Chapter 9

Just in front of me was the Scylla estate. Peering through the carriage, my eyes are met with the structure of the mansion. It's been 2 days since the ball. I had bought with me the handkerchief that belonged to Lance. Not only that, but I had asked Elliot to prepare some sweets. I wanted to give them to Lance. Hopefully he likes them.

The bright morning sun shines brilliantly as the carriage comes to a halt. I got out, and walked towards the entrance of the mansion. There was a servant walking up to me. She bows to me "Greetings Lady Violette. Allow me to escort you to Lord Lance," 

I nodded and began following her into the garden. My eyes wander around, looking at the gorgeous flowers that decorated the field. I was starstruck by its beauty. I couldn't help but gasp, not paying attention to where I was walking.

Ah-!

Someone ran from around the corner. They almost bumped into me. I jolted, taking a step back. Me and the person made eye contact. They appear to be a boy, a very young one at that. He looks to be about 8. He stood at around almost 5 ft. His bright pink hair was kept neatly, and he was dressed formally as well. His green eyes scanned me, seeming almost confused.

Huh? Who's this kid?

"State your business!" He points and shouts at me. "Um-" I froze. I couldn't reply immediately, instead I just stared at him for a moment.

"Young master Lucas! What are you doing here?" The servant asked.

So his name is Lucas. In an instant, I remembered who he was. He was Lance's younger brother. Unlike his polite brother, he was rambunctious and always spoke about what's on his mind. He's very free-spirited, and does a lot of things on impulse. He actually has a considerable amount of screentime, at least compared to Violette.

"I'm looking for snails," He replied. The servant looks surprised "Eh? Young master, you shouldn't be doing this sort of stuff! Your father would scold you again for dirtying yourself."

"I'll do what I want to do," He puts his hands on his hips "Besides, what's she doing here?"

"Greetings my lord. I'm just here to meet with your brother. I hope you don't mind," I politely replied. "Hmmm," Lucas groans, swaying to the side. 

"In that case, I'll see you later," He runs off abruptly.

"A-ah! Young master!" The servant cried out for him, her hand reaching forward. Seems like he'll get into trouble… "You can go after him, I can find Lord Lance on my own," I told her. The servant seems conflicted at first, but reluctantly nods "P-please excuse me!" She runs off.

Well, that leaves me alone. Well, me and Lance that is. Not long after, I found him after wandering around the garden. He was sitting on a table, looking out into the garden. The sun shines against his radiant hair, giving it a brilliant glow.

I stood there for a moment, just admiring him. He finally turned around and noticed me "Ah, lady Violette," He smiled "Please, come sit," I walked over to him and sat down at the table. On the table was a tea set. Over at Lance's side was a cup of jasmine tea.

It smells good.

I placed the box of sweets onto the table. Then I pulled out the handkerchief and offered it to Lance "Thank you for letting Isadora borrow this," He reached for it "As thanks, I asked my head butler to make you some sweets," I smiled brightly at him as I pushed the box.

Lance chuckles "You really didn't need to," Still, he accepted the box. Opening it up, his eyes widened in surprise. Macarons, biscuits, tarts, cakes. It was like a box of treasures waiting to be eaten. "These look wonderful," He said, taking one of the biscuits out.

"Yes, my butler is quite talented when it comes to baking," I proudly explained "If you really like them, I can bring more over in the future!"

"Is that so?" Lance takes a bit of the biscuit. Once again, his eyes widened. A small smile creeps on his face as he munches the biscuit. Turning to me with glossy blue eyes, he gestures to the box "Let's share them. It's too good for only one person to enjoy."

He's so charming!

Of course, I happily accepted. I take a macaron and eat it in one bite. "I heard the Viscountess had to depart the country." Lance speaks up suddenly "Is it just you and your sister?"

I pause for a moment, making eye contact with him "We have our servants to keep us company. I don't consider it lonely," I replied. 

Lances taps his chin "That's quite interesting,"

"It's quite fun actually. I don't feel so pressured acting how I want. The servants tend to my every need and it's great!" It feels weird flexing about my servants to a man who is of a higher noble status than me. But I simply can't help it, having servants and subordinates is the best thing about being an aristocrat after all.

"Haha! Lady Violette, you are quite interesting in person. You're much different from the rumors," Lances lets out a polite laugh.

Even his laugh is pretty.

But that does beg the question "There's rumors… about me?" I guess being a noblewoman has the typical side effect of people gossiping about you. Though, I want to know what others are saying about me.

The delicate laughter stops. Lance looks out into the garden. His mouth was a thin line. It was like he was contemplating something. A question was on his mind, but he didn't want to say it. What's he thinking?

"May I ask a strange question?" 

It was strange, but I nodded. I leaned my head forward, awaiting his question.

His lips parted, then his question came, "Over a month ago, Viscount Aimon passed away. How has it affected your family?" 

I went stiff. Why was he bringing this up? My eyes widened. All I did was stay motionless.

"I heard rumors you hulled yourself in your mansion for several weeks after his death." He continues. I didn't know what to say. "It must have been hard to overcome your grief. I'm sure he was a wonderful man."

I'm certain he was. Any mentions of him, if any, were incredibly positive. But as someone who wasn't from this world, I don't have any opinions. I clutched my hands that were on my lap. My eyebrows were twitching.

"Yes, he was." I paused, "I loved him dearly." 

Violette loved her father. While I didn't have any relations with him personally, I know she adored the viscount. From what I know, he was an important figure in the household. 

"We suffered a great loss that day. I mourned for weeks. I'm not sure how my mother dealt with it. I'm sure she felt the loss as harshly as I did." I explained. Lance silently nods along, listening intently. 

Just speaking about it makes me feel sad. Despite never meeting him, I can already feel his importance to some people. What else would Violette have said? If it was her sitting here, what would she want to say? I looked Lance in the eye. Our gaze met with each other, locking on.

"I wish that one day…" I give him a smile "I could get to see him again."

Lance raised his eyebrows. His mouth parted as he leaned backward. A long silence fills the air. He sits straight up, his eyes fixated on me. It made me somewhat nervous that he was staring so much honestly.

"Why do you ask, my lord?" I relax my hands.

He looks down at the table and the box before him. "It's just…I heard rumors of you. They call you a strict noblewoman. You didn't enjoy converting with other nobles either. But after the Viscount's death, the rumors changed."

Hm, is that so? I guess that's the kind of person Violette was before I came into this world. It's good to know what she was like. Strict… that's what she was like. I never knew.

"If you ever need anything, please come by. I'll assist you as best as I can."

I pause, taking in a breath "A-are you sure?" It's a wonderful offer, but I couldn't help but feel he's offering too much for what he can handle. Especially since "It doesn't appear that my lord enjoys conversing with me very much…"

"What makes you think that?" 

My hands went stiff. My eyes darted the other direction.

"It's just that when I approached you that night, you immediately walked away. Even the women you were talking to said it was because I was annoying you," I explain, averting my gaze "It made me think I wasn't interesting to talk to…"

My jaw tensed. It felt like a massive lump was in my throat. I look down, fidgeting my hands nervously.

"How cruel," Lance comments, his eyebrows furrowed. He sighs, "I'm sorry it appears that way. It's simply that Lady Kamille and Lady Daphne were tiring me out. They were chatting up a storm that I couldn't keep up. When you appeared, I thought the same would happen. So I tried to dismiss myself," He explains politely.

Though, there was an undertone of annoyance in his voice. It's strange. It's not like Lance to be irritated. 

Kamille and Daphne, I think I've heard of those names before.

"I just think it's a waste to talk to try to talk to people I don't care about," He reaches into the box and picks up a macaron. Eating it, his eyes relax and it seems like his mood changed in an instant. "Personally if it were up to me, I would wish for a world where it is just me and my beloved," He rests his chin on the back of his hand.

I gasp, opening my eyes wide. My gaze was locked onto Lance. As the winds blow by, I can feel my cheeks warming up. Isn't that what he said to Isadora in the novels? During the start of their friendship, he would explain that to her. Not so sure what to say, I stayed silent.

"As I said, you can ask me for anything,"

"There is-" I gulped "There is something I want to ask," I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I opened my mouth. Lance looks at me, awaiting my question. Since the night of the ball, I've been waiting for the events of the novel to unravel. This is not my story, but would I really be content living like I don't exist? I want to take this chance to have my own happy ending too.

"Um…What do you think of my adopted sister? Isadora I mean."

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