VIO Ch 25 – A Letter of Invitation (V)

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Translator: mii

editors: sleepchaser, Fire

Although quite a problem had happened along the way, there were no particular issues following that. After days of travel, Vio finally arrived at the royal capital.

There were two carriages: one belonged to Vio, and the other to Flora. Vio and Flora rode on the same carriage, while Jill and three maids shared the other. Calia and Legion traveled on horseback as they escorted and protected their masters. Similarly, Cheval rode a horse.

Vio brought Hausel, his stableman, as the coachman. He left the mansion to the gardener, Ed. Ed’s family lineage consisted of housekeepers spanning generations, so he knew what he was doing. 

Flora was in high spirits the entire time. She probably didn’t expect that she could travel with Vio. Full of cheer, she talked about Rille.

“The messenger is trying his best,” said Flora. “He doesn’t give up even when Rille looks at him so coldly, and devotes himself to her.”

“Yeah, he’s pretty amazing. If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to last for three days.”

Rille still looked at Cheval as if she were looking at an insect, but Cheval paid it no mind. He strived his utmost to get on her good side by helping her with her work, taking the initiative to carry heavy objects, and so on. Thanks to him, her workload grew considerably lighter.

“But is it alright for him to ignore his duties?” whispered Vio to himself, unable to hold himself back. His job was to accompany Legion, but Vio suspected Cheval had also planned to monitor him. He should be using this opportunity to determine whether Vio had been putting on an act. Instead, he was acting like a fool. Or perhaps, he did this to make Vio less wary of him?

“His duties?” Flora asked, staring at Vio. 

He shook his head. “No, it’s nothing. Ah, Flora. It seems like we’re entering the castle now.”

“The gate is so big!” cheered Flora as she peered out the carriage’s window. “It’s much grander than the one at Nada town!”  

Vio brought a finger to his lips, signaling to his sister to settle down. “From here on, you should behave like a lady, Flora.”

“Yes,” Flora replied obediently. She sat down gracefully like a prim and proper lady.

⋆̩☂︎*̣̩ ✢ ⋆̩☂︎*̣̩

“Sir Cheval, thank you for accompanying us,” said Vio as they were about to part at the castle entrance hall.

“No, I am the one who should be saying that. Thank you very much. It was a very enjoyable trip. Lord Violant, considering this is the first time you’ve visited the royal capital since your social debut, feel free to call me should you encounter any problems,” said Cheval with a smile and a bow. He then took one last glance at Rille before leaving.

“You don’t have to worry about encountering trouble in the royal capital,” said Legion. “It will be alright. After all, you have me.”

“You’re stupid. That’s Sir Cheval’s excuse to see Rille, isn’t it?” Calia’s expression was one of amazement. “Since you’re his friend, be sensible and let him help.”

She glanced at the maids who were unloading the carriages. Rille was working diligently, a frown tugging on her lips. Meanwhile, Flora’s maids laughed softly. It seemed Rille heard what Calia had said.

I’m surprised Rille didn’t soften at all…

Vio had expected Cheval’s affection to move her, so it took him aback that she still treated him with so much indifference. But since she didn’t seem to seriously hate him, Vio didn’t meddle. If Rille truly couldn’t stand it anymore, she would let him know for certain.

Amidst their conversation, Jill, who had gone to report their arrival, returned with a tall, young, and male chamberlain. The young man had pale skin, eyes and hair a shade of brown. He seemed to be a bird Locana judging by the pair of black wings sprouting from his back. 

“Lord Violant Lesserhain, Lady Flora Lesserhain. We are pleased at your arrival. I’m Nildo, the person in charge of managing the guest rooms. I shall guide you to your rooms.” Dressed in a gray uniform, Nildo bowed in a graceful manner. His expressions were minimal, his beautiful face similar to that of a doll.

“Please treat us well, Nildo.” Vio held out his left arm for Flora. “Let’s go, Young Lady.”

“Yes.” A smile graced her lips and she placed her right hand onto his arm. The siblings walked in harmony. This was the second time since his social debut that he had stepped foot onto these soft red carpets. The soft red carpets that covered the corridors of the royal castle.

It seemed that many nobles had already gathered here, all dressed in proper attire. With the exception of the royal family, Vio and Flora had the highest standing among them, so they didn’t pay those nobles any mind and passed through them.

Legion, Calia, and Jill followed suit. Nildo guided the group to the first floor on the west wing of the castle, where Vio’s room was located. His room was spacious and luxurious. The blue carpet, curtains, and white furniture gave rise to a refined atmosphere. Spirit magic lit the chandeliers, which shone brightly within the room. Such an atmosphere resembled that of his mother’s room back in the duke’s residence.

“This is your room. These are the three maids in charge of it: Martha, Betty, and Mary. If there’s anything you are displeased with, please inform them and I will come at once. Please enjoy your stay.”

Following Nildo’s greeting, the maids standing by the door performed deep bows. Vio said to Nildo, “We have troubled you in guiding us.” Then he turned to the maids. “Martha, Betty, Mary, I’ll be under your care for a month. Please treat me well.”

“Many thanks for the kind words,” the maids replied, voices quivering.

“I’ll have to ask you three to prepare the meals. Other than that, my butler and maid will take care of matters. You don’t have to trouble yourself with me that much.”

“We understand.” For some reason, they still looked nervous. Perhaps they were familiar with the rumours that surrounded the Lesserhain family.

Nildo also noticed this, and said, “Please forgive us. They are nervous from talking to nobles… One of these maids will come upon a ring of that bell, so order them as you please.”

“Okay, I understand. Nildo, you may retire.”

“Yes. Please excuse me.”

Once Nildo had left, Vio asked the maids to prepare tea, a bitter smile on his lips.

⋆̩☂︎*̣̩ ✢ ⋆̩☂︎*̣̩

As Vio and Flora relaxed in the room, their mother, Viola, visited them.

“Violant, Flora. It’s been a long time. Have you been well?” said Viola with a radiant smile, hugging Vio and Flora one after the other, kissing their cheeks. 

Viola wore a simple lilac dress, silver hair tied up loosely. She looked youthful and beautiful, not at all like a mother of three children. Her clear skin was as white as snow and her light purple eyes shone like diamonds, further emphasizing her youthful appearance. 

She gave off a neat and clean impression, resembling a radiant flower whenever she smiled.

Before Viola married out of the royal family, she was known as the kingdom’s number one beauty. Vio and Flora’s father, Elst, fell in love with such a princess. 

Twenty years ago, the kingdom required significant funds in its war against the Country of Clarina. Elst was willing to supply all the funds so long as Viola married to him, no dowry required. In the end, Elst achieved victory for the kingdom.

In the public’s eyes, Elst was secretly labelled as someone who had bought the princess with money. Even so, the reason for his actions stemmed from his love for Viola. He doted on her, and the couple shared a harmonious marriage.

“Violant, let me see your face. You’ve grown so much in less than two years. How are you? You should’ve collapsed several times after traveling for three weeks, right?” Viola placed her hands on Vio’s cheeks. Examined him. 

Embarrassed with his mother’s gaze, Vio laughed. “Actually Mother, I had overcome my phobia of going outside just before I received the invitation… Thanks to that, I could finish this trip in  good health.”

“You’re healed? Oh my, that’s a relief! Mother is happy to hear that!” Deeply moved, Viola threw her arms around him in a tight embrace. A sweet floral fragrance wafted from her body, making him a bit dizzy. 

Flora chuckled and said, “Mother, if you hug him that tight, his condition will worsen again.”

“Ahaha, you’re right. First, let’s have some tea… And then, let’s have the fitting for your outfits. There are only four days before the party, so we need to prepare everything in haste.”

Viola guided Vio and Flora toward the table, before discussing their schedule. Although Vio was happy to see his mother after a long time, he was dejected when it came down to it.

For the outfit fitting he so loathed would soon occur. To be treated like a dress-up doll was much more tiring than walking around the castle.

However, he had never won against his mother, sister, and maids in an outfit fitting before. Therefore, he decided to do as they wished. So that it could quickly end.