Violet was lost in thought as the doctor examined her.
Only after coming face to face with her own body did she accept that she wasn’t crazy, and that this was actually reality.
When the doctor had finished his examination, a maid belonging to the hotel – Lulu – offered her a warm cup of tea.
“You’ve been through such hardship, Little Madam.”
“What do you mean, hardship?”
“The checkup, of course!”
Violet nodded with embarrassment at Lulu’s serious words. Then the doctor spoke,
“You’re in a terrible shape. You’ve been continually taking medicine for your weak heart, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Your former medicine is known to worsen headaches and isn’t used nowadays. I’ll prescribe you a new medicine, so please try it. I don’t know anyone who still uses that drug anymore. Was it really prescribed by a qualified doctor?”
The new doctor blatantly criticised her former doctor’s techniques. It was reassuring to hear that Lichton, who had always said her illness didn’t exist, was actually wrong, but Violet was more concerned with the fact that her headaches could actually be treated.
After the doctor left, Violet raised her body; Lulu spoke, startled,
“The boss told me not to let you get up and wander about, Little Madam.”
Winter seemed to have spoken as if his wife would die immediately.
Violet spoke calmly, “Should we not move before the room’s owner returns?”
“What’s up with this couple…”
Lulu made a strange expression at Violet’s behaviour that didn’t suit someone from the Royal Family. Violet soon moved to a room with a stable, comfortable atmosphere, and cream-coloured wallpaper. Although it was a lot smaller than Winter’s room, she liked its cosiness.
Lulu left the room, announcing that she would be back with refreshments; a moment later, Phillip – one of Winter’s servants – knocked on the door.
After gaining permission to enter the room, Phillip shook his head and spoke,
“I’m very sorry, Little Madam.”
“You’re sorry?”
Violet repeated the strange remark, and Phillip continued,
“I wasn’t able to give you a proper massage due to my failings. If you’d allow me, I’d like to do it right this time.”
Wanting to make up for his mistakes back at the mansion, Phillip held a basin of lukewarm water with flower petals floating on top.
It must have been something Winter got involved in. After all, Winter had always done whatever he wanted.
It was embarrassing, but Violet didn’t refuse the offer of a massage.
She felt a little uncomfortable about a man touching her feet so intimately, but Phillip was just doing his job. In that sense, it was weird for her to think it was weird.
Phillip carefully dipped Violet’s feet in the warm water.
“Please tell me if it’s too painful or too gentle. I’m not good at controlling my strength because I normally only do this for the President*.”
(*Winter is their CEO/President/etc of the company – and therefore the boss of the staff there – in case this is unclear).
“Alright.”
Phillip was incredibly skilful with his hands. He gently pressed the top of her foot first, and it already felt as if her blood was flowing smoother. He meticulously massaged the soles of her feet before gently rubbing between her toes.
After going over the entire feet, Phillip wiped off the excess moisture with a towel before applying rose oil to his hands in order to meticulously massage her ankles.
Phillip was completely focused on the task and Violet could feel his determination; her nerves lessened, and she quickly adjusted. She was so relaxed that she became drowsy halfway through.
When he noticed her beginning to doze off, Phillip quickly wiped her feet and helped her to lie back. Violet murmured quietly as she lay back in bed.
“I didn’t expect it to feel that refreshing. Thank you.”
Phillip blushed at Violet’s kind voice; he’d grown accustomed to Winter’s behaviour, who only knew how to display his thanks with money.
“I, I’ll take my leave now. Please feel free to call if you need anything else.”
“Yes…….”
Violet replied, closing her eyes. She’d been so worried, but she fell asleep easily today.
The next morning, as Violet drank tea after breakfast, Lulu came into the room with a clothing rail
“Little Madam, please feel free to choose the clothes you’d like to wear for lunch with the President today.”
“Where did these clothes…?”
“Secretary Hael made the payment in a hurry.”
There was an assortment of colourful and bold dresses that Violet had never seen before in her entire life.
Violet had an awkward expression on her face. If she wore such a showy dress, the Duke and Duchess of Blooming would lose their minds. But they weren’t here, and even if they found out, they might just let it slide because the dresses were chosen by Winter’s own secretary.
Violet, who normally wore dreary clothing that didn’t complement her face, looked at the beautiful dresses and spoke with a worried look.
“But… is there enough money for this?”
Lulu replied with a serious expression.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, my husband spent 24 million Lakne to marry me. I heard he was almost bankrupt because of it…….”
“I, Is he?”
Lulu looked unsure, clearly not knowing the details. She stared at the dresses.
“If he doesn’t have enough money, why does Secretary Hael always come back with dresses like these?”
“Always?”
“Yes. He always returns with a clothing rail full of dresses like this.”
“……Dresses?”
Violet’s voice faded slightly.
My husband has never bought a dress for me.
So, for whom did Hael buy all these dresses?
In that moment, Violet felt a wave of loneliness, but she didn’t want to ruin the occasion, so she hastily buried the emotion with a smile.
“What should I wear…….”
Violet’s voice was hesitant, but her hand was already going for a soft, crimson satin dress. There were a few grey and black dresses she usually wore in the Blooming family mansion, but today she was going to wear her favourite colour. Lulu seemed to agree with her decision.
“It’s perfect for today’s weather!”
After choosing the dress, she tied a cream-coloured ribbon around her waist. After that, she randomly reached out for a pair of shoes in the basket below the clothing rail. They were velvet slippers the same colour as the ribbon, with pearls adorning the tips of the shoes. Violet spoke in surprise,
“I didn’t know such pretty slippers existed.”
“Now, please take a seat so we can do your hair.”
Once Violet sat down on the chair, Lulu admired her pale, golden hair.
“How are you so beautiful? The President really is a blessed man. Beautiful and sweet…….”
“Thank you for your kind words”, Violet answered, excited at the thought that this was her first date with her husband.