Chapter 6

Winter left her after the meal. Violet stood for a while in the restaurant lobby.

A woman wearing a wide-brimmed, fancy sky-blue hat called to her.

“Violet!”

Lifting her head, she saw her cousin and the most famous actress in Lacround, Ariella Lawrence. Violet smiled. She hadn’t seen her cousin in a long time.

“It’s been a while, Ariella. Busy these days, aren't you?”

“Yes, I’m busy. You’re not as busy, are you? You should come to the capital more often.”

“I think I will,” Violet replied.

Ariella sighed.

“I envy you. I’d love to marry early and spend my days arranging flowers or something, too. The noble life, you know?”

“I see.”

“Oh right! I run into Lord Winter quite often at Kaisel Stadium. We get along pretty well. I think it's because both of us were forced to work and earn from a young age. You don't... like such barbaric sports, do you?”

“That’s not it. It’s just that I'm not familiar with it.”

Violet felt like adding, You weren't forced to earn anything when you were little. You just ran off

saying you wanted freedom. She repressed the urge. Ariella narrowed her eyes.

“You always talk like that. Paints you as a good person. No wonder Lord Winter finds you frustrating.”

“Did he say that?”

“Yes.”

Violet smiled bitterly.

Her husband must really find her frustrating, then.

She hadn't been so reluctant to talk three years ago. Three years ago, she’d have been able to give Ariella an acerbic reply, something along the lines of, “What do I care if you and my husband get along?”

It was just that she’d had to deal with the endless criticism, the extreme loneliness, all these years. It had given her the inclination to simply hold back more.

Ariella turned towards the clock tower in the center of the island. She jumped.

“Oh no, I’ll be late for my reservation. See you.”

“Okay. See you.”

Violet said goodbye and fled to her carriage. Violet found Lulu waiting for her.

“Lulu, does Ariella stay at Conic Hotel often?”

“Huh?”

Lulu belatedly realizing something, made a scowl.

It was as Violet said. Ariella Lawrence was very partial to the Conic Hotel, which Winter operated. She always stayed at a Conic regardless of where she was performing, and the same was true when she was in the capital.

Violet looked surprised at the large number of dresses that Lulu brought her that morning. Which meant all those dresses Hayell had bought, those had gone to someone else.

“Yes, she does stay often...” Lulu replied glumly, and Violet simply nodded.

Winter had never really been home over the past three years. Violet had simply thought that it was to make up for the lost 2.4 million laakne. She hadn't thought he’d be unfaithful.

Violet had always felt guilt for being the cause of Winter’s near ruin, and did not stop supporting him in her heart even when he hurt her. But all things considered, if he hated her so much, it would be strange for him not to have a mistress, would it?

It didn't matter to Violet anymore.

She was tired of feeling lonely like this.

* * *

Unable to muster any more energy for sightseeing, Violet returned to the hotel.

She sat at the window of her room and stared outside.

It bothered her that she hadn't died.

She'd somehow managed to cling to life the past three years, but if the same kind of life was to continue, she had no reason to hang on.

She sat here, staring into space, until the sun set. She lifted her head at the smell of warm coffee. Lulu had walked in with some lovely-smelling coffee.

“If you’re not feeling hungry, would you like me to get you some dessert?”

“...”

“There isn’t much to a good life. Having a full belly, that goes a long way.”

Violet nodded at her words. Lulu handed her a cup of hot coffee.

“Just hold on to it, even if you don't feel like drinking. It's gotten colder now the sun has set.”

“How warm,” Violet forced a smile with damp eyes and brought the cup up to her face.

“Wow, that smell really cheers you up, doesn't it?”

“It does, right?”

“Yes.”

For now it seemed, she should just enjoy what she had. She sipped from the cup and spoke in a lighter tone.

“I think I’ll gorge on dinner. The southeastern cuisine at lunch was much too light for me.”

“That’s a great idea! That obstinate fool of a cook already sent a fisherman off to catch a lobster, so the main course is already decided. Please get some rest. I’ll be back to help you to dinner later.”

“Thanks,” Violet said warmly.

She did not feel like eating at all, but she could not skip dinner, not with the cook so excited over serving her.

Thankfully, the dinner was extremely good. She’d rather not have missed it. The meatloaf that Lulu brought her, telling her it should help get her energy back, made her want to extend her stay at the hotel.

Violet enjoyed the food so much that both Tulin and Lulu hung around Violet, wanting to hear more compliments about their cooking.

It was as Lulu had said.

Having a full belly did go a long way. And what's more, she found the energy to say what she really wanted to say. She’d no longer be a frustrating woman.

* * *

Winter had intended to stay up the night working at the Conic Hotel main office on the island, but he found it difficult to focus because of what Violet had said about her funeral.

He brought the documents over to the hotel where he was staying.

“I’ve thought about dying. It sometimes sounds better than living like this.”

Her resigned tone replayed in his head.

She must be exaggerating. She had to be.

He knew she must have hated him from the first, when she was forced into marrying him for the sacred duty of paying off her kingdom's debts. What reason had she to think about suicide?

He hated the fact that her words had such an effect on him. No doubt she’d said them lightly, in passing.

Someone knocked at his door.

“Winter.”

It was Violet's voice. Winter put down the documents, none of which he'd actually read. He rushed to get the door. When he opened the door and stood much too close to her face, Violet looked up. Their differences in height meant she couldn't look into his face otherwise.

She remained in that position, looking at him, for a while.

She looked at him like she was seeing him for the first time in a long time. “I want a divorce.”

Winter was silent. He simply stared at her.

Winter scrambled to find something to say.

“If that's what you want. Anytime.”

“Really?”

“But you’ll have to return the money I paid for this marriage.”

Violet hesitated.

Winter continued, his composure unbroken, “As I’m sure you know, three years warrants interest. I guess that would amount to at least 2.7 million laakne.”

“...”

“Oh, since you’ve borne the indignity of being my wife for three years, I suppose I’ll have to remove the interest. What else... Should I pay you for all the time you spent in bed, too?”

Winter stepped closer, and Violet backed up. Right before her body came up against the wall, Winter unconsciously brought his hand between her head and the wall, thinking he had to protect the princess.

Thanks to this gesture their faces were almost touching now. Winter leaned down and spoke in a mix of rage and resentment.

“A divorce? How could you of all people say that to me?” He spoke violently. He had to somehow make her change her mind.

Violet had expected him to bring up the money when she asked him about divorce. After all, that had been the reason she’d tolerated the situation for three whole years. She hadn't, however, expected him to react this angrily.

Violet managed a long sigh. She looked down at the floor.

“I know that you sustained huge losses by marrying me. But doesn't continuing this unwanted marriage just increase your losses?”

“How dare you think—”

“Just divorce me instead, and turn me into a debtor. I know I can't hope to repay all that money on my own. I don't mind if I die trying. That's still... a better deal for you, isn’t it?”

“You want to divorce me on such terms? Why? What is the reason?”

Violet felt a faint smile appear on her lips. “I’ve told you so many times. How can you still not know it? Why... why do you hate me so much?”

“...What?” Winter had no clue why she was saying these things.

Why was his wife asking him why he hated her so much?

Winter's hands shook. He felt like a boatman caught in a typhoon. His blood seemed to churn inside him, and his mind was full of rage and despair. She was out of her mind, he knew it. He didn't feel sane, either.

He wanted to grab her. He wanted to drag her in somewhere and lock the door. It felt as though she'd simply disappear otherwise.

All he found he could do was manage a stifled reply.

“I do not hate you. And I have no intention of divorcing you, either. Besides, if I don't wish for a divorce, no one will help you to get one. You know that much, right?”

“I... I know.”

“Then don't ever bring up that subject again.” Winter backed away. He stared into space, calmed himself. He then turned and disappeared into his bedroom. The sound of the door banging shut scared her, and she jerked her eyes shut.

“I do not hate you.”

“Liar,” Violet whispered forlornly as she trudged back to her room.