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Translator: Xini
Proofreader: Silavin
“Forgive me for not preparing anything more lavish.”
“Not at all, and I’d like to apologize well. It seems neither of us had the right time which resulted in my arriving earlier than stated. Apologies once again.”
Violet Valentine, who had arrived two days ahead of schedule appeared more composed than I’d expected. Since she arrived before I could set everything up,
‘What do you mean you have nothing prepared?! To think everything would be in such a sorry state of affairs just because I arrived a few days ahead of schedule! You wretched excuse for a noble!,’ is what I imagined she would say, but she wasn’t as unreasonable and even apologized for arriving earlier.
However, she seems to be under the impression that she had only arrived a few hours earlier as opposed to a few days. It looks like there was some serious miscommunication and the day in itself was mixed up. It took quite some time to cross check the information on both sides and for each to understand the other’s circumstances. I had sent Gray to get things ready for the welcoming party in the meantime.
“Also, the long trip has made me quite exhausted, so I may not have been able to indulge in a lavish meal . So please don’t let it bother you. Besides, the black tea was rather delectable.”
Huh, maybe she’s a better person than I thought. Not only did she not express discontent at the meal I had Gray prepare in a hurry, she even showed consideration toward us. Her brusque manner can probably be attributed to her upbringing in a ducal household…
“…hmm, fuu”
Lady Violet took another sip of the black tea and blew on it, all the while making sure to not show signs of exhaustion. Elegant, would be the word to describe her behavior.
The title of a noble suited Violet Valentine rather well.
First of all, she was taller than average at around 165 centimeters, making her appear mature for her age. She always maintained a good posture and her dining etiquette or even the way she brushed away a stray hair; every single gesture was refined and bespoke of her excellent education.
Her violet tresses were straight and fell down to her waist, her pale skin was as well groomed as her hair and with no flaws, adding to her feminine tenderness.
In the game, though she did lose to His Highness many times after entering the academy, she had excellent physical abilities to dare challenge him to a duel and she also maintained a place among the top ten in academics.
… Isn’t she a little too overpowered?
Be that as it may, she was nothing more than a plot device to facilitate the heroine’s character development. Her pride started to crumble, and she ended up challenging the heroine, who was growing ever so close with the hero, to a duel. Also… was her hair supposed to be straight?
Nevertheless, I didn’t expect her to come alone. Even if her family has (probably) abandoned her, she’s still the daughter of a duke. I thought she’d have many attendants and guards accompanying her… I supposed I shouldn’t ask her about that.
“I came here by myself. And I’ve already sent back the carriage.”
It was simply too mortifying to hear. The only belongings she carried were two medium-sized bags making it pretty easy to guess her circumstances.
“Let me reintroduce myself. I’m Clo Heartfield. I manage this land called ‘Shiki’ and I am a… baron. It’s been four years since I was entrusted with this position and I’m nineteen. This marriage may have been hastily decided, but I shall be in your care from now on.”
“… Ah, yes, likewise.”
Violet Valentine replied after a strange pause in response to my formal greeting. I wonder if she’s scrutinizing me. Suddenly having become her husband, I figured she would want to observe and appraise me, so I don’t really mind.
And so Violet Valentine cleared her throat, and proceeded to introduce herself in a dignified manner as she looked me square in the eye. Ah, she’s a beauty alright.
“I’m Violet Valentine. As the eldest daughter of Duke Valentine, I’ve had the pleasure of exchanging vows of marriage with Your– Lord Clo. I shall be in your care.”
Just now, she almost said ‘Your Highness’.
It may be the pride of a noble, for though she appeared to have resolved herself to her fate, her heart doesn’t seem to have caught up yet.
“I suppose… I should have introduced myself as Violet Heartfield. Seeing as how I can’t use the ducal family name any longer.”
Maybe she felt the conflict and loathing behind her own words, for she forced a smile despite the sad look on her face.
If she had done all the things that she did in the game, then she certainly wouldn’t be able to use her family name anymore.
Duels, wanton behavior, the eventual fallout with the royal family resulting from breaking off the engagement. Perhaps, a situation in which she should be glad she wasn’t put on house arrest or forced to take her life by her father.
“I won’t press you for details at present. When you’ve sorted things out and feel ready, I would like to hear about it.”
“I greatly appreciate your consideration.”
She’s… probably exhausted. Jilted by someone she loved, abandoned by her parents, tossed out of her house without so much as a single attendant, forced to accept someone she only just met as her husband. That’s a lot for a fifteen year old to process.
“I’ll have Gray draw up the bath. It might be a bit cramped but I hope you find it relaxing.”
“…Ah. Thank you.”
Huh, I wonder what that pause was all about. Once again, I sensed caution, or rather scrutiny behind those words. Does she not like baths?
………..
“Lord Clo. May I enter?”
“Miss Violet? Sure, come on in.”
The hour was late. Done with the bath, I was in my room racking my brains as to what should be done going forward, when I heard a knock followed by Lady Violet’s voice. Incidentally, though we are a married couple, I didn’t think it would be appropriate to share a bedroom so I had a separate room prepared for her.
What did she want with me at this late hour? I was certain she had already fallen asleep, exhausted from the long trip, so the unexpected visit had me a little bewildered. … I hope she hasn’t come to complain that her bed was too shabby.
It may have been more proper to open the door myself, but given that she wanted to enter the room, I thought it better to give her permission to do so.
“Anything the matter…?”
Lady Violet’s appearance had me momentarily puzzled. She was not in her less ornate yet still finest clothing, but her nightwear. Her attire, which was probably simply underwear covered by a single layer of flimsy cloth, emphasized her femininity which was fully in contrast with her tough image from earlier.
“Umm, anything the matter, Miss Violet?”
I repeated after clearing my throat in an effort to gather my bearings, asking Lady Violet of her reason for the late visit.
“…”
She appeared puzzled and also as if she wondered why I would ask such an obvious question. She looked down after a strange pause and spoke.
… What is it, really? She’s giving off a totally different impression from before.
“Lord Clo.”
After a brief pause, she appeared to have made up her mind and directed such a sharp gaze at me that I felt it should be accompanied by a glint.
Ah, that gaze feels nostalgic. Vague as my memories are, that sharp gaze of hers reminds me of her art from the otome game.
“As abrupt as this marriage was, and though today is the first time we met each other, we are already husband and wife.”
“That’s true.”
I really wonder what’s up. We talked about it even at dinner. If an annulment is what she had in mind, she would have kept quiet and taken the necessary actions in secret. No, there’s also the chance that she wanted to be upright with me.
Though I’m personally not a fan of the idea, it isn’t all that rare for nobles who don’t even like each other to become couples through a marriage of convenience. That said, given that she was in love with her ex-fiance, she may have not come to terms with this marriage.
“Though the marriage itself had been settled a few days prior, this is the first day we’re together under the same roof.”
“Yes.”
“Which means… it’s our first night together.”
“Yes?”
Hm?
“So…”
So.
“…I’ve come to be held.”
Alright, get a grip.
MC sounds so dumbfounded 😂