Violet Zerotta’s Hasty Marriage - Chapter 91

“You’re not hurt, right? You’re safe? Thank goodness!”

As Violet cradled his cheeks, half-laughing, half-crying, Aldrick’s arms around her tightened instinctively.

She felt even smaller and more delicate than he remembered.

Or perhaps he’d simply grown bigger?

Either way, it didn’t matter. What mattered was that Violet fit perfectly in his arms, and that he was now a grown man, someone strong enough to hold her like this.

It felt strange. She had always seemed so much larger than him as a child, yet now she was the smaller one.

Between their chests, a heart pounded loudly. Whose it was, neither of them could say for sure.

Only then did Violet realize just how naturally she had thrown herself into his embrace.

“C-Count Lambert is safe too, that’s really good to hear!”

Violet, sensing something awkward in the air between them, quickly changed the subject and took a step back.

Aldrick didn’t blame her for that. They had all the time in the world now. It was only natural that they still needed a little space.

Perhaps it was because of the war, but Aldrick had gained a sense of calm that he hadn’t possessed a year ago. The biggest thing that had stood between them was now gone. He felt as though his past self had been just a foolish boy.

“I kept my promise, Violet. Just like I said. We met again, and from now on, we’ll be together—always.”

He murmured this to Violet, who had yet to fully retreat from his embrace.

She didn’t reply, but her ears had turned as red as his had always done in the past.

***

The return of Simon Lambert, the master of the estate, and his friend Aldrick Winter brought a festive mood to the manor. In fact, it wasn’t just the Lambert estate—joy over the war’s end spread through the entire capital.

After a few days of rest, a small celebration was held at the Lambert estate ahead of the official victory parade. It was a modest party, inviting Count Lambert’s close acquaintances to celebrate his safe return.

“Lady Winter! I’m so glad to hear you’ve been well. I heard everything from Doris. If you hadn’t been doing well, Aldrick would’ve never let me hear the end of it. Honestly, if I could tell you how often he went on about his wife even on the battlefield…”

“Enough, Simon.”

When Aldrick and Violet approached Count Lambert to greet him at the party, he teased them with a playful grin.

Knowing the Count was deeply devoted to his wife, Violet figured he might be exaggerating just a little. She averted her eyes from Aldrick’s now reddening face.

Having been invited to a formal gathering, the two entered hand-in-hand, dressed more elegantly than usual.

From earlier, Aldrick hadn’t been able to take his eyes off Violet. Of course, he had always thought she was beautiful, but now—seeing her again—she was breathtaking enough to make his heart ache.

How was it possible for someone to grow more beautiful by the day? Aldrick was genuinely puzzled.

Bringing her away from Wölze and marrying her was the second-best decision of his life. The first, of course, was that day eleven years ago, when he’d gone to the village stream where Violet was.

Wearing the best of the dresses Doris had picked out for her, Violet looked lovely even without Aldrick’s adoring gaze.

Having watched her for years, Aldrick was even more attuned to the changes in her. Her lines had matured even more than a year ago, her figure softly curving, her face more delicate.

Just looking at her made his body feel like it was burning up. And Aldrick wasn’t the only one affected.

‘What’s wrong with me? Why am I so fluttery inside…?’

Violet had been like this ever since Aldrick returned.

Even now, she was struggling to calm her racing heart under Aldrick’s constant gaze.

She’d always known he was a pretty boy. But now that that pretty face had fully grown into that of a man—it was a different kind of trouble.

In just a year, Aldrick had changed again.

He was even taller now, with a high-bridged nose, delicate lips, broad shoulders, and strong legs—unmistakably a man.

‘He really was born different… incredible.’

Unable to look him directly in the eye, Violet had wandered away from Aldrick after entering the banquet hall, circling the outer edge of the main floor.

But the estate’s hall wasn’t large, and Aldrick’s gaze followed her everywhere, as though he were tracking her every move.

Every time their eyes met throughout the night, Violet tried to suppress her blushing cheeks and thought pettily,

‘At this rate, he’s going to end up breaking a few hearts.’