VIO Ch 10 – The Young Lady’s Visit (I)

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Translator: mii

Editor: sleepchaser, Fire

A month had passed since Legion joined the ranks of the mansion. 

Since then, the town began showing signs of early summer. Leca flowers started their bloom, creating an illusion of freshly-fallen snow. Because Leca town sat at the foot of the Alpé Mountains, the weather was pleasant during this season. Just by opening their windows, the townspeople could enjoy a cool breeze. 

Today, Vio had been restless since the morning, unable to calm down. He kept pacing back and forth in the entrance hall. Jill, Rille, and Legion stood close by, watching their fidgety master with a smile. 

Eventually, Rille couldn’t hold her laughter. “Master. You can wait in your room. We’ll call you when she has arrived.”

“Ah, sure. I’ll do that…” said Vio, embarrassment flooding his cheeks once he realized he had shown his unseemly side. But the moment his ears caught the neigh of a horse, he leapt for the front door made of evergreen oak. The door swung open. Before his eyes, a green carriage stopped right in front of the entranceway. The carriage door opened, and a little girl wearing a pink dress disembarked. Other than her curly brown hair, she resembled Vio and his mother Viola to a high degree. Purple eyes and lovely face a spitting image of theirs. 

The girl beamed as soon as she had laid eyes on Vio. “Brother!”

“Welcome, Flora.”

Immediately, his younger sister, Flora, ran towards him. He caught her in a hug and lifted her, twirling her around. Flora squealed in delight. She was twelve years old presently, but her childish side hadn’t changed at all. Before long, Vio put her down. He then knelt on one knee and took Flora’s left hand. “Welcome to Leca, my adorable little lady. You really came from such a faraway place, huh? How’s your first long trip?”

Flora puffed out her cheeks. “Ahh, it’s terrible! I was sitting the entire time. My butt hurts.”

“My Lady, mind your words.”

“I’m sorry, Calia,” said Flora, dejected.

Vio turned and caught sight of a female knight standing in a corner of the entranceway. He rose to his feet. The woman wore lightweight knights’ armor, a thin saber hanging by her waist.

Grabbing his right hand and pulling it lightly, Flora said, “Brother, let me introduce her. She’s my knight.”

“Pleased to meet you, Lord Violant. I’m Calia Balmore.” A blink, and Calia knelt on one knee to perform a knight’s greeting. With her long auburn hair braided to the back, she gave off a dignified atmosphere, characteristic of military men.

“Please stand up, Dame Balmore. Thank you for being Flora’s guardian knight. My sister is a bundle of energy, so I hope you can keep that in mind.”

“I’m honored by your concern. Please call me Calia,” she replied with her eyes lowered respectfully. She seemed like the type of person who often concealed their emotions.

“Then I’ll call you Dame Calia. By the way, you’re Viscount Balmore’s fifth daughter, right? I believe we met at my mother’s birthday party a long time ago.”

For hairsbreadth of a moment, Calia widened her tawny eyes. “Yes, you’re correct… Please forgive me, I’m humbled that you remembered me, yet I…”

“No, no. I wasn’t confident since you have such a different aura from before, but I’m glad I hadn’t been mistaken. It’s amazing that you became a knight even as a noble lady.”

Flora nodded vigorously at Vio’s praise. “That’s right, Brother. Calia is the strongest amongst all of my knights. Her archery skills won’t lose to anyone’s! Of course, even to men’s!”

“Oh, that’s amazing. You must be tired from the long journey, right?” he asked, gaze falling upon Flora. “I’ll have my servants escort you to your room so you can change clothes first. Then come to mine and we’ll have some tea. Jill, I’ll leave it to you.” 

Jill bowed in a respectful manner. But before they followed the servants out, Calia carefully said, “Lord Violant, may I ask something?”

“What is it?”

“Why is Sir Legion here?”

“Ah.” Reminded of Legion who stood close by to him, Vio said, “I forgot to introduce him.” He beckoned to the knight. “Legi, come here. Flora, he’s my new knight.”

“It has been a while, Lady Flora.”

Upon hearing Legion’s greeting, Vio remembered that Legion had used to be his brother Ruhpheus’ knight. Even if it had only been for three days. It seemed the two had gotten acquainted at that time. 

Flora looked back and forth between Vio and Legion, surprised. “Brother took in a knight?”

“Mother sent him to me.” 

However, Flora stole a glance at Jill. Jill replied to her gaze with a playful wink, causing a smile to bloom on her lips. 

She looked up at Legion. “Well, that’s great. Sir Legion, I’m sorry for Brother Rupheus’s rudeness. I was quite worried, so it’s a relief to see you doing well. Please take care of my brother.”

“I’ll devote my all, be it body or soul, to protect him,” Legion replied, cutting a solemn figure. 

Shocked, Vio couldn’t help but say, “Look… Isn’t he too strait-laced?”

A chuckle escaped Flora’s lips. “Someone as amazing as Sir Legion becoming my brother’s knight is a perfect scenario. Well, I’ll go to my room now.”

“Take your time,” said Vio.

Jill guided Flora to the second floor, her knight and maids following suit. Meanwhile, Rille helped the other servants unload Flora’s belongings. Vio made his way toward the drawing room with Legion.

“Isn’t my little sister so cute?”

“Yes, you’re right.”

“My father is also soft on her. He even allowed her to travel to such a remote region.” 

He had expected her to cancel the trip after his mother had sent the prior letter. So to see Flora after such a long time brought him joy.

“Look after my sister too.”

“I understand.”

Glancing once more at Legion, Vio entered the drawing room.