"Stop right there!"
Violet jumped from the bush and grabbed the hand with the sword.
"You are going too far, little man!"
The boy had yet to hit his growth spurts, so Violet seemed to be much taller than him. But most importantly, she was able to surprise him, gaining momentum. His hand trembled and he dropped the weapon in shock.
"You…! Who are you?!"
"Violet!" Cassiel blurted out. Partly happy, partly worried.
"Hi, Ciel! How are you today? What were you reading?" She let go of the red-haired boy and gave Cassiel the biggest smile. "I brought some food again."
The ash-haired boy took the basket from her and said with enthusiasm: "I finished the book you have recommended me! I have learned a lot from it!"
Violet's mouth twitched. She just casually told him to read some popular romance novels in the hope that he would learn the proper way to treat a lady. Rather than the yandere male lead, she would raise him into the idol loyal to one partner only.
Violet and Cassiel chitchatted together for a while, ignoring the presence of another person.
"You two… Am I a joke to you?!" The other boy screamed out angrily.
The girl turned to him, frowning her brown.
What was wrong with him?
His vibrant red hair was like fire and combined with scarlet cheeks, he looked like a little devil imp. It was cute but also funny.
However, no matter how adorable he was, she can't forgive anyone trying to hurt Cassiel.
"I'm sorry for startling you, but you shouldn't be threatening your friend with a weapon," she leaned down and patted his jacket that got dirty from falling. After removing the residue of the grass and leaves, she approached his head and lightly patted him.
He reminded her of someone, but she couldn't properly grasp the familiarity.
"Are you crazy, woman?! How dare you touch me! Do you even know who I am?!" He pushed her back. He looked mad but also confused by the sudden touch.
Who was he? That was the question.
She always focussed on her favourite couple and overlooked everyone else. Besides, the story never told the readers about the childhood of the main characters, the novel started when they are already eighteen years old.
"Here you are, Your Highness. I was looking for you," the strict-looking man in his fifties appeared in the garden.
"Your… Highness?" Violet repeated unconsciously.
Her eyes darted from the red-haired boy to the man who called him.
Noah Leonardo Rowan. The crown prince of the kingdom. The villain and main rival for Ophelia's heart from the story. Someone who will drive Cassiel to madness, playing with his emotions and almost stealing everything from him.
Her nemesis.
Someone she needs to protect her children from at all costs.
"Violet?" Cassiel was the only one who noticed the change in her mood. The always carefree and happy girl suddenly emitted a dark aura like she was sensing the dangerous person in front of her.
'She is afraid?' He was confused.
Why? Who was her enemy?
Cassiel looked around. There were only two other persons besides him. Was one of them the problem, or maybe both?
"Duke of Belleville… Are you done with your business?" The prince went to the man.
"Duke… of Belle…ville?!" Violet felt her legs going weak and she fell to the knees.
That old snake.
The right-hand man of the crown prince, the mastermind behind the most sinister plans. The one who plotted to take the Duchy of Ashford from Cassiel.
Both of them were the ultimate devils of the story. They were responsible for triggering Cassiel's changes and summoning the beast inside him that almost destroyed the world.
"Violet, are you okay?" The boy helped her to stand up again, but the trembling girl was feeling nauseous.
Why now?!
The two persons she hated the most were now standing before her. Violet was too weak to do anything, and Cassiel was still a child. She can't afford to attract their attention right now.
The two sides will inevitably fight, but she will be prepared when the time comes.
Not now.
"Little Duke. Pardon me, I didn't know that you were also here. Thank you for keeping His Highness company," the older man nodded his head in greetings. He sounded polite but Cassiel could feel the disgust coming from his voice.
Duchy of Ashford and Duchy of Belleville were the most notable houses in the kingdom. They were rivals for centuries. While Ashford was the symbol of wealth and prosperity, Belleville focused on politics and served at the royal court as the king's advisor and crown prince tutor.
But in terms of assets, they fall behind. Which was the reason for jealousy that led to the jeopardy between the bloodlines.
Taking advantage of Nathaniel's death, the Duke of Belleville seized the opportunity to become Cassiel's consultant, while plotting to steal all his estates behind his back.
"Your Highness, please wait for me at the carriage. I still have one more business to take care of… I will escort you back to the palace," the man offered politely, strengthening his perfect image as the wise royal tutor.
But he was just the poisonous serpent pretending to be a human.
"Wait a moment," Noah stopped him then turned to Cassiel with a smirk.
"Little Duke, I enjoyed playing with you today… As the commemoration of our new friendship, how about we exchange gifts?" He asked slyly.
The last thing Cassiel was interested in was meeting with the crown prince again, but his mind was too occupied with Violet's strange reaction. He didn't understand, what she feared, but he knew that the two uninvited guests were the problem.
To have them leave the garden as soon as possible, he reluctantly agreed to Noah's suggestion.
"Then," the sinister smile spread on the crown's prince face. "That girl. She is your maid, isn't she? Give her to me. If you do, I will forgive your rude behaviour today."