# 24
24. Tea Time with the Viscountess (6)
"Violet. We're not alone."
"My!"
At Ethan's words, Violet quickly smoothed her expression and covered her mouth with her hand. The change in her—cheeks flushing red as she laughed as if embarrassed—was astonishingly swift.
"I showed you an embarrassing side of myself. Hehe."
"…Not at all."
"Oh dear. The bouquet is ruined."
She tried to return the crushed bouquet to its original shape, but once damaged, it couldn't be undone. Violet fiddled with the bouquet this way and that before quietly setting it aside and bringing out other flowers.
"I still have more flowers set aside. Could I make a new one with these?"
"Yes, may I try?"
Trying hard to erase the sight I had just witnessed, I examined the flowers Violet handed me. There were quite a variety, and every single one was fresh with beautiful colors. I could feel her sincerity in them.
I laid the flowers on the ground and pondered how to combine them harmoniously. Violet also offered various suggestions from beside me. Ethan chimed in occasionally, but his input was entirely useless. Gathering the decent ideas among them, I began crafting the bouquet. The centerpiece was a violet flower that resembled her.
"But how old are you, Paula? You look young."
"I am eighteen."
"My!"
She clapped her hands together.
"We're the same age!"
She laughed happily as if being the same age was something momentous. Was it really that joyful a thing?
"I've always wanted to be around girls my age like this. I'm so happy."
Surely someone like her had plenty of girls her age around? Violet clearly had the air of someone who grew up loved. Moreover, she had a pretty face, proper manners, and a personality that… Then the image of her crushing the bouquet earlier came to mind.
I quietly focused on making the bouquet.
"Ah, Lady Violet. How about we move somewhere more comfortable to make it?"
"Hmm? Why?"
She, who had been following my lead and making a small bouquet by tucking baby's breath between light pink and yellow flowers, cast me a questioning glance. Beside her, Ethan was combining flowers quite flamboyantly.
"Are you very uncomfortable, Paula?"
"No. I'm fine. I'm just worried about having you sit on this dirty dirt floor, Lady Violet."
"I'm fine. The flowers are so pretty, and I don't really think it's dirty at all. I actually feel good."
Smiling as if she were truly enjoying herself, she diligently worked with her hands and completed the bouquet. With the violet flower at the center, light pink, yellow, and white flowers were mixed together, and baby's breath was tucked in between. Trimming the stems would make it look even more presentable.
"Will Vincent like it?"
The gaze looking at the bouquet filling her arms was brimming with affection. When that gaze soon reached me, I immediately nodded. He wouldn't know how pretty the flowers were anyway.
"Could you deliver the bouquet to Vincent, Paula? I'd like it placed beside his bed."
"I will do so."
I received the completed bouquet from her. It was quite large, and one wrong move could easily ruin its shape. So I untied the ribbon binding the back of my hair and used it to fix the bouquet in place.
"Oh dear. I should have brought something to tie it with."
"It's fine."
I tied the bouquet firmly so its shape wouldn't be ruined and held it in my arms again. Then, looking at the other small bouquet she had made, I asked.
"Shall I deliver that as well?"
"Ah, this."
She held the small bouquet out to me.
"I'll give this to Paula. It's nothing much, but it's a thank you for helping me make a pretty bouquet."
This is for me? When I widened my eyes in surprise, she smiled brightly and shook the bouquet as if urging me to take it quickly. I opened my mouth and closed it again, staring at the small bouquet. For some reason, I couldn't readily accept it. Violet took my hand and pressed the bouquet into it, repeatedly expressing her gratitude, saying she was truly thankful.
Facing her affectionately smiling face felt unfamiliar, and receiving such gratitude was embarrassing. It was the first time. Something like this. So I fidgeted with the fingers holding the bouquet for no reason.
"…Thank you."
"I'm more thankful. Thank you, Paula."
"…"
I quietly gazed at the small bouquet in my hand.
The small bouquet was clumsily shaped. She definitely wasn't particularly good with her hands. All the flowers had large buds, and the colors were garish and uncoordinated. Rather than pretty, it was excessively garish. Yet I couldn't take my eyes off the bouquet.
The sincerity of someone held in my hand felt unfamiliar, and I didn't know how I should hold it. Hesitating, I gripped it with just a slight amount of force so the bouquet wouldn't be ruined.
"Here you go, Miss Maid. A gift for me too."
"Ah, thank you."
Ethan abruptly shoved the large, flamboyant bouquet he had made into my arms. I offered a perfunctory word of thanks. Ethan then grumbled that my emotion was too dry.
My arms were full of bouquets. Ethan's in particular was too large. Stumbling as I struggled to hold them, I ended up dropping the one Ethan gave me. I glanced at him quickly; thankfully, he was looking elsewhere. I nimbly dragged it over 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 melancholy voice, I saw she had crouched down again and was looking up at the sky. With both arms resting on her knees and her chin propped in her hands, she sank into despair. A dark shadow settled behind her.
"Maybe Vincent has come to hate me."
"That can't be."
"Still… he keeps avoiding me…"
"If Vincent felt that way, he wouldn't be avoiding you like this. He would have cut it off cleanly."
"That's true."
Her slumped shoulders caught my eye. But her sorrow quickly turned to anger. She crushed and tore the flower buds in the garden.
"Just let him say he wants to break off the engagement. I won't stand for it."
"…"
The sound of her gnashing teeth sounded murderous. I lost my words for a moment before quickly coming to my senses.
"He absolutely would not do that."
Her murderous gaze pierced me. I swallowed dryly.
"Really?"
"Yes. Please tell him you feel greatly apologetic for constantly causing him worry."
Her violet eyes, cleared 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 white lie without even wetting my lips. Also because what I held in my hand felt unfamiliar.
Besides, it was the perfect opportunity to soothe her.
"How about trying to act a bit spoiled?"
"Spoiled?"
"Yes. I think sometimes you need to ignore the other person's feelings, just a tiny bit."
"Can I… do that?"
"Of course. You're his fiancée. You'll become husband and wife in the future, so acting a little spoiled is permissible."
Asking him to at least write a reply to her letters—wouldn't that level of spoiling be acceptable? This whole mess seemed to have started with Vincent ignoring her letters, so I thought he could manage at least that much. Of course, he probably couldn't write it himself.
If it came to it, I planned to write it for him. For what it's worth, I could write somewhat well. Truthfully, it was a bit of a hassle, but it would be a return for the bouquet she gave me. She said it was a reward for helping her make the bouquet, but I was actually more grateful to her for praising such an insignificant thing and treating me so warmly.
So just as I was about to suggest she act spoiled by asking for at least a reply to her letters, Violet sprang to her feet. She clenched her fists tightly as if she had made a decision.
"Paula is right. I've made up my mind!"
"Pardon?"
Toward my baffled self, her eyes sparkled. Seeing that face, I felt a sense of foreboding. Don't tell me…
"Until I meet Vincent, I ab-so-lute-ly will not go back!"
Ah, she caused a disaster.
Violet said she writes a letter every time she comes here, and handed me one. Along with the message that if Vincent continued to refuse to see her, she too would wait here forever.
'Paula, cheer me on.'
Looking at the heavy load in both hands, I felt dizzy imagining the events that would unfold. I sent Ethan a look asking for help, but he answered by shaking his head.
That basically meant we were doomed.
I returned to Vincent's room looking like I was about to cry. He was sitting on the bed, which was rare for him. As if he had been waiting for me, he turned his head immediately following the sound of my footsteps.
"What happened. Is she going back?"
"Ah, well… F-for now, Lady Violet asked me to deliver a letter."
I held out the thick letter that, as always, was filled with her sincerity. His eyes wavered for a moment before quickly settling. He reached out one hand. I placed her letter onto his hand. Then I carefully set down the vase I had brought on the side table.
But this time as well, he did not open the letter.
"Shall I read it to 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 for a long time?"
"Since we were born."
Ah, they had said the three of them were friends. They really were longtime friends. That explained their familiar attitude toward each other. But on the other hand, a question bloomed in my mind. Leaving Vincent aside, the feeling I got from Violet toward him was, hmm… it wasn't sibling-like love. It was a deeper, redder emotion of romantic attraction.
"Lady Violet seems like a truly beautiful and kind person. She treated even someone like me, a mere servant, with warmth. You are truly fortunate, Master."
"What are you suddenly talking about?"
"I just thought you two suit each other so well."
"…"
He stopped speaking. His narrow eyes took on a rather sharp glint. He seemed to be gauging my intentions. I swallowed dryly.
"S-so, Master."
I was so nervous that I stuttered without realizing it. I clasped my hands tightly. I hesitated over how to begin, and perhaps sensing something was off, Vincent tilted his head.
"Why are you stopping mid-sentence?"
"Well… you see… Lady Violet said…"
"What did she."
"Lady Violet…"
I licked my dry lips and moved my mouth to spit out words I absolutely did not want to say, but the door flew open and the voice that entered was faster.
"Violet says she's not leaving until she sees you."
"What?"
Vincent turned his head toward Ethan in surprise. I also turned to look at Ethan in shock. Seeing my horrified face, Ethan grinned mischievously.
"The little maid caused a disaster."
Vincent's face creaked as it turned back to me. I squeezed my eyes shut. A moment of silence. Then the bouquet containing her sincerity was thrown to the floor much faster than expected. Crash!
Ah, I definitely heard it. The sound of all our efforts shattering.