At Ethan's words, Violet quickly composed herself and covered her mouth with her hand. Her cheeks soon turned red, and she laughed as if embarrassed by her behavior, which was quite surprising.
"I must have looked silly. Hehe."
"ā¦No, you didn't."
"How wonderful. The bouquet is ruined."
She tried to restore the crushed bouquet, but once it was damaged, it couldn't be fixed. As Violet fiddled with the bouquet, she put it aside and showed me other flowers.
"Can I make a new one with the flowers I've picked?"
"Yes, why don't you give it a try?"
I tried to erase the scene I had just witnessed and examined the flowers she 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 combine them. Violet also offered various suggestions from the side. Ethan occasionally chimed in, but his ideas were not very useful. I gathered the better suggestions and started making the bouquet. The central flower was a purple one that resembled her.
"How old is Pauline? She looks so young."
"Eighteen years old."
"Oh!"
She clapped her hands.
"The same as me!"
She smiled happily as if being the same age was a big deal. I wondered if it was really that joyful.
"I've always wanted to spend time with someone my age. I'm so happy."
She must have had many peers around her, given how she looked like someone who had been loved and cared for. Besides, she was beautiful, well-mannered, and had a good personalityā¦ Then I remembered how she had crushed the bouquet just a moment ago.
I focused quietly on making the bouquet.
"Ah, Miss Violet, would you like to move to a more comfortable spot to make it?"
"Huh? Why?"
She looked at me with a puzzled expression as she was making a small bouquet by mixing light pink and yellow flowers with mist flowers. Ethan was also combining flowers into a rather showy bouquet.
"Is Pauline uncomfortable?"
"No, I'm fine. I'm just worried about having Miss Violet sit on this dirty floor."
"I'm fine. The flowers are so beautiful, and I don't think it's dirty at all. It actually feels good."
She smiled genuinely and skillfully completed the bouquet. The purple flower was at the center, surrounded by light pink, yellow, and white flowers, with mist flowers interspersed. It would look even better if the stems were trimmed.
"Will Vincent like it?"
She looked at the bouquet with affection, and then her gaze shifted to me, so I nodded immediately. After all, he wouldn't know how beautiful the bouquet was.
"Can you deliver the bouquet for me? I want it to be placed beside his bed."
"Of course."
I received the completed bouquet from her. It was quite large and seemed likely to be damaged if not handled carefully. So I untied the ribbon from my ponytail and used it to secure the bouquet.
"How wonderful. I should have brought something to tie it with."
"It's fine."
I tied the bouquet firmly to prevent it from being damaged and held it gently. Then I noticed another small bouquet she had made and asked.
"Should I deliver this one too?"
"Oh, this one."
She handed me the small bouquet.
"It's for you, Pauline. It's not much, but it's a token of appreciation for helping me make such a beautiful bouquet."
For me? Surprised, I widened my eyes, and she smiled and shook the bouquet, urging me to take it. I opened my mouth to speak, then closed it again, and looked at the small bouquet. I felt hesitant to accept it. She took my hand and placed the bouquet in it, repeatedly thanking me.
Her affectionate smile was unfamiliar, and receiving such gratitude made me feel awkward. This was the first time I had experienced something like this. So I fidgeted with the bouquet in my hand.
"ā¦Thank you."
"I'm the one who should be thankful. Thank you, Pauline."
"ā¦"
I looked at the small bouquet in my hand.
The small bouquet was rather messy. She clearly wasn't very skilled with her hands. The flowers were all large buds, and the colors were mismatched and overly bright. It wasn't exactly beautiful, but I couldn't take my eyes off it.
Holding the bouquet in my hand felt strange, and I didn't know how to hold it properly. After a moment's hesitation, I held it gently to avoid damaging it.
"Here, maid. I have a gift too."
"Ah, thank you."
Ethan suddenly thrust a large, showy bouquet into my arms. I gave a formal thank you. He grumbled that I was too emotionless.
My arms were full of bouquets, especially the large one from Ethan. I stumbled and almost dropped the bouquet he had given me. Glancing at him, fortunately, he was looking elsewhere. I quickly used my foot to drag it and tucked it under my arm.
"When can I meet Vincent? Just waiting is exhausting."
I turned at the sound of her melancholic voice and saw her squatting again, looking up at the sky. She rested her chin on her arms, which were on her knees, and seemed lost in sorrow. A dark shadow fell behind her.
"Maybe Vincent doesn't like me anymore."
"That's not possible."
"Stillā¦ he keeps avoiding meā¦"
"If Vincent really felt that way, he wouldn't avoid you like this. He would have cut ties with you immediately."
"That's true."
Her drooping shoulders caught my eye. But her sadness soon turned to anger. She began to crush the flower buds in the garden.
"Just let him try to break the engagement. I won't let him off easily."
"ā¦"
The sound of her grinding her teeth was ominous. I was momentarily speechless but soon regained my composure.
"He will never do that."
Her fierce gaze fixed on me. I swallowed hard.
"Really?"
"Yes. He said he feels very guilty for causing you so much worry."
Her purple eyes, which had been filled with anger, widened in surprise. I rolled my eyes. Of course, he hadn't said that. But for the sake of my master's safety, I could tell a white lie without hesitation. It was also because holding the bouquet in my hand felt so unfamiliar.
Moreover, this was a good opportunity to console her.
"Why don't you try to act a bit spoiled?"
"Act spoiled?"
"Yes. Sometimes, it's okay to be a little bit, well, ignored by the other person."
Maybe you could ask him to write a reply to your letter. That kind of spoiled behavior should be acceptable. This whole situation seems to have started because Vincent ignored her letters, so I think he could do that much. Of course, he wouldn't be able to write it himself.
If necessary, I would write it for him. Despite my appearance, I could write quite well. It was a bit of a hassle, but it was a way to thank her for the bouquet. She said it was for helping her make the bouquet, but I was more grateful to her for being so kind and affectionate to me, even though it was a small favor.
Just as I was about to suggest that she act spoiled and ask for a reply to her letter, Violet suddenly stood up. She clenched her fists as if making a decision.
"You're right, Pauline. I've made up my mind!"
"Huh?"
She looked at me with sparkling eyes, which made me feel uneasy. Surely, she wouldn'tā¦
"I won't go back until I meet Vincent!"
Oh, she's made a mistake.
Violet said she writes a letter every time she comes here and handed me one. It said that if Vincent continued to avoid her, she would wait here forever.
'Pauline, cheer me on.'
Looking at the heavy load in my hands, I felt a chill at the thought of what was to come. I sent a pleading look to Ethan, but he shook his head in response.
It's over.
I returned to Vincent's room with a worried expression. He was rarely sitting on the bed and turned his head to follow my footsteps as if he had been waiting for me.
"How did it go? Did she say she's going back?"
"Ah, wellā¦ Miss Violet asked me to deliver a letter."
I handed him the thick, heartfelt letter as usual. His eyes flickered for a moment before calming down. He extended his hand, and I placed the letter on it. Then I carefully placed the vase I had brought on the side table.
But this time, he didn't open the letter.
"Should I read it for you?"
"Never mind. I know what it says."
"Miss 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, he said they were friends. They must have been very close friends for a long time. That explained their affectionate behavior. But I had a nagging doubt. While Vincent might feel that way, the feelings Violet had for him seemedā¦ more than just sibling love. They were more like passionate, romantic feelings.
"Miss Violet really seems to be a kind and beautiful person. She treats even someone like me with such affection. You must be very lucky, Master."
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
"You two look so well-suited."
"ā¦"
He stopped talking. His narrowed eyes took on a sharp edge, as if trying to gauge my intentions. I swallowed hard.
"S-Sir, Master."
I was so nervous that I started to stutter. I clenched the hand I had clasped. How should I start? Vincent tilted his head, sensing my hesitation.
"Why did you stop talking?"
"Wellā¦ umā¦ Miss Violetā¦"
"Why what?"
"Miss Violetā¦"
I licked my dry lips and was about to say something I didn't want to, but a voice from the door was faster.
"Violet says she won't go back until she meets you."
"What?"
Vincent turned his head in surprise toward Ethan. I also turned to look at Ethan, shocked. Ethan laughed mischievously at my horrified expression.
"The maid has caused a bit of trouble."
Vincent's face turned toward me, and I squeezed my eyes shut. A moment of silence. Then, the bouquet she had made with such care was unexpectedly thrown to the floor. Thud!
I definitely heard it. The sound of her efforts being shattered.