Chapter 24

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 24

Chapter Title: Tea Time with the Count (6)

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"Violet. This isn't a spot just for the two of us."

"Oh my!"

At Ethan's words, Violet quickly smoothed out her expression and covered her mouth with her hand. The way she instantly blushed and smiled shyly was utterly astonishing.

"I've shown such an embarrassing side. Tee-hee."

"......No, not at all."

"Oh dear. The bouquet's all squished."

She tried to reshape the crushed bouquet, but once damaged, there was no fixing it. Violet fiddled with it for a bit before setting it aside and pulling out some other flowers.

"I still have some freshly picked ones left. Could we make a new one with these?"

"Yes, hand them over and let's see."

I pushed aside the scene I'd just witnessed and examined the flowers Violet offered. There were quite a variety, all fresh and beautifully colored. I could feel her care in them.

I laid the flowers out on the ground and pondered how to arrange them nicely. Violet chimed in with suggestions from the side. Ethan tossed in a few now and then, but they were useless. I gathered the decent ideas and started assembling the bouquet. At the center was a purple flower that resembled her.

"By the way, Paula, how old are you? You look young."

"I'm eighteen."

"Oh my!"

She clapped her hands sharply.

"Same as me!"

She beamed as if sharing an age was something monumental. Was it really that big a deal?

"I've always wanted to hang out like this with girls my age. I'm thrilled."

Someone like her must have plenty of peers around. Violet clearly looked like she'd been showered with affection growing up. Plus, she was pretty, polite, and her personality seemed... Then I recalled how she'd just crushed that bouquet.

I quietly focused on making the bouquet.

"Ah, Lady Violet. Why don't we move to a more comfortable spot to work on it?"

"Huh? Why?"

She'd been following my lead, tucking baby's breath between the pale pink and yellow flowers to make a small bouquet, and now shot me a puzzled look. Beside her, Ethan was putting together something rather flashy.

"Are you uncomfortable, Paula?"

"No, I'm fine. I'm just worried about you sitting on this dirty ground, Lady Violet."

"I'm okay. The flowers are so pretty, and it doesn't feel dirty at all. Actually, it feels nice."

She smiled as if she truly enjoyed it and diligently finished her bouquet. Purple flowers at the center, mixed with pale pink, yellow, and white ones, baby's breath tucked in between. Trim the stems, and it'd look perfect.

"I wonder if Vincent will like it."

Her gaze on the full bouquet brimmed with affection. When it turned to me, I nodded right away. He wouldn't know how pretty the flowers were anyway.

"Will you deliver the bouquet for me, Paula? I'd like it by his bedside."

"Of course."

I took the finished bouquet from her. It was fairly large, and I worried it might get crushed if mishandled. So I undid the ribbon tying back my hair and used it to secure the bouquet.

"Oh no, I should've brought something to tie it with."

"It's fine."

I bound it tightly to preserve the shape and cradled it again. Then I noticed another small bouquet she'd made and asked,

"Shall I deliver that one too?"

"Ah, this one."

She held out the small bouquet to me.

"It's for you, Paula. It's nothing special, but as thanks for helping me make such a pretty one."

For me? Surprised, my eyes widened, and she grinned, shaking it as if urging me to take it. I opened my mouth, then closed it, staring at the little bouquet. Somehow, I couldn't bring myself to accept it. Violet took my hand and pressed it into my grasp, thanking me profusely.

Facing her warm smile felt unfamiliar, and receiving such thanks was embarrassing. It was the first time for something like this. So I fidgeted with my fingers around the bouquet.

"......Thank you."

"I'm the one who should thank you. Thank you, Paula."

"......"

I quietly gazed at the small bouquet in my hand.

It was clumsily shaped. She clearly wasn't skilled with her hands. The buds were all large, the colors mismatched and gaudy rather than harmonious. Not exactly pretty, more overly flashy. Yet I couldn't tear my eyes away.

The sincerity of someone else in my hand felt so foreign; I didn't know how to hold it. Hesitating, I gripped it just firmly enough not to crush it.

"Here, maid. A gift for you too."

"Ah, thank you."

Ethan suddenly shoved his flashy, oversized bouquet into my arms. I offered a perfunctory thanks. He grumbled that my emotions seemed too dry.

My arms were now full of bouquets. Especially Ethan's was huge. I staggered under the weight, and his slipped free. I glanced at him; luckily, he was looking away. I quickly nudged it back with my foot and wedged it under my arm.

"I wonder when I'll get to see Vincent. Just waiting is wearing me out."

Her voice turned gloomy as she turned to look. She'd crouched down again, staring at the sky, arms on her knees, chin propped, looking dejected. A dark shadow fell over her back.

"What if Vincent's come to hate me?"

"No way."

"Still... he keeps avoiding me..."

"If Vincent felt that way, he wouldn't dodge you like this. He'd have cut it off cleanly."

"True."

I noticed her slumped shoulders. But the sadness soon turned to anger. She crushed and tore at a flower bud in the bed.

"Just try calling off the engagement like this. I won't let him."

"......"

The grinding of her teeth sounded vicious. I was speechless for a moment, then pulled myself together.

"He absolutely won't do that."

Her fierce gaze pierced me. I swallowed dryly.

"Really?"

"Yes. He said he's sorry for making you worry so much."

Her purple eyes widened as the anger faded. I rolled mine internally. Of course, he'd never said that. But for the master's safety, I could spit out a white lie without batting an eye. Especially with this unfamiliar bouquet in hand.

Besides, now was the perfect chance to soothe her.

"Why not try acting a bit spoiled?"

"Spoiled?"

"Yes. Sometimes, you have to ignore a little bit of the other person's feelings."

"Can... I do that?"

"Of course. You're his fiancée. Soon to be husband and wife—you can afford to be a little spoiled."

Asking for a reply to her letters—that kind of spoiling should be fine. This mess started because Vincent ignored them, so he'd probably do at least that much. He couldn't write it himself, of course.

Worst case, I'd ghostwrite it. I could write decently. It was a hassle, but repayment for her bouquet. She'd called it thanks for my help, but I was more grateful for her kindness over something trivial.

I was about to suggest she try spoiling like that when Violet sprang to her feet, clenching her fists as if resolved.

"You're right, Paula. I've made up my mind!"

"Pardon?"

Her sparkling eyes turned to my puzzled face. Seeing it, I had a bad feeling. No way...

"I won't go back until I see Vincent!"

Oh no. I'd messed up.

Violet said she wrote letters every time she visited and handed me one. Along with a declaration that if Vincent kept refusing to meet her, she'd wait here forever.

'Cheer me on, Paula.'

Seeing the heavy load in my hands, I felt dizzy imagining what was coming. I shot Ethan a pleading look, but he just shook his head.

We're doomed.

I trudged back to Vincent's room with a grimace. He was rarely sitting up in bed. As if waiting for me, he turned at the sound of my footsteps.

"How'd it go? Did she agree to leave?"

"Ah, well... F-First, Lady Violet asked me to deliver this letter."

I offered the thick, heartfelt letter as usual. His eyes flickered briefly before calming. He extended a hand. I placed her letter on it. Then I carefully set the vase I'd brought on the nightstand.

But again, he didn't open it.

"Shall I read it for you?"

"No need. I know what it says."

"Lady Violet must really love you, Master."

"I told you last time. It's not that kind of feeling. We grew up like siblings."

"Have you known each other long?"

"Since birth."

Ah, right—they were all friends. Truly old friends. That explained their casual closeness. But a doubt crept in. Setting Vincent aside, Violet's feelings toward him didn't seem sibling-like to me. More like a deep, romantic crimson.

"Lady Violet seems so refined and kind. She treats even someone lowly like me with warmth. You must be happy, Master."

"What's this all of a sudden?"

"You two just seem perfect together."

"......"

He fell silent. His narrowed eyes sharpened, as if gauging my intent. I swallowed hard.

"S-So, Master."

I stuttered from nerves without realizing it. I gripped my hands tight. How to broach it? As I hesitated, Vincent tilted his head, sensing something off.

"Why stop mid-sentence?"

"Well... um... Lady Violet..."

"What about her?"

"Lady Violet..."

I licked my chapped lips and steeled myself to say what I desperately didn't want to when the door burst open, and a voice beat me to it.

"Violet says she won't leave until she sees you."

"What?"

Vincent whipped his head toward Ethan in shock. I turned to Ethan in shock too. Seeing my horrified face, he grinned mischievously.

"Looks like the maid caused some trouble."

Vincent's face creaked back toward me. I squeezed my eyes shut. A brief silence. Then, the heartfelt bouquet hit the floor far sooner than expected. Crash!