Chapter 3 - Four at the Table

The dress was prepared for her in the bedroom. Just by a look she could tell the fabric was rare and luxurious with hand-sewed lace. Add a few gems and pearls and she will be prepared to attend the royal ball right away.

It was like a gift prepared by a wealthy lover who was satisfied with their last night.

No matter how pretty the robe was, it had one big flaw. It was impossible to get in without additional help as all the buttons were in the back. In the end, she had to call the maid in to finish her preparations.

"Where did this dress come from?" She asked the person helping her while waiting for the ribbons to be tied up.

"Duke of Ashford ordered it to be brought out from the storage room. I heard it was one of the best pieces there…" The servant answered without a blink which only confirmed Violet's thoughts.

Ashford dukedom is one of the best noble houses in the empire and their riches and lands were vast, almost unlimited. The royal families, but also foreign trade partners often gifted them expensive goods or tributes, sometimes including rare fabrics and dresses. Since there was no Lady of the House, all the clothes were to be stored away.

Somehow, the idea bothered her greatly. No one in the castle could give her such an expensive garment, except for the lord himself. If her partner turned out to be the Duke of Ashford, she would make it clear that it was just a one-night pleasure that would have no continuation.

She will have to cut the line clear while staying as polite as possible. And the dress will have to be returned afterwards, as it would feel like a payment for her service.

She doesn't feel much shame about having a one-night stand, but she was no courtesan to be compensated by any means. Last night was the agreement between two adult single people and it will stay as that, no strings attached.

Since it was past noon already, a lunch was set up in the dining room. Violet already knew her way around the castle, so she decided to go without the help of a servant. She was a commoner herself and being followed by the maid made her feel uncomfortable.

Ophelia already left ahead, while she was taking a bath. That girl was always like this and the wild trace in her character was one of her main charms. Even as a noble, her family had a viscounty in the countryside, allowing her to grow up without minding the decorum of the aristocratic world.

The viscountess made her attend social classes when she was older, but it was too late to fit her into the virtuous noble lady shape.

Being unrestrained was one of the reasons why Ophelia had so many admirers. From the crown prince of the kingdom to the pirate king terrorizing the seas, all of them were prominent figures around the world, some of them so dangerous that ordinary people might not see the lights of another day when encountering them at the wrong time.

But the worst among them was someone she knew very well.

Cassiel Ashford.

Or the younger half-brother of the current Duke of Ashford. The little tyrant that everyone avoided, the most obsessive and dangerous person in the world. If he knew that Ophelia and she shared a night, hell would break out on Earth.

"So it must have been Nathaniel…" she murmured as she passed the hallway. The pink hair scattered on the bed must have a different explanation.

"Did you call me, miss Violet?"

Duke of Ashford appeared behind the corner, startling the woman lost in her thoughts.

"Ack!" Violet, who wasn't expecting to meet him right there, almost bumped her nose into his chest. To avoid the crash, she took a quick step back, only to trip because of her clumsiness.

"Careful!" Nathaniel saved her from falling by wrapping his arm around her waist. Even separated by the fabric, she was still conscious of his big hand, and she turned red immediately.

"Do you have a fever? Or is the hangover today bad?" He asked in a caring voice.

Yes, this was the Nathaniel Ashford that she knew. Someone bright and warm like a spring sun, who won't make it difficult for her just for one night's mistake.

"My lord… About yesterday…" Violet almost choked on her own words. She never experienced any difficulty talking to people, yet her voice felt so heavy right now. Like a chunk that was stuck in her throat.

"Yesterday? Ah, do not worry… What happened in here, will never leave this castle's walls," he assured her with a gentle smile.

"No, I mean… Thank you for the dress?"

Great, Violet, you can't even speak properly right now. Her thoughts were in a mess.

"As expected, this colour suits you well. I think I did a good job in selecting this…"

The woman was still lost but the young duke already released her waist and offered his arm to escort her to the dining room. His action was so proper that it was in contrast with the sensations she felt last night.

'You can't judge a book by its cover…' Violet thought. The one looking most moderate could be such a beast in the bed. Remembering all the love marks on her body made her cheeks burn even more.

"Violet, you are finally here!"

Just as the door to the dining room opened, the pink head popped out to welcome them. Despite the hall isolating the sounds well, Ophelia was always proud of her "Violet radar" that helped her sense whenever her favourite person was nearby.

"This time, too! I was able to tell it was you coming!"

"Hahaha, good job, Lia…" Violet patted the girl on the head.

What are you? A dog?!

That "Violet radar" was strangely accurate every time.

The dining table was ridiculously long for only four of them. Another person was already seated, his face telling everyone that the joyful mood was the last thing he would tolerate today.

Cassiel Ashford was already enveloped in a murderous aura. He was a difficult person to handle, and even if Violet had known him since he was 12 years old, she rarely saw him smile.

As expected, he can only open to Ophelia.

"Good morning, Ciel," she smiled sweetly at him. For some reason, she liked to poke into the bee nest. This would surely kill her one day, but even the danger couldn't stop her from teasing him a little bit.

The usual Cassiel would retort poisonously that it was already an afternoon. But today, his gaze stopped on the arm that Violet was holding, and his face turned sour.

"Have a seat, miss Violet," Nathaniel held the chair and helped her sit down gracefully. Ophelia switched her place and moved next to her friend right away, causing Cassiel to send her way another murderous gaze.

'Hah, he can't even hide his jealousy…' Violet sighed. Hopefully, the lunch today will go without a hitch.

Nathaniel and Cassiel were half-brothers, but they looked nothing alike. The previous Duke of Ashford was married twice, his first wife passing away due to a mysterious illness. Their only child was a five-year-old boy who inherited his mother's honey-brown hair and green eyes.

He then remarried a princess from a neighbouring country and Cassiel was born, bearing the ash-like hair and dark eyes, that turned red every time he was angry. Which was basically all the time. The parents, unfortunately, died years ago, leaving the brothers without further family.