Violet
After inviting Felisiana-sama and Violet-san into the guest room, I asked them to wait on the sofa, then stepped into the adjacent kitchen to prepare tea for the three of us.
“Does Rodwell-sama always make the tea himself?”
“Eh!?”
A voice rang out from a place I was certain had been empty. I spun around on reflex—and there stood Violet-san.
“V-Violet-san…?”
“Yes! Violet here!”
“S-Since when have you been…?”
“Just now!”
“I-I see… I didn’t sense you at all. You really startled me.”
She radiates warmth and cheer, but still, she is Felisiana-sama’s maid. There’s definitely something different about her compared to an ordinary maid.
I nearly let myself get caught up admiring that, but I turned my attention back to the question Violet-san had asked a moment earlier.
“Um, you were asking if I always make the tea, right? Well, normally it’s not me. There’s a girl named Siana—my maid—who handles it. But today she had to talk with my father about something work-related, so she’s not here.”
“Ah, I see. That makes sense.”
Honestly, if Siana were here, I’d feel so much more at ease. But if it’s about employment matters, I can’t exactly overrule that. So today, I just have to do my best on my own with Felisiana-sama.
…And even something as simple as preparing tea has me completely on edge.
“Siana’s tea is really good… which is why I’m a little nervous. I’d hate to sour Felisiana-sama’s mood with something I made.”
“Ojou-sama is a truly kind person. She wouldn’t get upset over something like that!”
That’s true. Felisiana-sama wouldn’t lose her temper over something as small as disappointing tea.
“I know she’s kind… I just want her to enjoy it, if possible.”
She went out of her way to visit my home, after all. It only feels right to offer her something she’ll genuinely enjoy.
As I stood there, still fretting over whether the tea would turn out well, Violet-san spoke up with a burst of cheerful energy.
“If it’s made by you, Rodwell-sama, I’m sure Ojou-sama will be delighted—no matter what it tastes like!”
Delighted, no matter what, huh…
“Hearing that from you, Violet-san really lifts my spirits.”
“That’s the spirit, Rodwell-sama! Ojou-sama carries a presence well beyond her years, so it’s natural to feel a little overwhelmed at times. But if that ever happens, you can rely on me. I’ll make sure the atmosphere feels welcoming for both of you!”
If it were just the two of us, I might have gotten so nervous that everything turned awkward. But with Violet-san here, I feel a surprising sense of ease, like the tension in my shoulders is starting to melt away.
“Thank you, Violet-san. Truly.”
“Of course! I’d offer to make the tea myself, but I think Ojou-sama would rather drink the tea you’ve prepared. That’s why I’d like to leave this to you. But if anything goes wrong, please don’t hesitate to call on me!”
“Got it!”
With a polite bow, Violet-san stepped out of the kitchen, leaving me alone once more.
With her here, maybe—just maybe—I’ll enjoy this time with Felisiana-sama more than I expected. As that thought took root, I found myself looking forward to our conversation even more, and carefully set about preparing the tea.
Violet’s Side
Leaving the kitchen where Lux had been, Violet made her way back to the guest room where Siana awaited her.
Siana, seated on the sofa, looked up and greeted her return.
“Violet, how was Lux-kun doing?”
When asked, Violet replied in a tone entirely unlike the one she had used with Lux. Her voice was now calm, detached—almost like another person.
“As predicted by Ojou-sama, the absence of his maid resulted in signs of emotional instability. However, by positioning myself as her substitute, I was able to restore Rodwell-sama’s composure. Today should present a favorable opportunity to further close the distance between Ojou-sama and Rodwell-sama.”
“…Could you not use your mission voice? Lux-kun might still be listening.”
“I’ve carried out more missions under the black hood on your orders than I can count, Ojou-sama. Stealth is one of my strengths. If I sense anyone nearby, I’ll instantly switch back to the cheerful tone, just like before.”
“…Fair enough. I trust you.”
With those words, Siana let her gaze linger on Violet’s figure for a moment.
Violet, puzzled by the scrutiny, tilted her head slightly and asked a question.
“Ojou-sama, is there a reason you’re staring at my body?”
“Not really… It’s just, with that thick black hood on lately, I hadn’t noticed—but haven’t your breasts gotten bigger again?”
At Siana’s offhand comment, Violet let out a small sigh in her heart, her composure wavering ever so slightly before speaking.
“If you have time for such irrelevant observations, please spend it running simulations in your mind on how to shorten the distance between yourself and Rodwell-sama.”
“It’s not irrelevant. Someday, someone might capture your heart too—and when that happens, I guarantee that particular feature of yours will become quite the asset.”
“I have neither those emotions nor such desires.”
Violet spoke the words as if to remind herself.
She had no romantic feelings like Siana did. No dreams of happiness shared with someone else.
Watching her, Siana’s expression softened into something tinged with sorrow.
“I see… Well, if you did fall for Lux-kun, it’d be a mess—so maybe it’s better this way.”
“That will never happen, so there’s no need for concern. I live for Ojou-sama’s happiness alone.”
That was what Violet truly believed.
That someone like her didn’t deserve happiness.
So much so that it felt like her entire body—not just her feet—was buried deep in shadow. There was no escaping it. Nor did she believe she should.
If Siana was the one who basked in light, then Violet belonged to the dark.
If Siana was to shoulder Lux’s darkness, then Violet would shoulder Siana’s.
That, to Violet, was enough. She believed that Siana finding happiness was the only kind she was ever permitted to have.
And that belief would never change.
Not unless she was touched by a light brighter than Siana’s.