For a moment, our gazes met. Then, as the man extended the tablecloth he was holding, I finally snapped out of it.
"Ah, thank you."
I approached hesitantly and took the tablecloth. As I did, I glanced up at him, and our eyes met again. His brown eyes widened.
"I'm glad."
"Excuse me?"
His gentle voice exuded elegance. His affectionate gaze was fixed on me.
I was taken aback and opened my eyes wide. This time, the man smiled, his lips curling. His gaze lingered on me for what felt like a long time, and I realized I could see his face clearly. And the state of my messy bangs.
Startled, I quickly pulled my bangs down. I felt so embarrassed that my face was burning.
"I'm sorry."
"Why?"
"Because of how I look."
Because I look so ugly. Someone once said it was a sin. I didn't choose to be born this way, yet people judged and pointed at me based on my appearance. That's why I used to cover my face, but it was a mistake to let Vincent walk without being able to see.
"You're beautiful."
"......"
The wind swept past my back. I wondered if I had heard him correctly and glanced up at him. He was still looking at me with affection. His persistent gaze made me flustered.
I had never heard such words from anyone, let alone from a man. Not knowing what to say, I hesitated, and then Vincent's voice reached me from a distance.
I remembered the person I had momentarily forgotten and turned around. It seemed that while chasing the tablecloth, I had drifted away from him. I couldn't see Vincent here. At this moment, it was actually a relief. He would surely be feeling his way around with his hands. No one should see him like that.
I realized someone was in the forest, thinking it was empty. If I had been with Vincent, it would have been a dangerous moment. I thought the forest was empty and told Vincent it would be fine.
I looked at the man again. He was also looking in the direction of the sound. I bowed.
"Thank you."
Then I turned around.
As I walked quickly and folded the tablecloth, I felt a rough texture. When I took it out, it was a letter. A letter? When I flipped it over, golden letters caught my eye. This is...!
I turned around again, but no one was there.
The man had vanished as if it were a dream.
After walking a bit, I saw Vincent looking around.
"Master."
"......"
He stopped walking abruptly, his rigid face turning toward me.
"I'm sorry for being late. But who was that person?"
As I approached him to tell him about the man I had just met, he suddenly reached out, sensing my presence. He then firmly grabbed my arm. The force was strong. Before I could react, his grip tightened, pulling me closer.
The distance between us closed instantly. His rigid face was marred by anxiety.
"Don't do that."
"Master?"
"Never do that again."
His voice, low and warning, was trembling. He tried to reach out to my face with his other hand but quickly pulled it back. Instead, he bent down and rested his forehead on my shoulder.
"Don't leave me alone."
"......"
A sigh of relief spread in my ear. The hand that had gripped my arm slid down and intertwined with mine. His large body seemed to lean into me. His golden hair fell over my trembling eyes. The warmth of his body was intense.
I felt his anxiety, fear, and the relief that permeated it.
Only then did I realize I had made a big mistake.
"I'm sorry."
"Let's go back. I'm tired."
"Yes, let's go back."
I tightly held his hand, like that of a lost child, and we left the forest. I looked back occasionally, but fortunately, no one was following us.
As we entered the annex, Isabella was seen approaching hurriedly from a distance. Her movements were unusually urgent. She seemed to be looking for something. When she spotted Vincent and me returning, she stopped walking. She looked surprised for a moment but quickly composed herself.
"Master."
"What's the commotion?"
"It's... that..."
Just then,
"Vincent!"
A strange voice interrupted Isabella. Moreover, it was a woman's voice... At the same time, someone ran toward us from a distance. A young woman, beautiful enough to make one gasp, approached quickly, her long dress fluttering.
Who is she? I opened my eyes wide and examined the woman. Her gaze was fixed on Vincent, who was standing behind me. For a moment, she looked dazed, as if she had seen something she shouldn't have, and then she started to sob.
"Vincent."
At that moment, the hand that was holding mine tightened.
The trembling at his fingertips was intense. I turned to look at Vincent. His face was rigid with tension. Not knowing why he was like this, I looked back at the woman, who was still staring at Vincent and spoke.
"Vincent, right? It is you, isn't it?"
"......Violet."
I was startled by the low voice from behind. That woman is Violet? The Violet? I stared at her, forgetting my manners.
Soon, Eitan approached her. He seemed somewhat awkward. He waved at me happily when he noticed me, but then his eyes flicked downward. He must have seen Vincent standing behind me. I glanced back, feeling the trembling that had been there all along.
"Vincent, really... I've missed you so much."
"Violet, calm down first."
Eitan tried to stop Violet from approaching Vincent. She glanced at Eitan and then fixed her gaze on Vincent again. Her face showed desperation, as if she was afraid he might get away. Eitan also glanced at us and tried to calm her. Isabella, standing behind them, seemed to be pondering how to handle the situation.
I was also at a loss.
"Um, Master."
"......"
I called him softly and shook the hand that was holding mine. He was startled but gripped my hand even tighter. Feeling the continued trembling, I steeled my resolve.
I glanced up and down, then to the sides, and then firmly held his trembling hand.
"Let's run, Master!"
I turned around and ran. His face, which I saw in passing, was filled with confusion, but I led him and ran in the opposite direction. I could hear the late "Eh? Eh?" from behind, but I didn't stop running.
I ran straight to his room, firmly holding his hand.
His fingers, wrapped in white gloves, were long and beautiful. They smoothly grasped the round handle of the teacup. The simple act of lifting the cup to his lips was truly elegant and beautiful. His gently lowered violet eyes and the long, golden, transparent hair that matched them were captivating.
It's like she's made of sugar. It feels like if you put a piece in your mouth, it would taste sweet.
She opened her eyes wide when she saw me standing at the door of the parlor. Her enlarged violet eyes sparkled.
"......You're beautiful."
"Oh, thank you."
She smiled shyly. Only then did I realize I had spoken my thoughts aloud. Embarrassed, I bowed my head and placed the tea and snacks I had brought in front of her. As I did, I noticed my rough hand. It was bony and covered in small scars, looking very unattractive. I quickly curled my fingers to hide them and stood up.
When I glanced up, her violet eyes widened, and she thanked me again.
Her name is Violet Marguerite. She is Vincent's fiancée.
And this was an unexpected visit.
"I'm sorry for not being prepared. Please forgive me."
"It's fine. I came unannounced."
She speaks so beautifully. Do people with beautiful faces also have beautiful hearts? Then, another beautiful face came to mind, and I pushed the thought away. Until now, the most beautiful woman I knew was the third lady, Alicia. Her beauty was so outstanding that the lord's son in the village had expressed his feelings for her. The problem was her personality.
However, the woman in front of me exuded elegance even when she was still. This must be the grace of a noble.
"I also came unannounced, so don't worry about it."
Eitan, who was sitting beside her, calmly sipped his tea and added. It was absurd that he had returned so soon after his last visit. Sensing my gaze, he waved with a twinkle in his eye.
"This must be the new arrival."
"Yes."
Isabella signaled to me. I withdrew my gaze from Eitan and bowed.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Pola. ...Please forgive my rudeness earlier."
"Oh, no. Please stand up."
Despite her words, I bowed even deeper. I heard a flustered voice above me, repeatedly saying it was fine. Only then did I straighten my back. Violet smiled affectionately and said,
"Nice to meet you, Pola. I'm Violet Marguerite. You can call me Violet."
If you serve Master Vincent, you must be a valuable person. She smiled at me, making eye contact. Her smile was also incredibly beautiful. There are people in this world who are so beautiful and kind.
"And it's really fine that you didn't do that. I was too hasty. It's not your fault."
"That's right. Don't feel pressured."
A sly voice chimed in from the side. My sharp gaze flicked toward him. Eitan was also smiling. Given what had happened, he seemed ominous.
"I've heard a lot about you."
When I looked at Violet again, she was staring at me intently. Her gaze made me unconsciously smooth my messy bangs, worried that she might have seen my unattractive face.
"You are as kind as I've heard."
I corrected my earlier statement. She was just a very good person.
"Please sit, Pola."
"I'm fine. I'll stand."
"Then, would you sit next to me?"
Eitan tapped the seat beside him. I frowned. But Isabella signaled again, indicating I should sit. Reluctantly, I perched on the edge of the seat beside Eitan.