“Have you arrived?”
A week later, the Snake Duke, who had finished various errands, arrived only after the sun had set, just as expected.
“I apologize for visiting at such a late hour. This is the first time we’ve met since the banquet hall incident.”
Even the simple act of stepping out of his carriage exuded elegance as he approached Violet with light footsteps. The closer he came, the more his overwhelming presence made it difficult to breathe.
“Yes. It’s been a while.”
Violet welcomed the Snake Duke with an awkward smile, but he seemed completely uninterested in her expression.
Meanwhile, Violet’s gaze carefully studied him.
Even after not seeing him for so long, his handsome features remained unchanged. Black hair, mystical golden eyes, a prominent nose bridge, sharp jawline, and sturdy physique…
Honestly, judging by appearance alone, he was captivating enough to stare at endlessly, but he wasn’t the type Violet preferred. She liked gentle-looking men rather than those with sharp features.
When Violet extended her hand, the Duke lightly kissed the back of it.
Seeing him greet her with such a courteous attitude made one corner of her heart sink heavily while simultaneously stirring up resentment toward him.
Their last meeting had been at the banquet hall six months ago, when he had escorted her. After that, there had been no contact until suddenly, a letter announcing the broken engagement… How incredibly selfish.
Would he even know that his selfish actions had caused her humiliation at the banquet hall? Would he know that rumors had spread even before the official breakup, causing her to be ridiculed? No. He wouldn’t.
A man who had never shown interest in where she went or what she did would certainly care even less about the humiliation she had suffered.
What a terrible person! Just because he’s a Duke? Just because he’s the leader of the Snake clan!
Violet screamed in her heart words she couldn’t dare utter aloud. It felt somewhat relieving to mentally unleash all sorts of curses.
Then suddenly, she felt like giving one last chance to the Snake Duke who had come personally to deliver his apology.
Though she was indignant about being used and discarded, it had been a loveless marriage anyway. So just before the engagement was broken, if he confessed his wrongdoing and sincerely apologized, her mind might change.
Let’s see how sincere his apology will be.
Hoping that the medicine she had painstakingly made every night wouldn’t need to be used on him, Violet said to Aslan:
“I’d like to talk with you alone.”
Creating an opportunity for him to apologize for his wrongdoing seemed better with just the two of them.
“That would be best.”
He apparently shared the same thought and agreed with Violet’s suggestion, following her into the reception room.
“Please sit comfortably.”
After politely gesturing for him to sit on the sofa, Violet sat across from him.
“…”
“…”
Once seated on the sofa, an awkward silence briefly fell between them. It would be strange to be cheerful when they were about to break off their engagement, so Violet waited for the maid to bring dessert and tea.
Separate from giving the Duke a chance, she planned to secretly put a sleeping drug in his tea that would take effect three hours later.
Since this was her first time deceiving someone, her heart pounded. Her hands and feet tingled involuntarily, and her mouth felt parched, but Violet tried to maintain a smile on her lips.
Not long after, a maid entered carrying a tray with dessert and tea, which somewhat eased the awkward atmosphere between the two.
However, knowing that the tea he would drink contained sleeping medicine made her body tense with guilt.
Violet picked up her teacup and carefully observed Aslan sitting across from her.
Will he drink it? Or will he notice and refuse?
He still paid no attention to her gaze as he picked up his teacup and first savored the aroma.
“The tea has a unique scent, doesn’t it?”
Seeing him being cautious before drinking, Violet looked at Aslan with anxious eyes, afraid she might have been caught.
Surely he hadn’t noticed?
“I prepared a tea that only the rabbit clan enjoys. If the scent doesn’t suit you, shall I bring a different tea?”
Violet had prepared a tea she thought Aslan had never tasted before, so he wouldn’t notice anything strange about the taste.
Therefore, to prevent him from becoming suspicious, she offered a different tea. It didn’t matter if another tea was brought, since Margaret would secretly add the medicine anyway.
“No need. I’ve never tried it before, so I’m rather curious.”
Making a peculiar expression, Aslan put the teacup to his lips. Just watching him swallow the tea made her heart flutter.
“The tea tastes good.”
“I’m glad it suits your taste.”
Seeing him drink the tea right before her eyes brought all sorts of thoughts to mind, but contrary to her worries, he didn’t find it suspicious. Rather, he seemed to enjoy it, continuing to savor the aroma while drinking.
Well, she was worried for nothing.
When Aslan’s wariness seemed to ease a bit, Violet breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. To calm her excited mind, she too picked up her teacup and carefully drank her tea.
As the atmosphere relaxed considerably, Aslan spoke first.
“Did you receive the letter I sent?”
“Yes, I did.”
Her answer being too brief, he asked again.
“Did you read it?”
“Yes. You said you wanted to break off our engagement.”
“I imagine you were surprised. I apologize for the sudden termination. In return, I will pay an appropriate amount that should serve as sufficient consolation.”
“Ah, yes.”
Violet was curious about what Aslan would say next. But after her words, another awkward silence fell between them.
Seeing that he only offered a half-hearted apology and intended to end it there, it seemed he only thought of resolving the matter with money and had no intention of apologizing further.
Is this all he came to say? Does he think this is enough? How will he take responsibility for her feelings, her emotions?
The words she wanted to pour out to the Duke in her excitement were kept suppressed in her heart. There was no point in speaking them, since he wouldn’t understand anyway.
She had thought he might have come personally to break off the engagement respectfully, but meeting the Snake Duke in person, he still seemed completely unconcerned about her feelings.
If he had at least said he would somehow try to change the rumors that could be humiliating to Violet, she wouldn’t have thought of revenge. But without even that much, she could no longer hold back.
After their conversation, the guilt weighing on her shoulders seemed to ease somewhat, and Violet decided to proceed with her original plan to act later that night.
At that moment, perhaps her inner discontent showed on her face, because Aslan asked:
“Is there anything you wish to say to me?”
“No? Nothing.”
Since her dissatisfaction absolutely must not show outwardly, Violet maintained a smile on her lips as she answered.
However, Aslan’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Violet.
He had naturally expected her to protest about why he was suddenly breaking off the engagement. It was only natural not to understand such an abrupt notification.
So he had prepared various excuses in case she asked about the reason for the breakup, but since the rabbit lady didn’t ask anything, all his prepared content became useless.
She was grateful it’s being resolved so easily, but…
During their two-year engagement period, Violet had never bothered Aslan. She didn’t complain when communication was lacking, nor did she pester him to come see her.
Nor did she reject the gifts he sent. She simply complied with whatever he did.
Though he couldn’t know what she was thinking, it had been comfortable from his perspective. That’s why the engagement had lasted for two years.
Does she really have no complaints?
Aslan continued to examine Violet carefully with narrowed eyes. The sight of her calmly drinking tea showed no anger about the broken engagement anywhere.
Though it was a loveless engagement, her indifference made him feel uneasy. But thinking differently, it occurred to him that perhaps she had disliked the engagement with an unwanted partner that much. If so, that was fortunate.
Feeling sorry for dragging things out for two years, he put aside all his suspicious thoughts.
Aslan, who didn’t understand women’s hearts at all, lightly regarded Violet’s feelings, thinking that since the breakup satisfied both parties, that was enough.
“Since we’ve said all we needed to say, shall we end our conversation here?”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
As the awkward conversation finally came to an end, Violet felt relief.
Aslan, who was about to leave the reception room after a polite greeting, stopped in his tracks.
“If by chance…”
A chilling aura resided in his eyes as he looked back.
“Yes?”
Must she remain vigilant until the very end?
Her heart fluttered, wondering if he had suddenly noticed the drugged tea. At the same time, her mouth felt parched with anxiety and tension. She hoped the sound of her pounding heart wouldn’t reach him.
“If you feel the money is insufficient, please say so. I will give you whatever amount you desire.”
Perhaps he was concerned the amount was too small? Contrary to her worries, the fact that he only mentioned money suggested he fortunately hadn’t noticed.
“Yes, I understand. Well then, you must be tired, so please rest now.”
With a bow, Violet politely greeted him, guided him to the room where he would rest, and then returned to her own room.
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Am I the only one who finds it odd that someone so involved in politics has no understanding of high society? Doesn’t a duke have connections that would know everything about the people in high society?