Chapter 206

"......"

Violet's words were sincere and true, and Aldin was well aware of it.

Though she was smiling now, unscarred, Aldin couldn't forget that day.

Violet being dragged away by a man in a black mask, he fiends they encountered when he followed, Violet threatening her own life with a dagger.

Aldin closed his eyes tightly, recalling the blood flowing freely.

Even knowing Violet was safe, he often had nightmares.

What if he hadn't seen her by chance, or hadn't been able to rescue her? What if Violet had been seriously injured?

He remembered the expression the crown prince wore as he saw Violet injured.

What were his feelings at that moment? When he refused his request to see her safe just once, what expression did the crown prince have?

The knight, tormented by nightmares while unable to send even one letter to inquire about her safety, frowned.

Violet, noticing his expression, asked with a hint of concern.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"Pardon?"

It was an unexpected question for him. Aldin opened his eyes, furrowing his brow, unaware of his own expression.

What he saw were Violet's purple eyes.

The flustered knight opened his mouth stiffly, the wrinkles on his brow still prominent.

Violet pressed and rubbed Aldin's brow.

The more she did, the more intensely his expression contorted.

Violet quickly withdrew her hand before she found too much amusement.

"Ah, my apologies if I was rude. Your expression just seemed so troubled... I worry I might have tired you unnecessarily."

"It's okay. I've been having nightmares recently, it seems."

"Nightmares?"

"But I think I won't have them tonight. Because I have the painting you gave me."

Finally, Aldin's expression relaxed. Momentarily admiring his looks, Violet questioned his following statement with curiosity.

"The painting isn't a talisman."

"A talisman...?"

" There's no power in that painting to ward off nightmares."

Aldin suddenly laughed at Violet's response, his laughter clear and pleasant to hear.

Violet's expression turned curious at his first such reaction of the day, and Aldin hastily added,

"No, that's not it. It's just that now there's no reason for me to have nightmares anymore."

"No reason for nightmares?"

"...Something like that."

Violet followed Aldin with her gaze at his overly vague answer.

Aldin subtly avoided her gaze. It was better to block difficult questions in advance.

Trying to change the subject, Aldin asked in return,

"How have you been all this time?"

He still didn't meet her gaze. Violet kept her eyes on him, though it was unlikely her curiosity would be satisfied.

"I took a break for a while. It wasn't a pleasant time."

"Is that so? I hoped that incident wouldn't remain in your memory."

The subject inevitably came back, making Aldin flinch.

It's natural for such an experience to leave behind trauma. Both Violet and Aldin knew this.

Yet, Violet dismissed it without much thought. In reality, she was more concerned about the relationships she had with the people around her rather than the kidnapping itself.

Unaware of this, Aldin cautiously began.

"By any chance, if my face is uncomfortable to see..."

"What? Why would your face be uncomfortable to see?"

"Well, that day wasn't a good memory. If seeing me reminds you of it..."

"Ah."

Realizing why the man had become timid, Violet stopped in her tracks. Unable to burst into laughter, she trembled slightly.

Aldin was the only one confused by Violet's sudden behavior.

It was only a bit later that Aldin realized Violet was laughing. His ears turned bright red.

"Ahahaha! Were you really worried about that? No way. I'm actually grateful to you, my lifesaver."

"......"

"Really. You're so much cuter than I thought. Or are you just being shy?"

"...Um."

"I'm telling you, it's fine. So please feel free to send me letters. There is something that's bothering me, but that's another matter."

"...Yes."

This time, the knight began to tremble. Violet considered teasing him a bit more but then let it go.

The afternoon promenade was quiet. It was time for work for everyone else. In that atmosphere, the sound of birds chirping was clear.

Walking down the peaceful boulevard, Violet laughed. Her unbound hair fluttered in the breeze.

Laughing in the cool wind, Violet laughed again and again. Aldin, glancing at her laughing with the sunlight behind her, held his breath.

"It's actually about a different concern. That day, Cairn was seriously hurt because of me."

The topic Violet broached was neither about the kidnapping nor about Aileen.

Aldin shifted his gaze to Violet. Even though she was laughing, her expression seemed somewhat bitter as she looked into the distance.

Recalling his recently mature-acting friend, Aldin looked back at Violet.

"What do you think of Cairn?"

"I consider him a good friend. He doesn't cling to status or lineage, and he always speaks his mind. Though sometimes he's too reckless with his words."

"I suppose so. But I dislike him."

"I can guess why."

"I still dislike him. Not just simply disliking, but I find him detestable."

Closing her eyes, Violet admitted this. Even though it amounted to bad-mouthing a friend's friend, she couldn't stop.