Chapter 3.1

Late into the night, after handling minor tasks, Robert left his office when it was time to extract Violet’s br*ast milk. Extracting the milk before bed allowed Violet to sleep more comfortably.

As he slowly descended from the third floor, where his office was, to the second floor, where Violet’s room was located, he sensed an unfamiliar presence. Since Violet had started experiencing the side effects of the medication that caused her to produce br*ast milk, access to the second floor had been strictly limited. At such a late hour, no one should have been on the second floor.

The source of the presence was the room right next to Violet’s bedroom. That room, once used as an art studio, was currently unused. Robert had placed a laundry basket there and personally collected all of Violet’s clothing for washing.

However, suspicious noises were coming from that room. Someone was inside. Robert approached the slightly ajar door silently and peered inside with sharp eyes.

The person inside was none other than a servant who had recently been hired at the mansion. The man rummaged through the laundry basket as if searching for something, then stuffed a few pieces of Violet’s underwear into his pants. Before the servant could turn around, Robert swiftly moved out of sight.

From behind a pillar in the hallway, Robert watched the man’s movements. The servant carefully exited the room and descended to the first floor. Robert followed him quietly. When the servant stepped into the garden, someone greeted him warmly.

“Hey, Bran! Did you bring it?”

The voice belonged to Bill, the stable keeper. Bran smugly handed over one of Violet’s undergarments, which he had hidden in his pants.

“I got it. No one’s on the second floor right now.”

Bill took the undergarment, smirked, and deeply inhaled its scent. Bran followed suit, mimicking the same action.

“Ah, this is good.”

“Seriously, what a seductive scent.”

“Imagine how soft the skin hidden beneath this must be.”

“Should we try touching her while she sleeps?”

“Don’t act tough. If you get caught, you won’t just be kicked out.”

The two men buried their faces into Violet’s underwear as if they were starving animals. To an observer, it would have looked as though they were inhaling some forbidden substance.

“Wait a minute, what’s this smell?”

“What do you mean?”

“It smells like milk.”

“What? That’s ridiculous.”

“Take a sniff. If this isn’t the smell of milk, then what is it?”

At Bill’s words, Bran inspected the undergarment again and sniffed it. His eyes widened in shock, showing the whites of his eyes.

“That’s impossible. Are you saying the young lady is leaking milk? How could a maiden produce milk?”

“That’s what’s strange.”

“She’d have to have secretly given birth to a child for that to make sense.”

“I told you, the ones who act all virtuous are always the dirtiest behind the scenes.”

“So you’re saying she really gave birth to a child while still a maiden?”

“What a lewd woman.”

The two men indulged in their imaginations. They speculated that Violet’s recent lack of outdoor activities and her avoidance of the servants all fit together, fueling their baseless assumptions.

They mocked her, claiming it couldn’t be Duke Antoine’s child, as there would be no reason to hide it if that were the case. They anticipated informing Duke Antoine of this “scandal” to gain financial compensation.

Not only had they objectified Violet with vulgar thoughts, but they also seemed ready to spread malicious rumors about her. Unable to tolerate it any longer, Robert stepped out from behind the tree he had been hiding behind, his lips curling into a cold smile. It was a smile as icy and ruthless as frozen steel.

“Is something amusing?”

The two men, startled by Robert’s appearance, hurriedly hid their hands behind their backs and stammered. Their filthy eyes darted around as they exchanged nervous glances.

“B-butler.”

“What brings you here? Were you out for a walk?”

Robert took a step closer, his gaze sweeping over them from head to toe. Their shabby attire, greasy skin, and hair were unremarkable, but the bulge in their pants was unmistakable. It was all too obvious what kind of depraved fantasies they had indulged in while holding the young lady’s undergarments. Disgusting and vile.

“I asked if something amusing was happening.”

Robert’s lips curled into a long smile, but his eyes and facial muscles remained completely still. The eerie contrast made the two men realize something was very wrong. They forced awkward smiles and scrambled to come up with excuses.

“N-no, Sir. We were just chatting for a moment.”

“Yes, I was just thanking him for a favor he did for me.”

Bill nudged Bran with his eyes, signaling him to stick to the lie.

“What are you hiding behind your back?”

“It’s… a handkerchief.”

Bran swallowed hard and opened his mouth. The excuse was so flimsy and insincere that Robert’s anger surged.

“Show me.”

The two men froze as if on cue, refusing to reveal their hands.

“Butler, why are you—”

“I said, show me.”

Unable to defy their superior, they reluctantly brought their hands forward, revealing the undergarments they were clutching. Robert’s icy gaze bore into them, and Bill and Bran suddenly began to babble as if they were righteous whistleblowers.

“Actually, it seems the young lady secretly had a child.”

“Yes, look here. There’s milk on her clothes.”

“We thought it best to inform the Marquis.”

They spoke as if they were innocent, painting Violet as an immoral woman.

“Filthy worms.”

Having heard enough, Robert swiftly grabbed Bran by the throat, cutting off his air. Bran struggled, choking out broken words of desperation.

“P-please… spare me…”

Bill, meanwhile, tried to flee, tossing Violet’s undergarments aside. Robert tightened his grip on Bran until he passed out, then immediately pursued Bill. The man didn’t get far before tripping over a rock. Crawling on the ground, Bill trembled in fear.

“W-why are you doing this? I didn’t do anything wrong. It was Bran! Bran stole them on his own. I swear! Please, just let me go this once!”

Robert grabbed Bill by the collar and hoisted him up.

“If you think about it, the one who’s done something wrong is the young lady. Isn’t that right? How can a maiden leak milk? She must have given birth to a child. I’m innocent!”

“I should cut out your tongue.”

Bill tried to scream, but Robert subdued him before he could. Dragging Bill back to where Bran lay unconscious, Robert carried out his warning. One man lost a hand, and the other lost his tongue.

This wasn’t the first time Robert had dealt with servants who lusted after Violet. There had always been those who secretly spied on her or stole her clothing. Despite their lowly status, they had the audacity to objectify a woman they should never even look at.

Robert never forgave anyone who insulted or degraded Violet. He blinded those who secretly watched her and crushed the g*nitals of those who m*sturbated while thinking of her. The punishment always matched—and often exceeded—the crime, ensuring they could never set foot in the capital again.

Of course, Violet was never aware of any of this. Robert handled everything quietly, ensuring she only saw him as a kind and gentle butler. He wanted to show her only beauty and goodness, shielding her from the vile desires of men.

Additionally, considering her innocent nature, if Violet had known about everything that had happened, she might not have stayed so close to Robert or relied on him as she did now. Violet believed he was endlessly gentle and kind.

Robert first met Violet six years ago. As the illegitimate child of Duke Duran, he had no interest in competing for succession, so he left the Duke’s estate as soon as he came of age. Though he couldn’t abandon the name “Duran” even if he wanted to, he had no desire to remain in that household.

Instead, he planned to pursue his ambitions by assisting the Marquis Laurent family, with whom his family had longstanding ties. However, the moment he stepped into the Laurent estate, Robert’s plans were completely derailed.

All because of a young girl, six years his junior, with a round face and delicate features.

He had known that the Marquis Laurent had a cherished daughter, but it was his first time seeing her in person. Her curly blonde hair, strikingly clear blue eyes, lush eyelashes, adorable nose, rosy cheeks, and plump lips made her so beautiful that she seemed more like a doll than a human.

When she blinked her eyes and smiled brightly, it felt as though his heart melted.

Introducing herself as Violet, the girl expressed that she liked Robert and wanted him to be her butler. Caught in the trap of her innocent confession, Robert couldn’t help but nod.

Though he was called a butler, most of his tasks were closer to caretaking. Finding tutors for the young lady, helping her write letters, overseeing her meals, ensuring her health, comforting her when she was upset, and entertaining her when she was bored were just a few of his duties.

He couldn’t explain why he found joy in such trivial tasks.