The Only One
Violet-san asked me that in a somewhat anxious tone, and I answered immediately.
“Of course, I think she does.”
“…”
Whether it was because I answered right away, because of what I said, or both, Violet-san widened her eyes in surprise. Then she continued and asked,
“Why… did you answer that way?”
It was an answer that came out naturally without me even needing to ask myself why, so I wasn’t sure I could put it into words properly, but I did my best to piece my thoughts together as I spoke.
“To begin with, the feelings of wanting to love someone or be loved by someone aren’t something you need a right for. If you develop romantic feelings, I think that’s just a very natural thing.”
“However, the ones who like that man aren’t only that retainer. There are also women with superior looks and status, aren’t there?”
Violet-san continued.
“While being a retainer who can’t even stand on her own, is it truly acceptable for her to wish for love from a nobleman who’s sought after by such women?”
“Yes, of course it is. I don’t think love has anything to do with being a retainer at all.”
“There’s no way it has nothing to do with it…”
“Besides, if she’s like Violet-san, then that retainer must be just as kind as you are, right? If that’s the case, then all the more, I don’t think things like rights or differences in status matter at all.”
Wanting to love the person you’ve fallen for.
Wanting to be loved by the person you’ve fallen for.
Feeling that way is natural, and it’s not something that should ever be denied.
Or rather…
“Honestly, if such wonderful feelings were directed toward him by a lovely woman like you, Violet-san, I think that man would be happy too.”
“Ah… so if a retainer like me were to wish for love from that man, that would make him happy…?”
“Yes. It’s just my personal opinion, so it might not carry much weight, but at least that’s what I think.”
When I said that, Violet-san shook her head as if to dismiss my concern.
“No. This discussion only has meaning because of Rodwell-sama’s words, and only yours, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
“I-is that so?”
“Yes. And then, Rodwell-sama…”
The next moment, Violet-san hugged me and spoke in a gentle voice near my ear.
“Thank you… truly.”
“E-eh!?”
Th-thank you…? What was that about…
And since she wasn’t wearing that thick black hooded coat, when she hugged me, I could feel the softness of Violet-san’s ample chest…
“Violet!? Sama!?”
Siana raised her voice loudly and sprang to her feet, moving toward us as she spoke.
“Violet-sama! What are you doing to my master!? Please step away at once!”
“Siana-sama… I’m very sorry, but please allow me to remain like this for just a little longer.”
“Wha…!”
As Siana let out a startled cry, Violet-san whispered softly in a voice Siana couldn’t hear.
“Rodwell-sama… I have, many times, to you…”
“…Violet-san?”
“No… what Ojou-sama felt, and what I…”
Violet-san stopped short of finishing her words and tightened her embrace around me just a little.
“Violet-sama! Please step away from my master!!”
“…”
After that, Siana struggled desperately to pull Violet-san away from me, but Violet-san didn’t budge and kept holding me. Even just the two of us, being hugged like this would’ve been embarrassing, so having it happen right in front of Siana made it even worse, and in that sense, I wanted her to let go. But feeling the warmth of the emotions coming from Violet-san, those feelings gradually faded away.