Chapter 37
“Everything okay?”
Cyril looked at Violet and said it bluntly.
“No major problems.”
“We’ll talk about the details at dinner.”
Cyril handed his coat to Olive and went into his room.
Dinner had one or two more dishes than usual.
Since living in Cyril’s house, Violet had noticed something: Cyril was quieter than she had expected. Tonight’s atmosphere was very calm as well.
Halfway through the meal, Cyril spoke.
“You said you were dropping out of the academy, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I will. I feel like there’s not much to learn there.”
“You are someone with special talents. To teach someone like you properly, you need a special teacher. It would be best if you found one at the academy, but if not, there’s no reason to dwell on it.”
Violet smiled faintly at Cyril’s truly mature advice.
“In that sense, there are a few permissions I’d like to ask for.”
“Go ahead.”
Cyril spoke while sipping wine.
“I got a fake boyfriend. Is that okay? It’s Ash, the one I met before.”
Cough.
Cyril coughed. After barely swallowing the wine, he frowned and looked at Violet.
“Fake… boyfriend?”
“I told you about my fiancé… Bluedin, right? Ash agreed to pretend to be my boyfriend in case that guy became a nuisance. It’s fake, but the scenario is solid. We’re not thinking about marriage yet, and also…”
“And also what?”
Cyril said, sounding exasperated.
“…Oh, and I decided to run for Winter Queen at the ball hosted by the crown prince. According to Ash, they’ll release some publicity articles, so my name will be mentioned by many people. Oh, right. From now on, Ash will also find a teacher for me and cover all the costs. Is it okay if I study?”
Cyril stared at the wine glass he was holding, then set it down and shouted toward the kitchen.
“Olive, come here right now! How did you manage this kid?!”
Olive came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.
“What is it?”
“You were supposed to knock out that Siegfried if he approached and keep her completely safe!”
“Yes. As an excellent butler, protecting and caring for the young lady is part of my duties. And I actually did just that.”
“She got a fake boyfriend!”
“You mean Ash Dependale? Upon observation, his status is suspicious, but he seems to have no intention of harming the young lady.”
“Observation? What observation?”
Violet raised her voice, flustered.
“I followed her secretly. She only went to proper places like the academy, friends’ houses, and the temple. Nothing unusual happened aside from constantly acquiring new clothes, shoes, and accessories.”
Olive remained calm.
So that’s what Ash meant…?
The part about “watching eyes”—Violet realized she had been followed by Olive.
“Did you really follow her properly?”
Cyril continued asking, ignoring Violet’s astonishment.
“Following her all day would be espionage, not a butler’s job. I only checked her routes and returned.”
Olive said confidently.
I’m going to faint.
Cyril put his hand to his forehead.
“Wait, why did you do that?”
“I did it because I feared Siegfried might try to kidnap the young lady if my eyes were away. I also checked Siegfried’s side just in case, but they seemed busy with other matters.”
“What could they be busy with?” Violet asked.
“Well, they were preparing gifts as if for a wedding.”
“…….”
Crazy.
Violet had a hard time holding back her curse.
Her marriage to Bluedin was still far off, and now they were heading toward annulment. If the family was preparing gifts…
They’re seriously preparing to send Marigold to the crown prince.
Her delusions were now at a professional level.
“Enough. Now, explain this Winter Queen thing.”
Cyril said.
“Marigold is aiming to be Winter Queen at the ball. I want to make her angry.”
“…Your fake boyfriend suggested that too, right?”
Violet flinched.
“Yes… but I agreed as well.”
“What does that guy want from you, exactly?”
“Hmm… so far, he doesn’t seem to have any special intentions. But he said if he ever wants help in the future, I should assist him.”
“Riding on some unknown debt is like signing a blank contract. You know how dangerous that is, right?”
“…I know. But Ash seems like a good person.”
“That guy never used the fake boyfriend thing to touch you, do something unnecessary, or force you, right?”
Cyril was silent for a moment.
“No. Uh, actually…”
Violet’s face instantly flushed red, remembering how she had been in Ash’s arms today.
“…Actually?”
Cyril frowned.
“I think it was on my side. It was a mistake, but I got a little dizzy… maybe… Ash was upset. Because… Ash is…”
“….”
“Ash is… pretty…”
The more she spoke, the weirder it sounded.
“Olive, stop pretending to be a ridiculous servant and come sit.”
Cyril lowered his voice.
“It’s common for employees not to dine with their master.”
“Why are there so many weird girls under one roof?”
Cyril said genuinely.
“An employee follows the master. Consider the master’s usual behavior.”
Olive seemed like someone who could outsmart Cyril until her dying breath. Violet admired her.
“Don’t look at Olive with admiration, Violet.”
“Uncle, you’re sharp.”
“Admiration is forbidden too! Violet, tell me everything that has happened so far. Understood?”
In the end, Olive sat at the table with them. They ate a little while talking.
“So you flat-out embarrassed Bluedin?”
“…Yes, Ash’s plan worked.”
“And then?”
Cyril seemed satisfied with that story.
“On the day I prevent Marigold from becoming Winter Queen, I’ll expose my family history to everyone. If I can’t do it on the spot, I’ll release an official statement through the press the next day.”
“….”
“At first, I didn’t understand why my uncle gave me this task. But the more I understood, the more profound it was. Ash thought this would help me realize myself. My uncle is truly amazing!”
“…Really? That’s… such an amazing task?”
Cyril’s expression gradually turned strange. Being praised face-to-face made him seem embarrassed.
“Yes. Ash also praised your foresight. Once I complete the task you gave me safely, I’ll shake off my family and become a truly great person.”
Cyril now wore a wry smile.
“Then what’s this about a teacher? Why is Ash paying your tuition?”
“Oh, Ash knows someone. Someone who can properly nurture my talent. At least someone better than a Sword Expert. He said he could lend the tuition, and I could pay him back once I get a job.”
It was clearly an audacious request. Violet’s voice dropped.
“Bring my checkbook, Olive. And the notepad too.”
Cyril said.
“I kept it with me because I felt it might be needed.”
Olive calmly took the checkbook from her apron pocket.
Cyril quickly wrote the details on the check, attached a note, and handed it to Olive.
“Give this directly to Ash. Tell him I’ll cover all the costs spent so far for Violet’s self-realization.”
“Uncle, you don’t need to—”
“If you have common sense, you’ll realize it’s safer to get help from a guardian than accept money from some unknown man.”
“…Yes, getting help from a guardian is the right choice.”
“I’ll cover all future expenses. No need to argue.”
“I’m really glad you’re helping me, uncle. But I don’t want to waste money you earned with hard work.”
“Cyril’s business is running very stably. Profits rise every year, so don’t worry.”
Olive said.
“Uncle, weren’t you a mercenary? You’re running a business?”
Finally, the question Violet had been curious about. Her eyes sparkled
