42. The Moment a Star Fell on the Earl's Family (3)
"What color?"
"Huh? Oh, it's pink. The skirt is so full that it keeps catching my attention. It gets tangled around my feet when I walk. And there's lace on the shoulders, sleeves, and hem, so it keeps fluttering. Oh, and there's a belt around the waist, which is also pink."
He frowned as he pondered my words.
"I don't really understand dress designs."
"It's a very pretty dress. The fabric is also nice."
It's so soft that I'm worried it might tear if I apply even a little force. It's beautiful, but honestly, I'm not sure if it suits me. Violet said it looks good on me, but I just felt awkward when I saw myself in the mirror.
Vincent, who had been silent for a moment, tapped me on the side.
"Come here."
"Huh?"
"Sit closer."
I was puzzled, but since it was an order, I moved my bottom next to him. Then Vincent reached out his hand. His fingertips brushed against the back of my neck, and my body stiffened instantly.
He stroked the ribbon in his fingertips.
"What's this?"
"It's a ribbon. Violet gave it to me a while ago."
"I see."
He then touched the ribbon as if feeling its texture. After letting go of the ribbon, he lightly touched my shoulder. His fingertips brushed against the lace, and he traced it. Slowly, his fingertips moved along the shoulder line.
His touch was gentle as he felt the things his fingertips touched. His face leaned toward me, and I could hear his breath. He whispered softly, asking me to tell him if he touched anything strange. I had no time to respond. His hand moved down from my shoulder line, touched the lace at the bottom of the sleeve, and then moved further down to my wrist. When he drew a circle on the inside of my wrist, I shivered from the ticklish sensation.
"Can I touch the hem?"
"Uh, sure?"
"The hem of the dress."
He pointed downward. Ah, I sighed and lifted the hem of my dress, placing it in his hand. He then touched it, and his face, which had been looking up, tilted slightly downward as he became more active in touching the hem.
He was touching it to imagine the design of my dress. I knew that. Still, the places he touched felt hot. Even though he was touching the hem, it felt like he was touching me. It was strange. I felt so embarrassed that my whole body was heating up.
"I still can't really understand it."
"..."
I tightly closed my mouth. My body kept trembling, and I tried hard not to let him notice. It felt like my whole body was twisting, and the strange sensation kept rising, making me feel uncomfortable. I couldn't hold it in any longer and was about to stop him when the door opened, and Violet came in.
Violet stopped abruptly when she saw us. She blinked her purple eyes, trying to understand the situation. I was flustered and snatched the hem of my dress from Vincent's hand. Then I stood up quickly.
"Are you ready?"
"Uh, yeah. But what were you doing?"
"Master was curious about the dress I was wearing, so I was telling him about it."
"Ah, I see."
Violet nodded and approached with a light laugh.
"The party preparations are all done. I think we can go down now."
Violet spoke to Vincent and me in turn. I nodded and turned to support Vincent. Violet came up behind me and placed her hands on my shoulders.
"How does Pola look? Isn't she pretty?"
"How would I know? I can't see her."
"But you heard what she's wearing, right? She looks very pretty! Vincent would have been surprised if he could see her! Lucas is completely smitten with Pola's charm."
I was flustered by Violet's words.
Who, me? I shook my head, but he couldn't see it.
"It would have been nice if Vincent could see her. I'm really disappointed that he can't see now."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really."
Violet, still holding my shoulders, pushed me toward Vincent. I took a step closer to him. His gaze followed the sound and fixed on me. He moved his head up and down as if examining me. Even though I knew he couldn't see, I felt embarrassed and bowed my head. It's a good thing he can't see right now. I don't look that pretty, as Violet said.
But after a while, Vincent, who had been looking me up and down, burst out laughing. Even though he covered his mouth with his hand, it was clearly a mocking laugh.
"Well, I don't think I would have been impressed even if I could see you."
My face heated up for a different reason. How could he mock me so openly!
"That's really too much."
"Why?"
"Of course, it doesn't suit you, but you don't have to mock me so openly. And to say it's not good. Can't you just say I look pretty in situations like this?"
"I can't lie."
He stiffened his face and shook his head firmly. I let out a hollow laugh. He always does this. He's such a stingy person.
As I glared at him and turned my head, I saw Violet's face, which had been smiling a moment ago, now expressionless.
"Violet? Are you feeling unwell?"
"Ah... No, I need to get ready too. Lucas will come up. You two go down first. Pola, can you help me?"
"Sure."
Violet smiled and headed for the door. I told Vincent, who had been acting so rudely, that I would go down first and tapped the floor twice with my heels. Vincent waved his hand, as if telling me to leave quickly.
So, I returned to Violet's room with her. Several dresses were lined up on the bed. They all looked beautiful and seemed to suit her well.
I turned to Violet to ask which one she would wear, but she stood by the door, unmoving. She seemed lost, staring blankly into space. She looked strange. "Violet?"
"…I've never seen him like that."
"Huh?"
"Acting so rudely."
"Who, Master?"
"Yeah. I've never seen him like that."
I was surprised by her words. Isn't that his usual personality? He's always rude and short-tempered with me, so I thought that was just how he was. Does he not act like that with others?
"He acts like that with you."
"…Huh?"
I was flustered, but seeing her lost purple eyes, I couldn't say anything more. Was she shocked? I remembered that Ethan was also shocked when he saw him throw things. Maybe he wasn't always like that, or he was hiding it.
So, does he only act like that with me?
Bastard.
Violet chose a white dress. It clung to her body from the shoulders to the knees, then flared out below. Her long hair was braided and twisted up, secured with flower decorations.
Violet looked stunning after getting dressed. She said I looked pretty, but she was the one who truly shone. If I were a man, I would have fallen for her as she gracefully descended the stairs, holding the railing.
A fast-paced classical piece was playing in the central hall, making the quiet atmosphere lively.
However, there was one more person in the central hall besides Vincent and Lucas. I thought I had instructed that no one else should enter once the party started. Who is it?
Then the man waved at us. It was Ethan.
"Ethan!"
Violet called out happily. Ethan smiled and greeted her.
"What are you doing here? You said you were busy."
"You sent me an invitation and then pretended you didn't know."
Ethan waved the letter. Violet said with a mischievous smile that the party would be more fun with one more person. Ethan was the only outsider who knew about Vincent's condition besides Violet and Lucas. The empty hall, which was supposed to be a party, became lively with Ethan's arrival.
Violet naturally linked arms with Vincent. Vincent seemed used to her actions. They looked like a perfect couple.
As I stood there, dazed, Lucas approached my right side and offered his arm.
"I'll escort you, Pola."
"I'm fine."
"What about me?"
Ethan stood on my left side. I shook my head more firmly. I would rather not.
"It's a party, so you should dance."
"I can't dance. I'll just eat some delicious food over there."
I turned to the table with food. Ethan and Lucas followed me. In the end, the three of us without partners decided to enjoy a sad feast. Isabel, who was in charge of the party, was also waiting on the side.
In the center of the hall, Violet and Vincent faced each other.
"Can you dance?"
"My sister will lead me."
"…"
Clank. Ethan and Lucas clinked their glasses, and their gazes turned to the two of them. I, who had to clink glasses with them, also looked at them while gulping down my wine.
"You drink well."
"I can drink."
Maybe it was good wine, as it went down smoothly.
After a while, Isabel changed the music. A soft classical piece filled the hall. Violet and Vincent took their positions and began to move gently to the music.
Under the dazzling chandelier, Violet and Vincent looked incredibly beautiful. They were just beautiful. Violet moved gracefully to the music, her white skirt spreading like a newly bloomed flower, drawing everyone's attention. Her face was radiant with a smile.