Episode 24
“Violet?”
Cyril’s voice came from behind the door.
“Yes, Uncle.”
Soon, Cyril came out of the room with a woman Violet didn’t recognize.
“You heard us?”
“Oh, I just got here.”
Violet answered quickly. Thankfully, Cyril seemed to take that as “I didn’t hear anything.”
“Good. This is Olive. She’s the housekeeper here.”
“Hello, I’m Olive. I’m the butler of this house. Please ignore Cyril’s introduction and remember that I’m the butler.”
The woman named Olive wore a neat apron. She looked a bit older than Cyril, was quite tall, and except for her completely emotionless face, she didn’t really stand out.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Butler.”
Olive’s face softened just a little when she heard the word butler.
“Just call me Olive. That’s enough.”
“I’ve told you so many times—this house doesn’t need a butler. You’re the housekeeper.”
Cyril complained.
“I do both jobs. So I should be able to choose my own title. I take care of repairs, cooking, even practicality—basically, anything ending in ‘-li.’”
Yup, typical Cyril—his housekeeper was just as eccentric. Violet was kind of impressed.
“What do you mean by ‘practicality’?”
“It means I manage this fine gentleman so he doesn’t get scammed by people. For example—”
“Alright, alright. That’s enough.”
Violet knew Cyril was a mercenary, but she still didn’t understand just how famous he was to be living in such a nice house.
‘I wanted to hear more about his job…’
Just then, Cyril opened a door.
“Go on in. It’s your room now.”
“Okay.”
Violet stepped inside.
‘Wow… oh wow.’
She froze for a moment.
It was a clean, cozy room. A big window with soft lace curtains let in natural light.
‘So pretty… It’s even fancier than Marigold’s room.’
Olive had a great eye for design. The room was decorated in soft lavender tones, which Violet loved.
There was a large four-poster bed in the center, a vase of flowers on the shelf, and a wardrobe carved with lily patterns.
Soft lights around the room made it even more beautiful.
“Is… is this really my room?”
Violet’s voice trembled.
“Why? You don’t like it?”
Cyril looked a little nervous. Violet didn’t know what to say.
“Olive, I told you I wanted pink in here.”
Cyril frowned slightly.
“I made this in three days, which already proves how good I am as a butler. Even if the room was already a former daughter’s room.”
“You’re not a butler! Are we really going to keep having this argument forever?”
“Olive’s not just a butler. She’s… someone great and admirable—for decorating such a beautiful room.”
Violet wiped her eyes as she spoke.
“I’ve been voted the butler. Majority rules.”
Olive said firmly. Cyril looked like his blood pressure was rising.
“Really, thank you so much, Olive.”
Violet said sincerely.
“If you want to thank someone, thank the owner of the house who paid for everything. Also, check the wardrobe. That’ll make you respect me even more as a great butler.”
Olive replied without blinking once.
“Alright, alright. As long as you like it, Violet, that’s what matters.”
Cyril said.
Violet swallowed. Then she slowly turned and walked toward Cyril.
Words were hard.
Saying something sweet was just as hard as throwing an insult.
A simple “thank you” didn’t feel like enough to express how she felt.
‘This means… I’m not a burden anymore. For the first time, I have a place where I belong.’
So, her body moved on its own. Violet gathered her courage and gave Cyril a hug.
Cyril completely froze. Only his eyes blinked.
“If you ask me, this is a natural emotional response to my excellent skills as a butler.”
If Olive hadn’t said that, Violet might have actually cried.
She stepped back from Cyril and smiled.
“I’ve never had such a wonderful space before. Thank you, Uncle.”
Violet said. Cyril looked completely stunned.
“Uh… yeah. Right. Sure…”
He muttered.
Violet had a feeling—good things were going to happen in this house.
She couldn’t get tired of the room, even after looking around a few times.
‘Wow… this is like something out of a fantasy novel…’
The bookshelf was full of novels Violet loved. Even a super rare one called Lady Rosiness that was out of print!
“Do you need anything else?”
While she was admiring the room, Olive asked.
Violet opened the wardrobe as she answered.
“Needing anything more would just be greedy. This is already too amazing.”
She said in awe. Inside were several brand-new outfits—underwear included.
“By the way, how did you even know my clothing size?”
“I investigated.”
“What kind of investigation?”
“I heard from Cyril that you’re enrolled in the academy’s knight program. There are only a few shops near the academy that sell practice gear for trainees. I visited those and asked if they had a customer named Violet Everdeen.”
“That’s how you found out my size! Olive, you really are an amazing butler!”
Even after the compliment, Olive stayed expressionless. But… Violet thought she saw her mouth twitch up a little.
“As a competent butler, it makes sense that I receive admiration.”
“You’re right! Totally fair!”
Violet laughed brightly. Olive’s smile grew just a bit more.
“I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”
Olive said and left the room.
‘If I wake up and this is all a dream, I swear I’ll turn into a villain.’
Luckily, it wasn’t a dream. Her stomach was starting to growl.
That evening, Olive quietly prepared dinner. Everything in Cyril’s house looked so stylish.
It was different from the old-fashioned furniture in the Everdeen house. More modern.
Olive casually mentioned dinner was at 7 p.m.
When Violet went downstairs, Cyril was already seated at the head of the table, quietly reading papers.
Violet carefully took a seat diagonally across from him. Olive brought out the food.
“Thanks for the meal.”
That’s when Cyril finally looked up. He nodded silently in reply.
‘I’m so glad I get to live here. I even hugged Uncle earlier without thinking…’
Still, things felt a little awkward…
Violet thought.
“By the way, where did you come from earlier? Did you run straight from home?”
Violet suddenly remembered something.
‘Oh right… I was in a jail cell.’
She rolled her eyes.
“Well… I got caught up in some stuff.”
“What kind of stuff?”
Come to think of it, Cyril was going to be her guardian now.
She should probably be honest about the big and small things.
“The capital’s Knight Commander tried to threaten me into going with him.”
Cyril finally put the papers down. Silence filled the room.
“Why?”
“Because I’m his son’s fiancée… sort of.”
“You’re breaking it off, right?”
“I plan to. I told them how I feel.”
“That’s a family-to-family issue. Your father probably won’t agree. What’s the chance they’ll back off?”
“Pretty high. I already broke Blue Dean’s nose…”
“…”
Silence again.
“Was it a full break?”
“Yup. Not permanently ruined, but definitely broken.”
“Well done.”
“That counts as a good thing?”
“For a girl like you to punch someone, he must’ve really deserved it.”
Violet suddenly liked this house even more. Cyril was pretty chill.
“Alright, let’s eat.”
“Wait… that’s it? You’re not worried? What if my dad comes after me, or the Knight Commander—”
“You’re an adult. If anyone tries to take you, call the city guards. Even the Knight Commander can’t just order them around.”
“That’s true.”
“I’ve got enough connections to protect one person in this house.”
Violet nodded. So many heart-racing moments today.
“Yes, Uncle.”
“Just in case, don’t go out too much for now. Enjoy staying home.”
“But I still have to go to the academy. Even if I’m about to drop out, I should at least show up.”
“Then go. Oh, and I’ll be away on a business trip starting tomorrow. So make yourself comfortable here.”
Violet smiled slightly.
After dinner, Olive brought the evening paper.
She asked if Violet wanted to read it, and she said yes.
<The Imperial Knight Commander Under Internal Investigation — Suspected of Hiding a National Treasure Artifact>
‘Huh?’
Violet blinked in disbelief.
It felt like just earlier she’d had that whole chaotic incident with Marlon…
‘What the—Marlon’s already been arrested?’
