Chapter 24
24
24. Tea Time with the Count (6)
“Violet. This isn’t a private meeting.”
“Oh my!”
At Ethan’s words, Violet quickly composed herself, covering her mouth with her hand. Her transformation, blushing and smiling shyly, was astonishing.
“I showed you an embarrassing side. Hoho.”
“……Not at all.”
“Oh dear. The bouquet is ruined.”
She tried to restore the crushed bouquet, but once damaged, it couldn’t be undone. Violet fiddled with the bouquet, then subtly set it aside and presented other flowers.
“There are still some cut flowers left. Can I make a new one with these?”
“Yes, would you like to give them to me?”
I tried to erase the image I had just seen and examined the flowers Violet handed me. There were quite a few varieties, all fresh and beautifully colored. I could feel her sincerity.
I laid the flowers on the ground and pondered how to arrange them harmoniously. Violet also offered various suggestions from the side. Ethan added occasionally, but it was useless. I gathered the better ideas and began to make a bouquet. The centerpiece was a violet flower that resembled her.
“By the way, how old is Paula? She looks young.”
“She’s eighteen.”
“Oh my!”
She clapped her hands.
“That’s the same as me!”
She smiled happily as if being the same age was a big deal. Was it really something to be so happy about?
“I’ve always wanted to be with a girl my age. I’m so happy.”
Someone like her must have had plenty of girls her age around her? Violet clearly looked like she had been raised with love. Besides, she was pretty, polite, and had a good personality… Then I remembered the image of her crushing the bouquet earlier.
I quietly focused on making the bouquet.
“Ah, Lady Violet. Wouldn’t you like to move to a more comfortable spot to work?”
“Huh? Why?”
She, who was mixing baby’s breath between the light pink and yellow flowers to make a small bouquet, cast a questioning gaze. Next to her, Ethan was combining flowers in a rather flamboyant way.
“Is Paula very uncomfortable?”
“No. I’m fine. I’m just worried about making Lady Violet sit on this dirty dirt floor.”
“I’m fine. The flowers are so pretty, and I don’t think it’s dirty at all. I actually feel good.”
She smiled genuinely, looking pleased, and diligently worked to complete the bouquet. She mixed light pink, yellow, and white flowers around the violet flower, inserting baby’s breath in between. Trimming the stems would make it look even more presentable.
“I wonder if Vincent will like it.”
Her gaze at the bouquet, which filled her arms, was full of affection. Soon, that gaze reached me, and I immediately nodded. After all, he wouldn’t know how beautiful the flowers were.
“Paula, will you deliver the bouquet? I’d like it to be placed next to his bed.”
“I will.”
I received the completed bouquet from her. It was quite large, and the shape could be ruined if I wasn’t careful. So, I untied the ribbon that was holding my hair back and used it to secure the bouquet.
“Oh dear. I should have brought something to tie it with.”
“It’s alright.”
I tied the bouquet tightly so that it wouldn’t lose its shape and held it in my arms again. Then, looking at the other small bouquet she had made, I asked.
“Shall I deliver that one too?”
“Ah, this one.”
She held out the small bouquet to me.
“I’ll give it to Paula. It’s not much, but it’s a reward for helping me make a pretty bouquet.”
Give this to me? Surprised, I widened my eyes, and she smiled brightly, shaking the bouquet as if urging me to take it quickly. I opened my mouth, then closed it again, and looked at the small bouquet. For some reason, I couldn’t readily accept it. Violet took my hand and placed the bouquet in it, thanking me repeatedly, saying she was really grateful.
It felt strange to meet her kindly smiling face, and it was awkward to receive such gratitude. It was a first. Something like this. So, I fidgeted with the fingers holding the bouquet.
“……Thank you.”
“I’m more grateful. Thank you, Paula.”
“…….”
I quietly looked at the small bouquet in my hand.
The small bouquet was clumsily made. She certainly wasn’t very skilled. The flowers were all large buds, and the colors were gaudy and not harmonious. It was more flashy than pretty. Yet, I couldn’t take my eyes off the bouquet.
Someone’s sincerity in my hand felt unfamiliar, and I didn’t know how to hold it. Hesitating, I held the bouquet with just a little pressure so that it wouldn’t be damaged.
“Here, maid. A gift for you too.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Ethan suddenly thrust the large, flamboyant bouquet he had made into my arms. I offered a formal thank you. Then Ethan grumbled that I was too emotionless.
My arms were full of bouquets. Especially Ethan’s, which was too big. Staggering, I struggled to hold them, and ended up dropping the one Ethan gave me. I glanced at him, but fortunately, he was looking elsewhere. I quickly dragged it with my foot and tucked it under my arm.
“When will I be able to meet Vincent? I’m getting tired of just waiting.”
Turning my head at the gloomy voice, I saw her squatting down again, looking at the sky. She rested her arms on her knees, propping up her chin, and was lost in sorrow. A dark shadow fell behind her.
“Could it be that Vincent has come to dislike me?”
“That can’t be.”
“Still… he keeps avoiding me….”
“If Vincent felt that way, he wouldn’t avoid you like this. He would have cut you off immediately.”
“I suppose so.”
Her drooping shoulders caught my eye. But the sadness soon turned to anger. She crushed and tore off the flower buds in the flower bed.
“If he dares to suggest breaking off the engagement, I won’t let him get away with it.”
“…….”
The sound of her grinding teeth was chilling. I lost my words for a moment, then quickly regained my senses.
“He would never do that.”
Her fierce gaze was fixed on me. I swallowed hard.
“Really?”
“Yes. He said he feels very sorry for making you worry so much.”
The violet eyes, now devoid of anger, widened. I rolled my eyes. Of course, he had never said such a thing. But for the sake of my master’s safety, I could tell a harmless lie without batting an eye. And also because what I was holding in my hands felt unfamiliar.
Besides, now was the perfect opportunity to soothe her.
“How about acting spoiled?”
“Acting spoiled?”
“Yes. Sometimes, I think it’s necessary to ignore the other person’s feelings, just a little.”
“Could I… really do that?”
“Of course. You’re his fiancée. You’ll be husband and wife in the future, so you can act spoiled.”
She could at least ask him to write a reply to her letters. This whole mess seemed to have started because Vincent ignored her letters, so I thought he could do that much. Of course, he wouldn’t be able to write it himself.
If necessary, I would ghostwrite it. I could write a little, after all. It was a bit of a hassle, but it was a return gift for the bouquet she gave me. She said it was a reward for helping her make the bouquet, but I was more grateful to her for praising and treating me kindly for something so trivial.
So, just as I was about to say that she should act spoiled and ask him to send a reply to her letters, Violet stood up abruptly. She clenched her fists as if she had made a decision.
“Paula is right. I’ve made up my mind!”
“Yes?”
She sparkled her eyes at me, who was puzzled. Seeing that face, I had a bad feeling. Could it be…
“Until I meet Vincent, I will not. Absolutely. Go back!”
Oh, I screwed up.
Violet, who said she wrote letters every time she came here, handed me one of the letters. Along with the words that if Vincent continued to refuse to meet her, she would wait here forever.
‘Paula, cheer me on.’
Looking at the heavy luggage in both hands, I became dizzy as I imagined what would happen in the future. I sent Ethan a look asking for help, but he shook his head as an answer.
It just meant I was doomed.
With a tearful face, I returned to Vincent’s room. He was sitting on the bed, which was rare. As if he had been waiting for me, he immediately turned his head at the sound of my footsteps.
“What happened? Did she say she would go back?”
“Ah, well… Lady Violet asked me to deliver this letter.”
I handed over the thick letter, which always contained her sincerity. His eyes wavered for a moment, then quickly calmed down. He reached out a hand. I placed her letter on his hand. Then, I carefully placed the flower vase I had brought on the bedside table.
However, this time too, he did not open the letter.
“Shall I read it to you?”
“No need. I know what it says.”
“Lady Violet seems to love you very much.”
“I told you before. It’s not that kind of feeling. We grew up like siblings.”
“Have you known each other for a long time?”
“Since we were born.”
Ah, they said the three of them were friends. They were really old friends. Then I understood their affectionate attitude. But on the other hand, a question arose. Even if Vincent was like that, the feelings Violet had for him, as I felt it, were well… not like the love of siblings? It was a redder, more romantic feeling.
“Lady Violet seems to be a very beautiful and kind person. She’s kind to subordinates like me too. You must be very happy, Master.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I just thought you looked so good together.”
“…….”
He stopped talking. His narrowly stretched eyes took on a rather sharp light. He seemed to be gauging what my intentions were. I swallowed hard.
“S, so, Master.”
I became so nervous that I stuttered without realizing it. I clenched my clasped hands tightly. I hesitated, wondering how to start, but Vincent tilted his head, sensing something was wrong.
“Why are you stopping in the middle of your sentence?”
“Well… that is… Lady Violet….”
“What about her.”
“Lady Violet….”
I licked my dry lips with my tongue, and just as I was about to move my lips to utter the words I never wanted to say, the voice that burst into the door was faster.
“Violet says she won’t go back until she meets you.”
“What?”
Vincent turned his head towards Ethan in surprise. I also turned to look at Ethan in surprise. Ethan, seeing my horrified face, smiled mischievously.
“The maid has caused an accident.”
Vincent’s face creaked and turned back to me. I closed my eyes tightly. A moment of silence. Soon after, the bouquet filled with her sincerity was thrown to the floor faster than I expected. Clang!
Ah, I definitely heard it. The sound of all the effort so far being shattered.
