Chapter 4
“I’m both a watchdog and helper for you, Princess.”
“So?”
“So please use me more often. I’m pretty decent at my job.”
Viola squinted her eyes.
“Are you sure you’re capable enough?”
Of course, I know.
It was mentioned several times in the novel.
There are at least three descriptions that describe ‘Xenon as a very good butler.’
Few people have been portrayed as someone dedicated to their work.
“I’ve shown you an ugly side of me, so I have to disagree that I’m competent. Aren’t I?”
“But it is better than claiming to be incompetent.”
Viola nodded and said.
“You’ve made two mistakes, so you’ll have to do better.”
“Of course.”
Xenon bent down.
“Xenon’s at your service, master.”
Viola secretly studied Xenon’s face.
I’ve heard that he’s quick-witted since he was young, and I’ve already read the novels.
‘You must be itching to ask.’
I noticed that he was barely holding back his curiosity.
“Ask me questions. But make sure it is worth it.”
“Really?”
“You look like you’re dying to ask.”
“Am I that transparent with my expression?”
“Yes.”
Xenon scratched his cheek gently.
He smiled but kept his eyes to mine.
‘Is it insight or out of tact?’
Naturally, Xenon could not have imagined that Viola had read the novel.
“I understand you’re quick-witted because you grew up in a poor family, but…”
For now, he concluded that she was quick to adapt and asked.
“Why did you allow Prince Vixen to hug you?”
The original answer was, ‘I don’t think it’s your business.’
Viola grinned.
“It’s none of your business.”
“I guess you’re right.”
Arin adapted the answer a little differently.
She chose a better reply than the original Viola.
“Hmm, it was a good way to analyze his body shape. It’s also easy to identify weak areas. When one holds a sword, you can measure the length of their arms, the body’s mobility, and where the musculature has developed by touching the muscles. So, that’s why I allowed him to hug me.”
Xenon lost his words for a moment.
He was told that she’s just a seven years old girl from the slums without any education.
If she wasn’t taught, it must be out of natural instinct.
Xenon replied, concealing his embarrassment.
“That’s why you allowed Prince Vixen to hug you?”
“Do you think that’s a problem?”
“The problem is…not that.”
Xenon felt as if he had been hit on the head.
‘She’s great.’
He admired her frankly.
It might be an answer that anyone can say, but it couldn’t be the answer from the girl who had only arrived at the Verratoux family three days ago.
Xenon approached Viola and knelt on one knee.
“I don’t have anything to say because you are absolutely right. To be honest, I didn’t expect you to pay attention to that extent.”
“It’s not a problem. You have great confidence, Princess.” Xenon said while taking someone out of his front pocket.
It was a small knife.
Viola is a little surprised. But she didn’t let it show on her face.
Xenon tended to the protruding stitches near Viola’s sleeve.
It was a very gentle and delicate touch.
‘He wasn’t like this in the original?’ Xenon is a little more affectionate than the original story.
“I will report to the Duke.”
“Go, do your job.”
“But I will also let the Princess know about it as well.”
Xenon took a piece of paper out from his arms.
It looked like a report.
This was also not mentioned in the original book.
[ It is apparent that the necessary skills needed to be the absolute ruler of Winter Castle are there.
There is also an instinctive desire and ambition for the absolute.
She has a necessary madness for Verratoux.
We also have the ability to control the madness. ]
Indeed, she did better than she thought. However, the content of the report is a little strange. An instinctive desire for domination?
Ambition?
“Why are you showing this to me?”
She added, “You didn’t have to show this to me.”
“I have seen enough of your qualities and talents. As you intended, you fully proved your qualifications during your meeting with Prince Vixen.”
“So I will do my best to make you become the next Duke.”
“…”
“You wanted to stay as a princess, don’t you?”
No.
I don’t intend to be a Princess forever.
First of all, my goal is to survive.
My plan is to give the successor title to the first Princess.
And I want to live as the human Viola, not a murder machine or a princess who is ten-thousand years old.
‘Please!’
There is an indescribable earnestness in his eyes.
“I can read it. The desperation in your eyes.”
It’s not out of desperation!
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen those eyes you have.”
“…”
“I’ll try, Princess.”
This gave me a terrible headache. But I decided to do what I need to for now.
“…Get a family tree. The more detailed, the better.”
A stormy day has passed.
The meeting with Vixen was hectic. Though the conversation with Xenon seemed to have gone well, still she is afraid.
Phew.
Arin made up her mind after deep thinking?
‘I need to survive.’
You have to prove your ability.
You should not be a shameful Princess in Verratoux.
The moment when you show an unbecoming image, you will be removed without a single rat or bird noticing.
Phew.
I don’t know how many times I sighed today.
I decided what I have to do now.
‘I guess Vixen is getting whipped by now.’
It was mentioned in the novel.
「 “Vixen, how did you see her?” 」
“It was fun.”
Duchess Isabella lifted the whip.
The whip was made from a thin Isilla wood. Ironically, Isilla means to be ‘love’ in the southern language.
[T/N: Context came to the word Ai, which means love in Nihongo or Japanese]
Just like a horse getting whipped.
“She’s your enemy. How can you be so lenient towards your enemies?”
“Lenient?”
“You have to trample them.”
“I understand, but why?”
“Because it is wrong.”
“What did I do wrong?”
“You have to be scolded.”
“You know it well. You’re going to get the cane, right, my son?”
「 Vixen knelt silently and prepared to be whipped. 」
He silently endures the punishment from his mother, Duchess Isabella.
「 “Why are you crying? Does a Verratoux show tears?” 」
「 “Mother’s hands are bleeding.” 」
The bark of an Isilla tree causes chemical reactions when it touches human skin.
In some cases, severe burns would stay on Duchess Isabella’s skin.
Duchess Isabella is always burned when she whips.
Vixen didn’t feel hurt due to him being hit.
However, it is painful to see his mother’s hand.
「 “Don’t be weak.” 」
If he were a normal child, he wouldn’t have been punished, but he took the punishment silently every time.
He will then return to his daily routine in a day or two with superhuman resilience. That was stated in the novel.
I have to get Vixen by my side, she thought.
Vixen is not the only one.
If she can, she should get everyone on her side.
The blue moonlight slipped past the window.
I clapped my hands.
“Xenon.”
Then, after a while, the door opened, and her butler had come in.
“I have a place I need to go. Guide me.”
“At this hour?”
Xenon was the same as usual. The sudden call at 1 a.m.. was not a disturbance for him at all.
“Yes.”
“Where do you want to go?”
“Vixen’s Room.”
Xenon’s eyes turned to Viola.
“Prince Vixen must be having a hard time right now.”
It’s not because the cane hurts, but rather the fact he got scolded by his mother for doing something wrong.
His mom’s hands were rough because of him, and it’s all his fault. He would think he is a bad kid and blames himself.
“I know.”
“You know?”
Xenon’s eyes narrowed.
“How do you know?”
“I’ve seen family relationships.”
Before Xenon further doubts, Viola continued.
“If I were the third female lion in this family, I would also scold my son for visiting an enemy first, especially since I’m not pure blood. Duchess Isabella is from the family Qualton Family, so her hand must hurt a lot. Vixen would be down and groaning as well from the terrible discipline.”
“Aha. So you’re planning to stab Prince Vixen?”
Xenon slipped out a dagger.
There was a purple liquid on the blade. It was just plain poison.
“You think I would do that? I’ve already learned about the absolute law.”
However, in Winter Castle, violence or murder is not allowed. Except for the preceding Duke.
All children under the age of ten till two are protected.
“If I kill Vixen, who’s wounded now, you will be executed for failing to guide me.”
“That could be a problem.”
“I don’t want my butler dead either.”
Even Arin, who became Viola, needed Xenon.
“Why?”
I didn’t think he would be asking me, ‘Why?’
Viola is a little embarrassed.
“You are necessary for Viola Verratoux.”
Because I need you, I didn’t know how else I could say it. I said it with my full name as if I’m talking about someone else. It was a habit as a reader.
Xenon went silent for a moment. He was necessary for Viola.
Xenon had goosebumps for a moment. That word holds a lot of implications.
‘You don’t have to point out for Verratoux.’
The little girl seemed to have a good grasp of her role and position here.
‘I didn’t notice.’
She wasn’t just a quick-witted slum girl.
Though, he couldn’t explain it by just looking at her.
‘This is…’
It was an amazing insight.
Xenon smiled meaningfully.
“I feel encouraged to hear that I’m needed for the Verratoux.”
He bent down.
“Please continue to use me as your butler.”
“Very well.”
Arin couldn’t relax. Xenon is a faithful butler for Viola, but he did not serve Viola from the beginning to the second half.
Viola constantly tests and determines whether he is the right person to serve her.
This line also existed in the original story.
「 “If she didn’t fit in with Verratoux, I would probably have killed myself and commemorated her neck as a keepsake. 」
In the second half of the novel, Xenon, who became very close to Viola, said it jokingly.
But Han Arin, who was a reader knows, more than half of the words he said were sincere.
So, I decided to be careful. It doesn’t hurt to be a bit cautious, anyway.
“This way.”
I walked along the long hallway while climbing some stairs as well. The mansion is massive, so it took quite a long time to walk around.
“This is the fifth Prince, Vixen’s room.”
“Well done.”
I took a deep breath.
If I open this door, I will be able to see Vixen in a poor state.
“Open the door.”
“Without knocking?”
“Yes.”
“All right.”
1 a.m.
It was tranquil.
Not a sound was heard.
Creak—
Quietly, they opened the door.
When Xenon opened the door, she felt a strange and heterogeneous atmosphere and a smell.
The bitter smell that I thought would only be experienced inside the novel was in my head, but now the ominous scent that was straight from the book had stung my nose.