Chapter 27

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 27

Chapter Title: Tea Time with the Count (9)

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"Paula, did you hear? I'm meeting Vincent today!"

"Yes. I heard. Congratulations."

"It's all thanks to you for giving me the courage."

Violet smiled as if she were truly happy. Seeing her face made me feel a quiet sense of pride. But since the process had been so arduous, that pride faded quickly.

"I'm so thrilled. If I'd known it would be like this, I would've dressed up even prettier."

"You're plenty pretty as it is."

"Thank you."

She smiled shyly and twirled a strand of her hair around her finger. Her luscious locks rippled at her fingertips.

"It's been so long, I'm really nervous."

Violet clutched her chest, eagerly anticipating her meeting with Vincent. In the end, she'd even called her servants to her mansion to change into fresh clothes. Dressed up beautifully, she seemed to glow. Ah, like a halo. I shielded my eyes with my hand and guided her to the annex parlor at the appointed time.

There sat Vincent, polished to a shine since morning. He had his legs crossed, leaning back comfortably against the sofa. The emerald glint in his pale eyes wasn't noticeable unless you peered closely.

"Vincent!"

She bolted straight for Vincent. Faster than light. Like a predator pouncing on prey, there was no time to stop her. Luckily, Ethan smoothly blocked her path. He barely managed to seat the insistent Violet on the opposite sofa.

Even after sitting, she kept fidgeting on the cushion. I set the prepared tea and pastries on the table, glancing at her sidelong.

"It's been a while."

"Yeah. Really, really a long time! I missed you."

Her voice choked up, but she swallowed it back. Violet's gaze never left Vincent. Following our rehearsal, Vincent calmly picked up his teacup and took a sip. Then, resting it on his knee, he lifted his head to meet her eyes. It had been a short practice, but thankfully, his movements were smooth enough not to seem off.

I stood behind Violet, while Ethan sat on the sofa between her and Vincent. I'd watch Vincent, he'd watch Violet, and we'd signal each other if anything seemed amiss.

"What happened? How's your health? Are you better now? Why have you gotten so thin? Why didn't you reply to my letters? What happened all this time? Do you know how worried I was?"

"Ask slowly. What's the rush?"

Ethan clicked his tongue at the barrage of questions. Violet shot him a glance, and he shrugged. Her eyes snapped back to Vincent.

"Yeah. I'll answer everything, so ask one at a time."

"What happened all this time?"

"A lot. Most of it you already know about."

"Are you still not feeling well?"

"No. I'm much better. Still recovering, but it's not bad."

"So you are still unwell."

Violet teared up and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. Ethan muttered that it was quite the spectacle from the side. At that moment, the heel of her shoe stomped his calf. Ethan groaned, clutching his leg, and Vincent turned his head slightly toward the sound. But with his blindness, he had no idea what was happening and showed no reaction.

Vincent calmly delivered his rehearsed lines.

"It's not something to worry about. And I didn't meet you because my mind was preoccupied. There were dangerous things too. I was on edge, worried I'd say something harsh to you. Plus, I wasn't safe yet, so I was concerned you'd be in danger. I planned to see you once I was safer and feeling better."

"It's okay. I understand!"

Violet leaned forward toward Vincent and shouted.

"As long as you're safe, that's what matters. I'm glad you're doing well. Thank you for showing me your healthy self. I was... afraid maybe you'd come to dislike me."

"No way that's true."

"Yeah. I know. I know! I just... really missed you."

Those were the words I'd hesitated to say but finally uttered. Violet delivered them smoothly. See? I told you she'd say that. And Vincent would respond gratefully, with a mischievous smile.

"Alright. Next time, I'll definitely reply to your letters."

Uh...?

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Vincent nodded. Violet reacted with delight. I stared at him. His response just now was odd. It was clearly from our rehearsal script... but he'd given a different answer. Why? He was smiling, but not with that playful edge.

Puzzled, I found myself staring at him without realizing. He took a sip of tea and raised his head. His gaze faced straight ahead toward Violet as rehearsed, but it felt like it reached me standing behind her. Impossible, yet I averted my eyes anyway.

After that, their conversation turned to catching up on recent events. She chattered excitedly, and Vincent replied now and then. Whenever it got awkward, Ethan jumped in to smooth things over. Violet seemed too focused on the talk to notice anything off about Vincent yet.

I could glimpse their long history from how they conversed.

"By the way, Vincent. The flowers are pretty, right?"

"Flowers?"

He asked, puzzled. I inwardly cursed.

"Oh come on. I sent you a bouquet. I asked them to put it by your bed—did you see it?"

"...Yeah."

"Aren't they fresh? All so vibrant, colors so pretty. Which flower was your favorite? Next time, I'll make it all that kind."

"... ."

Vincent set his teacup on his knee and fumbled with his fingers. He looked lost in thought, but really, he was flustered. Same as me. We hadn't told him about the bouquet Violet made. Things had blown up before we could.

Flailing my hands in panic, not knowing what to do, my eyes met Ethan's. He grinned at me.

"He's embarrassed."

Ethan playfully tapped Vincent's arm. Vincent's gaze shifted slightly that way. Ethan smirked slyly and answered for him.

"He said the purple ones were prettiest."

"Oh? Those were your favorite?"

Vincent nodded a beat late to Violet's question. She beamed and said she'd use those next time too. Her cheerful voice held no hint of suspicion. Ethan caught my eye and nodded with a smile.

Crisis averted. I let out a secret sigh of relief.

It was about time for Vincent to make his exit. The longer the conversation, the riskier. She might not notice now in her joy, but prolonged exposure increased the chances.

As planned, Vincent wrapped things up first.

"Violet. I'm a bit tired today, so may I go?"

"Ah, I see."

Her response dripped with disappointment. I couldn't see her face, but I could imagine it showed plainly.

"Can I come see you again?"

"Of course. You're welcome anytime."

With that, Vincent rose swiftly. I hurried to the door to assist him. Ethan stood too, and so did Violet.

Just head out, and the play ends. We exchanged glances with Ethan to wrap this up.

"Vincent!"

Suddenly, Violet threw herself into his arms as he turned to leave. It was so abrupt. Vincent froze, instinctively catching her. Ethan's eyes widened in shock. I went rigid too.

Blissfully unaware, Violet peeked up from his embrace.

"Vincent. I missed you so much. I wanted to see you so badly."

"Vio... let. Calm down first."

"Really, really."

Her eyes, glistening as if tears would fall any second, fixed on him. I prayed Vincent wouldn't meet her gaze. But.

"Huh? Vincent's eyes..."

The words had barely left her mouth when Vincent shoved her away. Pure instinctual defense. Violet tumbled backward into the table behind her.

Ethan rushed to help her up, and she stared at him in a daze. Vincent, hearing the commotion, panicked too. Panic leads to mistakes. His hand swiped the air. He pulled it back quickly, but she'd already seen.

"Vincent?"

"Sorry, sorry."

Flustered, he turned away. Heading for the door.

But misfortune didn't end there.

In his haste to flee, he kneed the sofa armrest and toppled over, face-planting onto the floor. Thud! The sound alone hurt.

I raced to him in horror, grabbing his flailing hand and helping him up.

Only then did the chaos settle.

"Vi... Vincent..."

"... ."

His face flushed beet red.

In the end, disaster struck. In the worst possible way.

"Vincent! Vincent! Open the door, please?"

Thud! Thud! A frail voice came from beyond the firmly shut door.

"Vincent, let's talk. Please?"

Thud! Thud! Thud! But the door stayed sealed. Knowing that, she still pounded relentlessly.