married to Mr. Johnson on paper and refuses to marry anyone after the death of her husband. Mrs. Johnson told Victoria that she would understand once she found a lover. If her lover were to ever go away, she would never want to find another person.

Maybe Victoria will one day understand the feeling, but she does know how much Mrs. Johnson loves her husband. She remembers the stories of the two—how Mrs. Johnson met Mr. Johnson at a party. She told Victoria that Mr. Johnson tripped just by looking at her and acted like a fool in a royal court.

She would always smile while talking about him. It was full of love, but it was also a lonely smile. Mrs. Johnson loved the way Mr. Johnson always made her laugh. The other nobles thought that Mr. Johnson was a cold man who never showed emotion, but he was a fool when it came to his wife.

Victoria can feel the love when she hears the stories about Mrs. Johnson and her husband. Her stories soon became even more lovely when she talked about her son.

He was a very happy child ever since he was a baby, according to Mrs. Johnson. Her husband was an amazing father to their son. A family so full of love that it almost made Victoria jealous. But who wouldn't like Mrs. Johnson? She is such a kind-hearted woman, despite being all alone in this villa.

Victoria promised that she would always come and visit her and enjoy tea and read books together last year.

She kept that promise and always visited Mrs. Johnson at every chance she got. Victoria always thought that Mrs. Johnson was strong and brave, but the more she thought about it, the more she realized.

Mrs. Johnson is brave and strong, but she isn't bulletproof. She was vulnerable when they died. Victoria could never comprehend the loneliness that she had felt all these years.

Victoria finally looked away from the picture, took off her flats, and sat down on the bed. It was comfortable, just like she thought. But it also feels lonely. Victoria will always be there for Mrs. Johnson; that sweet old lady deserves happiness and care.

Letting out a sigh, she went under the covers and lay down. Her hair sprawled under her on the pillow, and she stared up at the ceiling.

She finally closes her eyes. Sleep embraces her and tells her that she is safe and it's okay to sleep. Dream a good dream, dear Victoria.