—Is everything okay?
Cyril said to Violet sharply.
—Nothing serious has happened.
—We'll talk about the details at dinner.
Cyril handed his coat to Olive and entered his room.
The dinner menu had one or two more dishes than usual.
Since living in Cyril's house, Violet had discovered that he was a person of few words.
Today's dinner also took place in a very calm atmosphere.
When they finished eating, Cyril spoke.
—Weren't you going to leave the academy?
—Yes, I will.
It seems like there isn't much to learn.
—You are a person with a special talent.
To teach you, you need a special teacher.
It would be best if you found that person at the academy, but if not, there is no need to regret it.
Violet smiled slightly at Cyril's mature advice.
—On that note, there are a couple of things I need your permission for.
-Forward.
Cyril drank wine.
—I've gotten a fake boyfriend, okay?
It's Ash, the one I met before.
—Cough, cough!
Cyril coughed.
He swallowed the wine with difficulty and looked at Violet with a frown.
—Boyfriend...
fake, what?
—I told you about my fiancé… Bluideen, remember?
To prepare me in case that guy is annoying, Ash agreed to pretend to be my boyfriend.
Although it is false, the plan is well thought out.
We're not thinking about getting married yet, and...
—And what else?
Cyril said with an indignant tone.
—…Oh, and I have also decided to run for the Winter Queen of the ball organized by the crown prince.
Ash said that promotional items will be published, so my name will be on a lot of people's lips.
Oh, and also, Ash has promised to find me a teacher.
And it will cover all expenses.
Is it okay if I learn?
Cyril stared at the wine glass in his hand, lowered it, and shouted to the kitchen:
—Olive, come here right now!
How come you have neglected her?!
Olive came out of the kitchen, drying her hands on her apron.
—What's wrong, sir?
—I told you that if that damned Godfrey came near, you would knock him out and protect her at all costs!
-That's how it is.
I am an excellent butler, and my mission includes protecting and caring for the young lady.
And I have done it.
—The girl has a fake boyfriend!
—He means Ash Defendale.
From my observation, although his status is suspicious, he does not seem to have the intention of harming the young lady.
-Observation?
What observation?
This time, Violet raised her voice, confused.
"I've been following you secretly, miss." She only goes to healthy places like the academy, her friend's house, and the Great Temple.
Nothing out of the ordinary has happened, other than she has been getting new clothes, shoes and accessories non-stop.
Olive continued with her same calm.
Is that what Ash's words meant?
What he said about the eyes that saw.
Olive was following her.
—Did you follow her correctly?
Cyril continued to ask, not caring about Violet's perplexity.
—Following and watching her all day would make her a spy, not a butler.
I just confirmed his route and returned.
Olive said proudly.
—I'm going to faint.
Cyril put his hand to his forehead.
—Wait, why did you do that?
"I was worried that Godfrey might kidnap the lady if I was careless." Just in case, I also checked Godfrey's side, but they seemed to be busy with other matters.
Olive responded.
—What are you busy with?
Violet asked.
—Well, they seemed to be preparing wedding gifts, as if they were planning one.
—…
They are crazy.
Violet had a hard time keeping herself from swearing.
Violet and Bluideen's wedding was far away and right now they were in the process of breaking off the engagement.
So, if his family was preparing gifts…
They are really preparing to send Marigold to the crown prince.
If this wasn't delirium, he didn't know what was.
-Already.
And now tell me the story of the Winter Queen.
Cyril said.
—Marigold wants to be the Winter Queen of the ball.
And I want to make her angry.
—...Did your fake boyfriend also advise you that?
Violet shuddered.
—Yes… but I also agreed.
"What the hell does that guy want from you?"
—Hmm… for now, he doesn't seem to have any intention.
But he told me that if I want to help him in the future, I should do it.
—Getting on an unknown favor is the same as signing a blank contract.
Do you know how dangerous it is?
-…I know.
But I think Ash is a good person.
—Has that guy tried to put his hands on you, do something useless, or pressured you, using the fake boyfriend relationship as an excuse?
Cyril was silent for a moment.
-No.
Oh, actually…
Suddenly, Violet's face turned red.
She had just remembered that she had hugged Ash today.
-…Actually?
Cyril frowned.
—I think I was the one who pounced on Ash.
It was a mistake, but I felt dizzy for a moment… I felt… Ash might have felt uncomfortable.
Because… Ash…
—…
—Ash is handsome...
The story was getting strange as he spoke.
—Olive, stop pretending to be a useless servant and come sit down.
Cyril lowered his voice.
—It is customary for the employee not to eat with the master.
—Why are there so many strange women under the same roof?
Cyril said it sincerely.
—The employees follow the master.
Think about your usual behavior.
It looked like Olive was going to beat Cyril until the day she died.
Violet was amazed.
—Don't look at Olive with that admiring look on your face, Violet.
—Man, how perceptive you are.
—Admiration is also prohibited!
Violet, you.
Tell me everything that happened, understand?
In the end, Olive sat with the two of them at the table.
They ate a little and talked.
—And that's how you taught Bluideen a lesson?
—...Yes, Ash's plan worked.
—And then?
Cyril seemed satisfied with that part of the story.
—The day I stop Marigold from becoming the Winter Queen, I will reveal my family's history to the entire world.
—…
—At first I didn't understand why you gave me this task, uncle.
But the more I discover it, the deeper it becomes.
Ash believes this will be the path for me to complete myself.
Seriously, man, you are an amazing person!
-…Oh really?
Is it such an… incredible task?
Cyril's expression became more and more strange.
He seemed embarrassed to be praised to his face.
—Yes, Ash also praised your foresight.
When I finish the task you gave me, I want to leave my family behind and become a wonderful person.
Cyril now had a forced smile.
"So what about the teacher?" Why is that guy Ash paying for your education?
—Ah, Ash said he knows some people.
People who can help my talent flourish.
He said that I need a real sword master, who is an expert or more.
He told me he would lend me the money for tuition if I needed it.
And that I could pay him back when I got a job.
Again, it seemed like too brazen a request.
Violet's voice became lower.
—Bring me my checkbook, Olive.
And also a notepad.
Cyril said.
"I figured I'd need them, so I've been carrying them with me."
Olive calmly took the checkbook out of her apron pocket.
Cyril quickly wrote on the check.
And he enclosed a note, which he gave to Olive.
—Tell that guy, Ash, to give it to him.
Tell him that if he already spent money on Violet's personal growth, I will pay him all back.
—Dude, it's not necessary...
—If you have common sense, judge which is better: receiving money from an unknown man or receiving help from your guardian.
—…Well, it is true that it is better to receive help from my tutor.
—I will pay the expenses for you.
It's obvious, so there's no need to discuss it.
—I'm very happy that you help me, uncle.
But I don't want to spend your hard-earned money.
—Mr.
Cyril's businesses are prospering steadily.
And your profits have been going up every year, so don't worry, miss.
Olive said.
—Uncle, weren't you a mercenary?
Do you have a business?
Violet's eyes sparkled.
…To be continued