A Treat as a Reward
Marcellus took the lead from thereon and dealt with the aftermath of that event.
Because of what Violet did, he started to suspect the Miller's. There must be a reason why she did what she did - and he somehow came up with the idea that it had something to do with what was happening in that strict and secretive household. He would have to look further into this in the future.
However, in the meantime, he has another thing to handle.
"Vanilla frappe again? Is that your favorite or something?"
Apparently, Winter asked Marcellus for a reward for her hard work.
Thinking that he owes her the life of a potential business partner and that he is still guilty for doubting her all the time, he does as he is told. He takes her to a coffee shop and treats her to some sweets. Apart from rewarding her, he also feels the need to talk more with her.
With that, they settle down at a table beside the window of the coffee shop, sitting across each other.
"This is my stress reliever and comfort food. Have I judged you for liking coffee?" Winter retorted while indulging in her usual dose of her favorite vanilla-flavored dessert.
"I'm not doing such a thing. I'm just thinking of giving you another reward next time," Marcellus disclosed all of the sudden, taking her by pleasant surprise.
"Next time? Oh, so you're finally willing to work with me?"
"Well, yeah... I'm sorry for not coming with you earlier. It actually turned out to be worse than I imagined. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if both of you happened to fall."
"To start with, I myself did not expect that the accident was no accident, after all. It did take place at the same place as I remembered, but I almost didn't know what to do when I found out what really happened. In some sense, it's kind of the same with what you've done - I didn't expect it either. You ran all the way there with all you've got. Thank you for that."
"I don't deserve your gratitude, Ms. Agreste. You're the one who should be commended here."
"No, really! The fact that you saved us at the last minute had more than made up for your lack of trust!"
At that, he couldn't keep himself from smiling at her.
She may be an outlandish case and an unsettling existence, but in reality, she really is only a girl. He should not take her lightly - yet at the same time, he should treat her normally. That being said, he should not be too on guard around her. Otherwise, she might choose to drift away from him instead.
"I kinda feel bad, though..." Winter started again with a sullen look, putting down her spoon for a moment and looking down on the ground.
"All I thought about was how the incident would happen so that I could prevent it. I never once considered what Ms. Miller must have felt that whole time, so I was really thrown off guard to find her in so much pain and agony - it's like she's suffering for a long time. Even way before."
Marcellus is kind of astonished by how compassionate Winter could get.
Her sympathy is unclouded, and her sincerity is far-reaching. Even though she herself experienced something that disconcerting and frightening, she didn't blame Violet for letting her go through it - sure, she'd been mad, but that's only another side of her kindness.
"You shouldn't feel bad about it..." he reassured her and reached out his hand to pat her head, surprising her a little.
"You did what you could. Besides, you said it yourself - you didn't know the whole story. The fact that you still did something despite that was commendable. You even went and saved her. At least now, we know the story behind all of this."
At that point, Winter is no longer sure what's really the reward here - that is, whether it's the vanilla frappe that Marcellus treats her to or that breathtakingly dazzling smile of his that he ever rarely shows.