Violet Zerotta’s Hasty Marriage - Chapter 88

Compared to the dramatic way they left the village, the journey to the capital was peaceful. Riding a horse for the first time was uncomfortable, but she gradually got used to it.

Fortunately, it was Aldrick who took care of handling the horse. Violet’s only role was to sit in front of him, cradled in his arms like a bundle of luggage.

Every time she felt Aldrick’s broad, solid frame firmly surrounding her from behind, she was filled with emotion.

When had this small, young boy grown up so much?

By that point, she had no choice but to acknowledge it. He was no longer the same Aldrick from the past. He was now a full-grown man and a capable knight of the kingdom.

It would have been a lie to say she didn’t feel a flutter in her heart as she began to see Aldrick as a man. But Violet worked hard to deny and erase such embarrassing feelings.

She didn’t want Aldrick to notice those thoughts. What on earth was she thinking, being so ridiculous?

She made a conscious effort to recall their childhood memories. They were bound by a contract called marriage, but in truth, they were like siblings—that was what she kept reminding herself of. If she was to play the role of a true older sister, she shouldn’t be harboring improper thoughts when looking at him.

She had to be prepared to let him go without regret if a woman he truly loved ever appeared. Violet did her best to stay mindful of that responsibility.

But every time Aldrick acted kind and gentle as always. When he wrapped his arms around her shoulders in the cold or held her hand, it became increasingly difficult to control her trembling heart.

While Violet wrestled with her feelings, the two of them eventually arrived in the capital.

Without even having time to be awed by the city’s bustling streets, Violet was led straight to a noble household by Aldrick. It was the mansion of Count Simon Lambert.

“You can stay here while I’m gone. Make yourself at home. I’ve already spoken with the lord of the house—it’s really okay,” Aldrick said nonchalantly.

No matter how casually he put it, it wasn’t easy for Violet, who had lived in a rundown shack, to relax in such a grand estate.

However, Violet adapted with the resilience of a weed, and after a few days, her initial discomfort began to fade.

Her quick adjustment was largely thanks to Aldrick’s close relationship with Count Lambert. It seemed he hadn’t entrusted her here without good reason. The two men truly seemed to be close.

The Countess being an incredibly kind person was also a major factor. She was warm-hearted and treated Violet, who was practically a commoner, without any reservations.

For the first time in her life, Violet ate good food with ease and slept in soft, warm bedding. Even better, this luxury wasn’t hers alone.

Knowing what kind of environment Aldrick had grown up in, Violet had always worried whenever she thought of him in the capital. But if he had been living like this after becoming a knight, it was a relief.

She had worried he might be suffering from harsh conditions after joining the knighthood, but if his time here had been more meaningful than back in Wölze and had made him happy, then that was a wonderful thing.

However, before she could get a deeper look into Aldrick’s life as a knight in the capital, time flew by and the day of his deployment arrived.

On the day of the departure ceremony, Violet ran out to the main road like the other citizens of the capital to cheer for the Illoan army. She couldn’t find Aldrick among the rows of knights and soldiers, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the procession until the very last unit passed.

Her eyes were already swollen from the tears she’d cried the night before. She didn’t want to cry again and risk lowering morale, but the thought of young, kind-hearted Aldrick going off to war and having to kill people made tears fill her eyes.

The thought of her living in comfort while he suffered only made her heart ache more.

“Don’t cry, Violet. I promise I’ll come back alive.”

Aldrick was simply grateful and moved by Violet crying for him.

His promise to return alive wasn’t an empty one. Though he might have to fight with the pride of a knight and be prepared to give his life, Aldrick had no intention of doing so.

Honor and loyalty meant nothing to him now. He had long since given his heart entirely to Violet, and if anything remained, he intended to save it for her as well.