Chapter 4.2

The day of the banquet.

With her chest wrapped tightly in layers of pads and fabric, Violet arrived at Duke Antoine’s residence with Robert. Young ladies she hadn’t seen in a while approached her warmly.  

“Oh my! It’s been ages, hasn’t it, Lady Laurent?”  

“Indeed. How could you stay away for so long?”  

The young ladies, dressed to impress the gentlemen at the banquet, smiled like perfect paintings.  

“It’s been a while, Lady Bellucci, Lady Marillier.”  

Violet returned their greetings with a polite smile.  

“See? What did I say? I told you she’d come today. After all, it’s a banquet hosted by Duke Antoine.”  

It seemed they had wagered on her attendance before she arrived, as Bellucci spoke triumphantly. The three of them sipped wine lightly as they exchanged updates on their lives.  

Soft melodies filled the hall, mingling with cheerful laughter. Though people gathered in groups to converse, many eyes were drawn to Violet, who hadn’t attended a banquet in some time. She skillfully managed her expressions and gaze, continuing her conversation with Bellucci and Marillier.  

Among the many gazes directed at Violet was that of Duke Antoine. Dressed impeccably as always, his gentlemanly attire glimmered under the chandelier’s light. When their eyes met, they exchanged a brief nod. Excusing himself from his companions, Duke Antoine approached her.  

“Are you enjoying the banquet? Thank you for coming, Lady Laurent.”  

“Thank you for inviting me, Your Grace.”  

“You’ve grown even more beautiful since I last saw you. That yellow dress suits you perfectly.”  

“You look exceptionally dashing today as well, Your Grace.”  

“The ball will begin soon. May I request the honor of the first dance?”  

All the young ladies nearby cast envious glances. Violet responded with a smile, signaling her agreement.  

Duke Antoine spoke enthusiastically about his cousin’s upcoming wedding next month and the newly built opera house, while Violet responded minimally.  

After about thirty minutes of conversation, the music changed, signaling the start of the ball. Guests paired off, taking elegant stances. Naturally, the center of the hall belonged to Violet and Duke Antoine. Violet lifted the corners of her lips slightly and placed her hand on his shoulder.  

They were a couple envied by all, yet Violet felt no joy. She couldn’t help but think of the time she had danced with Robert just recently. Every detail seemed to contrast with him.  

Duke Antoine, for instance, had a larger-than-average build for a man, with particularly broad shoulders that gave him a masculine impression. His chiseled jawline and distinct features made him the image of a classic handsome man.  

Robert, on the other hand, had radiant blond hair, elegant facial lines, delicate eyebrows, a smooth forehead, crimson lips, and a perfectly sculpted nose. Everything about him was excessively beautiful.  

As the music began and the dance commenced, Violet found herself thinking even more about Robert. His gentle lead, precise footwork, warm yet intense gaze, and soft voice. Naturally, her eyes wandered through the crowd, searching for Robert, who she was sure would be watching her from somewhere.  

With his striking appearance, he should have stood out anywhere, yet she couldn’t spot him. 

He wouldn’t have left the banquet hall, would he?  

Feeling inexplicably anxious, Violet kept glancing around the hall. Duke Antoine, noticing her distraction, closed the distance between them abruptly. His scent, so different from Robert’s, invaded her space.  

“Who are you looking for, My Lady?”  

“No one, Your Grace.”  

“Am I failing to meet your expectations? You seem distracted.”  

“……I’m feeling a little dizzy.”  

“If you’re unwell, you should have said so.”  

Stopping the dance, Duke Antoine took Violet’s hand and led her out of the ballroom. Though people murmured briefly, the music soon drowned out their whispers.  

“Where are we going?”  

“You said you weren’t feeling well. You should rest.”  

His firm grip left her no choice but to follow. They arrived at an empty room on the second floor. Duke Antoine seated her somewhat roughly on a bed before striding over to a cabinet and retrieving a bottle of wine.  

“Rest here.”  

Violet felt uneasy about the situation. Many attendees had seen them leave together, and now they were alone in a closed room. Moreover, the pads inside her dress were becoming damp with milk and needed changing.  

Having skipped her medication, the amount of milk hadn’t decreased at all. Nervous about being discovered, Violet remained on edge.  

“Have a drink. Why are you so tense?”  

Duke Antoine approached with two glasses, pouring red wine and handing one to her. Violet accepted it stiffly.  

“Lady Laurent, you’re truly stunning tonight.”  

After downing several glasses of wine, Duke Antoine tilted her chin upward. When his thumb brushed against her lips, it felt as unsettling as a crawling insect. She subtly turned her head to avoid his touch, causing a faint crack to appear in his composed expression.  

“Do you think you’re made of porcelain?”  

“I think you may have had too much to drink, Your Grace.”  

“This is nothing.”  

“Perhaps I should return to the hall. It’s been a while since I attended a banquet, and I’d like to converse with others…”

Violet hastily rose from her seat, but the Duke forced her to sit back down. His hand was rough and devoid of any consideration. Something about the atmosphere felt off. Sensing the danger, Violet spoke as calmly and politely as she could.  

“Please don’t do this. This is not gentlemanly behavior.”  

“What a cliché thing to say. What does it even mean to be gentlemanly? Once you’re rolling in bed, there’s no difference between a gentleman and a beggar on the street. Oh, and of course, there’s no difference between a lady and a wh*re either.”  

Violet was utterly taken aback by the Duke’s sudden change in demeanor when they were alone. 

Was it the alcohol? Or was this his true nature all along? 

A creeping fear crawled up her spine. Her large eyes trembled visibly.  

“Don’t insult me.”  

“I’m not the one insulting you. You insulted me.”  

“What are you talking about? When have I ever insulted you?”  

“Tell me who you were looking for earlier.”  

Was it because of that? Was that why he was so upset? 

It seemed her brief glance away during their dance had deeply wounded this arrogant man’s pride.  

“Were you looking for another man? While I was right in front of you?”  

The Duke’s eyes glinted dangerously. It felt as though something was choking her, and she wanted nothing more than to escape this room as quickly as possible. Violet, who had always been cherished and adored like a flower in a greenhouse, was not accustomed to such treatment.  

“I wasn’t doing anything like that. I think I should leave.”  

Her voice trembled uncontrollably. Violet tried to stand once more, but the Duke’s brute strength stopped her again.  

“If you keep this up, I’ll scream!”  

“Go ahead, scream. This is my estate. I wonder whose side people will take.”  

Her wrist, caught in his grasp, began to ache. Without warning, the Duke started pulling at her dress. Alarms rang in her head. As much as she dreaded the thought of being assaulted, she was even more terrified of what would happen if her dress were torn here and now. If that happened, the Duke would see her leaking milk.  

“No!”  

Violet mustered all her strength to push the Duke away, but she couldn’t match his power. In the end, the sound of fabric tearing echoed as the front of her dress ripped open, revealing her ample chest. Violet hastily crossed her arms to cover herself, but the Duke had already seen it. Her round n*pples, glistening with clear droplets of milk.  

“Oh my, is that what I think it is…?”  

“It’s not!”  

“Hah. What kind of immoral act must you have committed to be leaking milk like this?”  

“It’s a misunderstanding, Your Grace. Let me explain—”  

Despite her desperate plea, the Duke smirked bitterly, as if he had figured everything out.  

“I thought you were a virtuous lady, but it seems you’ve been spreading your legs wherever you please.”  

“That’s not true…”  

“Who’s the man? The one you were looking for earlier? I knew my instincts weren’t wrong.”  

The Duke growled as he pushed Violet onto the bed. He forcibly pried her arms away from her chest, exposing her defenseless body to his lascivious gaze. Violet, dwarfed by the Duke’s massive build, couldn’t overpower him.  

“Were you planning to marry me with a body like this?”  

“Please, listen to me—”  

“You act all prim and proper in front of me, but behind my back, you’ve been whoring yourself out. Since you’re already so used up, why not let me have a taste as well?”  

At the Duke’s crossing of the line, Violet slapped him across the face. His lips split slightly, and his eyes flared with rage as he moved to tear the rest of her dress. The sight of the Duke, whom she had thought to be a gentleman, now revealed as a beast, drained all color from Violet’s face. Instinctive fear gripped her entire body, causing her fine hairs to stand on end and her hands to tremble.  

If this continued, something terrible would happen. She wanted to break free and run, but the Duke’s overwhelming strength made it impossible. A tear rolled down from her large eyes. Violet clenched her eyes shut. In that moment, only one person came to her mind.  

Robert!  

Robert, please come and save me. Take me away from here.  

As if her desperate prayer had been answered, a dull thud echoed through the room, and the Duke collapsed on the spot. Violet opened her eyes to find the Duke unconscious at her feet. She looked up at the person who had struck him down. Though he wore a mask, she recognized him instantly. There was no mistaking who it was.  

“Robert!”  

Violet burst into tears and threw herself into Robert’s arms. He calmly stroked her trembling back, soothing her.  

“Why… why did you take so long to come? Hic, sob…”  

“I’m here now. Don’t cry, My Lady.”  

“I was so scared… hic, sob…”  

“Shh. Everything is fine now. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”  

“Hic, sob, waah!”  

“I’ll protect you, My Lady.”  

“Hic, sniff, hiccup!”  

“Let’s leave this place first.”  

Robert took off his coat and wrapped it around Violet’s body to cover her face and exposed skin. He quickly and discreetly left the Duke’s estate with her.