VIO Ch 16 – Dark Clouds (II)

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Translator: mii

Editors: sleepchaser, Katie_WanderingFujoshi

The trees in the garden sank into the darkness of the night, giving off the impression of monsters in the distance. Small and of the same color. The moon hid behind the clouds, rain starting its fall against the window.

Vio stood by the window of the study, gazing at the gloomy scenery. Reflected upon the glass was no cheerful expression. A shadow appeared in his heart once he had listened to Flora’s story. The suspicious person who tried to abduct Flora sounded like he had seen her before. No. Rather, it’s like they had met previously…

For some reason, uneasiness filled his heart. Flora had yet to make her social debut. She rarely took a stroll outside. Naturally, the places where one could meet her were limited. It was basically impossible if one didn’t go to the duke’s residence in Nada town. Even public officials weren’t allowed to simply come in and out of there at will. 

A chuckle escaped Vio’s lips. No way. Just by knowing Flora’s physical traits, he could recognize her right away. It’s easy to notice a noble girl in a rural town like this. Maybe I was too tired and came up with implausible conjectures… Let’s take a bath and then sleep. 

Vio reached for the curtain. The moment he was about to close it, a rustle broke out from the garden. The possibility of something outside had crossed his mind, but upon closer inspection, it was merely the sound of trees swaying in the wind.

“Haha. Something is seriously wrong with me⁠—”

He froze.

Behind a swaying tree was the silhouette of a person. He couldn’t see them clearly. Yet, he felt as though that person were laughing at him.

Knocks sounded at the door. “Excuse me. Lord Violant, it’s about time for you to get some rest…” said Legion, before entering the room. Curious about Vio’s lack of response, he approached the youth. “Lord Violant? What’s wrong? Your face is ghastly pale.”

Vio pointed to the tree in the garden. “Legi, just now, there was—”

Legion shifted his gaze to the direction Vio was pointing. Puzzled, he asked, “What’s wrong with the tree?”

“Huh?” Out of reflex, Vio took another look at the tree. Blinked. But he couldn’t see the figure of the person in the garden anymore. A sigh, and Vio shook his head to clear the fog in his mind. “Maybe I’m tired. I thought I saw the silhouette of someone there just now.”

“Really? Why didn’t you call for me straight away? I’ll go and take a look!” 

“Huh? Legi, it’s raining…”

Yet before Vio could stop him, Legion had opened the window and dropped straight down into the garden. He muttered something and light shone at the end of his baton. Then he closed the window and ran through the garden.

Such rapid developments shocked Vio. Soon after, Jill appeared and asked in worry, “Young Master, what’s the commotion about?”

“Ah, Jill…”

Once Vio had finished explaining the situation, Jill’s expression grew grim like Legion’s had. After calling Rille to accompany Vio, he went to check the mansion’s rooms.

“I’m sorry for making a big deal out of this…” said Vio.

“No, that’s not the case at all,” said Rille. “Something just happened during noon. That person might have slipped in. I’m sure we won’t be able to rest until we confirm we’re safe.”

“You’re right,” said Vio. With that silhouette plaguing his mind, he probably wouldn’t get a wink of sleep. After a while, Legion returned. As Vio opened the window, a strong gust broke through, followed by the spray of rain.

“I looked around the area, but there were no suspicious people. Please rest assured.”

“Oh, then that’s a relief. Legi, I’m sorry, but please take a detour and enter from the room at the back of the mansion, the one near the laundry area. You’ll catch a cold if you stay drenched, so take a bath. Rille, prepare the hot water.”

“Understood.”

Following Legion’s departure, Vio closed the window and curtains. Despite being told there was no one outside, he couldn’t stop the chills from running down his spine. 

Losing his nerve, Vio asked Rille, “Rille, can I accompany you there?”

A smile lit up Rille’s face. “Of course. Come on, let’s go.” She began her trip with Vio in tow.

The bathroom next to the kitchen had a door to the outside. Beyond it stood a well, simultaneously serving as a place for doing the laundry. Beside it was the place for drying the laundry, situated right behind the mansion.

To the right of the general laundry area stood a stable. Occasionally, the stableman washed the horses by the well.

Once Rille had opened the bathroom’s door to the outside, Legion entered, body soaking wet. He held his leather boots. Probably took them off at the door before it had swung open.

“Lord Violant, Rille. Thank you very much.”

“I’m sorry for making you scout the area in the midst of pouring rain. But thank you very much. I feel relieved now.”

“It’s my great pleasure to hear you say so,” Legion humbly answered. On his face stretched a wide grin. He gave off the impression of a dog wagging its tail.

“You’re reliable at times like this, huh?” said Rille, admiration shining in her eyes. She took Legion’s boots and carried them to the dressing room. 

At that moment, Jill approached them. “Young Master, I’ve scanned the whole mansion, but there’s nothing unusual. Please rest assured.”

“Thank you, Jill,” said Vio, a wave of relief washing over him.

“Oh, Sir Legion,” said Jill, finally noticing him. “You look like a drowned rat. You should hop into a bath right away—ah, forgive me. Young Master should enter first.”

The stone bathtub was filled with hot water to the brim. It was prepared for Vio. In his previous world, people in this era would have to collect firewood, burn firewood to heat the water, and move the hot water to the bathtub. But in this world, spirit magic was used to prepare and warm the water. It was quite easy.

Vio said, “I don’t mind taking a bath later.”

“No way,” said Legion, in a panic. “I can’t use the hot water before my master!”

Vio’s gaze fell upon the flustered Legion. A lightbulb lit up in his mind. “Then, how about taking a bath together?”

“Wha—”

“If Young Master is okay with it, then I’m fine with it as well,” said Jill, nodding. He stood by Legion, the latter being speechless.

Flustered again for some reason, Legion said, “Huh?! B-but, isn’t that rude?”

Jill calmly replied, “Sir Legion, you’ve cleaned your master’s back before, right? I believe it’s not something out of the norm.”

“He doesn’t need to do that. Since we’re both going to take a bath, we might as well enter the bathtub together.” 

“M-might as well?! No, Lord Violant. I will be guarding outside, so please call me when you’re done!” said Legion, expression suddenly growing serious. Then he went out from the back door, still barefoot.

Vio and Jill looked at each other in confusion.

“What’s with him…”

“I know that he’s enthusiastic about his work, but he’s that enthusiastic, huh?”

“Such a strange person.”

Still, Vio opted for a quick bath, feeling bad about making Legion wait outside. 

Father and Brother used to take a bath with their trusted aides too. Maybe he refused since the bathtub here is smaller than the one in the duke’s residence?

Vio tilted his head in confusion. Perhaps taking a bath together with him was unbearable for Legion.

Translator’s ramblings:

I want to poke Legi’s cheeks and tell him, “Aw, aw, someone is embarrassed~” (((mii you sound like an aunty)))