Chapter 45

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 45

Chapter Title: The Moment a Star Fell on the Count's House (6)

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Who dances so wildly they forget everything and tumble into a fountain? And not just kids, but full-grown adults. Thinking back on it made me burst out laughing. We were spinning around so gleefully that we didn't even notice heading straight for it. Anyone who saw us would've thought, "What idiots are those?"

I threw my head back and laughed. My whole body was soaked and sticky, but strangely, my mind felt refreshed. Maybe because we'd fallen into the fountain. That thought set me off laughing again. I couldn't tell if it was our ridiculous state or the whole situation that was hilarious—it was just that this moment was so funny and joyful.

Both of us laughed for a good long while without stopping.

The fun came to an end when a chill made my teeth chatter. The fountain water was still pouring down behind me. If we stayed like this, we'd probably wake up sick come morning.

I helped Vincent, who was still slumped on the ground, to his feet first. He was drenched from head to toe. So was I. My whole body was sopping wet. I wrung out the hem of my negligee, and water streamed down. When I gathered my hair and squeezed, it felt like a whole bucketful came out.

After wringing out most of the water, I brushed the bangs sticking to my face aside. That's when Vincent turned to look at me. Meeting his gaze, he placed one hand over his heart and the other behind his back, then bowed with one foot stepped back.

I was startled for a second by the sudden move, but I quickly realized what he was doing. I chuckled softly and lifted the hem of my negligee slightly with both hands, curtsying in return.

And just like that, we bid farewell to our dance partner.

"How was it? Not too hard, right?"

Vincent lifted his face a little.

"A bit."

I raised my head to match him.

Laughter burst out again.

We climbed out of the fountain, both utterly soaked. The cold wind made our bodies shiver. We couldn't stay outside any longer. Huddled together, we hurried back to the mansion.

The moment we entered his room, I grabbed a towel and dried him off before handing him fresh nightclothes. While he changed, I shook the dripping water from myself with another towel.

Once dressed, he lay down in bed. His face looked much more at ease.

"Shall I stay until you fall asleep?"

"No need. Go."

"Don't hold back and cry later. This might be your last chance."

"Want me to throw you out myself?"

Such a temper.

"Sweet dreams this time."

"You too."

He closed his eyes. I pulled the sheet up to his neck and left the room. Then I slipped quietly into my own, careful not to wake Violet.

But there, in the space lit by the lamp's glow, someone was sitting. I nearly screamed in shock. Frozen stiff, blinking rapidly, I gradually made out the figure.

"Violet?"

"Where were you?"

Shadows hid her face where the light didn't reach. I closed the door and approached, setting the lamp on the nightstand. Maybe because the light was dim, but her face seemed downcast.

"I went for a walk."

"And?"

Violet scanned me up and down. Following her gaze, I checked myself over again. I smiled awkwardly and rubbed my face with the towel. After explaining I'd slipped and fallen in water, I turned to change.

"Paula."

"Yes."

"Did you go alone?"

I hesitated. About to say no...

"Or with someone?"

"......"

"With Vincent?"

It didn't sound like idle curiosity. Her voice was low. Turning back, I saw her calm face in the lamplight. Not the joyful one from moments ago. It was cold. I'd never seen her like that.

Why ask that? Puzzled, but her unusual aura made it hard to answer right away. The tension built as I faltered, and Violet gave a faint smile—different from usual.

"I see."

"......"

"Paula, I..."

She stopped, just staring at me. Our eyes met, and emotions flickered in her steady gaze. The air felt sharp against my skin.

She seemed angry. Was it my imagination?

"Violet?"

"......No, it's nothing. Hurry and change, then sleep."

Violet lay back down. The abrupt end left a sticky feeling. I glanced at her hunched back, then changed out of my wet negligee. I folded the clothes aside, extinguished the lamp, and lay beside her.

Violet lay facing away. I stared blankly at the dark ceiling. The room was silent. As if our earlier chatter had been a dream, neither of us spoke.

An uncomfortable silence stretched on.

"Paula."

She called softly.

"Yes."

I answered quickly.

"You know."

"Yes."

"I feel like... I'm a really pathetic person."

Her odd words made me turn. She still faced away, like a solid wall.

"Really pathetic."

"Why do you think that?"

"Just... feels that way."

"No. You're beautiful."

I said firmly. It was the truth. I'd never seen anyone as beautiful as her. Plenty had pretty faces, but few had beautiful hearts too. Hers was beautiful inside and out.

Violet let out a faint laugh at my words. But it sounded weak.

"Paula, you're such a good person."

"Thanks to you, Violet."

"Me?"

"Yes. You've been so kind to me. You've looked me in the eye and treated a mere servant as an equal, shown me such kindness. Because of you, I wore beautiful dresses, attended parties, even danced. It was so fun, joyful, happy. And... you said you liked worthless me. I'm truly grateful. Sincerely. I've never heard words like that before. So to me, you're truly beautiful and wonderful."

"......"

"Oh, not just your face. Though it is pretty too."

Worried she might misunderstand, I emphasized it wasn't just about looks. But no reply came. Was she really angry? The silence dragged, turning suspicion to certainty. Not knowing why left me flustered. I shifted toward her.

"Violet?"

"......Yeah."

"Are you mad?"

"No."

"You're not?"

"No. I'm not mad."

She finally turned. Our eyes met, doubt and sorrow clashing. Sorrow? Why look at me with such sad eyes?

Her eyes curved slightly. Still, sadness lingered.

"I did something wrong."

"Oh, come on. I said I'm not mad."

"Then?"

"I woke up and my mood had sunk a bit."

She lifted the corner of her mouth. Her smile still lacked energy.

"Paula. Can I ask you one favor?"

"Yes. Anything."

"Don't love Vincent."

The unexpected words made my eyes widen. What...? It was absurd, but my breath caught. Confusion flooded my face.

Violet continued, her smile gone.

"Don't love him. If you feel like you might... just run away. Far, far away and live. I want you to be truly happy, Paula. I want to wish for your happiness."

"......"

"But Vincent won't give you that."

Her calm voice made the request. Her serious face felt like a warning—a threat not to come between him and her anymore.

"He can't."

I opened my mouth. I had to say something... explain it was a misunderstanding... But words wouldn't come. My throat felt blocked, voice gone.

Violet smiled sadly at me. Then closed her eyes. I still couldn't speak. My mind screamed this was wrong, but nothing came out.

After a while, even breathing came steady. Only then did I open my mouth.

"I won't."

"......"

Her breathing didn't change.

I watched sleeping Violet for a while, then closed my eyes. Memories of dancing joyfully under sparkling chandeliers faded into darkness. Golden hair tousled amid falling stars, her kind gaze on me—all buried in shadow. Her happy laughter no longer rang in my ears.

I pushed down the feelings blooming in my chest. I curled up tight in my chilled body.

It was strangely cold night, even with someone beside me.

'You just stay like that forever.'

Alicia said, tossing back her wavy hair. Head thrown back, she looked at me like someone pitying a poor soul.

'Don't do anything.'

Her blatant sneer made it sting even more.

'That's all big sis needs to do.'

I didn't even argue because I knew it best of all. There was nothing I could do. I had no power, no ability, nothing to my name. Even what I'd held close slipped away like sand, leaving me empty.

Nothing at all.

I'd never coveted anything either. Survival was priority. Live one more day, as long as possible. That was my only wish.

So agreeing to Violet was easy. There wasn't even room to consider refusing.

"Maid."

Lost staring at the sky, Ethan called me. Approaching, he asked about Vincent.

"Where's Vincent? He wasn't in his room."

"He went for a walk in the woods behind with Violet."

Early morning, Violet had come to Vincent's room insisting on a walk. He'd invited me along, but I refused. I didn't want to intrude, and I had no desire to go.

"When will they be back?"

"I'm not sure."

"Hm. The longer, the better."

"Why?"

"Well, you see."

Then noisy voices came from outside. Peering out the window with Ethan, we saw five people heading our way.

Four men and one woman, the butler among them. He walked speaking to the others politely but urgently, as if trying to dissuade them. Yet they strode toward us without hesitation, steps quite brisk.

"Oh dear."

Ethan clicked his tongue. I watched them closely. Something felt off about the mood.